The remington 710, why does it have a bad rap?

[smoakingun]

I bought a remington 710 yesterday. It was 250 bucks, chambered in 30-06and I figure everyone needs a loaner rifle in the safe, so, I bought it. I went to wal-mart, bought 140 rounds of federal cheap stuff, brought it home, and today, put it through its paces. Sighted it in, then went to work. I put 100 rounds down range, slung up from the prone position, 20 5 round groups. Every group fired with me doing my job, was consistently under 2 moa. So can someone tell me why this thing has such a bad rap? I did a search here looking for posts on the 710, and none of them had anything good to say. The rifle fed smoothly, the bolt has a short throw, and while not buttery smooth, it moved cleanly. The trigger was mushy, but light, and over all it was easy to shoot. So what is wrong with it?

 

[GeauxTide]

There is a reason you didn't find anything positive

There is also a reason for the price. The 710/770 has earned a reputation of being unreliable and fragile over the time it has been available. I haven't seen many rifles that have survived a bad reputation. You've already bought it, so good luck.

 

[L_Killkenny]

IMO it's all in the feel. The stock makes the ones on a Stevens look and feel nice and the bolt is so sloppy that it feel more like a 1/4" bolt in a 3/8" hole. The whole gun crys "CUT CORNERS".

LK

 

[jmr40]

For about the same money you could have bought a Marlin XL-7 or Stevens 200 that would have been much more accurate and reliable. The 710 and 770's are throw away rifles. In a few years when something goes wrong with them it will be easier to throw them away rather than replace worn parts.

 

[Fusion]

Yep, and the barrel is press fit, so it can't be changed either. Overall, they just are very cheaply made rifles that aren't known for good quality at all.

 

[Willie Lowman]

A friend of mine bought one a couple years back. After about 250 rounds the bolt handle broke off.

There wasn't anything that 710 could do that my M48 couldn't do. And my Mauser still has a bolt handle. The 710 is junk.

 

[kozak6]

Two of my friends have them.

One friend has no problems.

My other friend's rifle ejects fired cartridges back into the receiver. It's really a pain to fish them out.

 

[natman]

1) It's poorly made, with crude machining and finish.

2) It's amazingly ugly.

3) Much better rifles (Marlin XL7, Savage Axis) are offered at the same price point.

 

[Bogie]

The Remington 710 is a fine rifle for the average deer hunter - the guy who buys a box of ammo every year or so, and is happy to hit a 4" target at 100 yards consistently.

And as long as you look at it that way, it's okay. You're never going to rebarrel it or add nicer triggers, etc., etc... It's just going to be there.

 

[Durty]

710

If it's a loaner rifle, who cares. However, putting 250 rounds through a loaner rifle seems a little much. But again, whatever. Now it's good and broken in and you can let it sit in the gun cabinet until someone needs to borrow it. My buddy had one for a few years chambered in 30-06 and he hates it. He has always used his open sight lever action 30-30 just so he doesn't have to use his 710. He says his 710 is inaccurate and just kicks the crap out of him.

 

[CMKiefer]

Have had a 710 In 270 Win for 10 years. No problems and much more accurate than is being posted here (Generally MOA when I do my part). It is my "El Cheapo" so I'm gonna use it for a practice camo paintjob project.

 

[jimbob86]

The 710 and 770's are throw away rifles. In a few years when something goes wrong with them it will be easier to throw them away rather than replace worn parts.

This^ ....... folks that buy these rifles and like them should also be happy with a Jennings/Bryco/Jimenez pistol....... they will work for awhile.... but may break at am inoppotune time. It costs more to fix them than to buy a new one, and it not something to leave to your grandchildren in the will.....

 

[pabuckslayer08]

Lots of plastic on them to make them cheaper, even the metal is just coated junk. Also the bolt is chintzy and will probably jam a round on you at some point. Also the stock is like that of a old synthetic .22lr. And did I mention they usually only last 500 shots and something either breaks or it shoots out

 

[roachcore]

I have on and it is very accurate but that being said I hate hate hate this rifle it is cheap trash. I had to grind off part of the stock just so the bolt would go all the way back, and when it is all the way back the bolt will move up and down nearly half an inch. But even with all that it shoots were I aim every time.