Remington 770 .243

[marnesoldier]

I have a chance to get a Remington 770 chambered in .243 for $150. It looks brand new. It does not come with a scope. I am in my late 30's and I am taking up hunting for the first time this season.

I like how light it is and the action works smooth enough for me. The only other rifle I can find in this price range is a Mosin Nagant, and frankly it's heavier, older, and would take more cash to get it mounted and scoped for hunting.

I've read some disparaging reviews about this model of rifle. Does anyone have experience with this rifle hunting in the field? In my logic a newish gun. Has to be better than a surplus rifle.

Also what would be the lowest priced scope and ammunition I could get by with. I'd like to keep the total cost at $200 or just above if possible.

 

[v8stang289]

While the 770 isn't exactly a top of the line rifle. it should serve you well for hunting and shooting in general. That is a decent price if the gun is in good shape. The only lower priced scopes I have had positive experiences with are Bushnell Banners, YMMV.

 

[Legionnaire]

Also what would be the lowest priced scope and ammunition I could get by with. I'd like to keep the total cost at $200 or just above if possible.

Do you mean you have a $200 budget for scope and ammo, or $200 total including the rifle? If the latter, don't think it's possible.

If your budget for scope and ammo is $200, I'd take a look at Mueller. They have a 3-9x40 you should be able to find for under $150. Remember that you will need bases and rings, too.

 

[witchhunter]

Pick up some factory ammo and sight it in. If you can, try different brands and find the brand that shoots best in your rifle. Then buy that ammo, shoot it at different yardages so you know much it drops and have fun. Take a hunter safety course before you go hunting, you don't want to be on the news.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

Plan on spending $200 on a scope. $100 on ammo. Plus the rifle. Then you'll have a good start to a lifetime of hunting (after the safety course)!

Enjoy.
Greg

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Remington 710-770 pure junk....get a Savage/Stevens 200 for the same price, spice it up with a nice stock if you want....my 200 shoots dime groups (7mm-08) added a walnut stock from Boyds....got a beautiful low price tack ddriver.....I own lots of nice rifles, high dollar rifles but the cheapo Stevens 200 always goes with me to the deer lease or in the truck when I check cattle....the Remingtons are rough action crapola.

 

[herrwalther]

$150 for a Remington 770 is $200 too much. I could not get rid of my 770 in 7mm-08 fast enough. I almost had to beg a gun store to buy it off me. I think you get the idea. The biggest issue I had with the 770 was feeding. No matter how lubricated and smooth I made the feed ramps, the bolt had a hard time feeding a round. There are better budget rifles around without going into junk quality.

 

[Gtscotty]

The 770 has a rough reputation, i reckon I'd troll around gun stores, gun shows, and gun broker to see if I could snag a deal on a Savage or Stevens. One time I picked up an excellent condition Savage 110 with a crappy Simmons scope for $250 at a gun show... Something like that sounds like it would be a good find for you. On the other hand one of my hunting buddy's sons uses a 770 in .243 to kill every deer and coyote that sneaks through the woods around him deader than a door nail.

 

[gamestalker]

I think I can provide you with an honest first hand opinion. I bought the first generation 770, which was then 2004 - 2005 called a model 710, but the same animal. When Remington discontinued the 710, they reintroduced it in the model 770, with some minor changes, like the color of the stock, and I think they reinforced the receiver.

Mine was chambered in 7mm RM, and I'll tell ya the truth, that rifle shot as tight groups as my M98 custom build 7 mag., truly amazing groups. They come with a 3 stage jewel trigger, completely adjustable down to like 2 lbs..

I liked the 3 lug short throw bolt, and the detachable magazine was a plus in my opinion.

I also liked the stock, though heavy, it is definitely a good solid stock, ugly, but good.

Now the down side is they are a disposable rifle, literally.

Because the lugs actually lock into the barrel rather than the receiver like other bolt guns, when the barrel is done, replacing it isn't as with conventional lug to receiver designs. So if one should need to do any barrel work thus need to set the barrel back a thread or two, it can't be done, as it wouldn't alter head space, in other words head space is what it is without a complete barrel replacement, and still there would be no practical way to adjust this aspect.

The firing pin assembly is one complete unit that includes the plastic bolt shroud and all the internals of the bolt. The only part that isn't an integral part of the shroud / firing pin / bolt assembly is the bolt head, which is attached to the bolt body with a large retainer pin. I broke the bolt shroud when it got caught on my shirt sleeve, and I think the replacement assembly is some where between $75 and $100. With a little JB weld and some creative ingenuity, I was able to squeeze another year or so of use from mine. At that point the internal plastic receiver was worn out as well, which would have cost another $50, maybe more.

Outside of the above, they are an accurate rifle, and I would maybe buy another one if priced right, in new condition, so I would consider $150 about right, but no more. Just know that if you do any regular range shooting and break anything related to the bolt assembly, or shoot the barrel out, or wear the receiver internals out, it's ready for recycling.

That said, they aren't a range gun and can't stand up to constant range use. I got about 5 years out of mine, or about 8 - 10 thousand rounds out of it before it was completely and totally worn out. If not for my ability to basically create solutions and parts, it would have died much sooner.

GS

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

I'm not sure how set you are on a scope, but I think the Mosin should not be ruled out so quickly. I hate dealing with cheap scopes. I've had horrible experiences tinkering with scopes, rings, screw drivers, blowing money on ammo, and worst of all frustrating the part of me who loves to shoot.

I bought mine on a fluke. I anticipated my safe costing more, so right beside the safe was the nagant.
7.62 ×54 is by far the most bang for your buck. It cheap enough to shoot, to get accurate with. And more importantly you would avoid the frustrations of a bad scope.

The gun does kick hard. It's nothing you won't be able to work through. I suggest a lightly padded shirt when shooting. At like 5 dollars a box, you can afford to practice, practice, and practice. Mine has remained as is. I have modified nothing. After two boxes, and factory iron sights, in other words about 110 bucks, I was able to consistently hit a milk jug cap at 50 yards over and over. I haven't killed a deer with it yet, but I plan to soon. If you are set on a scope, keep in mind that I believe a bad scope is way worse than no scope.

Welcome to hunting. Dress warm.

 

[natman]

There's a reason somebody is trying to unload the 770 for $150.

Beg or borrow another $150 and get a Marlin X7. It's a far better rifle.

I'd take an X7 and hunt anywhere. I'd take a Savage Axis and tune it up a bit and go hunting. I'd take a Mossberg and see what I could make out of it.

I wouldn't take a 770 if it were free. It's an embarrassment to American rifle making.

 

[jmr40]

Normally I'd advise against the 770, but for $150 and for you it will be OK. The rifles shoot and function as well as much more expensive guns. The problem is with long term durability and value. For the guy who wants to shoot a box or so of ammo a year it will probably last a lifetime. If you decide you want to upgrade later that is always an option.

I would not say this if buying a new full priced gun. For the same money you really can do a LOT better. But with a firm $150 budget, I'd do it if I were in your shoes. Now if you can double that budget up to $300, there are much better options.

 

[rule303]

I'll pretty much echo what everyone else has said. Avoid the 770/710. They will shoot well enough, but they are not built to last. For basically the same price (new gun prices) you can get a Savage Axis, Mossberg ATR, Marlin X7, or Ruger American. They are all MUCH better rifles. Don't overlook older used hunting rifles if you are on a budget. Lots of deer rifles get dragged around the woods and scratched up, but are mechanically perfect. You can find lots of

 

[Gtscotty]

Something like this might be an option:

The Axis II comes with the accutrigger, which should solve what seems to be the bulk of the complaints against the original Axis. Also, I think the scope included is a Weaver Kaspa.

http://www.kygunco.com/savage-axis-ii-xp-308-win-22in-matte-black-4-round-accutrigger-81095

Edit: if you want a .243 (what I killed my last two deer with) this place has the same package listed for $48 cheaper.

http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/135399/22223/savage-axis-ii-xp-243-win-with-3-9x40-scope

You can apply this rebate and cut your scoped cost down to $334 for the .308 ($290 for the .243)... about as cheap as you can go on a decent new rifle setup.

http://www.savagearms.com/promotions/

Also, if you decide you can spend up to $450 or so, I'd look at a Ruger American with a Nikon Prostaff scope, you can get the scope for $150 from Amazon, and the Rifle on sale for ~$300 periodically.

Congrats on giving hunting a try, I really didn't hunt much until I was 25, but now I couldn't give it up if i wanted to.

 

[illinoisburt]

I do have a 770 as a back-up rifle for taking the kids and brother-in-law out hunting. It works and is accurate. I would not call it a high volume shooting candidate.

Decide first exactly what you want out of the rifle:

Do you simply want something to buy 40 or 60 rounds of ammo, sight in with 15-20 and use the rest to hunt for the next few years? You are ok with slow follow-up shots and a cranky bolt that cannot be made smooth? If yes, then the 770 with an inexpensive Simmons 8-point 3-9x40 scope and set of medium matte weaver rings will pretty much do the job fine (assuming the rifle still has the one piece weaver base installed). Add a couple boxes of any brand of 100 grain soft point should be good for under 300 yards for most anything up to a cow elk.

The value of a used 770 with the original bushnell scope is honestly $150-$175 in most markets. Since you are without the scope, I would ask to drop the price down another 20 bucks.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/91...mm-truplex-reticle-matte?cm_vc=ProductFinding

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/14...k-4x4-weaver-style-rings?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Do you plan to shoot regularly at the range? Want something likely to last many years and be upgradeable in the future? Save up some more money and get a better rifle like the ones suggested by others above.

 

[elkhunterCO]

Plus 1 for the 308 Texan - Forget Remington cheap stuff- or Remington altogether, you would be much better off with a savage/stephens 200. Only problem is I believe Stephens 200 is not current in production anymore, look for a used one they are still around

 

[midland man]

hell lol i'll buy it were is it at??

 

[godale]

yeah the 200 was discomtinued for the axis. i bought mine in 270 in 2012 and havent saw a new one in my area since

 

[d2wing]

Walmart has them new with scope for $279.00. They also have some scope like Bushnell, Centerpoint and Simmons. Far from ideal scopes but the Centerpoints are rugged. A lot of people buy the others. Or check out a gunshop for used. Weavers can be had for around $100.00 that are decent scopes. Natchez has a few Nitrex scopes, very good for the money. Mueller a are good for the money too.

 

[sixgunner455]

A used Savage-Stevens 200 w/scope should run right above $200, if you can find one. A new Savage Axis with scope should be right about $320. A new Savage Axis 2 (with the better trigger) should be about $360. A new Savage 11 with a good trigger and good scope and three position safety is about $500. I have a Savage 11 in .243, and love it.

There are other choices for a decent hunting rifle that will last you a good while that will also be vastly superior to the Rem. 710 or 770. I bought a used Marlin 30AS in .30-30 for $250 just a couple months ago. I had an old Leupold 4x scope laying around I paid about $70 for last year, and I got some Talley rings for it for $35. That is a $350 deer rifle that will be in my family for generations, that anyone can shoot and be sure it is always going to work.

Ammo is going to cost you about $20 a box, unless you decide to reload some day. That's just an ongoing expense you have to accept.

 

[godale]

one thing i never seen was any of the marlins when i was looking for budget rifles a few years back. my choice were mossberg, savage axis, rem 770 or stevens 200. to me it felt and operated like a real rifle not to mention the great aftermarket items. the stevens 200 was just a savage before accutrigger. that action is many times proven over. just my opnion

 

[T.R.]

I've had very good luck with Simmons and Bushnell scopes. Try eBay for a used scope in very good condition. I have a Simmons AETEC on my .243 rifle which is very bright and clear. Their 44MAG model series are also very good scopes.

For ammo, you'll pay whatever the Retailer has listed. No more bargain ammo. Winchester, FEDERAL, and Remington make good deer hunting ammo. I spend a little more but very pleased with accuracy from Black Hills Ammo.

Good hunting to you.
TR

 

[Field Tester]

I have a chance to get a Remington 770 chambered in .243 for $150. It looks brand new. It does not come with a scope. I am in my late 30's and I am taking up hunting for the first time this season.

I like how light it is and the action works smooth enough for me. The only other rifle I can find in this price range is a Mosin Nagant, and frankly it's heavier, older, and would take more cash to get it mounted and scoped for hunting.

I've read some disparaging reviews about this model of rifle. Does anyone have experience with this rifle hunting in the field? In my logic a newish gun. Has to be better than a surplus rifle.

Also what would be the lowest priced scope and ammunition I could get by with. I'd like to keep the total cost at $200 or just above if possible.

Adding Rings and a decent Scope you're going to break your $200 mark and not have a quality rifle.

Also you owe it to the game you're harvesting, to practice firing enough rounds down range, to be proficient enough to make a quick and clean kill. This should always be done with any new hunting rifle regardless of skill level. Please allocate enough funds for practice ammo.

 

[WVRJ]

I've shot several of these rifles,and I will try and pass on my experience-The 243's were reasonably accurate for a lower end rifle.The 30-06 I shot had a hard time staying on a standard 8X11 piece of paper at 100 yards.The bolts worked like someone threw a handful of gravel in them.I can't find much good about them,and there are better rifles out there that won't break the bank.If you can shoot it first,it may well turn out to be a bargain for 150 toadskins.I own several Remington bolt guns,and am really surprised that they would put their name on those rifles.On the other hand,if it's just going to be an inexpensive hunting rifle,it may fill the bill.I'd bet whoever's selling that one is trying to get rid of a problem.

 

[blueridgeMTNs]

for a meat rifle...

I've never shot the Rem 770 or any of its variants. However I want to tell you this. If you are a meat hunter then that rifle should put meat on the table for years without expending too much range time year after year. I hate like hell that Remington cheapened their rifle but that is what all companies are doing nowdays.

IMO you'd go far with locating a beater M700 in short action and shoot for a while. And if you want top notch accuracy and the barrel is suspect you can send the rifle to one of the mid-price gunsmith and get a new barrel put on and get many years use out of it.

We are a funny bunch. Most of us have some disposable income and can afford to go a bit more for something better and nicer. As stated in my original post...a meat hunter does not need a $1K rifle. Years ago I was hunting with my dad in my native KY and an old timer (forgot if he was a war vet?) lived in a trailer/mobile home. Hardly had nothing but he has a Winchester lever 30-30 and it put 4 or 5 deer on the meat pole and that is all he cared. He would not/would not buy an expensive rifle as he could not afford to shoot much. But shoot to put meat on the table no problemo.

Just remember this...cheapen parts do not last. I think you can get a used Remington M700 beater rifle for $350 (read ADL version?) in the desirable short action and have something for a long time. BTW I cannot see myself supporting those 770 that Remington came up with but that's me.