Last stand

[suprane]

This will be my last call for help in choosing a compact rifle.

Here are the choices for rifle: M77 compact 16.5 or Micro Midas 20"

Here are the choices for caliber: 243 or 7mm-08

Hunting WT deer and varmints 200 yds and under, very occasional shot over. Lots of brush and trees.

 

[Stony]

I don't shoot a compact like you are considering, but I do shoot a stainless 77 in 7/08 a lot on hogs and deer. It shoots a really good group and I have killed a lot of hogs with it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another if I needed it.

 

[eastbank]

7mm08 for me and i like a 20" barrel, ruger,browning or remington would do as would a lot of other makers. my own 7mm08 is a factory 700 left hand youth rifle with a leupold 2.5x8. not to heavy and not to light. eastbank.

 

[eastbank]

pic,s of my 7mm08. eastbank.

 

[js8588]

M77 in 243.

 

[MrBorland]

For a hunting rifle, I have a strong preference for a 3-position safety. Of the choices, then, I'd go for the Ruger. In 7mm-08.

To keep it light and handy, maybe consider an EOTech sight instead of a scope.

 

[suprane]

Great input.
Eastbank two comments. 1-you're one the guys in your "right" mind here and that's a fine set up, thank you.
MrBorland, so you'd take the Mauser safety over the ease of the tang safety? Hmmm.
Js8588 I hear you, you always get opposing views, " it's crap, need aftermarket trigger""it's fantastic"" It's okay..." and so forth, hard to figure out without actually hands on.
Most are picking7mm-08, my only experience was brief. In 2001 owned a M1A Springfield in that caliber ( was going to collect all three, 243, 7mm-08, 308 job change interrupted that notion, sold the rifle, wish I hadn't..) In that springfield no recoil to speak of, not sure in 16.5" barrel. I currently shoot a 270, feel recoil but doesn't affect me unless at range and do 40+rounds off bench. But at game, never feel it, so 7mm-08 shouldn't be a problem right?

 

[MrBorland]

MrBorland, so you'd take the Mauser safety over the ease of the tang safety? Hmmm.

I never found a tang safety to be easier, myself. The tang safety on my Tikka CTR is the one thing I don't like about it (well, I'm not crazy about the über-expensive mags, either). It's not currently used as a hunting rifle, so its safety's not a biggie, but I do find it a bit stubborn to engage & disengage when I try. I find a 3-position safety much easier to manipulate.

Also, it's a personal thing, but loading and unloading a hunting rifle by completely disengaging the safety weirds me out. And the first-hand AD stories (note the plural) I've heard haven't done anything to re-assure me on the matter.

 

[critter]

Love my Ruger compact in .308. Light, handy, accurate, 3-position safety.

 

[Panfisher]

Duplicated post.

 

[Panfisher]

Much as I love my rem 7 in 7-08, my wife has a stainless synthetic skeleton stock compact in .243 Win. It is a pure killing machine. Good quality bullets will kill deer clean and with plenty of oomph. And since you threw in varmints a hot hp load will turn coyotes into dead ones easily, or if you like to keep it simple a 85 grain or so GMX and never switch ammo. I like the little ruger and honestly with your choices I don't see how you could go wrong. Handle them and listen, one will speak your name, take that one home and never look back.

 

[Bobson]

Ruger in 7-08. Excellent choice.

 

[suprane]

MrBorland, good point. Panfisher I hear you. I hit a nice size WT dead on 165 yds away he flipped straight up and over, fell down, got up and ran off. No blood at all ( figured bullet never exited being a dead on shot in the chest ) I searched all day. That's when I put up the 243 and went to a 270 next one down and quivering on first chest/heart shot. Now want to shed the extra 3 pound weight, reduce some recoil and beat this one a bit more. Am leaning towards 7mm-08 to meet 1st and third desires and call the recoil a wash on 7mm-08 in lighter rifle vs 270 in heavier rifle. The M77 is looking better and better. have one scouted for $649.00 delivered to hand. My Sauer 200 .270 should fetch me around $1,200.00 so more money for scope and ammo. Thanks everybody. Pleasure to be here.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

M77 in 7mm-08 if it were me. Sounds like a phenomenal walking around rifle.

 

[suprane]

Gentlemen I bought a Ruger M77 compact 7mm08 and it will be here just after X-mas and I will get the scope mounted and get after it. Deer season ends here 1-6-2015 and I'd like it to help me with some jerky and sausage. I sold a scope and a shotgun and went all out on a Nightforce NXS compact. Illum. 2.5-10-32 and good quality rings. I know a $1400 scope on a $700 rifle, but this is my last hurrah ( and I was trying to build a custom rifle so my treat to myself, rifle and scope both way less than custom build ) and I am of the belief the glass should be better than the rifle. IMHO. Thanks for all the opinions and advice. Merry Christmas to all.

 

[suprane]

Changed my mind. Was able to hold a Ruger M77 compact and just didn't enjoy the feel or view. So went with a Winchester Featherweight M70 7mm-08 20" barrel. Same vendor but will be a bit longer getting her to my door. I really like what FN has done with the Model 70. Great company infusing needed changes and quality IMOP.

 

[Panfisher]

And people sometimes laugh at me when I tell them to hold and experience as many makes and models as you can and there will be that one or maybe two that simply speak to you and feel right. Then worry not about the name on it, make it yours and care not if anyone else likes it or not as long as you are happy with it.
And I owned a Win classic featherweight in 7-08, absolutely the smoothest action I ever felt, traded it off in a moment of want.

 

[d2wing]

Tikka T3 in 7-08 for me.

 

[suprane]

After holding the Ruger compact, which I am sure is a quality shooter, it just didn't click like you say. It came down to a Tikka T3 compact with a walnut drop in replacement stock or the Winchester compact. Since I had owned a FN Winchester sporter and a Jack O'Conner both 270 and set up and shot the sporter, which had outstanding fit and finish and was right at MOA with OTC ammo I jumped in the Win. direction. Also Win was $200 cheaper then Tikka + stock. ( I trade my sporter for a GSP and sold the tribute, bad decision on tribute, good one on sporter, Oz is sleeping just behind me as I write. Love that old boy. ) LOL So many good opitions out there for us all. Merry shooting and a happy grouping to all.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Changed my mind. Was able to hold a Ruger M77 compact and just didn't enjoy the feel or view. So went with a Winchester Featherweight M70 7mm-08 20" barrel. Same vendor but will be a bit longer getting her to my door. I really like what FN has done with the Model 70. Great company infusing needed changes and quality IMOP.

Soooo.... Neither one.

So much for the aggravation generated when an OP asks: "either... or..." or gives 3-4 options and someone - usually several someones - chime in with unlisted personal preferences.

 

[suprane]

Apache ain't it just that way. Start out one direction and ping pong around and then finally decide on neither starting options. YeeHaaaa :banghead: But am completely satisfied with my choice and darn thankful I got to hold that M77 before I finalized the payment. I had a new FN Winchester sporter and was extremely impressed with the changes FN incorporated. FN has been building weapons for a very long time. The Winchester needed that capital and expertise infusion to resurrect itself and be considered for the "Rifleman's rifle" again. So Apache God Bless and put an arrow in a deer for me buddy.

 

[urbaneruralite]

Be interested to hear the total weight of the rig when you get it all together.

Also, don't look at this: http://www.ruger.com/products/no1International/specSheets/11382.html

 

[jogar80]

Id go for the micro midas in 7-08. They are very accurate rifles, and 7-08 will give you more versatility over the .243.

 

[Skylerbone]

Late to the party but I'd have suggested the Browning BLR Lightweight for an inside 200 brush gun. Can't argue with that Winchester though, congratulations.

 

[suprane]

Oh sure Urbaneruralite "don't look at this" You are a clever one you old dog. Those are just sweet. But wanted repeatability. I know, I know " one shot " does it. Heard it all before. I nearly pulled the trigger on a NIB Sako Finnbear mannlicher 18" barrel .243 from Mike's Custom Shop in MT, but didn't want to go that high, less money for glass, and it would have been a worry to scratch. I did get the 7-08 and am looking forward to see what OTC ammo shoots the best. My reloading buddy has given up, gave it all to his kid out of state and I don't want to invest in all the tools needed for just one caliber. For my hunting needs, one or two WTs per year and 4-5 shots at a prowling coyote being less than MOA is not a big concern. That Winchester 70 .270 I had as well as other rigs produced right at MOA with OTC Ammo. Just a lot more expensive now days to buy 3-4 boxes and see what's what. But just tickled on Winny compact and can't wait to handle the Nightforce, never had an illum. reticle or a scope that high cost. Hope all I read and heard is right about them. I have decided to mount with EGW picatinny rail and super low TPS 30mm rings ( rounded top, four screws ) it will be my baby until I don't comprehend what ya all saying anymore and the saliva gets away from me. God Bless Oh BTW I have always admired the Browning BLRs good looking rigs for sure. Just a bolt man and hate cleaning from the muzzle. OCD disease maybe??