Remington 710

[EMSFlyer]

Looking to get a big game rifle (my first one) and was looking at the Rem 710. The price is very affordable and from what I've read it seems to be accurate and modeled after the 700, with less parts--a good thing! Does anyone have real world experience with this gun? How do you like it so far--a keeper, good value for the money? OR would you spend a few bucks more for another model, such as the 700? Any suggestions on other rifles (under $500)? I would use this as a pig

gun primarily, with an occasional deer. Also, would a 25-06 or 7mm-08 be enough for a pig?
Thanks for any help!

 

[theseacow]

I own one in good ole .30-06.
I like it alot as it is well sealed up for the weather, lightweight (7 3/4 lbs), short barrel and pretty durable. The best factory load I've found for it so far is the federal trophy bonded bear claws in 180 grain. I get about 1" groups with it at 100 yards. With premo bullets (BarnesX, failsafes, ect...) I get anwhere from 1.5" to 4" groups at 100 yards. The bushnell sharpshooter scope, (which it comes with) could be better, but gets the job done well. I use the 710 soley for hunting for these reasons, as all my other big rifles are too heavy and used for bench rest shootin.

One problem is if you are into gunsmithing or customizing your rifle, is that the barrel is permanetly attached to the reciever, and you cannot replace it without buyin a new gun. It is also mag fed, so don't forget to take the mags with you. The bolt action seems to get smoother with time, cleaning it is pretty easy.

I'd recomend it if your lookin for a cheap gun that will shoot decently and hold up in the weather, and not have to pay extra $$$ for a scope too, it also wont wear down your shoulder on a long days hunt.

-theseacow

 

[EMSFlyer]

Thanks for your input theseacow, that was helpful. It looks like I'll be getting the gun, I just need to get it past the wife--the budget queen!!

 

[Dave in LB]

Deleted text sorry for the double

 

[Dave in LB]

Before you get this gun go take a look at the Howa package gun. I think it's the 1500. It is a very nice rifle and in the same price range. You can get it in 30-06 as well and in my opinion( which is only worht it's price) It is a much nicer gun and the howa's have a good reputation for accuracy and reliability. I am not so certain of the remington 710 in that regard.

This is from the Legacysports.com site and is MSRP. I saw this gun in a store about $30 -50 less.

 

[huntducks]

EMSflyer

IMHO the 710 would not be my choice, I would take a look at the Savage they have some good packages with a scope for under $500 and they will shoot 1/2" to 3/4" groups right out of the box and there triggers are state of the art.

Either the 25-06 or the 7mm-08 will work just fine on pigs, my choice would be 7mm-08 as you have a wider selection of bullets all the way to 175grs.

 

[ozstriker22]

Between the 710 and the howa, i'd say howa. I've looked at both packages and the Savage's for probably four hours or more over the last two weeks, and the howa is much smoother than the 710 and the parts seem to have been machined to finer specs.

I believe you can tell a quality action by the sound it makes. For example, I have a 1903-A3 and when you cycle the bolt it makes a smooth, beautiful, crisp metalic sound. It's like the difference between a $15 knife and a $250 knife. If you smack the $15 knife on the table it goes "Thunk." The $250 knife goes tttiiiinnnngggg. Pick up a couple of very high end rifles at a gun store and work the bolt nice and hard, listen to it move and listen to the sound it makes at the beginning and end of the movement. Pay attention to how it slides and feels when it opens, slides, stops, slides, closes... then pick up the 710, howa, savage and see which bolt feels closest to the $3,000 gun.

You may notice the 710 sounds a little different. Here's why: To make it lighter and less costly the 710 uses a new technology for the bolt - the ENTIRE bolt is composite (plastic+stuff) except for the handle. It's hyped up by Remington because it is supposed to be 10x's stronger than steel, but still flexible... yada yada yada... Supposed to be real accurate... but if it is better, why isn't it on the more expensive Remingtons?!?

A warning my gunsmith gave me when we were looking at the 710. He says he was at the range and another shooter yanked back on the bolt of a 710 and the handle popped right off in his hand. A bummer, but not a problem at the range. But out hunting it kinda screws you for a second shot if you miss your first one. He said he's never seen the bolt handle pop off of any gun before, besides that one time. Sure it might be a fluke, but it happened on a gun with a plastic bolt, not a metal one. He recommended the Howa or Savage (only with the accutrigger)... but advised against buying the 710. He also said Savage with out the accutrigger is crap.

Take your time and get the best value for your dollar. Spend some time talking to your local gunsmith. Spend some time taking apart the guns and looking at them. Listen to the sounds they make. I don't like a gun that rattles. Even if it's accurate now, who knows what it'll be like in 10 years?

Hope you have as much fun shopping as I did!

Jesse

 

[LeeChul]

I looked long and hard at the two guns, it came down to the 710 in a win .270 and the Savage 7mm. I have to say that holding the Savage reminded me of my younger days with the Daisy BB gun. I went with the .270 and abandoned my past. In Idaho I have an older Savage 30-06 and that was a good gun, but the new one with the composite stock, I don't like. The stock is hard, feels like it would crack if dropped or frozen, extreme condition stuff. On the other hand I ended up with the .270 that has a bit softer feel to the handle and makes me feel much more confident about it's ability to handle the extremes. I shoot a 1" shot group (5 shots) at 200 yards with a 4.5" drop from the 100 yard bulls eye. The best part is, I get the best results from the cheapest box, PMC about $10 a box.

ozstriker22, I assume when you say the bolt is composite, you mean the composite sleeve in the bolt carrier, the bolt is in fact not composite. The feel of the slide action in which he speaks come from the fact that the metal is rubbing against a composite sleave. A small amount of teflon based oil after cleaning will put this bolt and carrier action in the same catagory of smotheness as any metal on metal gun. However, like he said listen to it, what you'll find is the 710 model can be worked much quieter then the Savage. -Not that you need silence on a hunt...

The price is right, the capability is incredible, it's light and all in all, dollar for dollar you can't beat the Rem 710 models.

Cheers

 

[reddog5]

I also have a 710 in 30-06. In the under $500 range i wish i had chosen the Savage. The action on my 710 is CRAP. The 60 degree bolt throw or whatever it is does not help me at all .It's kinda sticky and if its impregnated with Teflon i sure cant tell. I will say my 710 is acurate as a mofo!! 150gr target loads, American eagle clover leafs at 100 yrds. Huntin loads , 180gr. Failsafes are pretty close to that. I dont have to worry about it gettin messed up either. I have killed 2 pigs dead with that gun.

I guess its a LOVE -HATE relationship.

I've never shot the HOWA but if it's like the Savage check it out.

 

[vandal968]

A friend of mine bought the Remington 710 in .30-06 for $399 at Big 5. I bought the Howa .308 at a local store 2 weeks later also for $399, both came with scopes.

We have each shot each others rifles many times. Both are equally accurate with us behind the trigger (1-1/2" groups @ 100yrds with milsurp ammo). The trigger, stock, scope, and overall machining on the Howa are all superior to the 710. The 710 has a removable magazine whereas the Howa does not.

My friend has not yet admitted that he likes the Howa better, however, he has recently started shopping for a Howa in .300 win Mag.

The Savage is somewhere between the 710 and the Howa in quality, but IMHO the Howa scope is slightly superior. All three are very good rifles and I would be happy to use any of them.

best,
c

 

[Lone Wolf]

The 710 was Remy's attempt to enter the entry level market thus dominated by Savage. Unfortunately their QC is crappy compared to others of the same price range (Remy's QC has been getting rather crappy all the way around here lately). For an entry level rifle Savage IMHO has the best QC and offers the best out of the box performance.

 

[EMSFlyer]

Thank you All for your excellent input!!!

I think I'll put a hold on getting the 710 until I can look at the Howa and Savage more in depth. I know Savage make a quality, but affordable, guns--I looked at their 22lr and 17hmr when I was looking for a rimfire (went with a Marlin 880SS instead--see my pic at the Upland & Small Game section). I haven't heard of the Howa, but I'll do some research on it--I like what you guys have told me about it.

I think shopping for a gun is almost as fun as going to the range and shooting it. And it sure is a great pay-off when you finally take it out to the field and take your first animal with it. Fine, expensive guns are great, but if I'm affraid to take it out in the field because I might nick it, then it no use to me--especially true with shotguns.

Thanks again guys!!!

 

[ozstriker22]

I couldn't have said it any better than that! Have fun shopping, Hopefully you'll be keeping what you buy for a LONG time!!!

 

[vandal968]

Researching is almost as much fun as buying, almost. When you look into the Howa, remember that it is also sold under other names such as "Mossberg 1500" and "Weatherby Vanguard".

best,
c

 

[prohunter]

The first positive things on the remington I have heard have been right here. Other than that I have heard nothing but negative. The talk of the town has been the Savage! Most accurate right out of the box & you can play with the trigger. Do a search in the rifle forum. There has been alot of talk in there. My friend bought one in 7mm-08. He loves it!

 

[pbrdog]

I've owned Remingtons all my life and have never had one problem with them.

 

[LeeChul]

Research is also less painfull,
that is when the wife finds out you've spent countless hours on the computer looking at guns, she's not quite as mean as when you come home with a new receipt for her to enter in the books.

Cheers