Poll: Rem. 700 vs Win. 70 vs Ruger M77

[clint1911a1]

Which is your favorite from the "big three", cost aside? What do you like/dislike, and why you pick this one over the other two?
And why the heck does the Remington 700 seem to be #1?
Remington 700
Winchester Model 70
Ruger M-77 MkII
This should be interesting.

 

[Sunray]

I'll have one of each. Thanks.

 

[BusMaster007]

I'm up late, so I'll play!

My preference is the Remington 700.
It appealed to me when I first started to learn and read about rifles.
When I finally started to handle them in the stores, the 700 'felt' right to me.
I started buying them.
So have a LOT of other people, which is why it is '#1' among commercially produced rifles and the aftermarket accessories mfg.
Cost of production IS less with the design, although that is not indicative of lesser quality or engineering.
Other designs are preferred for different reasons, but, the Remington 700 is a 'mature and modern' design, and the man who said that was Carlos 'Gunny' Hathcock, who used the 700/.308 in his second tour in Viet Nam. (His first tour rifle was a Winchester 70/.30-06, I believe.)

I like the 'on or off' safety switch.
I like the overall look of the gun.
I like the way the bolt is removed.
I feel comfortable with and trust the design.
I have not had any problems with any of the Remington 700's I have or have had.
They have all been utterly reliable and accurate firearms.

I have been tempted to buy other designs and brands, and am currently in the process of getting things together for a Remington 700 Custom Shop Mountain Rifle in .375 H&H Magnum ( which will probably give me the 'kick' I've been looking for in a BIG GAME rifle, both from the standpoints of having a special rifle and in terms of recoil! ).
I finally made my decision to stay with the brand and model I am most comfortable and familiar with.
The Remington 700.

 

[litman252]

My turn, I'm up early

I started with the M 70 early in life, never felt any need to chage. I'd opt for a A-bolt due to the detachable box though. I recently picked up a 7mm STW on distrubutor close out, $500 OTD. I just gotta love the lines, feel and 3 position safety.

If I was low on funds, would feel just fine with the M77. lowest price in this area. If I had a 700, I would not sell it on grounds of model.

Tony

 

[Jaywalker]

My vote (today) is the Winchester M70. I just bought my first one ever, and I've been buying rifles (mostly Remington 700, but one fantastic Ruger 77 - tang safety) for thirty years. The M70 Classic LT just looked right - no forend tip, really good checkering, no glossy stock (all Remington 700 BDL faults), and no "silver-colored" bolt (sorry, Ruger). Also, I wanted to see if the trigger adjustment was as simple as I had read - it was. It doesn't feel quite as good as a Remington, but it weighs about a pound more, and I wanted the weight to absorb the 300 Win Mag recoil. I don't care for the safety placement on the M70 or the Ruger M77, but realistically, I won't be jump-shooting anything anyway, so this may be unimportant.

Jaywalker

 

[PJR]

Well it depends. If drilling targets at long distances whether paper or varmints, I'd opt for the Model 700. It has the proven accuracy record and as noted with some tweaking can be an even more accurate rifle.

Going after larger game, particularly dangerous game, I'd want a Model 70. Controlled round feeding, adjustable trigger and the three position safety are all factors in its favour.

The Ruger Model 77 MkII is a lesser version of the Model 70 without much to recommend it over the other two except that it is most often less expensive.

 

[Art Eatman]

For target shooting I'd probably set up a Remington, based on what folks have said both here at back at TFL.

For hunting, IMO the fit of a rifle is ultra important for offhand shots. So, the rifle with the nearest-to-correct length of pull, drop at comb and cast-off would be my choice.

I've used a push-feed Weatherby for over 30 years; I've also hunted with controlled-feed rifles. To me, it's unimportant and would not have any bearing on my choice. It would be different for dangerous game, but the odds are quite high against that being an item on my agenda. I'd get a dedicated rifle for that limited use, anyway...

, Art

 

[ninjaj448]

Well, I have a couple of pre '64 Model 70's, the M77 and a Model700. I like them all. Use the 70's(.350 Rem Mag)for hunting, the M77(.270)not much and the M700(7mm Rem Mag)for 'reaching out and touching'.

I picked the Ruger up recently from a person whose wife wanted no guns around as they were 'expecting' so I haven't really done much with it yet. I do know it shoots where you point it.

The Model 70's are heirlooms from my Grandfather. I hold about 1.5moa with factory .350Rem Mag, which are getting scarce. With handloads we do a little better.

I picked up the M700 because I didn't have a 7MM. Have it topped with a Leupold 3.5-10x40 Long Range M1 and it DOES reach out there. Haven' t shot beyond 200 meters yet but holding moa at that range.

 

[Kurt]

Winchester M-70, and it's an extractor thing with me.

Even with an absence of dangerous game around, who needs the possible extra hassle. You never know when you'll really have to count on that rifle you chose.

 

[BusMaster007]

Has anyone noticed that Dakota Arms now has both the CRF & PF designs in its inventory since picking up Nesika Bay actions/rifles?

There's a great combination for all of us that love rifles!


http://www.dakotaarms.com/dakotanewandshoww.htm

(the continuation of the article is in pdf)

 

[David4516]

For me I'd have to say it's a toss up between the Winchester and the Ruger. I like the look and feel of the model 70, and the M77 Mark I that my dad lets me borrow from time to time has proven to be an accurate and durable rifle. I think I might try to talk him out of it...

As for the 700, well I've just never been a fan of remington rifles. I like their shotguns, but I've yet to meet a remington rifle that I really liked...

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I voted for the Remington 700, but I do like the old Rugers with the tang safety.

 

[E=MC^2]

I have at least one of all three.

Prefer the Mauser-style actions of the of the Ruger & Win best. This includes the simple trigger/sear system, unlike Remington's 'box' fire-control assembly with set screws. I make the same pull on all 3. Just give me my favorite stone and polishing wheel.

Dislike the Ruger integral bases. Prefer the option of lengthening the distance between rings with extended bases(plusses for the Rem & Win). I always spread them out as far as possible to increase holding strength. Also, since two of my rifles are compacts it's nice to get the scope forward to compensate for the loss in stock length.

Dislike the 'click' the Winchester's safety makes when moving into fire position. I can control the volume on the Remingtons and Ruger. These can be rode into fire position very quitely. The Winchester has a non-controlable 'snap'. Not good when you're within 25yds of your game.

When firing from a benchrest position, I got in the habit of grabbing the fired round with my left hand while slowly pulling the bolt with my right. I would then place the empty cartridge into my reloader box. When ejecting from the Winchester I occasionally end up flipping the fired case back into the action with it facing the wrong direction. As I go to fish it out I end up pushing it towards the chamber. It then becomes even harder to get it out. This never happens with the Ruger or Remingtons.

After all is said, if I had to be stranded on a deserted island for 10 years and knew I'd be fighting cannibals with no chance of replacing broken parts, my choice would need the be the simplist, most durable design. It would be a toss-up between the Winchester and the Ruger.

I voted for the M70 mainly because it represents my #1(favorite) rifle. I also like the classic looks of the Mouser-styles better. Too me, the Remingtons just look and feel too aerodinamic. It's kinda like the semi-trucks you see on the road. The older ones have that classic squared look, while the newer ones look more like the Space Shuttle. These are the ones nicknamed "Ant-eaters". The Rem 700 could be considered the 'ant-eater' of modern rifles.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

I love my Ruger M77 stainless lightweight .308. It does everything I need it to do. Used to have a Remington (1980?), no complaints, but I prefer the mauser action. I do not like the feel of the Win 70, but I hear it is OK. However, I have not punched paper past 300 yds with the Ruger. My 700 in 7mm Mag was hitting man-sized targets at 500 yds very well.

 

[PATH]

Tried them all. I love the Rem 700.