New Rem 700 or old Rem Sportsman 78?
Hello to all. I have saved enough money to buy a new Rem 700 ADL ($379) in 270 Win with a 24" bbl or a 1984 (est) Rem Sportsman 78 ($325) in 270 Win with a 22" bbl and a scope. Which should I buy? I like the extra 2 inches on the new Rem 700 bbl but the old Sportsman 78 supposedly features better workmanship/craftsmanship. I'd love to hear from someone with experience with both of these models. I have not yet examined the bore of the old Sportsman 78. If the bore looks good, I may go that direction. Any comments would be great. Thanks.
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If it were my money I would buy Savage. Between the Rems, the sportsman if it is 1980's or older. I have seen enough new Rems to never own one. 0 -
Not that there is anything wrong with a 270 but it wouldn't be my first choice unless it was a real bargain. Cheap scope and cheap mounts don't usually add any value to the deal because when you replace them to get something good, the old stuff has no resale value.
I think there are good used rifles in the 300 - 400 range if you can buy local from a non dealer. They need to charge more.
Are you planning to hunt big game, varmints, shoot targets, everything. Do you plan to reload for it. Is it going to be your only centerfire or do you foresee having a rifle for each purpose.
Here is 400 listed for 400 or less to give you some ideas. Almost all of them have addition charges like shipping and ffl on your end. Local from a private party can avoid all the fees - depends where you live I guess.
Know any local shooters that can help you out?
https://www.GunBroker.com/Bolt-Action-Rifles/search?MaxPrice=4000 -
If the 700 is also 1980s vintage, I probably would opt for that over the 78, mostly because the 700 will give you a floorplate that opens, over the blind magazine of the 78. And, as you mentioned, the 700 has the longer barrel.
Ditto on the scope comments- top your rifle with high quality optics like Leupold, and you'll enjoy shooting it much more.
Remington quality has slipped in the last few years- avoid the Model 770 with its low cheap plastic parts and manufacturing shortcuts.0 -
if I had just the 2 to choose from, I'd take the 78. I have one (in .223). these ware the same as the 700 adl only not finished as nice. 0 -
There doesn't seem to be a lot of love for the .270 cartridge on these forums. I'm the exception; I think it's a great cartridge, especially if you reload, and I don't think you'd regret owning one. I have both the sportsman 78 and 700's, both ADL and BDL. If you go with the 700, try for an older one since in recent years the quality from Remington has declined. The price of your 78 seems a little high, I paid $258 for mine but it had no scope. If the scope is good quality (Redfield, Burris, Leupold, Weaver) that deal doesn't sound bad. I don't think you will be giving up much with the 22" barrel. And, of course, the ADL model has no floorplate, either. 0 -
While prices have risen recently
Consider the Remington model 721 as there are still some bargains to be found and it's a superior rifle in every way possible
They do well on gun broker but can still be found sitting on the rack in a gun shop for a bargain if your lucky
Mike0 -
Consider the Remington model 721
I agree with MRMIKE; I have several of the 721/722 Remingtons and while they are as plain as an old tin pail, they shoot very well. They were discontinued when the 700 came out in 1962 but there are a LOT of them around. They are most commonly found in .30/06 and .270. In the last year or two of production, the barrels were 22" while previously they were 24".0 -
In the year since the Donald was elected. The bottom has dropped out, of gun prices. I've been getting multiple e-mails ever day, from the large on-line gun business's. With prices that would have been unbelievable, just a couple of years ago.
To make long story short. CNN had a resent sale, on Thompson Center Compass's. At prices around $300 +/-? These Compass's have a real good rep as far as accuracy is concerned.
I would check with CDNN, to see f they have any left? And forget about the Remingtons.0 -
Hello - I have a Remington 700 - produced several decades ago - in .222 with an ATN scope on it for greeting coyotes at night. It was produced before the new ownership of Remington/Marlin.
I have also had a Remington 78 but now have Remington 788s in 7mm-08 - 308 & 44 magnum.
There are other responders that have made wise suggestions. I too opine that the slightly shorter barrel of the 78 is fine and that you need a good scope such as a Leupold.
If the two Remingtons in your original post were your main consideration as they might be ones you can actually put your hands on - and the 700 is NOT several decades old - I would go with the 78. If the 700 is three or four decades old and in good condition - I would consider it even though it does not have the floor plate mine does.
Best Regards - AQH0 -
Like has been said, skip the 270, and get something better for chambering, like a 260 Remington, or the 6.5 Creed. Look for an older 700, I do not like ANYTHING NEW in Remington...PERIOD...that said, a 7mm Rem Mag, or 7-08 would be good also. 0
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