Most people on this forum that have commented on the 710 do not own one because they have shot one before hand. I agree with you on one point....the gun that I shot did shoot well but that is about the only positive I can say about that gun. I think a person could come away with a good quality used rifle with better optics for about the same money. For a little more money the beginner would be better off buying a Rem 700 and saving up for the optics later. IMO the problem with the 710 comes when the beginner/occasional hunter begins to hunt more and decides to upgrade to a better rifle and optics. I suspect he/she will find that the used market for a 710 will be almost zero. Time will only tell.