... Members with no or very little experience with 770s will tell you to stay away. ... I have a .308 770 and can say that the bolt handle has not broken off as everyone who has never owned one will tell you will happen. ...
I haven't had even one. But I hear too many people complaining about the 710s and 770s they have had to to think those rifles are as good, let alone as good a value, as the Stevens 200s and Savage package rifles that I hear a lot fewer owners complaining about.
I'm glad that in your experience of one Remington 770, the bolt handle hasn't broken off. Just playing the numbers, I'd bet that it won't fall off yours, and that you'll be happy enough with your rifle. But just playing the numbers, if a Savage package, Stevens 200, or Marlin XS7 or XL7 enters the race, I'd bet on them before a 710 or 770. Better odds of better value.