Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Pump rifle accuracy.

With the recent interest afoot in the deer hunting forum,I was curious. Just what sort of accuracy can one expect from a good pump rifle? Are they best left to factory ammo,or do you hand load for them? Are they troublesome to load for? Just stuff I've been wondering about. I've never owned one,but the Remingtons feel good in hand to me. Might be a winter project in this. Thanks!

My 760 will throw any 180 grain factory load I have put through it into about an inch and a quarter group.

I tried some 165 grain federal trophy copper and they shot under and inch


But for the price I couldn't see any practical difference from the 180 power points

They will commonly shoot better than 1 1/2" with some I've seen shooting below an inch. They're generally as accurate as many bolt rifles. I reloaded for mine but preferred Small Base dies or extraction was sticky.

IME any Remington pump I've played with shows accuracy as good as required for the intended use. Some shoot as good as bolt actions.

I hope to hunt with mine but will use factory ammo.

Most I've used will shoot around an inch, some even better. I killed deer with my 760 06 last year with handloads and factory ammo. They are no problem to load for.

My 35 Rem is 1.5" or less

I've experimented with them some. Came to the conclusion I don't like them. But the ones I've shot were near 1" guns and with a better trigger could probably match most bolt guns.

But getting a trigger to match a bolt gun ain't gonna happen. They are about 1 lb heavier than my bolt guns and I can't get off AIMED repeat shots any faster. When using any type of rest or shooting sticks they are single shots.

I like my pump shotguns, but shotguns are pointed, rifles are aimed. The pump action just doesn't offer many advantages in a rifle.

James Earl Ray's .30-06 760 was accurate enough.

You ain't never hunted with one in the big woods have ya

My old Remington 760 in .300 Savage was capable of sub-MOA with handloads and 1.5 inches with factory fodder if I remember correctly. That old rifle has not had much for factory stuff run through it since the 60's when I bought it. My son has the rifle now....

As far as loading for it, never an issue.

depends on the model. i have or have had a bunch of all the models and calibers. the older ones in 25, 30, 32 and 35 rem are 2 MOA with scopes. probably more a function of the round than the gun. the 14's and 141 triggers are pretty stiff but break clean. my dads 1938 141 in 35 rem is the most accurate. it will shoot into 1 hole at 50 yards with 200 gr CL's. the 760's are MOA accurate with factory ammo and stock triggers but the trigger pull is stiff and 870-like. the 308's and 243's are especially accurate. the 7600's triggers are pretty horrendous but can be easily cleaned up to be acceptable. i found a factory carbine in 35 whelen a few years ago and sent the trigger group out to Accuracy Systems in colorado and had the match trigger job done. it is my most accurate pump gun. the 3 shot group in the orange dot is what i can expect with factory 200gr CL's if i can do my part. i've actually shot all into one slightly ragged hole but don't have the pics to prove it.

Rem 760 in 6mm. 100 grain Fed factory blue-box Power-Shok stuff. Not a Jewel trigger, but not bad. 25 year-old Leupold 3-9x in Leupold steel mounts. I think it's rather attractive, if you like the '70's look.
Bob

Otter,

I had a 760 in 270 that was an easy 1.25 MOA, IIRC, without any trouble. The trigger was heavy as mentioned but Timney has the 'solution'.

It had the corncob fore-end. I tried to give the brush guard some more clearance, and ended up just removing it all together. The barrel wasn't floated with the guard the way it was.

Jason

Pump rifles are hunting guns and the ones I have had experience with were pleasantly hunting accurate. I wish Remington would make a stainless, straight synthetic stock, 20 inch barrel, short action pump guide gun.

He can't shoot offhand to save his life....

My 760 shoots about 1 1/4" (3 shots) average group size at 100 yards with my handloads. They are easy to load for. Follow up shots are quick and easy. Trigger is not bad at all, but you need to know how to make them better. No need for me to buy a Timney for it. ..

That trigger assembly can be re-bushed to remove most creep....helped me a lot.

My 760 30-06 groups 1" or less and my 7600 7mm-08 groups 1"-1.25". The 760 is more forgiving at the bench. The 7600 is picky on how it's held at the bench. I shoot reloads.

With a Remington 760 or 7600 it'll be better than your bolt actions.

I like the 70s look. Good looking rig there Bob. Good shooting too.

+1. Looks damn good.. Otter, you need to get yourself one of those. I drug my feet for a long time and finally got one last year. It's a lefty and I really like it. I'm a huge 870 fan though..