Need an opinion. If you were buying a new 338, would you buy the new Model 70 or the Ruger?
Thanks in advance.

I never owned a Ruger, but I do have two .338 Model 70 Classics. They are both early model ones made in New Haven (serial # under 300,000).
They were built like they were supposed to be built. But if you like the new trigger then of course buy the new Winchester.

Model 70 all they way....no looking back IMHO.

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the new Model 70

That's the one.....

What is a Ruger?

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But if you like the new trigger then of course buy the new Winchester.

IMO it's superior to the old trigger.

I'd take and old "round top" Ruger 77 if I could find one over anything else.

Or a Regular Ruger and then put a Hogue Ovrmolded stock on it.

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Originally posted by Terry Blauwkamp:
I'd take and old "round top" Ruger 77 if I could find one over anything else.

Or a Regular Ruger and then put a Hogue Ovrmolded stock on it.

That's the ticket! Choose a duel purpose gun every time. In the off season Roogers make dandy tomato stakes. So good that some folks leave them in the ground year round.

I'm beginning to think that Rugers are not very well thought of. Anyone care to give a reason why? Thanks for all the replies.

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I'm beginning to think that Rugers are not very well thought of. Anyone care to give a reason why? Thanks for all the replies.

Don´t mind Dave.
He dislike Ruger rifles so much that he can´t even make himself to say Ruger.
(In my opinion, William Ruger´s name should be held in higher esteem, but each his own.
Calling names is found anywhere from the kindergarten to the old folks home I guess )

About the 338 Winmag and Ruger M77.
I had one for several years (laminate / stainless) and it was a really good working rifle that served me well without any problems.

The only thing I did was to get the smith to polish the trigger and put on a Decellerator pad.
It was sold to help finance my Ruger Hawkeye in 375 Ruger.
See... I like them very much

quote:

Originally posted by bchur:
Need an opinion. If you were buying a new 338, would you buy the new Model 70 or the Ruger?
Thanks in advance.

My .338 is a Ruger stainless with the laminated stock. I bought it for several reasons, one being that at the time, I didn't like "plastic" stocks and the solid wood varieties could give changes in accuracy with wood movement due to humidity changes. Laminated wood is much more stable and stronger than the same piece of solid. The other reason I bought the Ruger, was that it came with a set of open sights. Since our hunting trips are extended affairs, that is something I seriously consider in a rifle.
Having said that, were I to do it again, I'd get the Win. and have a set of open sights installed if necessary. In my experience, most of the Ruger rifles I've had haven't given me quite the accuracy I like and in fact I got rid of a .270 Win. that wasn't quite as accurate as I wanted. My .338 gives me about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2" groups with a 225 gr. Northfork which is good enough for the way we hunt. Personally, I prefer 1" or less but I can live with what I have. I also have a reworked Ruger in .257 IMP with a Kreiger barrel that has proven very accurate (gee, probably should do more work with it). I do like the Ruger platform but I think, if I had my druthers, I'd get the Win. I really don't think that for the most part you'd go too far wrong with either. Good luck.
Bear in Fairbanks

edited to add:
I did replace the trigger on my .338 and had the action glass bedded. Shooting from the bench, I wear a PAST recoil pad & get 2800 FPS with the 225 gr. NF. The scope is a Leupold Vari-X III, 1.5-5. It works great.
B.I.F.

have you thought about a Remington ? I just got a Remington XCR II in 338 Win mag and really like it

UUUUger's(I don't like the word either)

Pull the action from the stock-invert the action-

Proof positive that a TURD can & will be grained/polished.
Recoil lug-what an abortion.
No parts with the exception of MkI,II & III .22 pistol parts will interchange.
The revolver hammers/sears & slide gun parts are all hand fit.
UUUUger #1's nice looking,but,I'd rather shoot a flintlock muzzle loader.

Winchester Mdl 70-no thanks either.

Remington 700 XCRII for me!!!!

bchur

Baised on EVERYTHING I know today, I would advise you to buy a Blaser R 93 or R8 in 338 Win Mag...

remington bdl, then ruger, then a NEW model70 . if you want accurate, get a savage

Flip a coin.

I'd probably go for a Winny myself. Although I have only owned 2 338's and they were both Rugers. I have owned several 30 cal Winchesters.

When the Remington bug gets fixed I might consider them again. Just too many cases of being able to fire the rifle just by moving the safety to the off position. Need to review this more though I am really looking at a 300 RUM SPS and dont know if the SPS have the discharge issue.

Also I would consider the Savage too.

The short answer: In my opinion, go with the Winny.

The longer reason why:

I have a M77 in stainless / laminated stock with a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5x10. Boy is it a looker. Very comfortable to shoulder and for me, stock fit is very good and recoil is not bad as a result I think.

Now for the other part, .... It has been a pain to get to shoot better than 1 1/2 to 2 inch groups at 100 yds. Now for most hunting that will still work (minute of deer), but I like my rifles to "consistantly" group 5 shots in an inch or less.

I think it is the diagonal front action screw that is the culpret. I have bedded the action, installed a new trigger, free floated the barrel, blah, blah, blah. It will put the first two shots nearly touching, throw a flyer an 1 1/2 low and left (or right sometimes), then put another near the first two & the fifth wil be another flyer. Its done this since I've owned it (6 or 7 yrs). However, my best friend has a M77 with the boat padle stock in 7 mag and it is a real shooter. He's done nothing to it at all - go figure.

In my opinion, if you want a reliable hunting rifle that will not win any shooting matches, but will hit the vitals of most big game at reasonable ranges - go with the Ruger. I've fired friends & relatives Model 70's and all were accurate. Granted, that is not a proper sampling, but it has been my experience none the less.

FYI - I am working on a Mod 70 project for my next rifle.

gundog

I don't like either Winchesters or Rugers.

IMHO, controlled round feed is HIGHLY overrated. I proved this to myself many years ago by loading and working the bolt on a Browning A-bolt in all the weirdest, unrealistic positions possible chambering rounds from the magazine at speeds from ultra slow to ultra fast and it chambered and ejected every round, every time.

I don't like bolt action rifles with three action screws. The middle screw seems redundant to me. Although I do like the three position safety they offer.

I'm not a benchrest shooter but it appears neither Winchesters nor Rugers are the dominant action of choice for that game. Maybe that's because other action types are easier to gunsmith or maybe it's because by design others shoot more accurately? I dunno...maybe someone with benchrest expertise will chime on in that one?

I've owned two Ruger rifles one in 243 and the other 300 WM. Neither impressed me in the accuracy department. Honestly, I couldn't say with any certainty why Rugers don't have a bigger fan club. They seem serviceble enough. For me, they just don't offer the design features I like so I won't be buying one anytime soon.

If you like what they have to offer...buy one. It's really all about your personal preference anyway. I think just about all rifles manufactured by the big makers will serve you well. Pick one whose features you like the most and if it doesn't shoot to your liking have it accurized or rebarrel it or sell it. Don't be surprised if your action tastes change somewhat over time...mine did.

I have a model 70 in 300 win mag and my brother has a m77 hawkeye in 30 06 and his rifle is more accurate than mine in my experience rugers have been a little better but they`re both great guns.

My vote goes to ruger

I think they are both well made rifles with the potential to be accurate. I do like the Model 70 trigger better - especialy the New Haven one and the FN one less so, but still good.

One of my hunting partners just picked up one of the new Model 70's in 3006 with SS and synthetic stock. After we lightened the trigger it started making ragged holes off the bench. I thought that was pretty good.

I have several Winnys that all shoot great, I have hunting partners with Rugers that shoot great. I suppose every company makes an occasional dud but that could happen to anyone.

I'd pick one of each up and see what feels best, to you, and buy that one.

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Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
bchur

Baised on EVERYTHING I know today, I would advise you to buy a Blaser R 93 or R8 in 338 Win Mag...

What Tony said...

Can anyone say SEE ZEEEEE...

Luck

I have had 12 338 win mags;7 old Ruger Mark ones,three Mark II and two Wichester model 70 stainless with a boss.For carring the Win with the boss is my favorite.For hunting the old Rugers win hands down.I love the tang safety.My Rugers all shoot under an inch at 100 yards and most under and inch at 200 yards.They beat the win model 70 with the boss.The Rugers have the right weight barrel for less recoil.My Ruger 77 Stainless with laminated stock kicks the least like a 270 to me.I once shot it and my win 70 over 200 times in a day.I have never had any jams or failures with any of my Rugers.The win model 70 control feed is another story.The win 70 had the scope holes drilled crooked,It would not feed the last shot .I had to replace the spring and foller.Its stainless finish was horrible it rusted like crazy.The Rugers beat it hands down in all areas.

I like Ruger's but would opt for the Winchester in this case.

I would look at all the .338 rifles in the local shops and buy the one the fits and feels best to you. Also buy the one you like the looks of. Most rifles made today are decent.

My choice in 338 is a Winchester and I am not a fan of Rugers, but I have a buddy that loves them and they shoot well.

BigB

I would like to know why a rem 700 isn't even being considered by the OP.

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Originally posted by 33806whelen:
I would like to know why a rem 700 isn't even being considered by the OP.

I'm guessing he wants a CRF.

Of course he could be turned off by the bad trigger or the fading quality of new 700's.

AH, a solid solution to a non existent problem.

Is there a non existent problem to the Remington trigger I don't know about also? I have an XCR with the 40x trigger and I find it very well made and wokrs every time. Tell me exactly what is so bad or deteriorated about the 700?

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Originally posted by jeffeosso:
remington bdl, then ruger, then a NEW model70 . if you want accurate, get a savage

I gotta agree with el jeffe. For me it's the better choice, as the aftermarket is chock a block full of great stuff for the 700.
My current 338s are a No.1 and a SS 700.
Both are very accurate and go boom when I pull the trigger.