What are the advantages and disadvantages of these two? The M70 is a bit less, but has a smaller capacity. Other than that, how do the two compare?

I think the Ruger has better fit and finish. I believe they feed better in my opinion. I haven't had good luck with that cone feed Winchester has. I also think Ruger does a better job of getting rid of gases than the Winchester. Things I like about the Winchester are it is a better looking rifle and I like their triggers better. They also have the easiest bolt to strip for cleaning. I think the Ruger safety is better but the Winchester safety is a lot smoother. The metal on the receiver above the ejection port is higher on the Ruger making a stronger receiver than the Winchester, Savage also has that feature. Myself I would probably go with the Ruger but it would be close. I would go with the rifle that feels good in your hands and gives you confidence.

[ 05-11-2003, 13:50: Message edited by: savage49494 ]

Personally, I like the winchester better. I'll have to disagree with the above poster, the winchester safety is head and shoulders better than the ruger. The safety and the trigger are my main gripes about the ruger. Other than that, the main reason I don't like rugers is because I've had so much trouble getting them to shoot straight.

[ 05-12-2003, 09:55: Message edited by: boltman ]

Contrary to what some others say here, my model 70 Safari Express in .458 is an excellent rifle. Very well finished, nice fit, dual stock cross bolts, good trigger, flawless feeding,nice walnut, cut checkering, etc. I don't understand why so many people here take pot-shots at the model 70. I just could not be more pleased with mine. Maybe I just got a good one but the other one I have seen was a nice one as well. Just my $0.02.

If you want a .416 Rigby, you're out of luck with Winchester. I did, so I bought the Ruger.

My gunsmith slicked up the trigger for $35.00. No aftermarket parts. Perfect 3.75lb trigger pull. The safty is a bit smaller than the Win. We also removed the factory front sight and added a NECG Masterpiece front sight. I liked the hood on the Masterpiece, it matches my Dakota.

The edge of the chamber was razor sharp, the gunsmith just "broke" the edge and it feeds factory ammo, Fed TBBC and Sledgehammers, and all of my reloads- TBBC, Hornady RN, Speer Mag-Tips. All with out a problem.

My Ruger will shoot factory or reloads into sub-MOA out to 300 yards, the furthest I've shot it on paper.

I've killed a black bear in Maine and 16 animals in Namibia, from 50 yards out to a little over 300 with my Ruger.

I like the Ruger over the Win. Integral quarter rib, banded front sight, banded sling stud, nicer wood.

I am going to buy a Ruger Express (little brother to my Magnum) in .300 Win or .338 Win.

[ 05-12-2003, 22:13: Message edited by: GeorgeInNePa ]

The Ruger77 Safari, has a M-70 type 3 pos. safty and the trigger can be changed or fixed just fine, it has an intregal quarter rib on the barrel. That barrel alone would cost you $1400.00 from a custom barrel maker...

The Ruger is more gun for the money than any factory rifle I have ever seen short of the 21M and 22F Brnos..

The Winchester has allways been a favorite with me but lately I have seen some real crap come from them...I saw this at Jack Belks and Jim Brockmans shop wherein the receivers were hororibly out of specs and barrels were threaded in crooked, apparantly they are having a quality control crisis....

If I wanted a Win. M-70 today, it would be a pre 64 or at least an early control feed Win.

Bottom line is I would take the Ruger Safari and never look back.