Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Rifle Build--Ruger Mk2 vs pre-64 Winchester

Building a 35 Whelen for cold wet weather. I have several Ruger Hawkeyes/Mk2s that I have used in very cold wet weather in Alaska and other places where I had troubles with other guns freezing up on extended trips. This rifle needs to have the old school simple non-boxed trigger. Had good luck with the Rugers in this regard.

It's been ten years since I've owned a pre-64. I just can't remember if the one I owned was really that much nicer than a worked over Hawkeye? So, looking for thoughts. Is a pre-64 action going to be that much sweeter? This thing will end up in a McMillan stock regardless. I have the barrel ordered and its time to start looking for a donor action.

I've had 2 Rugers in my lifetime. A 77 that I bought in 1975, which my son still has, and a new Hawkeye that I bought a few years ago. I've also owned 6 different pre-64 Model 70's. In my opinion the Model 70 is the smoothest action that I have ever owned. I also have and have had a bunch of Remington 721, 725, and 700,including a new 700 single shot. They're all good rifles, but the old Model 70's is by far my favorite. If it were me, there wouldn't be any doubt about which action.
Just my opinion.

Pre 64 for me too, no question about it.

Given the parameters/choices I would opt for the Winchester also.

I have yet to find a Ruger as smooth as a Mod 70 especially a pre 64.

Only advantages I see for the Ruger is the somewhat better gas handling and the availability of SS. Everything else favors the Winchester.

I say M70, SS barrel, and everything nitrided.

We want pictures when it's finished.

Built my .35 Whelen on a pre'64 M/70 more than 30 yrs. ago and have had no regrets. I've owned Ruger M/77's, they're not even in the same league as the Winchester.

Pre-64's have has at least 56 years of cycling to become smooth and to weed out bad examples.

I think it's asthetics. I love model 70s and in that respect the Ruger can't compete. But as far as practicaliy goes I think the Ruger wins. I built a 9.3x62 out of a 1988 Model 77 with tange safety. I know it's not a true 100% CRF action, but it's strong and is smooth as silk. I love that rifle. If I did have a pre 64 Winchester I'll be damned if i would change it's chambering. I'd keep it pristine original.

Alright...looks like I'm going old school. Y'all sure do like to spend my money!

I found a Mk II 30-06 stainless and sent it to JES who made it a 9.3x62. It could of just as easily turned into a 35 Whelen.

A .35 Whelen would have been the better choice, but to each his own. My pre'64 .35 Whelen has been my whitetail rifle for the last 30 + years, it shoots anything it's fed accurately.

pre-64.....don't look back

I second that, resale value will be more.

There is no choice between those two. Pre 64 all the way.

I'd be looking for a 1992-2006 SS Classic model 70 to work with.

Mine in 30-06. I wouldn't change a thing on mine, even the cartridge.


https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/14513521#Post14513521

Well then, I am here to SAVE you some. Now that you've made that wise decision on the pre-64, I was just going through my box-o-barrels the other day looking for a Mauser donor for a rebore by JES (35 Whelen Specialists). I found a forgotten pre-64 (maybe pre-war) M-70 barrel in 30 Gov't 06, which you can have for pretty cheap if you want. Send it and your action to JES and for $250 he'll make you a great cut rifled Whelen. I'm getting ready to have a couple Springfield 03s become a 9.3x62 and a 338-06 respectively, so I have been calling him and researching his work. None of my Mausers had thick enough barrels to suit me for the 9.3 rebore, though I was hoping to use a Mauser for that since it'd be more "correct." But it won't feed like the Springfield, whose breeching the M-70 was basically directly copies from.

Just a thought. PM me if interested and we can dicker. I don't really know what it's worth but I don't have a use for it right now and no need to turn a profit on it.

Cheers,
Rex

Good man.

With piss poor gas venting of the pre 64, I am not sure why the OP even has to ask the question. Yeah my 35 Whelen is a M77RS . MB

I would choose the 77RS over the pre-'64 for the same reason--but would choose a good 98 Mauser action over either, for at least one additional reason. But that's me.