Remington Model 760
The Remington Model 760 Gamemaster is a pump-action, centerfire rifle produced by Remington Arms from 1952 to 1980, succeeding the Model 141 as a high-power hunting firearm with a detachable magazine.[1][2]
Introduced with initial calibers including .30-06 Springfield, .300 Savage, and .35 Remington, it later expanded to options such as .270 Winchester, .243 Winchester, and .308 Winchester, offering versatility for big-game pursuits.[2] The design incorporated dual action bars for smoother operation and reduced risk of binding compared to earlier models, alongside a standard 22-inch barrel on rifles (18.5 inches on carbine variants) yielding weights around 7.5 pounds.[3][2]
Total production reached 1,034,438 units, including 62,726 carbines, reflecting strong initial sales of 63,735 rifles in 1952 alone and establishing it as Remington's most popular pump-action rifle.[2] Variants such as the 1953 ADL and BDL grades added checkered stocks and scope accommodations, while the 1960 Model 760C carbine addressed fore-end rattle, and late-1970s updates simplified the bolt mechanism.[2] Renowned for reliability in demanding field conditions, it excelled in deer hunting within 200 yards, providing rapid follow-up shots superior to many bolt-actions, though some users noted subpar triggers, excessive recoil, and occasional accuracy variability or receiver wear from the multi-lug bolt.[4][4][5]
History
Development and Introduction
The development of the Remington Model 760 began in the late 1930s as part of efforts to update Remington's pump-action rifle lineup, initially under the designation Model 49 in 1936 before being halted in 1939 due to economic constraints. A new design initiative commenced on June 13, 1940, but was interrupted by World War II from 1941 to 1943; work resumed late in 1943, with prototypes tested in 1944. By 1947, collaborative efforts between design teams in Ilion, New York, and Wilmington, Delaware, refined the action, leading to the final designation as Model 760 on May 22, 1950. Key contributors included Crawford C. Loomis of Remington's Technical Division, L. Ray Crittendon, who had previously overseen the Model 1903A3 rifle, and William Gail Jr.[2][6][1] The primary motivation for the Model 760 was to replace the aging Models 14 (introduced 1912) and 141 (1935), which suffered from high manufacturing costs and outdated features like spiral magazines. The new rifle incorporated a machined-steel receiver, rotating bolt with multiple lugs for enhanced strength, twin action bars, and a detachable box magazine, enabling compatibility with modern centerfire cartridges and scope mounting. This design addressed production inefficiencies while providing a lightweight, reliable platform for big-game hunting.[2][6] Introduced in Remington's 1952 consumer catalog as the Gamemaster, the Model 760 debuted in January with .30-06 Springfield chambering, followed by .300 Savage in April and .35 Remington in July. Initial specifications included a 22-inch barrel, 42-inch overall length, and 7.5-pound weight, with an "A" grade low-comb stock lacking factory scope mounts. Sales in 1952 totaled 63,735 units, predominantly in .30-06 (41,417), reflecting strong market reception as a successor to the Model 141, which ceased production in 1949.[2][1][6]Production and Discontinuation
The Remington Model 760 Gamemaster entered production in 1952 as a successor to the Model 141 pump-action rifle.[1][2] Over its run, Remington manufactured approximately 1.03 million units, including standard rifles and variants such as the ADL, BDL, and carbine models.[1] Production encompassed multiple chamberings, with early emphasis on .30-06 Springfield and .35 Remington, later expanding to options like .270 Winchester and .308 Winchester.[7] Serial number records indicate steady output, with codes stamped on barrels correlating to years from 1952 (first digit "8" for 1952, progressing annually) through the late 1970s.[7] The Model 760C carbine variant ceased production specifically in 1980, marking an early phaseout within the line.[7] Discontinuation occurred on December 31, 1980, coinciding with the launch of successor models including the Model 7600 and Model Six, which featured updated designs like improved synthetics and ergonomics.[2] Although formal production ended, remaining inventory sales extended into 1981.[2][1] The shift reflected Remington's strategy to modernize its pump-action offerings amid evolving manufacturing and market demands, without documented issues tied to reliability or sales decline precipitating the end.[2]Design and Features
Operating Mechanism
The Remington Model 760 utilizes a manual pump-action, or slide-action, mechanism, in which the shooter reciprocates the fore-end to cycle the bolt and chamber rounds from a detachable box magazine. This design transmits force through twin action bars affixed to the fore-end and linked to a bolt carrier, enabling rearward movement to rotate the bolt counterclockwise via helical cam grooves, unlocking it from the barrel extension, extracting the spent cartridge case, ejecting it through the port, and recocking the internal hammer. Forward reciprocation then strips a fresh cartridge from the magazine, chambers it, and rotates the bolt clockwise to lock it securely prior to firing.[5][2] The bolt incorporates fourteen interrupted thread-type lugs that engage corresponding grooves in a hardened steel barrel extension, providing a robust multi-lug lockup capable of containing the high pressures generated by centerfire cartridges such as .30-06 Springfield. This rotating-bolt system, combined with the bolt carrier's guided travel within the receiver, ensures precise alignment and minimal play during operation. The rifle is hammer-fired, with the trigger mechanism releasing the hammer to strike the firing pin only when the bolt is fully locked forward.[5][2] An action bar lock, operated by a button or lever, secures the fore-end against rearward movement when the safety is engaged, preventing unintended cycling while loaded. The mechanism's simplicity—lacking gas or recoil-operated components—contributes to its reputation for reliability across diverse field conditions, as it avoids fouling-sensitive ports or pistons found in semi-automatic designs.[4][2]Technical Specifications
The Remington Model 760 is a pump-action centerfire rifle with a forged steel receiver and front-locking rotary bolt design secured by multiple lugs arranged in an interrupted spiral pattern.[8] [9] Dual action bars guide the bolt during cycling, ensuring reliable operation under varying conditions.[8] The rifle employs a detachable box magazine and features open iron sights, with early models lacking provisions for scope mounting on the receiver.[2]| Specification | Standard Rifle | Carbine Variant |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Pump-action | Pump-action |
| Barrel Length | 22 inches | 18.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 42 to 42.625 inches | Approximately 38.5 inches |
| Weight | 7.5 pounds | 7.25 pounds |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds (detachable box) | 4 rounds (detachable box) |
| Stock Drop at Comb | 1.1875 inches | Similar proportions |
| Stock Drop at Heel | 2.25 inches | Similar proportions |
| Length of Pull | 13.5 inches | 13.5 inches |