Rem 78 Sportsman...Should I?

M

mpd61

New member
$225 at the local shop. Decent shape and iron sights. I have a 700 already scoped in 7mm-08. No other hunting rifles. Probably never need anything else if I buy this?
:confused:
 
Price sounds OK if it’s in good condition. It’s a knock off version of the 700. Everything the same, just not finished as well and with a cheap stock. Was made between 1984 and 1988. I’ve got one in 270 that’s pretty much a tack driver. It’s my go to hog gun. Plenty of rounds thru it, never a problem.
 
700's have always come with both blind magazines and floorplates. A few recently with DBM's. It is just an ADL with cheap wood If I wanted a rifle you'll get a lot more for $225 with this one than you would with the cheap 770 versions they are selling new.
 
Sounds like a good buy if the metal isn't all dinged up. It's a MUCH BETTER rifle than the crapola 770/710 series rifles. The plainjane stock is no problem for a working rifle but you might want to check the barrel channel. Friend of mine had one that had not been properly sealed and the wood swelled. The 7mm08 is a decent all around caliber sufficient for most big game in the US.
 
The OP didn’t state the caliber. But, The Sportsman 78 was only chambered for .223 Remington, .243 Win, .308 Win, .270 Win, .30-06.
 
30-06 of course...how could I lose? Thanks folks I'm calling the shop in the a.m. to hold it if it isn't already gone.:)
 
Got IT!!!!!!

Picked it up today. 30-06, iron sights, birch stock, sweet trigger, all good to go. For $225 I got a rifle that will take anything in North America. I will always be able to get ammo, and if I drop it once or twice, no big deal! Cheapest used "700" I've bought in quite awhile!
:D
 
You did good mpd... grabbed it before I could post. We've got an old 78 here in 30-06 that has killed a pickup load of game and stays on a 3" dot at 200 yards, with boring regularity. I used another 78 years ago, in 270 Winchester, that was just as good as this one.

As nearly as I can tell, he main differences between the 78, and 700 from the same era, are:

The 78's walnut-stained birch stock

The 78's plastic trigger guard

The 78's matte blue finish

The 78's absence of factory-drilled holes for receiver sight

To me, these are minor things; and I won't own a rifle that don't have iron sights. I believe you got your money's worth and then some.
 
I have a 78 Sportsman and it shoots great, have my trigger set at 28 ounces, and my trigger guard is aluminum not plastic.
 
Rem model 78 "sportsman"

Hell yes !!!! It is just a rem model 700 with plain-jane cosmetics. Mechanical internals are identical to its prettier cousin & a whole lot less expensive to keep & shoot.

Guru1911
 
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