Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger M77 Stainless versus Winchester M70 Extreme Weather?

I think I "need" a stainless/synthetic stock bolt action 30-06.

I have both a M77 in 6.5 Swede and a Pre-64 M70 in 30-06 already - but they are blue/walnut and pretty and I'm close to sealing the deal on my first Alaska trip. I don't feel like ruining these rifles.

What I'm wondering is in the collective experience, or bull $hit of the Campfire (whichever comes in first)? Why you would spend $400 more on a Winchester Extreme Weather versus a Ruger Stainless/syn? Is the Winchester that much better (I can scope the Ruger with a Luepy 2.5x8 for the cost difference). That seems to be the street price difference for me between both of those rifles.

I will state that I'm in love with the romantic notions of the M70 but in reality my clunky Ruger shoots just as well. I do not want to pay for romance when it comes to an ugly stainless/black rifle.

Thanks,

Jeff

When you feel the smoothness of the action, the crispness of the trigger and add these to the reports of wonderful accuracy, I'd get the Winchester, without hesitation.

in most ways, i'd be perfectly happy with the ruger... but, although the hawkeye stocks are an improvement ovewr the MK IIs, i still have some issues with them...

and, i have yet to get my hands on a winchester extreme weather of any sort... seems some don't like the stock on them either....

either one would be acceptable to me with a decent stock which can be purchased aftermarket...
i got a hunch though, that the winchester might be right up my alley...


on the other hand, if i had a hunt already planned, i would not be looking for a rifle... i'd be practicing from field positions with the rifle i already have...
wax that m70 up and go have yourself a great hunt... you'll remember it forever, and any marks you bring home on your rifle are well earned souvenirs...

The Exterme Weather is a pretty nice rifle. I have one in 270 WSM that shoots 130 grain Ballistic Silver Tips well under an inch at 100 yards.

Everything works really well,it feeds and function smoothly. It even works upsidedown,I checked.

A guy who has a pre64 model 70 will feel right at home with an Extreme Weather IMHO.

I own 2 FN 70s and 2 Hawkeyes. The 70 is nice but no better than the Hawkeye. All four will shoot sub 3/4 moa. I would get the Hawkeye and scope for same money.

I own a bunch of the Rugers..have handled the Winchester at a shop.

The Winchester will have a smoother action by a good margin.

I would say the chopped glass stock on the Winchester is more preferable than the plastic on the ruger. However I dislike the ergos of the Winchester stock enough that I would replace either.

The ruger has those rock solid Ruger scope mounts. There strong but not exactly elegant.. and certainly not light. The aftermarket rings for rugers arn't much of an improvement. Put what you want on the Winchester.

From what I see there is a $300 dollar difference in price, $50-$100 additional because you have to buy mounts and rings for the Winchester. That comes pretty close to paying for a Mcmillan if you like me and couldn't deal with the factory stocks.

I like the feel of the Ruger hands down over the Extreme Weather, the Bell and Carlson stock on the Winchester is an abomination, I hate these stocks so much I wouldn't take one if you gave it to me, it has nothing to do with the action, I am a big fan of the mod 70 rifles just not the Extreme Weather model, Winchester dropped the ball here on what could have been a superb rifle when they let Bell and Carlson supply these blocky, chunky, slick stocks, you could make a super rifle out of an Extreme Weather by installing a McMillan Edge stock but these stocks are extremely expensive and a cost you could never recover if you ever decided to sell the rifle. Between the Winchester Mod 70 Extreme Weather and the Ruger Mod 77 Hawkeye SS in factory form I would take the Ruger and never look back, Ruger rifles are the best value on the market in My opion,hell Ruger even supplies nice Stainless rings and have an excellent scope mounting system..................Good luck in Alaska, try and stay warm.................Hillbilly.

Guess it's true that one man's trash is another man's treasure...

I don't own an EW Winchester, but I've handled a few and I like the stock...

That being said, it's hard to go wrong with either the Stainless Ruger or the EW Winchester.

Like everything else, it's just a matter of personal choice..

Very true, One mans trash is another mans treasure, I guess that's why their are so many different rifle brands and makes in so many different configurations.................Hillbilly.

I have an EW in an Edge stock. I like it a lot. But for a lot less money, the Ruger is a good dependable gun. I'd have never spent that much, but was able to buy both the rifle and stock used. Selling the takeoff stock helped some too.

You answered your own question in the last paragraph . Get the ruger, you'll be just as happy with it. One thing about the ruger that you won't have to worry about compared to the new winchester is the trigger. Just put in a lighter spring and the LC6 is very workable. The new winchesters have the enclosed type trigger and have heard (may be bs) that sometimes moisture is trapped inside of this type and will freeze in very adverse conditions. The rugers are great and function no differently than the winchester. Don't get me wrong the winchesters are damn nice and I'm going to get an EW pretty soon. This is out of want and not neccessity though. Sounds like you've made up you mind already, just want confirmation from us. My 02, hope it helps

The Ruger all weathers from the boat paddle on up to current offerings are the most popular rough duty rifles in Alaska. I've shot quite a few of them and they've all been accurate. My 350 rem mag shoots way better than I would have expected.

Yes the actions are as cast and can use some polishing. Triggers can be heavy.

I'm thinking the Ruger will fit your needs. They're both GOOD rifles, but the selling point on Ruger's has always been that fantastic integeral base set-up and free rings. Ruger is a very tried and true firearm, as is Winchester; I just put my money on the Ruger. Especially in the last 10-15 years. Ruger is a steadfast company. My opinion only.

If you are a Model 70 guy, get the M70 EW,....while the Ruger is a fine rifle the new Model 70 is finer...

I'd recommend a nice clean SS M77 (not Hawkeye) and boat paddle stock. Put good glass on top and rock and roll in Alaska. I have found that the finish on that rifle is really easy to maintain. If you look around a bit, you can even find them in an Ultra Light configuration.

Also, the Timney trigger option is a great way to go with Rugers.

I'd be inclined to find a Hawkeye SS in .35 Whelen...

My EW 270 is the most perfectly balanced and accurate factory rifle of any kind I've every owned. Even when I have a bad day at the range it makes me look good..

I agree I have two EW and like both of them. If you like Winchesters and can pay more go with it if not I guess a ruger will work

What are the Ruger triggers like as far as reliability in those weather conditions?

Nothing is fool proof, but what I like about the ruger trigger is the simplicity of it's design. The less parts present make for less to go wrong, and the ruger design has minimal parts count.

I haven't heard of any ruger triggers failing, but I have no doubt that some have due to abuse and neglect.