Ruger M77 Hawkeye SS or Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS MB

[KYwhitetail606]

Looking to get a 300 win mag in one of these 2 platforms. I don’t want a tikka, so please save the rokslide tikka love (no kimbers also. Bad luck with one prior). I already have a few of those. Wanting something a little different. Crf, 3 position safety, and hinged floor plate.

Which of these 2 should I choose and why?

Me and a buddy are planning an Alaska hunt in the near future and wanted something basic, no frills, durable, and reliable. Dont really care about all the fancy lip stick (flutings, cerakote, carbon fiber, etc). Just stainless and synthetic is a must. Thank you! Price difference in the 2 are about 300 ish. 1100 for the Ruger and 1400 for the Winchester. I see the Winchester does come with a more high quality synthetic stock. Looking forward to reading what everyone thinks.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

The Winchester extreme weather rifles are nice, I've had great luck with mine, it's been accurate and very reliable. It is heavy though but so is a ruger so weight is probably mostly a wash between the 2. Are you looking at the ruger alaskan 300wm? if so it has a much shorter barrel than the m70 if that helps move your decision either way.

 

[KYwhitetail606]

The Winchester extreme weather rifles are nice, I've had great luck with mine, it's been accurate and very reliable. It is heavy though but so is a ruger so weight is probably mostly a wash between the 2. Are you looking at the ruger alaskan 300wm? if so it has a much shorter barrel than the m70 if that helps move your decision either way.

Just the standard Hawkeye ss. It has a 24” barrel.

 

[KYwhitetail606]

The Winchester extreme weather rifles are nice, I've had great luck with mine, it's been accurate and very reliable. It is heavy though but so is a ruger so weight is probably mostly a wash between the 2. Are you looking at the ruger alaskan 300wm? if so it has a much shorter barrel than the m70 if that helps move your decision either way.

I would just use a 30-06 before I’d use a 300 win mag with a 20” barrel.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Just the standard Hawkeye ss. It has a 24” barrel.

Are they making the standard synthetic/stainless Hawkeye again? Or would you be buying a used one?

 

[Burnt Reynolds]

Winchester. Nicer action, easier to swap trigger, more scope ring options.

I have a 77 '06 and winny featherweight 270 - despite chambering differences the winny is a nicer gun off the rack.

 

[mlevimadden]

I've owned both and prefer the winchester. The action was noticeably smoother than my M77 ruger, and the factory stock was nicer.

The winchester is a little heavier, and more expensive though. Both have super heavy trigger pulls from the factory, but the winchester trigger is easier to adjust. I think I got it down to 3# but haven't checked in awhile.

 

[KYwhitetail606]

Are they making the standard synthetic/stainless Hawkeye again? Or would you be buying a used one?

Ruger makes them in limited runs. They’ll show up again. The Winnie isn’t available in that caliber rn. It’s cataloged but Winchester also makes them in limited runs. Seems both companies prioritize the cheap American and XPR.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Right on, I recommend the m70 for sure, I’ve had a Hawkeye 30-06 and like others have said, you are limited on the big options, the triggers need work and the. Lots aren’t always smooth. That’s not to say they aren’t a good utilitarian rifle but the m70 extreme weather is nicer.

2 years ago I watched a friend of mine deck a 61” bull from around 330yds with my extreme weather 30-06. I’d loaded some rounds with the 190g accubond long range for him.

When I was on a hunt down south last year and met a guy who was getting ready to go ibex hunting in Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan or something and he was taking a m70 extreme
Weather 300 win mag and was very happy with it as well.

 

[Reddish]

I have both and would go with the Winchester. Better trigger, smoother action, better stock in the model you're looking at.

 

[Choupique]

Given the options, I like the winchester. I have an extreme weather .338 win mag and it's great.

The appeal Ruger has is the african, guide gun and alaskan models. Those are unique. They come with short barrels, iron sights, threaded barrels of various lengths. That's what I'd be shopping if I were shopping ruger.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I'm a ruger guy, though I dont think you could go wrong with either rifle.

I would however, go a lil smaller than a 300win