People love to slam the 710, but all of the ones I've seen/shot would do MOA with a couple of different loads. That includes the .270, 30-06, and 7 Mag. Yes, it is a departure from the traditional rifle. So was the 700 when it was introduced so many years ago.
It does what it was designed to do, and it does it well: Be a cheap rifle that you can throw in the back of the truck and leave there until you need it. Not everyone wants to tinker with their rifle, like most of us. Lots of people just desire a decent rifle to kill some animals with. It amazes me how many people call it cheap and yet love the Tikka T3. They have some similarities: polymer bolt shroud, recoil lug in the stock, one action size......and I do believe that the 710 was introduced first.
Now, before everyone jumps at the chance to drop the axe on me, I know that the T3 is a probably a better all around rifle. I've had a couple, though, and I wasn't that impressed, really. They are great values for the $$$, but I think that the 710 is too. IMHO, having owned a couple of T3's and having shot several 710's, I think that the 710 is a much more rugged rifle, while the T3 is more accurate on average.
As for the new 770, I think that it looks cheaper than the old 710. At least the 710 has a classic style stock. The 770 looks like a Gamo air rifle.
