For a good all around shooter in the US and Canada - what do you prefer or would like to use? Assume a .270 or .30-06 for a caliber.Pre 64 Winchester Model 70Current Model 70Pre-72, pre-Garcia SakoOlder RugerRemington 700

is the current model 70 like a pre 64 action? or is it a push feed?

You can't beat the pre-64's as a rifle that is ready to go as it is. Especially in .30-06 or .270. Assuming that it hasn't been ruined by a gun butcher. The newer classics are solid rifles, the earlier the production the better, but may require some tweaking by a good metalsmith.

byf42,

The new M70 classics are indeed controlled round feed. USRAC did keep the push feeds in production for a few rifles in its line.

The .06Spr is a great choice, but I would pick none of the Fe above, thanks. If I had to do it over again, I would buy Heym Light Express in .338WM. I don't change rifles like socks, or underwear, don't hunt rodents either.
PS. From your list above early FN Mauser Sako would be the best choice. Good Fe equal in quality to Browning 'Safari Grade'.

My two favorite rifles are both Remington 700's
An old 700ADL that I recently replaced the stock wit a laminated factory stock and a "tuned" stainless trigger.
I'm about to feed it it's third barrel.
The original was a 24" 25-06, the current one is a 22" 30-06 barrel, the newest is leaning against my computer desk as I type, a new stainless steel factory 24" 30-06 barrel

My other Rem700 is a 223 VSSF.
I don't "hunt" rodents with that rifle.
"Hunting" has nothing to do with what I'm doing when I'm shooting woodchucks.
Where I shoot them is in a 1400acre orchard where they have a habit of chewing the bark off of valuble producing fruit trees.
what I do is either "assassination" or "extermination".
"sport" is not even remotely part of the equasion, so I
refuse to call it hunting....


AllanD

I just put my vote in for the pre-64. No contest there for me. Ever since I was a kid, I've wanted a pre-64, in .270 Win. Last Oct., that dream was realized after I got fed up with the Ruger .270 I've been fighting for about 10 years. I never could get that sucker to shoot consistantly and as tight as I wanted. Glass bedding, new trigger, recrowning - nothing worked. Last summer, I decided to get rid of it & get a Win. Classic. The Classic didn't come through but I found the pre 64 at the Oct. gun show & snapped it up. I've only put about 20 handloads thru it so far (weather conditions, you know) but it looks as if it's gonna be a real shooter.
I think Rugers are good value for the money but I've had to fight about 3 of them & I'm tired of it. Ya shouldn't have to replace the trigger on a new rifle. It's gonna be Win. for me from now on & pre-64 if possible.
Bear in Fairbanks

Out of that lot current M70 for sure !!

Based on your choices I would have to go with the Remington 700 in 30-06.

700.

IV

My choice is a Win M70 Classic ( new Winchester)
with the controlled feed, in 30/06. You just can't go wrong with this set up. A pre-64 is dandy but if you are really going to hunt with it beat up a new one instead of an old valuable peice.
I guess though that I am assuming everyone hunts hard and in the rough stuff, maybe I'm off base.?

My go to gun is a M700 in 30'06, but there isn't a bad gun on your list and there are a bunch of good rifles that aren't.

Ruger No. 1A, or 1B.........

Bolt actions aren't the only game in town, ya know!!

El D -
What is your opinion of the Ruger 1 as a varmint rifle in a .223?

I hunt the Adirondack Mts. here in upstate NY. My rifle is a pre-64 M-70, set in a McMillan Hunter's Edge stock. Loaded, glassed, ready to hunt she weighs in at 7.5 lbs.

If I was limited to your selections I'd go with the Pre 64 M70. Otherwise I'm sticking with my Ruger 77 MK II. A synthethic, stainless MK II is probably one of the most popular rifles for a lot of where I hunt in Alaska