I have an 'older' EW in 300 WSM, a couple M70 SS Classics, a several AW M77's.
My take aways:
* Prefer M70 safety by along shot - but the M77 safety is functional if you get used to it
* Ergos of both fit me well
* Scope mounts on the M77 - indestructible but a bit heavy
* Talleys on the M70 make for a lighter rifle
* Both triggers can be tuned to 3.0 lbs rather easily
* My EW was accurate out of the box. My buddy's EW required bedding to get it shooting well. His now shoots better than mine - need to fix that.............
* The M70 is easier to make light weight and has more stock options
* All the Ruger AW's I have (4) shoot decent with the standard OEM - haven't bedded any of them yet.
* The EW came with a very smooth action, not so much with the Hawkeyes. A little valve grinding compound fixed the M77 smoothness
* Prefer the trigger assembly on the Hawkeyes over the new EW/M70's. Cutting off a coil or two also helps alot.
* M77's a bit less expensive than the EW's - and come with mounts. I also tend to lap my Ruger mounts.
All told, I could live with either the rest of my life. In fact, I have a mix of SS rifles all by Winchester or Ruger.
