Will the 710/770 debates/bashing ever end? I reckon not since some dislike even the 700. Before I speak my mind, allow me to congratulate FireBreathingM44 on his shooting. I bet your shoulder isn't as happy with you though
I fired 15 rounds at one sitting and that was enough for me. I'm spoiled by my tame but much heavier varmint models decked out with heavy scopes/rings/bases and such. I got similiar groupings as you using my cousins, we used 3 different types of ammo and ALL exhibited excellent perfomance out of that barrel. That's something I cannot say for my much pricier 700's.
I don't speak for FireBreathingM44 but the *Majority* of buyers who get these models fire 10 rounds at the range and take them into the woods once a year to hunt, end of story. They are accurate and reliable enough to fill the freezer with meat. Would I buy one? Nope.
But who am I to tell someone that for around 300.0, for a rifle that comes with the scope mounted mind you, that it's a total waste of $$ and belittle them in the process by telling them their decision was bad? I won't do it IF it means it gets them into the woods for the 1st time and gives them an experience they've never had before. Also, a lot of these buyers(again, not speaking about the original poster) don't do research and just want a rifle. 2 of the 3 people I know personally bought them on impulse due to their price and convenience (mounted scope).
And Yes, there's the argument "but they could have gotten something as good as if not better for less". I could say that to everyone here and to myself, many many times over. I could go out and get a different make or Rem model that might perform close to or as good as better than Senderos or a VS, a VSF or a VLS or a Police and so on, but I have absolutely No interest in doing so.
I know 3 people who got 710's the year they launched. My cousin still has his .270, the other 2 have since sold theirs and upgraded to variants of the 700. But guess what, they still take a liking to the cheap 710 because it got them into the woods and onto the range(not in that order ofcourse). These were people that knew I had remingtons, had shot mine but couldnt afford the same models. 1 of them asked what he should get, I suggested an used 700 or the like but he went to Walmart and got the 710 without me knowing he had made a decision. The other got the 710 out of boredom and gave it no thought. As for my cousin, we were at Walmart picking up my VLS and he saw the 710 and was shocked at it's price considering it came with the scope rings and base, ready to go. He thought he'd keep it a few months and unload it but he still has it, go figure.
It does what it's intended, it may not look as nice as others and getting better for less is possible, but unless the people who live for putting down these rifles offer to buy a better model for those interested in one, they should check targets and meat freezers and realize that for $300.00, it's not so bad now is it? My Badger rings and bases cost more than that for poops sake. To me, a few hundred $$ for a rifle that is ready out of the box is a steal, regardless of brand(assuming the it fires when the trigger is pulled).
*My cousin has upwards of 600 rounds thru his 710 .270win. The 20 or so rounds I have fired thru it made me scratch my head, it's very very very accurate. You'd think they'd skimp on the barrel, they did Not. My shoulder didn't thank me though, hahaha.
