Winchester Model 70 featherweight vs Ruger Hawkeye Standard

[osteodoc08]

Looking at picking up another 7mm-08 and am looking at the two of these particular rifles. I like both and point and handle well for me. What are the pros and cons of each. They will be bought new current production.

 

[Robert]

I am a huge fan of my Winchester M70, though I have a Safari Express. I have never been a fan of Ruger rifles, just not my thing. But in the interest of honesty my M70 needed to be bedded and recrowned by a local smith before it would shoot straight. Now, it is extremely accurate.

 

[CraigC]

Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Get the one you like and that fits best.

 

[back40]

i voted m70. the winchesters seem a little more solidly built than the rugers. i've had great accuracy from both. fit and finish is nice on both as well. in particular, the m70 action, bolt, and safety feel a little nicer to me.

this is based on my fn built m70, so not sure what the future holds with the m70s assembled in portugal.

ruger has better customer service in my opinion, should you need it.

 

[jmr40]

If price isn't a concern buy the Winchester. The Rugers are good guns and would be my 2nd choice overall and if $150 made a difference I'd go that way. The Rugers are about $100 less and come with rings which is at least another $50.

But the Winchesters are just plain better finished, smoother operating and have much better triggers and the odds are in favor of it being more accurate. But with individual rifles you can't make blanket statements. I'm sure there are some Rugers more accurate than some Winchesters, but the odds are in favor of the Winchester. While the safeties operate the same the Ruger lever is just too small and rough.

The Winchester is 5+1 mag capacity vs 4+1 if that is a concern. There are also many options for aftermarket stocks etc for the Winchster. Virtually none for the Ruger.

They show the Ruger about 1/4 lb heavier, but I have my doubts. If you were to put them on some scales I'm betting it is closer than that and both may weigh the same. Featherweights aren't really that light. but are the best balanced and feeling gun out there IMHO.

 

[john843]

Got both, a S.C. built fwt. in .243 walnut/blue and a Hawkeye All Weather stainless in 7mm08. If I could only keep one, it would be really hard to choose. Like jmr40 said, the mod.70 IS a more refined rifle. The moa trigger on the 70 is a little cleaner, but the LC6 is not really bad at all. Both guns handle and shoot great but there seems to be a utility and toughness to the Ruger more so than the 70 even with the obvious differences aside. I also agree with back40's take on the c/s. This is my 7th or 8th Ruger, and they have always been great to deal with.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I have a FN produced 2008 Winchester M70 Featherweight in .30-06 and recently sold off a Ruger Hawkeye All Weather in .30-06. I think the Winchester is much nicer, but there is nothing wrong with the Ruger. My Winchester came free floated and the Ruger did not. The Winchester trigger is really nice.

 

[skoro]

While I'm sure the Ruger is a nice rifle, I'm very pleased with my two M70s, one in 243 and the other in 30-06. They're 2008 vintage from the FN plant in S Carolina.

 

[dbro822]

Have to vote for the whinny!

 

[EchoM70]

Winchester and Ruger are my two favorite rifle companies. IMO you can't go wrong with either, I would however give the slight edge to Winchester.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I am in the market for a .257 Roberts, and those are the 2 I am looking at, (if I can find one).

 

[osteodoc08]

I was expecting it to be a dead heat, but the Winchester seems to be the crowd favorite.

 

[FSJeeper]

The Mod. 70 has been my go to bolt action for many years.

I own 1 Ruger Gunsite rifle. Love it.

There is no comparison in quality. Winchester is better in every way.

 

[berettashotgun]

Have Winchester's here.
Every Ruger is a mini 14 or 30 or 10/22, I used a VERY accurate 300 mag ss & laminated for years on deer, but it sure seemed to have a recoil enhancing stock. I'm NOT kidding. Best factory trigger to rework I ever ran across. Ceramic stone & spring made a PERFECT 3.2lb pull. Same on a winchester though.
A 7-08............I'm sure thinking Browning - just because your chances of finding a 24" barrel are greater, & that matters the most to me.
Between Winchester and Ruger- I HATE to admit it, but Ruger.
Always rather look at and admire the Featherweight Winchester over the Ruger.
MUST be ss and laminated ruger,,,,,,

 

[Float Pilot]

Winchester Model 70s have a true bolt mounted 3 position safety that LOCKS the Firing Pin.

Ruger made their receiver mounted safety look almost like a M70 safety, but it only locks the firing pin in one position.

So you can chamber / cycle rounds in a model 70 with the firing pin locked in place.
In a Ruger 77 action you only have the trigger locked while cycling live rounds.

PLUS::: The M-70s bolt can be totally disassembled in the field without tools. To include removing the firing pin and firing pin spring.

The Ruger needs a special decompression tool to remove the firing pin spring.

 

[Rick R]

I love my M77 Ruger rifles, all three of them. But IMHO the Winchester is usually a nicer rifle design. My wife purchased a SC built M70 FW in .308 a few years ago and it's a sub-MOA rifle with decent ammo. I "feel" that the M77 is a tougher more durable rifle but that's just from how they seem to be built. But, I'd say that the M70 will outlast you, your kids and their kids.