Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Best all around hunting rifle?

I have many rifles, way too many actually, but in your situation I'd be looking at either a SS M77 or a SS Vanguard. Both are rugged. Both are inexpensive. Both will shoot well enough to handle any game to any range a 30/06 is appropriate for. Good Luck and let us know what you end up with.

I would just be careful with a Savage. I have a PC that is a tack driver but the Accutrigger sticks causing failure to fire. I've heard this is not uncommon. Mine is a paper puncher so I don't worry about it.

I would really take a look at the Winchester 70 Extreme Weather. Probably about $1,000, comes in 30.06 or 308. It weighs 6 3/4 or 7lbs depending on action length. I have a new FW in 7mm-08 and the thing is a tack driver. Great rifle for the money.

I would really like to thank everyone for the warm welcome to the forums and for taking the time to aid me in my decision.

I hadn't really put much thought into a Ruger as my I once owned an old 10/22 which was about as useful throwing at a squirrel as it was shooting at one, the accuracy wasn't nearly up to my expectations and didn't stay in my collection for very long. After reading coyote_hunter's post and many comparisons of the kimber 84, winchester 70, remington 700, and ruger 77 I think the Ruger is the perfect rifle for me.

Probably the most influential of the features the rifle offers were the integral scope mounts, three position safety, one piece bolt, and the mauser type controlled round feed extractor. If theses features come anywhere close to the theoretical ruggedness it presents I believe this rifle will serve well for any application I intend on using it for.

I am still in a pickle over which model I want between the M77 Hawkeye Standard or the Hawkeye All Weather; though I think I am leaning towards the Standard, as I find it much easier on the eyes but I guess I need to put more thought into it. Either way the rifle will be chambered in the good ol' 30-06. Thanks again to everyone!

I think you are making a very sound and wise decision....Nice to see someone rationalize and give good reasons that influenced their decision....From what I've seen with the new ruger hawkeyes, you'll be very impressed. Just keep in mind the action will be rough for a while and the trigger may need a lighter spring or it may even need to be polished out a bit. The rifle is as sound as a bank vault though as far as I'm concerned. If you get tired of looking, remember I've got one that has been smoothed up, trigger polished out, professionally bedded, and it shoots lights out....The only thing wrong with it is it's a 308 and you are leaning very hard toward the 30-06 and I don't blame you as that is also my favoite cartridge (truth be known).....Sounds like you are on the right track though so let us know what you end up with.......Maybe check out a new hawkeye with the satin (not the matte) bluing.....Those are much nicer than the matte blued ones they started out with.....

Hard to beat a ruger! Coyote Hunter got me hooked on their boat paddle stocks as well. Mine is in .270 and I love it, I think you have made a very sound choice! And fwiw that 308 that BSA has is very nice, would love to own it myself.

[quote=444Matt]

And fwiw that 308 that BSA has is very nice, would love to own it myself.[/quote

A friend of min said that to me one day while we were talking on the phone. I said, "you can own it." There was a definite pause on his end of the line (before cell phones) and then he said, "how's that?"

I told him and presently he owned my rifle and I owned one of his. WIN ! WIN!

Yup, I'm pretty sure he wants cash which I'm about tapped out of right now! Down the road though. You never know LOL.

I've tried lots of different rifles over the years [I'm 49] and have never really been happy with any of them even after I modify them to my taste. I currently have as my primary hunting rifle a Ruger M77 Mark II stainless synthetic in 280, the newer style, not the "boat paddle" stock and I'm fairly happy with it. I put a Timney adjustable trigger in it. The Remington Mountain Rifles are nice and light and point well for me, and I've had a bunch of them, but I always had that nagging in the back of my mind of the bolt handle coming off and the triggers really are weird with that floating conmnector. The Winchester featherweights are nice too but lack the one piece bolt also. Granted, all of them have been dependable but I just wasn't happy with the composite bolts. The Ruger is a little heavier than the others but I'm happier with the action. The safety is hard to get off sometimes. Remember, most things are subjective....Good luck.

This, except make it a ss and walnut (for me anyway). Also might look at the Conquest in 3-9x40 on the long action.

I'm not a big fan of Ruger rifles due to personal preferences but believe the stainless they use is very rust resistant. Rust resistance is one part of the equation regarding all-weather rifles in my mind.

I like Tikkas, but the stainless tends to freckle, same with the Kahr 9mm I had. I've seen posts/pics of Kimbers rusting easily too, but have never owned one. It just depends on the type of stainless used. For this reason, I think a stainless Ruger is a good choice if you're worried about rust plus you get a synthetic stock. Just make sure you like the stock, or save some money for an aftermarket... the ones I've looked at are very flimsy. Also, Rugers are heavy to begin with so watch out if you decide to add something like a Hogue and still want a "light" rifle.

You can always get a blued/synthetic too and hit the barrel and action with matte rattle can. Or do the same with stainless. Metal finish doesn't worry me too much but a stable stock does.

I like the Tikka T3 suggestions mentioned earlier above. I have a 270 & 300 Win. Both shoot lights-out with little fuss. I've had five Tikkas and each shot great. Some people seem to hate them but I think they are a good budget rifle. Lighter than a 77/700/70/etc., nice trigger, low bolt lift, two-position safety that locks the bolt ( I don't need 3-pos myself but insist on a locked bolt -- personal preference). Just throw the rings away and get something better (Talley, DNZ, Warne, etc.).

That said, most any major brand bolt action is pretty good today and you'd probably be better off getting the best binos you can and not worry about the rifle! I'd take Swaro binos and some beater rifle over a $1500 rifle and cheap binos! Binos are not as sexy as a rifle, I know, but something to think about if you don't have decent glass yet.

Get your favorite action (Rem700), a quality barrel (Pac-Nor), and a Mickey stock. Have it screwed together and spend some time with her. A .308win or .260rem won't kick like pissed off mule and it'll be your new favorite for everything. Keep it all simple and standard and you'll be a happy man.



***** .308 ***** win




This is 10 or 12 shots, I can't remember. Bout 7 came in under 1/2"




Filled several tags and dinner plates

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Nice gunnuts....Pretty fancy for a hunting rifle......

Nice Ruger. First one I've seen that was fluted. Special run or???

Thanks BSA. I could sell all my toys cept that .308 and be a happy fat boy

It is too bad a tika is number one..

It is too bad a tikka t3 is number one..

Jonathon -

It wasn't clear in my previous post but both Ruger .30-06s were purchased used and the .338 WM was built from used parts except for the stock. The point is there are a lot of very good used guns available, usually for much less than new, and often you can't tell the difference in how they look or shoot.

My wood/blue Ruger M77 in.257 Roberts is a case in point and has been my favorite rifle since I acquired it. Built in 1989, it became mine in January, 2004. At that time it didn't even have scratches in the bluing under the slide safety - something I "fixed" in the first couple trips to the range. Cost was $400 and included a Leupold M8 4x in the rings.


Another used bargain was a Remington BDL in .308 Win. It was 30 years old when I picked it up off the Gander Mountain used gun rack at a cost of $350. Except for the missing rear sight it looked like new. I replaced the sight only to find out it was removed to make room for the scope, so off it came again. The picture below is from the first load development I did with it. Every shot used a 0.5g increment in powder.


Here's another scope check target from the Remington M700 .308W:


Just saying, don't overlook the used rack - there are often bargains there waiting for a good home.

I agree with CH on this one and sometimes you get a used rife that may be better than new...Especially in a Ruger m77'S case.....If you get one from someone that knows what they are doing, the action will be slick, the trigger great, and if you are really lucky it will be bedded appropriately for excellent accuracy....but that takes a lot of fun out of owning a used rifle....

I've really prefer a wood stock but also like the weather resistance of stainless since I spend a number of nights in tent each year...often wet. All my rifles have wood stocks and I've had the metal coated...cerakote, Black Ice, etc. Keeps the rust issue away and is actually better than stainless, and I don't have an ugly plastic stock in my hand. I also take time to make sure the stock is bedded and sealed as best as possible. They all work, go with what you like best.

I had the work done. Had the barrel fluted, bolt handle skeletonized, and trigger worked to 2.75lbs.