Remington 760 Accuracy?

[Legionnaire]

Just got back from the range with a Remington 760 Gamemaster (.30-06) given me by my father-in-law. It's probably 45 years old or so. Yesterday I broke it down, cleaned it thoroughly and lubed it up. I replaced the less than stellar Bushnell 3-9X with a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10X40 I pulled from another rifle.

First shot was on paper at 25 yards; made the gross adjustments then moved to 100 yards. Only had one brand of ammo along today, a Winchester 180gr JSP. Best groups we could get were 2.0 to 2.5 inches. While I consider this quite adequate for deer hunting, I'd prefer something tighter. I presume the slide action is not know for the same accuracy as the 700, but what are others' experiences with the 760? What kind of accuracy should it be capable of?

 

[ReadyontheRight]

There's no reason it shouldn't be as accurate as a bolt action. I suppose that the muzzle could be prone to more damage (especially over 40 years) because you must clean from the muzzle. The Bore Snake solves that old problem.

It's also not as easy to reload for more than 5 shots or to shoot from prone as a bolt action, so accurate PEOPLE may not choose a pump-action as their rifle.

IMHO, the 760 is a perfect deer rifle. Enjoy! I love the old iron-sighted Remingtons.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

30-06?

 

[Oldnamvet]

My 7600 (30-06) delivers at 1 1/4 inch with my reloads from the bench. I'd be lucky to shoot a 3" group in the field under the positions I usually end up shooting from there. Point being, 1 inch or 2 inches for your best groups. You won't know the difference when hunting, and neither will the game.

 

[MartinS]

Try some 150 grainers and/or another brand of 180's.

 

[Legionnaire]

Yup. .30-06. Should have put that in my original post.

 

[LeonCarr]

Federal Gold Medal Match with the 168 grain Sierra Matchking bullet is probably the most accurate factory ammo available in .30-06. Shooting this ammo in your 760 should give a good indication of its best possible accuracy. Find soft point/polymer tip hunting ammo that has the same or close to the same accuracy, and you will be good to go.

IME a 760 will shoot three shot groups at 100 yards right around an inch with a load the rifle likes.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks, all. Leon, good idea going with Gold Medal Match. I've shot that in .308 (175 gr) and .300 win mag (190 gr) versions. I'll look to pick up a box of .30-06 next time out. Should provide a good base to work from.