Just goes to show ya.....
A set-up at any price in the right hands will get the job done. A high priced rig in the hands of a Doofus doesn't make a Doofus any better.
There is nothing wrong with the lower end rifles and the way they shoot. It all comes down to the shooters ability and the understanding of the process.
While there are some features inherent in the 770 that I don't care for, that doesn't mean the 770 won't put meat on the table when the right guy picks it up. Doesn't the 770 have a 'pressed' barrel?
I've said this before, I have a friend that thinks a Savage 110 .30-06 Package Gun is the best thing in the world. I wouldn't even consider a 110 Package Gun, but it is all he needs and he is good with it.
In 10 years or more he almost went thru a whole box of shells already.