[David4516]

What would you choose and why?

Winchester Model 70 "Coyote":

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=031&cat=001C

Or

Ruger M77 "Target"

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=7887&return=Y

I'm planning on getting one of the two as soon as I've got the cash, but that might be a little while as I've got alot of things I need to pay for at the moment.

Anyway, I'm looking for a rifle to target shoot with out to 300 yards, maybe a little more. I might also take it deer (and possibly Elk?) hunting when I hunt in areas with alot of open spaces. Most of the places I hunt are in dense forrests, and I've already got a good rifle for that kind of enviroment (my Winchester Model 94).

As for caliber, I'm 99.9% sure I want .308 Winchester. I was thinking about .25-06, but I can hunt larger animals with .308, and I don't think they make this type of rifle in Long actions anyway (I think the Ruger might be avalible in that caliber though)...

[TechBrute]

I usually recommend Remington 700s as good rifles to start with and build on. If you don't like the Remmies, go with the Winchester.

[kudu]

Ditto what TechBrute said.

[David4516]

Wow, 3 way tie on the poll...

Anyway, about the remintons, I don't like them. Remington makes a nice shotgun, but I've never had much luck with Remingtons Rifles...

[Pheonix]

You should at least look into a Savage 12 or 112 before spending 2Xas much. I have one in .308 and I love it! The scope on the other hand....:fire:

[TechBrute]

I have a couple of Savages and I think they are a fantastic rifle for the money. They don't grow well, though, the Remington and Winchester rifles are better for that, based on aftermarket accessories, parts, and smiths that work on them.

[Ala Dan]

I'm of the belief that the Remington 700 BDL is as good
as it get's; at least from a poor mans perspective. With
that said, I most likely would choose the Winchester
model 70 from the two choices that you listed.:D

After all, Marine Sniper Carlos Hathcock used a Winchester
model 70, for 93 confirmed kills over in southeast Asia!:uhoh:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[David4516]

Wow, there are more votes for "none of the above" than for the Ruger. I was really unsure witch of the two rifles I wanted, but the Winchester seems much more popular here, so now I'm leaning toward it. Is there anything in particular that makes it better? Does it have some really nifty feature or something that I don't know about? Or is Winchester just a better brand?

[Joe Demko]

I'd go with the Winchester or a Remington or anything but a Ruger because I haven't forgotten Bill "No Honest Man" Ruger or his policies. Neither, it seems, has the present management team at Ruger.

[TechBrute]

Ditto, Galgo.

[Target Shooter]

I cant find my flame retardent suit. But I do like Ruger rifles

Either one would be fine It's a personal choice.

[russlate]

The Coyote is not the Model 70 "Classic" which is ( more or less ) a pre-63 controlled round feed action, but is rather a modified "controlled round push feed'. The Ruger is a Mark II, Ruger's conversion to the earlier proven mauser type controlled round feed vs. the Mark I's push feed. The Remington 700 is another push feed type action.

If you want a mauser action, why not get a real one to start with. Say a CZ varmint ( $633 ) or varmint laminate ( $727 ). Both come in 308, and both are probably put together better in the first place, than either of the above, with the Remington thrown in to boot. Besides, the CZ won't fire when you take the safety off like Remingtons are known to sometimes do.


Varmint Laminate (http://www.cz-usa.com/_p/pdt.php?id=25)
Varmint (http://www.cz-usa.com/_p/pdt.php?id=26)

Both have long ( 25.6" ) hammerforged barrels, oversized stocks ( 9.3 lbs. ) and single set triggers.