FWIW, my first (and only for decades) centerfire rifle has been my Ruger M77 .30-06 that I bought brand new clear back in 1989. I wound up getting one of them with an excellent barrel, with nearly all of my reloads grouping right at 1.5" to 1.75" and two of my reloads (Sierra 180 grain spitzer Pro-Hunter and 165 grain Barnes TTSX) grouping right at 1 MOA. I successfully took my last three deer with it using that Barnes TTSX, and I have nothing to complain about with my beloved Ruger. With that said, I had long wanted the Winchester model 70 Featherweight, a gorgeous rifle. The 1980s-era model 70 was a nice rifle, with quality at least equal to that of the M77, but I wanted something more, i.e. the model 70 reborn in 1993, the redesigned version dubbed the "Classic" that reintroduced the controlled round feed with claw extractor and coned breech that were the primary mechanical features that to this day have made the pre-64 rifles so beloved. Yes, those features are available in the current version of the model 70, but those are now made in Portugal, not a total deal breaker, but I wanted one still made in USA, and the only way to do that was to find one made from 1993 to 2004. I finally completed my quest only this year, finding a gorgeous Featherweight Classic made in New Haven, CT in 1993. To say that this rifle exudes class is an understatement, and it seems to shoo at least as well as my beloved Ruger, although its barrel definitely needs more time to cool between shots to see how it groups past five rounds.
I bought a stainless Ruger M77 in .308 with laminated stock in 2012. They had a deal for glass bedding at Gander Mt, so I got that done before I even shot it (so I can’t say what difference it made). I love the look of the laminated wood stock which adds weight but I used to be a M-60 gunner so it still feels light. This has been an incredible tact driver with Hornady 168gr, .5” groups all day and has never failed for 1 shot and drop on white tail and hogs. I have 2 buddies with the Winchester 70 and they are both over 1” groupers but they still love their beautiful rifles.
I own a Model 70 pre-64 in .270. It was made in 1948 and is in impeccable condition. I also own a Ruger M77 MKII in 7mm Rem Mag. I love both of them. I usually carry my 7mm when I hunt.
I would say the pre 64 model 70 was better than the original m77. Only do to the fact that ruger outsourced barrels from different companies. And some of those barrels were not accurate. It gave the m77 a bad rap. Once ruger started making their own barrels and came out with the m77 MKii... i honestly belive they are about as equal as they can get. If i had to choose only 1 between the 2, id pick the m77 mkii or m77 hawkeye over the post or pre 64 model 70. Regaurdless, they are 2 of the best hunting rifles ever made.
Good point about the early M77 barrels being outsourced with varying quality. Also, I’ve been told that the original M77 was not controlled round feed.
The main thing with the tang safety Rugers M-77 is that some of the barrels were not very good. for a long time, Ruger got barrels from Wilson and it was a crap shoot. From the M-77 Mk II on Ruger has been making their own barrels and well they shoot well. Good durable rifle. I like the scope mounts on the Rugers. The M-70 I had a bunch of them they are great guns they just need some attention to bedding issues. I had two with either a galled barrel or a crooked chamber. The Crooked chamber was in a 300 WSM that I bought I guess around 2002. U.S. Repeating Arms was having some issues at that time. Both makes are fine, they both will need a little tweaking. Both actions would make a good basis for a custom build.
Having owned and shot several 1st generation M77s, and multiple pre- 64 M70s, my conclusion is the M70 is clearly better in smoothness, trigger pull, reliable feeding, quality control. I have only M70s now.
More power to ya if you want to hunt with that Winchester. It would be one hellova expensive decoration hidden in a safe somewhere if you didn't use it. I didn't know Ruger ever used Maple or anything besides walnut for the 77. Some of the walnut is so plain that it is hard to tell. Just about all brands are good for hunting. Just depends on what floats your boat. The two you show here are excellent.
I have 2 Winchester model 70's; a pre-war standard 30-06 and a Classic 270 Super Grade circa 1991. I recently got rid of a Ruger M77 in 7x57, bit I still have a M77 Mk2 in 220 Swift. I prefer controlled round feed of the Winchesters and the M77 Mk2, but the M77 push feed was plenty reliable. The Winchesters were very smooth actions. The Ruger M77s, with their investment cast receivers were a little rougher in feel. I like the Winchester Model 70s better.
I currently am in the market for a .338 win-mag. Based on my minimal research my only contention against the original version M77, is the hit or miss barrel quality since they were sourcing barrels from multiple providers. So there seems to be a risk to getting a lemon in that regard.
I own many Ruger rifles and they are fantastic firearms, However I only own one Winchester and that is a model 70 in 308. I must say the Winchester model 70 is probably the Best Buy for the price. Looks,feels and shoots like a custom made rifle. Definitely not cheap but your absolutely getting your money’s worth. If I won a prize and had to pick one it would definitely be the Winchester. But I wouldn’t pass up a deal on an M77 either.
I never expected to fall in love ❤️ with this weatherby vanguard weatherguard bronze so much. But its incredible. Couldn't ask for a better handeling rifle.
The first rifle I bought was a Ruger M77 30-06 in 1974. I so wanted a a Ruger and was very proud of my new rifle. That rifle never shot well even after extensive load testing with handholds. The M77 was ok, maybe a little clunky in its lines but ok. Since then I have hunted and shot with SPFD 03 sporterized rifles, M700 Rem's and post 64 MOD 70 and MOD 70 Classic and never ever gave Ruger or anything else a thought. Selling that Ruger M77 was and easy decision and never have given it a second thought.
I lucked out with my own M77 .30-06 that I bought brand new clear back in 1989, as it shoots right at 1 MOA with my reload using the 165 grain Barnes TTSX. I think it looks great, not clunky at all, taking my last three deer with it, each one-shot stops. With that said, only this year I obtained my dream rifle, a Winchester model 70 Featherweight Classic made in 1993 in New Haven, CT, again in .30-06. That's the first year that Winchester reintroduced the controlled round feed with long claw extractor and coned breech that were the primary features that made the vaunted pre-64 rifles so loved. I have to say that it's an even prettier rifle, and the mechanical function is a thing of beauty in and of itself. I already have a Leupold scope mounted on it and I'll be taking it deer hunting this fall.
You can get good and bad from any manufacturer. A Ruger 1989 m77mkii laminated stock in .270 was my first hunting rifle and the throat was cut way out of concentricity,. My 2010 Ruger GSR is perfect. My 2002 Winchester m70 in .300 wsm had a bad chamber cut but my 2022 Portuguese made Winchester Featherweight in .308 is perfect. It's just random luck as far as I can tell if you're buying off the shelf mass produced rifles.
Current Ruger M77 Hawkeyes are controlled round feed, as the M70. It also has a 3 position safety that in my opinion is better design than the Model 70's as it blocks both, bolt and trigger. In other aspects they're much the same; all steel and very similar classic lines. As you mentioned you can't go wrong with either one.
That may be true, but I did shoot a .6 Inch group at 100 yards. The trigger is just over 3 pounds. My Ruger is a beast and at over 40 years old the barrel still looks great. My Model 70 is beautiful and it also shoots very well so I have no complaints with either.
I've not owned or shot either, so no preference. The Winchester XPR is very nice, and slightly more expensive than the average introductory rifle. If the house burned down, I'd buy a couple Howas. Nice design, plain, and well made.
I'm not really sure if I had to start again. This was my start again, I had a very diverse collection previously and had to start over from zero. Given the option I would probably go Ruger American first and then save from there.
@@scruffyarms BTW, don't feel like you HAVE to respond to my comments. I read/watch, that liking and comments helps with the "algorithm". I found your channel recently, very enjoyable, like a lot of smaller channels.
@@scruffyarms Ruger American are poor design. The bolt doesn't lock. Asking for a issue in the heat of the moment hunting. Had it happen 2 years ago to me. Missed a shot on a monster whitetail,rifle wouldn't shoot. By the time I realized what was going wrong the deer had passed. Chasing a doe. Never using a American again. I now own a weatherby vanguard weatherguard bronze. Way better rifle in every aspect
@John Collins I understand but let's understand that every company can throw a lemon here and there. All of my Rugers have been lights out, none of the feeding issues or bolt issues. I'm sorry that happened. But yes Weatherby is an awesome brand but a bit out of my price zone for now.
I have an older Sako A III carbine (full length stock) in .270. It is a beautiful rifle both to look at and to shoot. However, I’m not sure that it’s a “better” rifle than my M77 Hawkeye or my Model 70 Classic. All 3 are controlled round feed actions with barrels that are accurate for me 300 yards and in. CORRECTION: my early 1970s Sako is *not* controlled round feed - it is push feed, but it has a manual ejector like a 1903.
The action in the Sako and tikka aren’t as smooth as the Model 79 and M77. Great rifles don’t get me wrong but there’s something about that Mauser action that makes it a class of its own
The 700 is iconic in its own right but the company behind it has had some major quality issues over the last 20 plus years. The 70 had the same issue for a few years in the late 60's to mid 70's. The major difference is that the model 70 has always been a solid rifle, can't say the same for the 700.
