At a local gun store today, saw a used Rem M700BDL LH 30-06 and new Ruger M77's LH in .270 and 30-06. Price wise, they are about the same. The 700 has a two positioin saftey. Either gun will be a project gun in the future. Re-stocked, tuned, re-barrled, etc. All I have to do is decide which one. Any suggestions? TTS
Posts: 84 | Location: Wisconsin | Registered: 18 December 2001
I agree with George. Ask any gunsmith which one he'd rather re-do for you, you're gonna hear Remington. It just has more potential, especially if you're buying it with the intention of rebarrelling, etc.
If this is going to be a big game hunting piece , and maybe used in rough or the back country , I'd take the Ruger hands down .
I'm also willing to bet after a trigger job , or re barrelling or other work , accuracy in the field will be identical between the two , for all practical purposes .
Posts: 1660 | Location: Gary , SD | Registered: 05 March 2001
A friend of mine likes Rimington actions, while I like Ruger actions. I don't know why he likes REM, but my reasons for liking Ruger actions are as follows:
Accurazy is not a factor, since any rifle can be accurate enough for hunting moose, bear, caribou, and other medium to large game. Should I have the need to take this CRF bolt appart to clean it for hunting in cold weather, the only tool I need is a small nail or wire. The same can also be accomplished with bare hands.
Posts: 2448 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 25 May 2002
The Remington action is the best action of the two to rework. I don't care for the Ruger action because it is machined to use only Ruger scope mounts. I like my actions drilled and tapped for any style scope mounts I care to use. In my view any action machined to use only the scope mounts of that rifle maker is a very poor choice for any shooter to buy. In some cases you are forced to buy a certain brand of scope to fit that action.
I shoot Ruger. I've owned them, shot them...they're reliable and they work for me. As for the "ask any gunsmith..." and "Ruger is a piece of ....", I do not agree. My custom gunsmith could shoot whatever he wants--he shoots and likes to work on Rugers. Most people in the know would readily declare that Rugers are well-built, solid working guns. To each his own, with due respect.
------------------ God, Guns and Gibsons...doesn't get much better than that!
My personal experience with Rugers has been excellent, in both factory and modified form. Remingtons of all kinds have given me nothing but grief. I guess it's the luck of the draw.
I get the feeling you did not appreciate my post. I just tell it as I see it. Actually I think both of these actions are pieces of !@*#. The idea was a project so I suggested the easiest to modify with the most available aftermarket goodies.
By the way, who is you gunsmith? None of the gunsmiths I talk to will touch a Ruger! They will work on Savages and Remingtons though. They all to a man have told me that when they were poor and starving they would work on/with Rugers but now that they are established they won't touch'em with a 10 foot pole. Everyone of these guys states the same issues with bedding system utilized. They all feel that it cannot be made to shoot reliably tight groups and resist recoil. I would just like to know as I have one Ruger (won't buy another either) and I cannot find anyone that will work on it.
Todd: Be glad to help out. I would go through Ole's for custom work (Salem, OR). Beautiful work (You may have seen my post on the Ruger RSM a few days ago). He works with a custom smith for more advanced stuff (custom brakes, etc). His son does impeccable work on recoil pads. Doing a job for me now. Don't ask Ole about his opinion on Rugers if you don't want to be set straight--you won't win! He knows his stuff and has been doing it (working on Rugers and all brands for a long time. We all want to think that our 'smiths are one of the best. All I can say is that his shop is wall-to- wall with mounts--all shot by him and his wife. They know both sides of shooting!
------------------ God, Guns and Gibsons...doesn't get much better than that!