7600 accuracy?

[Buck13]

I'm planning to get a rifle in .243 Win. A pump action is an interesting alternative to a bolt gun. Is there a large difference in accuracy between the Remington 7600 and a good bolt action?

Not that I am likely to be able to shoot anywhere close to the potential of either design in field conditions!

 

[jmr40]

Pump rifles have never been very popular. And there are several reasons why. The accuracy potential is actually pretty good. The 7600's use essentially the same barrel as the one used on the 700 and they have always been known for accuracy. The 7600's trigger however is sub-par and there isn't a whole lot that can be done to improve it. You'll likely get more accuracy than a lever action and faster repeat shots so on one level they make some sense. Levers have always been more popular because of nostalgia, but the pumps are a more practical choice if fast firing is important.

I've had one, and my brother played around with one for a few years. After using them I can't think of a single reason to choose one over a bolt gun. All things being equal they are less accurate, less reliable, heavier, and cost more. Their only potential advantage is faster rate of fire. But in the real world that edge is slim to none. Pump action shotguns are pointed, not aimed, and repeat shots can be right with a semi-auto shotgun. Rifles are aimed, not pointed.

You can empty the 4 round magazine by shooting it faster than a bolt gun. But if there is a requirement that all the bullets hit a target I've found less than 1/2 second difference for 3 shots between any of the manually operated actions including pumps, levers, and bolt guns. Semi-auto's are a lot faster in calibers such as 223, but the big game calibers aren't really that much faster for "Aimed" fire. It takes longer to recover from recoil and get back on target than it does to cycle the action on any of them if there is any real recoil.

You also have to consider that if there is any way possible hunters should use some type of rest. Off hand shooting should never be attempted unless there is no other option. When firing from any type of supported position pumps are the slowest to operate.

 

[243winxb]

Is there a large difference in accuracy between the Remington 7600 and a good bolt action?

No. Each gun is different. Some barrels shoot better then others.

 

[eastbank]

i use a rem a 7600 carbine in 3006 now but started with a rem 760 for close to 60 years with a 2x7 leupold scope and i have killed a boat load of deer with it useing 56grs imr 4350 and a 165gr nosler BT and it shoots that load into 1.5-2" groups or better at 100yrds. and the weight difference is maybe 2oz,s either way between a 7600 and a 700. i have never had a ftf-fte or jam in all those years of useing it. what is nice with the pump is you do not have to realine your sight pictue or find your proper grip after working the action,like you do a bolt action. and the truth be told most bolt action users take the rifle off of their shoulder or part way off to work the action, if you don,t believe it watch the bolt rifles in action at a shooting range. i have been useing both types of rifles for hunting and target shooting for close to 60 years. eastbank

 

[The_Next_Generation]

what is nice with the pump is you do not have to realine your sight pictue or find your proper grip after working the action,like you do a bolt action. and the truth be told most bolt action users take the rifle off of their shoulder or part way off to work the action, if you don,t believe it watch the bolt rifles in action at a shooting range.

Not to step on any toes, but a shooter who know's what they're doing will maintain their cheek weld while cycling the action. Watch any kind of serious shooting competition. Of course, most people shooting casually will take the rifle off of their shoulder/cheek to work the action - just watch Hickok45 on YouTube.

Personally, I've only ever shot at a deer once and I didn't feel limited by my action type when I had to take a second shot (yep, that's right, my first one missed cleanly at 300ish yards...forgot my zero range was at 200 instead of 100...lol). It takes long enough to go through the whole "did I get him? No? Really? &^%@$!...*cycle bolt*....*bang*...*thwack*" process that I don't think you'd notice a difference in speed. When it comes to plinking however, I can shoot a lever/pump 22 faster than my bolt gun.

If you want the 7600, I say go for it. They are pretty nice and shoot well. But a good bolt gun is never a bad choice, and they look nicer IMHO.

 

[AJumbo]

Having grown up on pump shotguns, learning to use the 760 took about 4 minutes. Mine is a 30-06 and will give me 1- 1-1/4" groups at 100 yards, and prefers 180 gr. bullets. Better glass, better trigger, maybe better groups, but I've never needed more than one shot on any deer or elk I've dropped with it.

 

[PowerG]

You lose some accuracy and gain some follow-up shot time with the pump, under most hunting conditions not a lot of either. I've owned a couple, much prefer a bolt for most situations, but I also like lever actions (just...because). If it interests you get one, there's certainly nothing intrinsically wrong with them as hunting rifles.

 

[cdb1]

Don't own a Remington pump rifle but I've always read they are pretty accurate.

 

[outlawjw]

I have owned a couple have a 270 now some are as accurate as any other action type some, not so much . The way that the barrel is attached to the receiver is in adequate for great accuracy as the scope is mounted to a piece of sheet metal & the barrel is attached about1&1/4" below the barrel leaving to much room for flex.

 

[hdbiker]

Rem. 7600

My Rem. 7600 in 30-06 will shoot 1 1/2 inch groups with my favorite hand-loads from the bench at 100 yds. As stated the trigger isn't the best for target accuracy.For a fast handling woods gun, It's faster than any bolt I own, in MHO. hdbiker

 

[X-Rap]

I've found 1.5" groups are very common with some doing better than that. There are bad guns of all types but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of the Remington pumps if the price was right.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[GRIZ22]

I have a 7400 in 270 Win, the semi version of the 7600. It shoots about 2" groups with just about any 130 or 150 gr ammo. Thats for the first 4 or 5 rds. After that it opens up as the barrel heats up. Okay for hunting but certainly not a battle rifle.

 

[threoh8]

The Army Marksmanship Unit used Remington 760 pumps for some specialized matches. That tells me that they can be made to shoot fairly well.

HERE'S info on an event in 1958.

 

[Buck13]

You also have to consider that if there is any way possible hunters should use some type of rest. Off hand shooting should never be attempted unless there is no other option. When firing from any type of supported position pumps are the slowest to operate.

Excellent point. My pump shooting is limited to shotguns. I had not thought through the implications when not shooting standing.

Back to agonizing over *which* Tikka T3 to buy! Or one of those weird Winchester lever guns that come in .243.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Because of the floating barrel design (no attachments) the 760,7600 have the potential for excellent accuracy. About 30yrs ago, I owned a 760 in .35Rem. It was very accurate.
The only things I didn't like about it, I loathed!
Both were related to the foward slide handle/fore stock.
1. It rattled. Enough that on several occasions, it spooked deer while shifting position in a tree stand to get into a shooting position.
2. Ergonomics of forend. Due to necessary clearances and length of action, I found carrying and shooting it from other than from bench to be awkward, especially when in position, awaiting a shot on moving/feeding game in cover.

I find the Lever Actions to be much superior in these regards. I have a Marlin M336 and a BLR in .358win that I much prefer to the M760.

Regards the triggers. They're aren't really that bad. An experienced 'smith can reduce the trigger engagement and give a decent hunting trigger. I've done several to include my 870 shotguns which share near identical triggers. I shoot long guns "wrong handed", and my Remington shotguns wear left handed safety's.
The 760's and 7600's in .270win have an enviable reputation. Good luck!

 

[outlawjw]

I've found that for running deer the 7600 is hard to beat, you can put more shots on target faster than an semi auto of like caliber, & far outdo a bolt gun. If a smith were to come up with a scope base that attached to the barrel & not the receiver they would be enviable accuracy wise

 

[jaysouth]

If your 7600 trigger is not up to par, try one of these, they have done well for me.

http://www.barnesgunparts.com/remington-7400-7600-760-740-.html

Or if you want a 3.5 lb match quality trigger, the same folks offer this service:

http://www.barnesgunparts.com/re76putrse.html

 

[Bull Nutria]

Buck,

if you are accustom to a pump shotgun the model 7600 will be a seemless transition. I have had a model 760 since 1974 in 30.06. My handloads deliver near 1 inch groups off the bench at 100 yds. it is a fine dependable rifle. the triggers aren't the best but with a trigger job 1 moa accuracy should be easily obtained.

I don't have any rattle in my 760. i have taken deer and hogs with it and it has served me well.

good luck with your decision!

Bull

 

[Stony]

I've seen some of these that actually shoot pretty good...I had an older version in .257 Roberts that consistently shot into 1 inch. One downside as far as I am concerned is the lack of camming ability of the bolt. If you get a sticky case either going in or coming out, the force exerted on the forearm is what forces the case either in or out of the chamber. In a bolt action you have a pretty good cam action to move the case. Others might not necessarily agree with me on this, but it is an issue as far as I am concerned.

 

[jennifercassi]

Mine is a 30-06 and will give me 1- 1-1/4" groups at 100 yards