Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Wby Vanguard S2 vs Ruger M77 Hawkeye AW

If it came down to one (both sadly just is not an option) which one would you go with, and why?

I like both, and am curious to hear the thoughts of all. Both are available right now, at good prices. Cal. is 6.5CM if it matters.

Currently kind of leaning toward the Ruger as being stainless (even if its their ugly matte stainless) and handier/slimmer...and perhaps tougher, not that I forsee either ever quitting or being subjected to enough abuse to make a diff. But I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks as well.

Vanguard. Haven't ever had another make and model that just worked and shot so well. Slick feeding and extreme accuracy

The new Hawkeyes are polished stainless, like the MkIIs. One of the introductory calibers is 6.5 CM.

That's the one I'd get. Having had issues with the Weatherby vanguard. The Ruger is a workhorse and will last a lifetime. Be warned though, the Ruger will not be as accurate right out of the box as the Weatherby, but it's much more robust. If you (OP) want a new pushfeed stainless rifle, get a Tikka. That would be my best suggestion..

The 77 by a mile.

Ruger, especially if it’s available in Stainless.

Buy both, you know you want to.

I own both, never had a good shooting Weatherby, all the Hawkeyes I've owned shot lights out.

Never had an issue with several example of either (counting Howas in the Vanguard column with my S2s). Buy the one that fits and feels best, unless the SS is a big deal for you.

Both have good stocks, for Tupperware®️ anyway. Both are a trifle heavy. There are some lighter weight Howa options now in roughly the same price range, and a SS H-S Precision version in the catalog for under $1100, if you can find one.

Stainless is big for me, so that might knock out the Vanguard, even though I like the Vanguard action, the HACT trigger, and the ergos of their tupperware. If looking at a stainless M77, I would definitely take a look at a SS Tikka too.

Ruger. Not ever close.

Going on the advice on the board here, I already took up the suggestion of the stainless Tikka.

Was absolutely NOT a mistake.




Oh, how I do.

Ruger and wouldn't even be an "either or" decision.

I currently have a Weatherby Vanguard, a Howa 1500/H.S. Precision and a Ruger Hawkeye all weather. I have had several other Howas over the years starting with a S&W version back in the '80's. They've all been good shooters and I never had a problem with any of them.

Weatherby in a heartbeat

Seems like things are pretty evenly split! Same here...having a dang hard time with this one.

But always learn something about both rifles in threads like this.

I would go with the ruger. I dont have any of the Hawkeye versions but have the 77 mkII and have several of the older vanguards and howa 1500. Just like the rugers a little more.

No way a decision should be made until schtik weighs in.......may need to PM him.

Vanguard!

The 77's have too low of a comb for scopes. The 77 triggers are really really bad! It's a must to spend another $100+ right away to get a decent trigger. I've owned over a dozen Ruger's and so far, one was accurate enough for me - I kept on hoping. I kept on pouring money into them. I'll likely not buy another, except I'd consider a #1.

I know a lot of guys will shout me down but I have never had a ruger that shot acceptably for me. Probably five or six total...just zero luck with them. On the other hand, only one Remington and one vanguard disappointed me and even then it was due to not being able to tighten up an inch and a half group.