I am looking at obtaining a .338 wm CRF. I would prefer ss/s but that is not a game stopper in that I will probably replace the stock anyways. I am thinking of 22’ barrel with open sights, and Leopold VX-R 2x7.

Current options are:
Winchester M70: A classic
Ruger: Work horse, a bit rough around the edges
Kimber: Is the jury still out?

Input appreciated. Are there other options for a good CRF in stainless?

John, a Win 70 CRF is probably the best bet. I sold one recently for $675....they're not hard to find.

I have a ruger hawkeye all weather .338.
One of the best rifles I own.
Im put a vx3 3.5X10 on it.
great combo. 225 grain noslers acubonds fast and true...tj3006

Locally, for what the Winchesters sell for, if I were looking for a new rifle, that's what I would buy.

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:
Locally, for what the Winchesters sell for, if I were looking for a new rifle, that's what I would buy.

I have been leaning towards a used winchester, there are several in the local paper right now. Are there any years or serial numbers to avoid?

Mine Model 70 classic is a flawless performer. I like the 26" barrel. It brings out the rounds capabilities.

Used Win. first choice. Then it is a toss up between Ruger & Montana rifle co. Spend a little money with a good CRF gunsmith to make sure feed and function are flawless and run with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
John, a Win 70 CRF is probably the best bet.

quote:

Originally posted by Antelope Sniper:
Mine Model 70 classic is a flawless performer. I like the 26" barrel. It brings out the rounds capabilities.

Winchester 70 best; Ruger 77 OK as well. If you go less than a 24" barrel, you might as well shoot a 338-06 and save some recoil (and 10 grains of powder per trigger pull).

I've got a Bansner Ultimate on a CRF Winchester 70 action, but that rifle's not going anywhere :-)

Well, my two cents worth.

Years ago, I decided to get a .338 WM for an elk hunt that never materialized. What I looked for was cheap and weather resistant. My reasoning was that I'd be shooting at a large target at, probably, no more than 300 yards . . . so pinpoint accuracy wasn't necessary. But I felt the rifle could well be subjected to crappy weather, so I wanted SS and plastic.

But I also wanted quality glass . . . I could live with 2 MOA, I thought, up to 300 yards, but I wanted a scope that would guarantee that the rifle would deliver that accuracy under crappy weather conditions.

So I ended up with a Ruger 77, SS, a 24" bbl and a canoe-paddle plastic stock. I put a Leupold 2 - 8 VarX III scope on it, and called it good.

Turns out with 225 gr. Hornady Interlocks, it's a consistent 1 MOA rifle, and most everything else shoots into 1.75 in. or less.

I love that rifle.

Is there a difference in quality of actions between ruger and winchester m70? I have found a couple of each, the ruger is 150-200 less. Both claim to be 1" MOA. I will probably restock so I am not worried about the quality of the stocks.

quote:

Originally posted by Jon Beutler:
Is there a difference in quality of actions between ruger and winchester m70? I have found a couple of each, the ruger is 150-200 less. Both claim to be 1" MOA. I will probably restock so I am not worried about the quality of the stocks.

How do you define "quality"? For me, quality is how a given rifle performs the task I ask it to do. When I bought my Ruger, my expectations were modestly realistic and I would have been happy with 2 MOA. (I began with a goal and found a rifle I thought would meet that goal at least cost).

But if 1 MOA is your goal, both actions should deliver that, given barrels of comparable quality (properly fitted) and the barreled action properly stocked and bedded.

Win or Ruger, see which action feels better to YOU.. Keep hearing mixed reviews on the Kimbers, despite that , will probably round up a Kimber Montana in .257 Roberts in the coming year. Something very seductive about the idea of a scoped rifle weighing the same as an iron sighted .22...

Factory stock, the Rugers always feel a bit small to me. Winchesters usualy feel about right. Have mostly CZs, pretty similar fit to the Winchester.
If you,re thinking about a different stock, you might call your gunsmith and see...I,m trying to avoid the term "stock options", but yeah, see what your options are for the prospective rifles... Synthetic, the Win already has a pretty decent Bell & Carlson..

Weight and fit. Suspect the biggest issue you,d likely have with the Kimber is groups opening up with a thin barrel once it heats up..
Gun in question being a .338, you might not shoot it off the bench as much as you would a .22, so groups opening up with a warm barrel possibly a moot point.
You can always cera cote the rifle, better protection than bare stainless..

If you are going to restock and spend money I'd go for the M-70 as it will be a better return on your investment. If you can pick up a Ruger cheap that fits you it would probably be fine too.

If I had my choice, it would be a Mod. 70 - Extreme Weather(?) if it's available. Dunno offhand.
The .338 I have is a Ruger stainless with their laminated stock. I got it at a time I didn't care for plastic stocks. It has a Leupold 1.5-5x scope and gives my slightly over 1" groups with 225 gr. Northforks. I think it's a good, solid rifle but if I did it now, it would be a Win.
As to Kimber, the answer is absolutuely NO! Not after the hassle I had with my one & only POS .270 WSM Montana.
Just my opinions tho.
Bear in Fairbanks

The Extreme Weather comes on an aluminum bedding block B&C Medalist...something to keep in mind if you plan to upgrade the stock later and had considered the B&C.

Otherwise I think you have a few more options for stock choices going with a Win 70 (Manners, Mickey, B&C, HS-P, Echols) although to be honest I've never really looked for Ruger stocks as I don't own any.

Jon:

I have had several .338 Win Mags and I have a 340 Weatherby. However, while I like the Weatherby, I would never dream of carrying it through the mountains of Colorado anymore. My absolute favorite .338 is my handy little .338 Ruger Compact Magnum. Out of the box it weighs 6.75 pounds and comes with a little 20 inch barrel. Trust me, it's all you need in a .338.

Winchester (New Haven) stainless with sythetic stock. I sent my stock to Bell and Carlson for paint (olive with black spider webbing) and Maxxguard finish. The 26" barrel is great with 225 Hornady's.