Which rifle to buy?

[CookieMonster]

I'm looking at buying a rifle and I am needing some GS input and old hunter wisdom on what to buy.

The rifle I'm looking at buying is the Remington 770 combo package. The reason I'm looking at this particular rifle is because it's a fairly cheap gun/scope deal. Does anyone have any experience with this rifle? Good or bad?

Caliber is another question. I have been shooting a 7mag (borrowed) and I have never lost a deer. Some folks say that is to much bullet for whitetail and it may be but it has given me a lot of confidence in that caliber. I guess my question would be if a .270 or 30-06 in 125-150 grain would have the same effect on deer as the 7mag?

[BrianL]

270 in a 770 would be a solid deer rifle, and take down any deer you want to shoot. It is a pressed barrel, as opposed to a threaded barrel in a 700, but every one I have been around shot very good.

[32drawlength]

.270...can't go wrong!

[ACinSA]

To be honest, I would stay away from the 770. I have a wife and daughter who now hunt and I spent quite a bit of time looking at the entry-level priced stuff. The 770's actions was horrible. It grinds and binds.

If you are looking to get in on the cheap with something you can improve on, go for the Steven's 200. I bought my wife a Mossberg 100ATR (.243) and have no complaints. I later upgraded her to a Tikka.

I bought the Stevens for my daughter (.223) as a starter rifle. It really impressed me. It is VERY accurate (due to the Savage barrel) but the trigger was steap and hard. I found a Timney trigger for it and it is now a keeper. I might upgrade the stock for her later. But for now, she is really diggin' it.

The mossy was $299 with an inexpensive scope and the Stevens was $249.

You can also find the Marlin XL/XS 7 series for about $315 online at buds if you look. Great rifles. I have a 30-06 and I gave the .270 to my brother-in-law.

Good luck!

Aaron

[Randy]

Dont do the 770 save a little more and get atleast a 700 adl.

[captainsling]

Personally I would go with the Marlin XL7 or Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard. They are anywhere from $325 to $399. Much better made guns. Nothing wrong at all with Remington, just not that model. Your caliber choice of .270 would be good for anything in Texas.

[ACinSA]

Oops, I forgot to address your caliber dilemma. As mentioned, you can't go wrong with a .270.

My wife hunts with a .243 and has never lost an animal. I have several calibers but my go-to is the .308. There really isn't much I can't hunt in the US with it. I would also put it up against any other round for accuracy. I am putting together 1/2-inch groups at 200 yds with handloads of 150gr Sierra Game Kings pushed by 44gr of IMR 4064 powder...not too shabby for a softpoint bullet.

If you stick with the standard Texas-used rounds, you will be able to find ammo even at the convenience stores outside of town in the middle of nowhere (270, .243, 30-30, .223 and 30-06).

Again, good luck!

[icetrauma]

Never had a deer run further than 30yds with my 25-06.

[T-Bone]

I bought the Rem 700 scope combo in a .270 early this year. I really like the gun but did not like the scope or the rings that came with it. Mine is currently getting a Nikon scope with Leopold rings put on it. I dont know what the price difference is without a scope. I got a good deal on the Nikon at the TTHA show in Ft. Worth last weekend.

[Smokeater]

I'm a 30 cal guy mainly because there are so many different bullet weights to choose from. Go light for whitetail or 220 gr. for the big uns if you want. The smaller ones shoot a bit flatter but once you get out there a ways the KE of the 30's moves back ahead of em. They're all good. The dude lookin down the barrel is the main difference.

[CWKATTNER]

To be honest, I would stay away from the 770. I have a wife and daughter who now hunt and I spent quite a bit of time looking at the entry-level priced stuff. The 770's actions was horrible. It grinds and binds.

If you are looking to get in on the cheap with something you can improve on, go for the Steven's 200. I bought my wife a Mossberg 100ATR (.243) and have no complaints. I later upgraded her to a Tikka.

I bought the Stevens for my daughter (.223) as a starter rifle. It really impressed me. It is VERY accurate (due to the Savage barrel) but the trigger was steap and hard. I found a Timney trigger for it and it is now a keeper. I might upgrade the stock for her later. But for now, she is really diggin' it.

The mossy was $299 with an inexpensive scope and the Stevens was $249.

You can also find the Marlin XL/XS 7 series for about $315 online at buds if you look. Great rifles. I have a 30-06 and I gave the .270 to my brother-in-law.

Good luck!

Aaron

^^^ This

[Free2Hunt]

I will second the Stephens 200. I have one in 7-08 and it is a shooter. Overtime I will replace the trigger and the stock, but the action is smooth and it is very accurate. I was able to pick mine up at Academy 2 years ago on sale for $174.00 out the door. Solid rifle. I know they make it in 270 also, but I like the 7mm bullet, I also have a 7Mag, and it has taken hogs, deer and and Axis with no dificulty at all. MIght be another caliber to look at since you already like the 7Mag.

[dclifton]

I would by the marlin xl7 if your looking around that price range. They have a decent trigger. An a good deer rifle for what your wantin to spend. And IMHO way better than the 770

[BBReezen]

I would also stay away from the 770, you get what you pay for. I have a 700 sps and in 270 WSM. Stay away form the WSM, it's too much for the shoulder. But a .270 win is plenty of bullet for deer. Anyway the SPS had been a good gun, its synthetic stock, and I think you could find them for about $550. Add a redfield scope and you should have a budget gun that's a good performer.

[Skullworks52]

get a 700 or a model 7.