Review of the Remington Model 760 GameMaster Pump Action Rifle

The Remington Model 760 Pump Action rifle is a great hunting arm that is popular with a number of hunters and is just as efficient as ever. When the question turns to the "best deer rifle," the pump rifle doesn't come up often, but it certainly is a good contender for the title. In general the pump action rifle combines accuracy rivaling a bolt action rifle with improved speed making it in many ways better than either a bolt or lever action rifle. According to information on Remington.com, the Model 760 GameMaster saw a production run of over 1 million rifles. Calibers included the .270 Winchester, .280 Remington, and the 30-06 Springfield among others. The Remington Model 760 GameMaster was replaced by the Model 7600 which is still in production.

Remington Model 760 GameMaster was produced in numerous grades and variations. A carbine length Remington Model 760 GameMaster with an 18.5 inch barrel was made and would be a handy woods rifle. Those used to a well broke in pump action shotgun might be surprised with action roughness of a pump rifle. Due to the much higher pressure levels of a centerfire cartridge compared to a shotgun shell, a centerfire pump action rifle must lock up more tightly. The Remington Model 760 GameMaster uses a rotary bolt that twists into place when closed. Due to all of this movement the action is not smooth like a shotgun, but it is not a problem either.

The 760 that I have experience with is chambered for the .270 Winchester. Though the Remington Model 760 GameMaster that I have shot is not what might be called a "tack driver", it has sent enough whitetails to the freezer over the years to prove that accuracy is not a problem. With handloads the Model 760 will shoot into about 2 inches. Recoil is not a significant problem as the Model 760 is fairly beefy and helps to tame the rifle's kick. I feel awkward shooting a pump action rifle offhand as I prefer my hand on the fore-end to be closer to the action than the pump handle will allow, but this is something that each hunter will have to check out to see if it suits them. However, the Model 760 as a whole feels good and points quickly in the woods.

The Remington Model 760 GameMaster topped off with a low power variable scope can certainly make a good argument for being the best deer rifle ever made. While no longer in production, the just over one million used Model 760's that are probably still in existence can be found on gun dealer shelves as well as the Internet gun listings.