[JaseEoD]

I have never purchased a rifle before, well any gun actually. I have shot some, but it is time for me to get a rifle.

I have been keeping an eye out for one rifle I really like. The Remington Model 770 30-06 Springfield or 308 Win

I was wondering if this could be a great rifle for hunting, and protection in the woods against wild life and/or humans and of course bugging out.

EDIT: ADDED PICS OF PRICE OF GUN AND AMMO

Here are some pictures of the price of the rifle, and ammo.

Rem Model 770 W/ Scope - $297.00

Ammo
308 Win 165/180 Grain Deer Thug Federal Ammunition

 

[Chipper]

My neighbors have a couple in 270 and 30/06. They have been over shooting at my range, sighting them in. I will have to say I was very impressed with them. Both are just as accurate as my Remy 700's. Even better than a neighbors Browning, as far as shooting groups on paper.

I would say it's a very good choice for a first rifle. Especially given the price, accuracy etc. I would go with the 308 cause of the shorter action. However, it's easier to find 30/06 shells. Both calibers will easily do everything to fill your needs.

 

[JaseEoD]

My neighbors have a couple in 270 and 30/06. They have been over shooting at my range, sighting them in. I will have to say I was very impressed with them. Both are just as accurate as my Remy 700's. Even better than a neighbors Browning, as far as shooting groups on paper.

I would say it's a very good choice for a first rifle. Especially given the price, accuracy etc. I would go with the 308 cause of the shorter action. However, it's easier to find 30/06 shells. Both calibers will easily do everything to fill your needs.

I know the price is great under 400MSRP. I was debating whether or not to go with the 30-06 because my friend has a 30-06 and he has plenty of ammo. I will just borrow some from him if needed in a situation. I will be looking into buying one of these, on my local AFB.

 

[Fuzzee]

A good hunting rifle for sure whether in .308 or .30-06. Not so good for defense from humans compared to a true modern fighting rifle of which you'll be going against. But you've got to start somewhere. Personally in that price range I'd prefer a good ole Marlin .30-30 Win., as I can get shots off faster with one and reload the tube magazine from a bandoleer. You can reload the 770 faster with a new mag, but how many mags are you going to have ready for it compared to the 50 to 100 rounds on a bandoleer you can have ready. .30-30 has taken a huge amount of game in America since the 1800's when it first came out too and has made some nice holes in humans also. .308 and .30-06 are much harder hitting and have much longer range, but you'll not be using it for a long time to come till you learn to shoot long distance, if ever. .30-30 is quite capable in common hunting and fighting range.

Marlin 336Y Spike Horn 30-30 16" Hardwood Stock $370.00 SHIPS FREE

Marlin Firearms

Amazon.com: Galati Gear Rifle Bandoleer: Sports & Outdoors

 

[Ripon]

It would not be my first choice but it's certainly not a bad choice. I've read some crummy comments on the 770s maybe a little to cheap. A savage 110 / 111 or Ruger Scout or American ( I'm sorry I forgot what they called it ) would be higher on my list for bolt actions. Bolt action is what would not be first on my list.

I have a distant family member with no weapon or weapons experience. I reccemended a 10/22 for him first. I saw one at Big 5 recently for $279. A $400 budget gets you a rifle, 5 magazines, a cleaning kit and probably 500 rounds of ammo. Now a 22 is no 308, but a 308 doesn't leave you a lot of rabbit for the stew and 500 rounds is likely $400 today I'd also consider a 12 gauge pump 870/500/590 before a bolt action. Again for $400 you get a Mossy 500 a defense barrel and bird barrel plus 200-300 rounds of ammo.

 

[shooter]

The 770 is a pretty good firearm. Its a "low cost version of there 700 rifle" and if you can get one for under $400 with a scope its a good deal.

As for 30-06 or 308, well if you have not shot a lot I would go with the 308 as the recoil is more manageable and this will help prevent flinching when you shoot. However if you can take the recoil go with the 30-06 as its a better hunting round if you go after larger game such as Bear, Moose or Elk. It also has better performance at longer ranges which is handy when shooting in the Rockies or anywhere out west where you will tend to have to take longer shots then in more forested areas.

 

[BigCheeseStick]

I don't think anybody will ever be left wanting with either .308, or 30/06. But for a first rifle there's noooo question I'd want a .22lr or .22mag.. Ammo is a fraction of the price, and the hunting seasons for rimfires are longer (though they obviously don't include deer), so you'll get more field experience and more oportunity to enjoy learning.

 

[rickkyw1720pf]

If you are unfamiliar with fire arms and don't have a range to shoot and get used to the kick of a 308 or 30-06 then I would suggest a 10/22 semi and a large magazine for a first rifle. There is a lot more small game to shoot then large dear size animals and if you ever come against more than one armed men being they are breaking into your home or on the trail you will not get more than 1 round off. Even if I had a scar-17 I would think twice about getting peppered with a 22.

 

[Fuzzee]

I would suggest getting a 10/22 also, but also, as it's not a defensive rifle. A good .22lr is an essential prepper gun in my opinion though. .22lr will take so much common small game it's funny. And there basically is no recoil.

 

[Prepadoodle]

It wouldn't be my first choice, but looks like an OK rifle. Scoped bolt action rifles aren't much good in a close in action, are loud, heavy, use more expensive ammo, and not ideal for the smaller game you probably should be after. Without refrigeration, what ya gonna do with 80 pounds of venison anyway?

I would suggest a Ruger 10/22 as a first rifle. .22 ammo is kinda hard to find, but it's out there.

As a sort of related-ish mini rant... I see someone is making a recoil reducing stock for the 10/22. WTF? If you can't handle the recoil of a .22, you better stick with video games.

 

[Boss Dog]

You can find a nice used 22LR rifle for about a $100 if you watch for them.

If you don't have something now, I'd recommend you get both, a used 22 and a lever action in 30-30. With the 22 you will learn marksmanship a lot cheaper, if you can find the ammo. It is the hardest to find around here right now. You need something with punch and the 30-30 will do plenty and there's a lot of 30-30 ammo still available in my area. Since it's your fist rifle, you're not likely to be making long range shots for a while anyway.

Hopefully you already have a handgun or two? It's late in the game and if I didn't have at least 1 handgun and 1 rifle and at least 500 rounds for each... I'd be real nervous right about now.

 

[Boss Dog]

when I checked them out a few months ago, I noticed the Remington 770 had a thinner bolt than the Ruger American and Savage Axis. It just felt cheaper and not quite quality to me. But then, I like Ruger and Savage rifles a lot.

Best Rifle for the Money ? Budget Bolt Actions | TopGunReview

Just google it, there's plenty of info out there.

 

[Smitty901]

You could do worst that is a good weapon and will last a life time.
I would go 308 in todays world.

 

[Infidel]

I would stay away from the 770, it is Not a Remington 700. It's a entry level rifle that has not been getting good reviews on the forums. In that price range I'd look at the Ruger American which has been getting excellent reviews or even the Savage Axis line. I think most of the 770 complaints are centered around bolt cycling issues and feeding issues. I believe the bolts are prone to binding in the receiver when cycled. Would probably be ok as a hunting rifle but as a SHTF rifle I wouldn't recommend it.

-Infidel

 

[Sr40ken]

I have a Ruger American in .308 and love it. With my reloads (nothing special) I get .7" at 100 yards and 1.2" at 200 yds. resting on a log. Bullet is a Hornady 155 gr A-Max over Hodgdon 223 powder. Glass is a Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14X40 mildot scope.

 

[JaseEoD]

Okay I have read all of the posts. I went to my local Wal-Mart and found one for $297.00 SCOPED.
This won't be my first time shooting as I shoot my buddies 30-06 during the summer at the range.

I am fine with it being a bigger rifle and used for bigger game, I have a .22Pistol not sure what brand I keep it in my safe and haven't checked it in a while, but I am not of age to legally carry it yet. So I will definatly use that in a SHTF scenario. The pistol would be for small game and human defense. I am fine with it being what is listed in other posts from users. I am okay with it being Bigger game hunting, loud, heavier, and not for human defense. I know it is a decent ranged weapon, but for 300$ that is a deal. Next monday I am going in and getting this.

 

[Denton]

I'd say there is a consensus over the .22, instead of the bolt action .308.

You're gonna gather more small game than taking down a deer, unless you are an experienced hunter. I figure you'd already have the deer rifle if you were experienced.

Taking squirrel doesn't take much skill, just the ability to sit down and keep quiet.

As far as defensive purposes, the 10/22 is not my first choice, but neither is a bolt action big bore.

 

[JaseEoD]

Here are some pictures of the price of the rifle, and ammo.

Rem Model 770 W/ Scope - $297.00

Ammo
308 Win 165/180 Grain Deer Thug Federal Ammunition

 

[Deebo]

Jase, glad to have a young man thinking about the future..Congrats on your decision. have fun, shoot away..

 

[PalmettoTree]

For a first buy get a rifle for hunting then use it as a bug out gun. If you want to hedge a little to the bug out side buy a Ruger Gunsite Scout. Either do not put a scope on it or a long eye relief handgun scope on it.