Rem Model 7 or Ruger 77 Compact?
- Thread starter Kestrel
- Start date
- Status
Try this
The model Seven is a short action carbine version of the 700. I don't think there is any difference in design. Currently they are offered with 20" bbls. In the past they were 18 1/2". I think they weigh in around 6 1/4 #'s. The Ruger compact has a short action length also and comes with a 16 1/2" tube. They weigh 5 3/4 #'s. The ruger looks really sweet and handy. I'd be willing to bet that muzzle blast would be a real attention getter. You'd better be wearing protection every time you fire those little babies! Of the two I'd favor the Seven. I think it's handy enough and doesn't give up as much as the shorter bbl'd ruger. The Ruger may be worth more in the future as a collector's item.
Have you thought of the Ruger Ultralight? My buddy has one in '06 and it's pretty sweet. It's got a 20" tube and is a little over 6#'s. Recoil kinda gets my attention. If I wasn't such a recoil whimp I'd have gotten one.
The model Seven is a short action carbine version of the 700. I don't think there is any difference in design. Currently they are offered with 20" bbls. In the past they were 18 1/2". I think they weigh in around 6 1/4 #'s. The Ruger compact has a short action length also and comes with a 16 1/2" tube. They weigh 5 3/4 #'s. The ruger looks really sweet and handy. I'd be willing to bet that muzzle blast would be a real attention getter. You'd better be wearing protection every time you fire those little babies! Of the two I'd favor the Seven. I think it's handy enough and doesn't give up as much as the shorter bbl'd ruger. The Ruger may be worth more in the future as a collector's item.
Have you thought of the Ruger Ultralight? My buddy has one in '06 and it's pretty sweet. It's got a 20" tube and is a little over 6#'s. Recoil kinda gets my attention. If I wasn't such a recoil whimp I'd have gotten one.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Look at the Win Compact Classic and the Browning lite hunter also.
The Mod 7 is a scaled down 700 with some minor mods because of the size change.
The Mod 7 is a scaled down 700 with some minor mods because of the size change.
My wife has a Ruger 77 Compact .243 in stainless with the grey laminated stock. It is VERY accurate, so much so that I can't even put it in type fearing no one will believe it or my future posts. I'm new here.
My main rifle is a Winchester M70 Compact in .308. Not as accurate as the Ruger but consistantly prints sub-1" 5-shot groups@100yds.
Even with the caliber difference we still both use 110gr reloads on whitetail with 100% success. I just chose the .308 so I can reload the old "cat's sneeze" loads for ground squirells, swallows, and other critters. I use a .32 caliber(.310) blackpowder round-ball with 5 grains of RedDot.
After switching to compacts a few years ago I doubt I'll ever go back to full-sized rifles. They are just too handy, with equal or greater accuracy.
My main rifle is a Winchester M70 Compact in .308. Not as accurate as the Ruger but consistantly prints sub-1" 5-shot groups@100yds.
Even with the caliber difference we still both use 110gr reloads on whitetail with 100% success. I just chose the .308 so I can reload the old "cat's sneeze" loads for ground squirells, swallows, and other critters. I use a .32 caliber(.310) blackpowder round-ball with 5 grains of RedDot.
After switching to compacts a few years ago I doubt I'll ever go back to full-sized rifles. They are just too handy, with equal or greater accuracy.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I do not want to sound like Hillary but "I am not sure, I do not Remember, "I just seem to remember from over on the Firing line
I currently have a Rem M7 stainless synthetic in 7mm-08, a Browning Micro Medallion with the original wood and an aftermarket synthetic stock (also in 7mm-08), and a very customized Win M70 (stainless, synthetic stock) in .270 Win.
Of the two standard production guns, I prefer the M7: for hunting- it's lighter and carries better; the trigger is also more adjustable than the Browning. With factory loads, it'll shoot a 1 1/2 " group at 100 yds; my handloads in it will group under 1".
For target, the Browning may be slightly superior with my handloads (have never shot factory ammo thru it), but the blued finish and wood stock make it less desirable for woods carry.
The Ruger Compacts may be fine, but I've never cared for their trigger: it irritates me to have to buy an aftermarket trigger just so Ruger's attorney's can get a restfull night's sleep. My neighbor's boy has one in .243, and it is very nice looking, carries well, but isn't particularly accurate (perhaps a bedding job would help?). When I was last shopping for a light weather-proof deer rifle, I contacted Ruger about what accuracy claims they made on the Compact: was told 3"..."Three inches at a hundred yards? " "No, three inches at 50 yards". (Needless to say, I didn't buy Ruger- bought a Tikka instead, which is doesn't leave the factory if it can't shoot under an inch; mine shoots .5" or less all day with hand loads).
Basically, any of the above U.S. guns may meet your needs, or they may not; it's kind of a crapshoot with any of them as far as accuracy. Are you willing to put the extra $ and time to get them to shoot if you loose the gamble?
Coot
Of the two standard production guns, I prefer the M7: for hunting- it's lighter and carries better; the trigger is also more adjustable than the Browning. With factory loads, it'll shoot a 1 1/2 " group at 100 yds; my handloads in it will group under 1".
For target, the Browning may be slightly superior with my handloads (have never shot factory ammo thru it), but the blued finish and wood stock make it less desirable for woods carry.
The Ruger Compacts may be fine, but I've never cared for their trigger: it irritates me to have to buy an aftermarket trigger just so Ruger's attorney's can get a restfull night's sleep. My neighbor's boy has one in .243, and it is very nice looking, carries well, but isn't particularly accurate (perhaps a bedding job would help?). When I was last shopping for a light weather-proof deer rifle, I contacted Ruger about what accuracy claims they made on the Compact: was told 3"..."Three inches at a hundred yards? " "No, three inches at 50 yards". (Needless to say, I didn't buy Ruger- bought a Tikka instead, which is doesn't leave the factory if it can't shoot under an inch; mine shoots .5" or less all day with hand loads).
Basically, any of the above U.S. guns may meet your needs, or they may not; it's kind of a crapshoot with any of them as far as accuracy. Are you willing to put the extra $ and time to get them to shoot if you loose the gamble?
Coot
I hate to lose weight by chopping an additional 4 inches of barrel length. I suppose it doesn't matter if it is intended as a short range gun, but it could be an issue as distances increase. The Ruger Compact does feel handy, but I prefer the Model 7.
don't know how old this topic is since my computer crashed a week ago, so forgive me if i am tardy here...
the model 7 is not a 700. it has some similarities, but they are different rifles. bases for a 700 won't work on a 7, for example... another example- the stocks will not interchange.
the most obvious difference is a m7 has smaller receiver (diameter), and a thinner, shorter barrel.
i don't know if the triggers interchange or not, but working on an m7 trigger is the same as adjusting a 700 trigger.
as for which to get... remington model 7 is the better choice.
if you get an older one, pay attention to the hole spacing for bases... you may have to use a 1-piece base. also, look into getting talley rings... very light (the whole talley base/ring system weighs less than 1 leupold ring). and, if you were to top this rifle w/ a leupold compact (sitting in talleys), you would have a very light rifle without the expense of custom work to make it that way.
the model 7 is not a 700. it has some similarities, but they are different rifles. bases for a 700 won't work on a 7, for example... another example- the stocks will not interchange.
the most obvious difference is a m7 has smaller receiver (diameter), and a thinner, shorter barrel.
i don't know if the triggers interchange or not, but working on an m7 trigger is the same as adjusting a 700 trigger.
as for which to get... remington model 7 is the better choice.
if you get an older one, pay attention to the hole spacing for bases... you may have to use a 1-piece base. also, look into getting talley rings... very light (the whole talley base/ring system weighs less than 1 leupold ring). and, if you were to top this rifle w/ a leupold compact (sitting in talleys), you would have a very light rifle without the expense of custom work to make it that way.
Keith
Member
I like both of these rifles.
I think the Model Seven is a better looking rifle (opinions will certainly vary) and it has a better trigger.
The Ruger comes with rings and that is certainly something you should take into account.
Which is more accurate? Probably the Model Seven, but rifles are individual machines and you won't know how it shoots till you get to the range.
I would buy the Model Seven... but I'd be perfectly content if I went home with a Ruger for some reason.
A piece of advice - when you handle the rifles at the store, don't let the stiffness of the Model Seven action discourage you. They become very smooth once you work the bolt a bit.
Keith
I think the Model Seven is a better looking rifle (opinions will certainly vary) and it has a better trigger.
The Ruger comes with rings and that is certainly something you should take into account.
Which is more accurate? Probably the Model Seven, but rifles are individual machines and you won't know how it shoots till you get to the range.
I would buy the Model Seven... but I'd be perfectly content if I went home with a Ruger for some reason.
A piece of advice - when you handle the rifles at the store, don't let the stiffness of the Model Seven action discourage you. They become very smooth once you work the bolt a bit.
Keith
HankL
Member
The Model 7 action was based on the Model 600/660 and XP-100 actions.
I have a Model 7 Synthetic Stainless in 7MM-08 which is a very handy little rifle.
I have a Model 7 Synthetic Stainless in 7MM-08 which is a very handy little rifle.
inGobwetrust
Member
I'm going against the grain on this one. I had a Model 7 stainless synthetic and wasn't too enamoured with it. You can forget the published weight. Mine was almost 7 lbs, not the 6.25 that Remington claimed. I know many companies do this but it really ticks me off just the same. I'm not sure the Ruger weighs what they claim either but it certainly feels lighter than the Remington and that's with the laminated stock instead of the pebble finished plastic stock that I had on my Model 7.
JNewell
Member
I was looking at these rifles a year or so ago and came to the conclusion that the Winchester Compact was the nicest-balancing (and, fwiw, nice looking -- to me) compact. I was a little surprised, because its length of pull is on the short end and I'm 6-5, but it's a great little package.
J.
J.
JNewell
I agree with you about Win 70's...love their looks and action. One of mine started out as a Classic Stainless before changing the stock to something much lighter (don't recall the brand of aftermarket), and had a shorter (20") tapered and fluted barrel put on it.
Now, it's something like a custom shop Compact...and shoots as nice as it looks.
I wonder why Winchester no longer makes a stainless compact? (If they did, I'd be in line to buy one).
I agree with you about Win 70's...love their looks and action. One of mine started out as a Classic Stainless before changing the stock to something much lighter (don't recall the brand of aftermarket), and had a shorter (20") tapered and fluted barrel put on it.
Now, it's something like a custom shop Compact...and shoots as nice as it looks.
I wonder why Winchester no longer makes a stainless compact? (If they did, I'd be in line to buy one).
cookie
Member
I'd go with the Remington 7, especially if you're used to a 700 or considering getting one some day.
The controlled feed and claw extractor alone put the Ruger into a different class for me. I could add a trigger and bedding job to the Ruger much easier than adding those other items to the Remmie.
If only the Winchester compact came in stainless . . .
If only the Winchester compact came in stainless . . .
Nero Steptoe
member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2002
- Messages
- 461
The Remmy doesn't need a "trigger job" or an aftermarket trigger; the Ruger does. The Remmy's trigger is fully adjustable for weight, creep, and overtravel....easily adjusted by any consumer with enough sense to read and follow simple instructions.
- Status
