I must confess I've never fired this gun, so I am totally ignorant about it's performance. I have, however, gone back and read threads discussing this rifle. It seems to be hated -- there's no doubt about that.
But every negative thing I've read about it relates to looks.
Putting looks aside, for a moment, does anyone have any actual experience with how well this rifle shoots or feeds?
Correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that the barrel is pressed, not screwed, into the action, and that therefore rebarreling is impossible, at least for anybody except the factory. The rifle is therefore a one barrel, throwaway rifle?
Someday I may buy a used Remington to get the action, but the pressed-together construction was enough to turn me off a 710.
Posts: 264 | Location: Grand Prairie, TX, USA | Registered: 17 September 2001
quote:Originally posted by KurtC: Just when you think it is impossible for Remington to stoop any lower, they go and design a product even more rediculous than their last one.
I figure their next idea will be to rifle only the last few inches of barrel.
Thats bad.
Posts: 9823 | Location: Montana | Registered: 25 June 2001
i handled one of these things at my local gunshop. it's embarrassing that an american company would produce something like the 710. if i owned a gunshop, i'd tell remington that i refused to have one in my shop. if the 710 is the result of remingtons engineering and marketing plan, i think they are in big trouble and need to do a complete house cleaning. ...bud
Posts: 1213 | Location: new braunfels, tx | Registered: 04 December 2001
Only my opinion, but the 710 could, and should go down in history as the biggest POS ever sold by a major gunmaker to the American market. Whoever came up with it's conception should not be fired. He should be shot with one! His chance of survivability should be quite good. Bill T.
I've never shot one. I handled one once and it made my skin crawl. The action was rough and it took two men and a boy to open the bolt. A Savage is a much better gun for the money, and with a Savage you can rebarrel at home with pre-chambered barrels and a headspace gauge. I can't think of a single new Remington I would own. Sean
Posts: 537 | Location: Vermont | Registered: 04 March 2001
I helped a guy at a range one day, seems the 710 with a Tasco 3x9 and cheapo mounts was his first rifle.
Long story shortened; after squaring his crosshairs and recentering the crosshairs, I was able to consistently group between 1.25" and 1.6" @100 yards. This was with the green box Remington 150 grn.s.p. ammo he had bought with the rifle.
I've bought 700's that were just about as stiff out of the box, the trigger was kinda' gritty, but very consistant.
My $.02? wouldn't be a bad "beater" rifle, FOR ABOUT $200.00 NEW, WITH MOUNTS AND A CHEAPO SCOPE.
But 1 cent over $200 is just, WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 260 | Location: ky. | Registered: 29 May 2002
Again, other than Terry8mm, everyone seems to be calling this rifle a loser without describing some actual performanc results.
Has anyone other than Terry actually shot this thing the way you would shoot any new rifle -- by trying handloads and various factory loads, possibly with a decent scope?
Regarding the barrel being pressed into place, it doesn't affect the strength of the action because the bolt locks into the barrel. Numerous modern rifles use this design. It does make re-barrelling a problem, however, though not impossible: witness the aftermarket tinkering with the Sportco target rifle in Australia and Canada.
Lets look at this question another way: I personally think the Lee-Enfield is one hell of an ugly rifle, but I've always owned at least one. Why is this? Because it works. You can take it through the mud, snow and rain and the damn thing will shoot when you need it. It ain't pretty but it's the perfect cheap backup rifle. Moreover, if it gets lost, your heart won't break, either.
From a conceptual point of view, that 710 should be better than the Lee Enfield. It comes with a synthetic stock and it's front-locking action is chambered in .30-06. It has the potential to be more accurate and handle hot loads better than the old SMLE. The 710 too is cheap enough that you won't cry if it falls out of a canoe (which you can't say of a Sako or Weatherby, for example). It should also be excellent in lousy weather.
I wish to reiterate that I've never handled or fired one of these rifles -- and I don't care one way or the other whether they are good or bad. I'm just curious to hear reports of how well they ACTUALLY perform.
I don't own one but I have shot one. One of the guys I work with bought one because it was all he could aford at the time. I helped him site it in.New it shot into 1 1/2 in groups with factory ammo. Both he and his son shot a nice buck that fall. He has since shot several boxes of shells and the gun is now grouping around an inch. It is still an ugly rifle but it shoots.
Well, I haven't shot one......but I have handled a few. One shop near here has one on the shelf as an "example" rifle. And they do everything they can to steer customers AWAY from the 710! I and my buddy couldn't get the bolt to slide forward..with and empty magazine...And I doubt it would get better with ammo in it
My dad bought one as a "back up" Back up to what? If you had to rely on it for a second shot you are-pick one: (breakfast, lunch, dinner) if the query bites!!!!!! No way one will feed reliable for a second shot But I've only looked at 3 so there may be a decent one out there However, if you are a good enough shot to NEVER miss the 1st time then you'rer ok. Me, I would rather have a spear. Atleast I KNOW that my second thrust won't be hindered by a jammed bolt!!!
Posts: 40 | Location: California, USA | Registered: 24 July 2003