Pawn Shop Rescue - 760 Remington

[Kevinakaq]

Thought I would share my latest 'Pawn Shop Rescue' effort. Found a beat up 1952 Remington 760 in 300 Savage a few weeks ago and got a good price as they know I like the old beaters to restore. I had never shot one of these pumps myself nor the 300 Savage. Rifle appeals to me as a hunter and lefty for obvious reasons.

Spent a bit of time making it right and I think it turned out well. Had to crown the barrel after taking off about 3/16" due to over zealous use of a cleaning rod by someone. After a bit of time foaming, brushing, etc. of the bore it cleaned up really nice. About eight coats of True-Oil on the Wood and decided to use DuraCoat on the metal which I like for a hunting rifle. Took it completely apart and cleaned and inspected all parts and this was first rifle in a while where 95% percent of the work required was cosmetic only. Nice rifle to add to my collection and I do believe she's a keeper. I did shoot it a few times other day just to sight in and averaged about 1.25 groups at 80 yards. No load development though at this time and if rain clears I hope to do some more experimenting later this week. Put a Weaver Classic 4x on her as well which I think is a good compliment to this old classic.

Already have dies and brass assembled and various 308 bullets from 125, 130, 150, 155, 168, etc weights. Probably will stick with IMR 4064 powder for jacketed. Now I'm about to get into rifle casting (have been pistol casting for a while now) and if anyone knows a good mold (LEE if possible as they are cheap and a good way to get started) for this particular rifle and a load recipe I'm all ears!!!

Thank for looking and thanks for any recipes included,
Kevin

BEFORE PICS
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[Kevinakaq]

AFTER PICS

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[HollandNut]

that's sweet , I had a mid 60's 760 that I re chambered from a '06 to a 338-06 ..

Little beast will let you know when you light it off

[RickinTN]

Nice job there! You certainly brought her back to life! I shoot the 300 Savage, but only with jacketed bullets so far. The very short neck makes bullet selection difficult, but not impossible. I like to keep the gas check in the neck of a cartridge if at all possible but sometimes can't be accomplished. This is probably one of those cases. If I were to choose a Lee mold it would probably be the 309-170FP or 309-180RN. They are the same bullet only with the nose chopped off to make the flat point. The flat point would probably be the first choice if hunting is on the agenda. Your rifle will tell you about seating depth but you'll probably have the gas check in the case proper or the lube grooves exposed above the case neck, or a little of both. Just on a whim I would probably start with about 16 grains of 2400 as powder charge as this has worked well in most 30 caliber rifles I have tried it in. It is a relatively mild load producing between 1,500 and 1,600 fps. in most cases and is a fun and comfortable load to shoot. Many folks claim to get good results with the 300 Savage and cast and I'm sure you can as well.
Good Luck with it,
Rick

[Three44s]

Very nice outcome!!

You'll treasure that one for a very long time!

I also am glad you shed that iron sighter scope mount ........ you simply have no cheek weld with those things!!

A low mount is faster ....... and more accurate ........ unless you want to glue a short 4X6" block of wood to the cheek rest ........

Three 44s

[Kevinakaq]

Very nice outcome!!
A low mount is faster ....... and more accurate ........ unless you want to glue a short 4X6" block of wood to the cheek rest ........

Three 44s

Couldn't agree more. There is quite a bit of drop on that stock as well which is nice. Even with the low scope mounts I can right shoulder the weapon if needed and still look through the scope with my left dominant eye (I am a lefty). Comes in very handy sometimes when you are up in a stand and deer comes towards you at an odd angle. My dad is a righty but left eye dominant and would enjoy this rifle as well because of that. He has been known to 'whittle' a few butt stocks down to make them usable... I almost always use low scope mounts, especially in my target rifles, but do prefer my hunting rifles with scopes to be capable of shouldering from left or right for me. Was nice that it worked out both ways on this rifle.

[C. Latch]

Many years ago I had a chance at a 760 in .300 Savage, just like yours, older model, in very nice shape, and I backed out of the deal, and have always regretted it.

I hope you enjoy yours!

[onceabull]

I have this exact rifle from the same era as yours...Favorite Cast boolit is 311440 (aka 308440)..Some years ago there was a group buy on a 6 Cav.Lee clone,so you might troll around to see if anyone close has one... I started off buying the boolits from Western Bullet ,(Missoula,Mt.)probably 15 years ago, worked good enough for me to start shopping for my own mould....at around 1800 fps it made a fine deer whacker... Onceabull

[gkainz]

My dad hunted with that same rifle. My brother has it now and it just sits in his safe. I told him if it ever went anywhere except to me, I would never forgive him.

[skeettx]

Well done!!
Thank you for sharing
Mike

[Hardcast416taylor]

A neighbor has a 760 of about that year as yours and also is .300 Sav. I helped him develop a "J" load for it as he wasn`t a cast believer. My experience is that 150 gr. Nosler "J" bullets, either Ballistic variety or the partition type work very well and have taken quite a few Michigan whitetails and now Montana mulies besides a cow elk with the partitions If it`ll put a sparkle in your eyes those 150`s can be driven real close to 2700 FPS!Robert

[nekshot]

you did a fine job for sure. Yep, I was raised and weaned on them older 760's. I got one just like yours but a 35 remmy. Where I came from they were called amish machine guns!

[izzyjoe]

Very nice, that wood looks awsome! I love fixer uppers.

[seagiant]

Hi,
VERY nice work,and a great cartridge! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.300_Savage

[Kevinakaq]

Thanks guys i appreciate the positive comments. Forearm had a couple cracks typical of shotgun forearms but wood went back together tight and you would never know it even if you were looking. I love fixer uppers myself and making something new. Even when i was a kid with something as simple as hammers i would shine up the metal, put a new handle on her and make it new (still have a few of those in use). I actively look for rifles and calibers i havent worked on before. Any chance to break one apart and learn how it works is a welcome opportunity...not to mention all the appreciation that comes from load development....

[oscarflytyer]

Very nice. Is on my bucket list. LGS has one with a Griffin and Howe detachable mount on it, but to high for my blood - $700!

I have yet to try IMR 4064 in my Savage 99 300 Savage. I simply went with the load that is listed as the most accurate for 300 Savage - 40.0 grns of IMR 4895 behind a 150 grn (Speer HotCor for me) bullet. Works great for me.

[richhodg66]

The .300 and cast work well together. In my experience, the short neck problem is more academic than real. The 31141 works well in it even with the bullet base below the bottom of the neck.

I used the NOE clone of the 311041 and 28 grains of IMR4895 with a little Dacron filler. The rifle will easily hold deer hunting accuracy at 100 yards with this load even with iron sights and a less than stellar trigger.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/richhodg66/300Savage99EGDoe_zpsdb32106f.jpg

[Gtek]

Very nice, well done! I must admit I am torn visually between the rifle and a clean bench.

[CastingFool]

Nice job!

[Kevinakaq]

Sometimes I think I spend as much time cleaning my area as working on my rifles. I only have a 12x12 space in a small out building and have a round table with my computer on that inside as well. It's a comfortable space, but a bit cramp and I'm constantly looking for ways to reorganize or conserve space.

The rounds that I tested out other day were Hor 150 gr Interlock 3031 with pushed by 41 gr IMR4064. This is a weak load going about 2600 I think (I didn't run over Chrony) but fine for sighting in and getting to know the rifle. I seldom load my rounds to full power for deer, paper, trespassers....lol.

[Kevinakaq]

Thought I would attach a pic of it's cousin I rescued from the same shop about six months ago. A Rem 742 in 280 Rem. It was funny when I was haggling with the clerk he told me the negative was it was a 280 Rem...I told him yeah I agree but I'll take a chance and see if I can't find some ammunition for it :D. This rifle was very far gone and took a bit of work. Extractor rivet was broke for one, forearm wood was in half and far far gone. Butt stock wasn't much better off so I decided to just put a synthetic stock on and use as a hunting rifle. Of course it doesn't hold the value with the stock replacement but nonetheless it will still serve as a fine hunting rifle and with reduced loads should last my lifetime. There was very little 'chatter' from bolt return on this one and I load it on the weak side as well to prolong life. This gun is surprisingly accurate and impresses me. I average slightly under one inch groups at 100 yards with this thing. I don't know why I guess I just got lucky but it is a shooter. I like to think it is the 280 Rem Caliber..haha. I know I digress, but it's a first cousin to the above rifle...

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67729401/2014-05-15%2010.10.06.jpg

[High Desert Hunter]

I have one in 30'06, and it is a fine shooter, I use the Lee 200gr RNFPGC bullet and with open sights it shoots into less than an inch at 50. Mine was a gift from my Granddad, it will not leave my possession.

[nekshot]

come on fellas admit it , these guns are very accurate for what they are. I highly respect the 760's but they are too noisy for where I hunt most of the time but if a follow up shot or two is needed they really are fast!

[Kevinakaq]

if a follow up shot or two is needed they really are fast!

I must say that i can work the 760 action and remain looking through the scope the entire time. That straight back pull makes this possible. I hunt with righty bolt actions (lefty here) but of course cant do that and it is even difficult to maintain on target while cycling with my lever guns.

As far as accurracy my 280 impresses me but the jury is out on the 760...will update when i shoot it more. Suppose to be nice out tomorrow here.

[izzyjoe]

I've found an older model 760 270 at a local PS, it just came out and I'm hoping to pick it up if the price is right, it's in decent shape, so I hope they price it cheap!

[Kevinakaq]

How did you make out Izzy?


I've found an older model 760 270 at a local PS, it just came out and I'm hoping to pick it up if the price is right, it's in decent shape, so I hope they price it cheap!

As for mine i am getting good groups at 100 yds. with Hornady 3031's - my go to bullet for Whitetails in a variety of 30 cal rifles. Averaging around 1.25 inch three shot groups at 100 with 41 imr4064. Today's group was 0.864 ctc, but not consistent enough to satisfy at this time. As for cast im using Lee C-309-180-R sized to .310 and getting a bit less than 2" inch groups fairly consistently at 100 with 21 rx7. With gas checks and lubed they weigh in at 171 which seemed light to me for this mold. Tried increasing powder load but for every grain it seemed group opened up an inch with occasioanal fliers. Using coww, al gas checks, and lyman orange until it empties out of the lubrasizer (carnuba red on standby). No leading thus far. Changing seating depth didnt seem to help much, but still early in the development to make a call. Might order the c-312-155-2r which will allow for shallow seating soon though i dont think it will make a good hunting round.

Regardless, i am having a great time and everytime i shoot this gem i get more attached.

[izzyjoe]

I went back and put it on lay a way, the forearm is different than you'rs this one has 5 diamonds on it not the ribs. It's a decent rifle, didn't figure I'd go wrong at $350. It even has a weaver k4, and tip over mounts to boot!

[Cactus Farmer]

I traded for an old worn 760 in 270 a few years ago. It shot 1 1/2" groups with almost anything. I kept working with it and finally found a super load with a case full (60grns?) of old surplus H4831 and a 130 Sierra BT. 3/4" all day long. The problem with the whole deal was it kicked all out of proportion to the caliber. I finally traded it for something else. It was a learning experience as to how good a pump will shoot if the owner is willing to work on loads. My brother's 760 in 30-06 is now a tack driver too. I even worked up a lead boolit load with 311359's and 12 grns of 2400. It shoots less than an inch at 50 yards. Squirrel medicine. It has taken a coyote or two over the years too.

[rking22]

Watching this !, I also have an early 50s 760 in 300Savage. Mine is not tapped so I am using the facory irons. I want to get a cast load worked up so I can play with it more. Really are fine rifles, especially for us pumpgun addicts!

[Kevinakaq]

I went back and put it on lay a way, the forearm is different than you'rs this one has 5 diamonds on it not the ribs. It's a decent rifle, didn't figure I'd go wrong at $350. It even has a weaver k4, and tip over mounts to boot!


Seems they started with the diamond checkering on the ADL grade in 1954. Look forward to you getting it out, seeing some pics, and comparing notes!

Good resource for the 760's -
http://www.gun-data.com/remington_mod_model760.htm

[roverboy]

I had no idea that they made these in .300 Sav. Nice old rifle, and you did a good job fixing her up.

[izzyjoe]

Thanks for the link on the info, I've always wanted one, just never seen one for sale locally. I really wanted a 308, cause that opens up a whole new chapter with cast boolits. I wish they made one in 6.5x55, that would be a dandy! Nothing wrong with the 270, I just don't cast for it, so it is more expensive to shoot, and the recoil can be tamed by down loading it too. I've always felt the 742- 760 style rifle were sleek, and light, but I could never warm up to the 742, cause of the bad rap they have, I know some folk love them, I'm just afraid to get a lemon.

[358 Win]

Super job on that 760 .300 Savage. I have four .300 Savages, a 99EG from 1956, a 722 Remington bolt gun from 1949, a Remington 700 classic from 2003, and a limited run (300 pcs) 7600 from 2006 with absolutely super wood on it. I'm shooting the WWPP 150 grain bullet using Hercules/Alliant Reloder 12 powder in excess of 2700 fps with accuracy that won't be believed. I killed deer with that bullet in the .300 Savage, .308 Win, and 30-06 and of them performed exactly alike, the deer went 3ft, straight down. Reloder 12 has been discontinued since 1997 but I still got 2lbs in Lot 003 and 15 pounds in Lot 012. I experimented with Reloader 15 also and it will do the same velocity/accuracy as Reloder 12, only it took 2 to 3 more grains of RL-15 to get there. There are no flies in the ointment ballistically when it comes to the classic .300 Savage. Enjoy yours!

358 Win

[Kevinakaq]

Super job on that 760 .300 Savage. I have four .300 Savages, a 99EG from 1956, a 722 Remington bolt gun from 1949, a Remington 700 classic from 2003, and a limited run (300 pcs) 7600 from 2006 with absolutely super wood on it. I'm shooting the WWPP 150 grain bullet using Hercules/Alliant Reloder 12 powder in excess of 2700 fps with accuracy that won't be believed. I killed deer with that bullet in the .300 Savage, .308 Win, and 30-06 and of them performed exactly alike, the deer went 3ft, straight down. Reloder 12 has been discontinued since 1997 but I still got 2lbs in Lot 003 and 15 pounds in Lot 012. I experimented with Reloader 15 also and it will do the same velocity/accuracy as Reloder 12, only it took 2 to 3 more grains of RL-15 to get there. There are no flies in the ointment ballistically when it comes to the classic .300 Savage. Enjoy yours!

Thanks for the nice comments 358. I haven't shot the pump in a while and think it's time to get her back out and test some loads. I might try the 309-170-F in it and see how she performs as a deer round. I recently picked up a Savage 99 EG as well in 300 Savage and have yet to shoot it...have rounds loaded, just haven't tested. Has one of the Marbles tang sites on it and really looking forward to working up some loads. Had planned to do it this morning as it was nice and cool outside (a rarity this time of year in FL) but the rain has begun to fall. To many projects and to much testing it seems...of course there are much worse problems to have :).

I definitely wouldn't feel under gunned hunting any critter in North America with the 300. In my limited amount of Jwords tests I was using 4064 and with cast Rx7.

[Lawyerman]

Rescued an old "corn cob" foreend 760 this last weekend out of a pawn shop myself. It's a .270, all the wood is good, some bluing has faded but no rust anywhere and the bore is excellent. Someone had drilled and tapped it and added a Weaver rail, no scope on it though.

I'm going to send it off to JES and have them cut it to .35 Whelen. His "price list" says he can do a .270 760 in .35 so I guess we'll see. I only paid $200 for it so even with the Rebore I'm very much under what a factory built 760 Whelen is going for these days...last ones I have seen were in the mid $700 range these days. Never a big fan of the .270 Winchester, Jack O'Connor notwithstanding....

[texasnative46]

To All,

The Model 760 (particularly the "old corncob" sort) is my FAVORITE rifle. = I have 5 of them right now, from .244REM to my JES rebored "treasure" which is in 9.3x62mm Mauser.
(Now if I could just find a Model 7615 in .223/5.56 NATO w/supplied police magazines, I'd be a happy camper.)

YEP, I have a .300SAV too & $$$$$ won't buy it. = GREAT cartridge with 180 grain GCCB for WT-size game out 150M+.

yours, tex