I recently returned from a hunt in Northern BC and the guide carried a 30 year old Ruger 77 wood blue 338 win mag with a Leupold - 2-7x33. The gun had been used hard - very little stock finish left, no blueing at all and covered in rust and the scope was severely dinged up - however the gun still shot, held poi, and the guide had full confidence in it.
No surprise to me, and heard such anecdotes re: the M77 more than once previously.
As common modern commercial rifles go, This is my number one choice, and using the Zytel® 'skeleton' stock with factory sights. I know of many very satisfied 300 Wing Mag users so set up.
I think of tough rifles as being the rifle most likely to survive and still function after being tossed out a SuperCub door to reinforce someone in need. I can think of no rifle that fits that better (in modern terms). I like my M70s, but they aren't quite 'there'.
