Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Which 308, Winchester M70 FWT or Ruger M77 Hawkeye?

My thoughts:
1-Weight- Do not exceed 7!/2 lbs preferably 7 lbs all up (rifle scope, sling.-When handling the rifle make sure it includes the scope.
2-Start her out with "reduced power" ammo or if you reload, the lowest recommended charge of powder for that particular bullet weight.

I like them both, but I am a bit of a Ruger slut. Although, there is a M70 in my near future.

I believe you'd like the new production M70......they are accurate.

There ya go, good advice.

I agree with your statement that these are two entirely different rifles, to be fair he should be considering the Hawkeye Ultralight vs the Featherweight, for Me I think I'd go with the Hawkeye Ultralight.......................Hillbilly.

I would personally choose the Ruger but either is a fine rifle.

M70.

If you don't let her pick it out, then you are picking it for yourself. (Not that there is any "shame" in that, I'm just sayin'.....)

I've owned both the ruger ultralight and the win. featherweight. I regret selling the featherweight, I honestly don't miss the ruger a bit. Although the ruger felt solid and had nice fit and finish, I could just never warm up to them once someone told me the receivers on the ruger m77's were cast.

Just shot my new hawkeye 308 all weather today and it honestly shot an average of 1.5" out of 10 groups while trying to work up a good load for it. I'm not very impressed with that kind of accuracy. I had high hopes for the mighty 308 seeing how everyone is always saying it is susposed to be a lot more accurate than the 06. I do like the ergonomics of the ruger hawkeye, so I'll keep plugging away at producing an acceptable load. The new winchesters are a thing of beauty and are fairly reasonable in the wood/blued featherweight model. I've seen them at the shows for as low as $550.00 which is a bargain. I think you'd be happier with the model 70 in terms of accuracy. BSA.

I agree with let her pick. I would also suggest that she work the action on both rifles. My M70 FWT (a New Haven build) is much smoother than my Hawkeye.

Ernie

Betcha she picks the Fwt - she'll go for the fancy checkering and the schnabel foreend. Plus, it may be a bit lighter.

what does she currently use that she shoots well, and is comfortable with???

Ummmmmmm opinions! Well, since I do own several Rugers and Winchesters in the models you mentioned, I would opt for the model 70 Winchester, accuracy can be hit or miss with either but I do believe she will like the handling of the model 70 better in the wood stock and thiner forearm, my daughter did anyway and so did my wife. I think the model 70 featheweight has cleaner lines and looks a bit more classy. The 1/2 pound difference will be a plus for her to shoot and tote around the fields and woods. Model 70 Winchester all the way!!!