I have always liked Winchester 70s and am buying another one in soon. But I wonder if I shouldnt try a Ruger 77 just bcause I have never had one.

Can someone who actually knows rifles tell me the real world difference between the two both for a PG rifle and a DGR?

Thank You, John

For general hunting, it's a Ford vs Chevy thing. I have both & like both. My .404 is a M70. I have shot the big Ruger77 & like it alot, often thought of buying one. They offer alot of nice touches for the money (1/4 rib, 3pos. saftey, milled rec. for rings, etc.). I wish Ruger made a M77, CRF, w/ the tang safety of the older M77, I'ld buy (2) in a heart beat!

I think ruger absolutely cant be beat for a hunting rifle and investment for the future.They are really in a class by themselves for what they cost,Super great value!I highly recommend everyone owning both!In what ever caliber that suits there fancy!Reliable,accurate,great handling,Tough!

John,
You should be able to do a search on this and come up with lots of info...

But...since you asked..I'll throw in my JMHO. Lots of people here with lots of hunting experience. My African hunting consists of only one safari so far...a 10 day buffalo hunt.

But, have owned many rifles Ruger and Winchester. I think the Winchester is just a little bit better rifle because of the action. It's just a smoother feeding action (short mags exempt ) than the Ruger. Now not knocking the Ruger because it's a whole lot of gun for the money and yep you need to try one. For a plains game gun I would use either or.

For a DGR I used the Ruger Magnum 416 for buffalo.

Ruger dgr advantages:
Mine shot clover leaf groups.
Great iron sights with quarter rib.
The Ruger magazine will hold one more 375 cartridge in the magazine for four down and one in the tube.
A stock made so you can actually see the sights
The Ruger rings are nice with the bases built into the receiver...you'll probably never take your scope off on a safari but just carry a stubby screwdriver, leatherman tool etc. No need for levers they just catch on stuff anyway.
The Ruger express rifle also just looks great.

But...the Winchester feeds better and I also like the safety on the Win. a little better, it's easier to get "a hold of" along with the bolt.

The Winchester safari rifle is not made to shoot with sights and needs the comb rasped down at least for me, my hunting partner and a few other people I've heard from.

All in all either one will do just fine but with my vote just slightly edges toward the Win. 70 with modifications. Like a correct fitting stock for iron sight use and speaking of that I would probably replace the sights with something a little better. I'd also probably replace the follower and extractor.

Of course any DGR rifle needs to be tuned up in my opinion. Just a little added insurance.

Just MHO for what its worth,
Good hunting,
Terry

quote:

Originally posted by fredj338:
For general hunting, it's a Ford vs Chevy thing. I have both & like both.

Same here.

The Ruger RSM is a lot of rifle for the money. I love the 1pc barrel 1/4 rib and front sight. I've had 2 RSM's and wouldn't hunt with either without some feeding tweaks. I find the stock a little blocky, the triggers suck, the safety is OK, The rubber buttpad is not a recoil pad.
The Winchester is smoother, has a better trigger, has good sights but not as good as the RSM's 1/4 rib. Winchester usually don't have near the wood an RSM does.
I think that if you just want an out of the box rifle with maybe just a little tweaking the Ruger might be a way to go. If you are planning to someday have it restocked into a fine Custom Rifle the Winchester is absolutely the better choice. It's very rare for someone to invest in a Ruger for a wood stocked custom rifle project, Winchesters and Mausers dominate here........DJ

IMO Winchester makes a fine boltaction rifle.....Ruger just wish they did and a few customers have been convinced...I'm not among them!!