Choices, choices- 760 or 7600

[Cougarz]

Since discovering this site it got me to thinking about buying a rifle, so I need your help.

Almost 30 years ago I bought Remington model 760, .30-06.  Like a lot of folks at the time it was because I read the Beniot articles in Sports Afield.  It was a great gun, accurate, dependable and for my purposes, exactly what I needed for hunting the northwest's blacktail deer & Roosevelt elk.  This was my first new rifle which made it even more special.  But after a few years I decided another rifle would suit me better.  Worst mistake I ever made.  Since then I've often thought about getting another.  

My question is which would you do? Look around for a used 760 or go for a new 7600?  How do they compare?  

I'm thinking about staying with .30-06 mainly because it has always been a favorite of mine.  But if .260 remington was still available that would have been another option.  OK guys help me out. :wink:

[Daveinthebush]

I have never owned a 760 but have had a 7600 in .35 Whelen for 17 years. It has never let me down and is accurate enough for anything I want to hunt.

I think I like it most because I also own a couple of 870's and it is an easy switch between the two firearms.  Easy to point, quick second shot and reliable.

If they made one in stainless and .35 Whelen I's be a very happy camper indeed. :grin:

[while99]

I own two 760s and one 7600.  The 760s, the older ones anyway, have more drop to the stock and are really nice to use with iron sites.  If you mount a scope on them, your cheek will be up off of the comb a little bit.  You might not get a good "cheek weld".  The 7600s have higher combs and are really made to use with scopes.  If you want to use the iron sites on a 7600, you may have to rasp the comb down some to get everything to line up correctly.  I like both rifles and really have no  great preference for one over the other.

[Dave in WV]

There is no guarantee how a used rifle will shoot just like a new one. I had a 760 30-06 (my son has it) and he bought me a 7600 7mm-08 last year. Both shoot good. while99 has a point about the comb height of a 7600. Maybe higher sights would work too.

[wink_man]

I have a 1980 vintage remington 760 in 30-06. The 30-06 is a favorite of mine too and indeed, a very versatile cartridge, you'd be hard pressed to go wrong with it. Mine is a carbine model, the short barrel is important to me, as I tend to hunt very thick stuff. I have held 7600's but never owned or shot one, they appear very much the same, and I don't think you could go wrong either way, probably depends more if you can run across a good older gun in good condition. As far as the comb difference, I have a Leupold Vari X III, 1.5 to 5 variable mounted on my gun, with the 20 mm objective lens, the scope is mounted on a Redfield base, with LOW rings, and my cheek is welded firmly to the stock. I could see where it would be a problem though with a larger objective lens requiring the need for medium rings. I am a believer in a low powered variable for whitetails. With a 1.5 variable, the field of view is so wide, and target aquisition so easy, I do net see the need for iron sights, and I hate to say it, but iron sights are getting blurrier & blurrier with my eyes. Just my personal opinions & thoughts.
Sincerely,
 Garry

[Cougarz]

Thanks for the replies.  I will most likely put a scope on it so comb height on the 7600 won't be a problem.  I used my 760 both with a scope and with peep sights at various times.  I had a Williams sight that mounted using the back scope mount screws.

I think I'll look around a bit before committing just to see what's out there.  Once again thanks for all of your knowledge on these fine rifles.  It's about time someone recognized it and gave us a forum to discuss them.

[jmckinley]

I was like you I had a 760 in 06 for years and stopped hunting due to more than a dozen knee operations. I'm back and tried a bolt Mod. 70 and just didn't like it. Picked up a 7600 in 270 and love it. First 3 shots after site in went into 3/4  of an inch. It shoots as well as a bolt and much easier to operate. I've shot pump shotguns for 40 years just natural. In fact my next toy is a 760 in 243 for yotes in NM. I 'll be getting a new 7600 in the fall in 06 for my primary Elk gun. These guns are real sleepers and just plain fun to use. I just put a Mueller Red Dot on my 270 and what a greatscope for the dollar. Hope you enjoy your rifle.


               Jess

[jmckinley]

I was like you I had a 760 in 06 for years and stopped hunting due to more than a dozen knee operations. I'm back and tried a bolt Mod. 70 and just didn't like it. Picked up a 7600 in 270 and love it. First 3 shots after site in went into 3/4  of an inch. It shoots as well as a bolt and much easier to operate. I've shot pump shotguns for 40 years just natural. In fact my next toy is a 760 in 243 for yotes in NM. I 'll be getting a new 7600 in the fall in 06 for my primary Elk gun. These guns are real sleepers and just plain fun to use. I just put a Mueller Red Dot on my 270 and what a greatscope for the dollar. Hope you enjoy your rifle.


               Jess