Why do guys love the Rem 760/7600 pump rifles so much?

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gobigorgohome

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I recently acquired a Rem 7600 pump rifle. Although it looks pretty and the pump is smooth, I really can't get past the fact that you need to pump it vs cycling a bolt handle. What do you do when shooting off a rest or a fence post? Lift it and pump it every shot, taking your eye off target? Accuracy has always been hit and miss on them. Most shoot acceptable under hunting standards, but no tack drivers. Not to mention they're loud, clanky and rattle.

Despite all their defaults though, they seem to have a loyal following. The guys that shoot them tend to love them. And not just think they are kind of ok, I mean they really love and swear by them. Any time used ones pop up at the local Cabelas, they seem to sell like hot cakes. I've always been told they're a faster follow up shot, but I don't know if all the down falls of them can be balanced out simply by a faster follow up shot.



So tell me, why do you LOVE these rifles? And what makes so many guys swear by them?
 
My guess? Guys that are familiar with pump action shotguns. They will unduibably be several dozen people coming along who will find fault in this statement.. but I'm like you I don't understand the love.
 
Yep I was raised on pump shotguns so it is natural for me
Plus I had to switch years ago to shooting left handed from an eye issue and shoot all right handed guns and a bolt I just cannot cycle like a pump on the left side
I also shoot a pump rifle as well as my 700's who says there are no tack drivers my 223 760 sure was
Cheers
 
I bought one a few years ago expecting to find it a really cool addition to my non-bolt rifle collection, but I've never been any more than lukewarm to it. I find it heavy, and that forearm just won't stop rattling. Also, loading a round into the chamber makes more noise than I would like.

Lately, I find myself wondering if an old model 14 or 141 in something like .32 Remington wouldn't be closer to the lightweight, slick handling gun I was after.
 
gobigorgohome said:
I recently acquired a Rem 7600 pump rifle. Although it looks pretty and the pump is smooth, I really can't get past the fact that you need to pump it vs cycling a bolt handle. What do you do when shooting off a rest or a fence post? Lift it and pump it every shot, taking your eye off target? Accuracy has always been hit and miss on them. Most shoot acceptable under hunting standards, but no tack drivers. Not to mention they're loud, clanky and rattle.

Despite all their defaults though, they seem to have a loyal following. The guys that shoot them tend to love them. And not just think they are kind of ok, I mean they really love and swear by them. Any time used ones pop up at the local Cabelas, they seem to sell like hot cakes. I've always been told they're a faster follow up shot, but I don't know if all the down falls of them can be balanced out simply by a faster follow up shot.



So tell me, why do you LOVE these rifles? And what makes so many guys swear by them?
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They have pluses and minuses like most things. Generally the 760/7600's have a good accuracy reputation, no reason to take your eyes off the target for pumping either.... you don't even have to move your hands from their firing position, just pump it back and then forward again.
 
In my evolution through the firearms sports, the pump 760's were the last firearms purchased and used strictly for hunting. Accurate, priced well, fast and familiar.

I've taken levers hunting, but the 760 is my first go-to. I've lent it to others, who all have had successes similar to mine.

The Rem 740/7400 that I had was garbage in comparison, with the bolt and rails becoming worn, damaged and non-usable (gave to a friend for use as a "parts gun")
 
Way back, lawn and family allowance money.....first gun at 12....a Remington 572 pump 22. Grouse, crows, and ducks had a bad day. Have had a bunch of pump shotguns, including 870, but never a 760/7600.

I do have a ad up for one in 35 Whelen. Where I live, load light 357 bullets reduced for lilliputian blacktail. On the mainland, large and numerous black bears. So poppers for blacktail in the salal, boppers for short range defense in the berry patch. Now I just have to find one in 35 Whelen, tradesys anyone? Lol.
 
My dad bought his 760 at Giant Tiger for $149 in 1978. My uncles and grandfather then bought 7600s in 1980. Prior to that, they all deer hunted with pump shotguns. I have his 760 now, have had several other 760/0s and all were 1" rifles with handloads.

If you have a rattle in the forend, the oring might need to be replaced in the slide tube.
 
Grew up with a pump shotgun in my hands hunting ducks, geese and grouse. My Remington 7600 .30-06 was a graduation to myself when I did my forestry degree and was a natural evolution. I have killed all my moose with it and a few deer. Accurate, familiar action, detachable magazine in an all round purpose caliber were all selling points.
 
My dad gave me a 760 in .30-06 when I was 14 years old. I decimated the deer population with that thing for years. Laser gun accurate. Extremely fast follow up shots. It's one of those rifles that I consider to be true hunter rifles where a guy wants to make sure he fills the freezer instead of put antlers on the wall (even though it is very good at that). I put other rifles in this category as the Remington 7400, Savage 99, Browning BLR, etc. They all have cult-like followings and for good reason - they just plain work - and much better than some. I had my 760 a long time before my first pump shotgun. I still have a couple 760's/7600's and they even get used once in awhile with good results.
 
Can-down said:
They have pluses and minuses like most things. Generally the 760/7600's have a good accuracy reputation, no reason to take your eyes off the target for pumping either.... you don't even have to move your hands from their firing position, just pump it back and then forward again.
Click to expand...

I think he's saying if you have it resting on a fence post you'd have to lift it off the post to cycle a pump but not a bolt action.

The trick for that is to make the first shot count! Lol

As for accuracy they're maybe not sub-moa guns all the time, but I've yet to hear they're not accurate enough for typical hunting ranges - 2moa@300yds should still get your shot into the right spot if you do your part, and most people shouldn't be shooting farther than that anyways.

I want one specifically for its nicknames - Mennonite Machine Gun and Amish Assault Rifle. Lol
 
Maybe not the best rifle on a fence post, but I don't often carry a fence post with me while hunting.

Now freehand, different story. You can follow up without taking your finger away from the trigger to cycle and eye off the target.
 
Suther said:
I think he's saying if you have it resting on a fence post you'd have to lift it off the post to cycle a pump but not a bolt action.

The trick for that is to make the first shot count! Lol

As for accuracy they're maybe not sub-moa guns all the time, but I've yet to hear they're not accurate enough for typical hunting ranges - 2moa@300yds should still get your shot into the right spot if you do your part, and most people shouldn't be shooting farther than that anyways.

I want one specifically for its nicknames - Mennonite Machine Gun and Amish Assault Rifle. Lol
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I agree with him about having to disrupt the physical position while resting the foreend or shooting prone and cycling the action, I disagree that this causes the shooter to need to break eye contact with the target. There is no need to look at a pump action while cycling the pump.

Love them,like them,tolerate or hate them..... the Rem 760/7600's are a part of North American gun culture and we must try to remember...
Diversity Is Our Strength!

:)
 
Chas said:
Grew up with a pump shotgun in my hands hunting ducks, geese and grouse. My Remington 7600 .30-06 was a graduation to myself when I did my forestry degree and was a natural evolution. I have killed all my moose with it and a few deer. Accurate, familiar action, detachable magazine in an all round purpose caliber were all selling points.
Click to expand...

If a Remington 870 shoulders nicely and just feels good in your hands, a 760/7600 will agree with you as well.
 
Can-down said:
If a Remington 870 shoulders nicely and just feels good in your hands, a 760/7600 will agree with you as well.
Click to expand...

Nailed it :)
First gun was a 870 in 16ga and still own it. Shot skeet with a set of 870's in 4 gauges before dog poop was seen and we still lived in caves :) and love the 760/7600
Cheers
 
I prefer jerkomatic . I've used them for about 30 years , one of my favourite rifles . I've had a couple that were just as accurate as most bolt guns . If I blow a shot with a 760 , it's my fault , not the rifles .
 
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