Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Winchester M70 Lt or Ruger M77?

I'm a southpaw looking at getting his first deer rifle. Which above rifles would be better?--accurate, etc.
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<br> The Winchester M70 is nice but in southpaw version, comes with 24" barrel and weighs 7.75 lbs, while the Ruger M77 comes in 22" barrel and weighs 7lbs.
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<br>I'd be looking at either a .270 or 30-06 whichever I could get the better deal.
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<br>I'd be hunting in western Pennsylvania.
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<br> thanks
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<br> Leo

I would go with the Winchester 70.

I'm left handed also, and have 4 left handed Model 70s. .270Win, .30-06, .338, 375HH. Guess which one I would pick? Jeff

As between those two, there is no comparison. Go with the Winchester Model 70. It's truly the Rifleman's Rifle. A Classic sporting rifle. Much classier than any Ruger, and much better all around. As for accuracy, it's really the luck of the draw, but if it is at least sub 2 MOA, you can work with any rifle and get it down close to an inch at 100 yards. Winchester triggers are easier to make perfect, and they are rugged.
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<br>Six

Of the two, I would go with the Model 70. However, Remington makes some nice rifles...

Remington does make some nice rifles, or did rather, but nothing compared to Winchester's. I know quality in rifles in general have went down, but I think Remington tops the list in that category.
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<br>Get the Winchester Model 70.

Leomort,
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<br>Here's another vote for the Winchester M70.
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Im a Ruger Man Myself, I like all the feature's of Ruger. Except the Trigger's, I have put in Timney's in both the .270 & .243 VT. Both guns are great shooting gun's. I topped them off with Leopold 3x9x40 VXll on Both.

Gentlemen,
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<br> Thank you for all your replies, they were most helpful.
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<br>As a southpaw I was also given consideration to Savage rifles as they would give me the options of choosing a short action caliber such as a 7mm-08 or .308.
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<br>Would you considered it foolish to consider a short action Savage in 7mm-08/.308 compared to a Winchester M70 in .270/30-06?
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<br>I got my mind made up that a Leupold scope will go on the rifle regardless.
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<br> Thanks for your opinions&advice!
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<br> Leo

I would not say it was foolish, based on what you are going to hunt which is deer the short action calibers would do just fine.
<br>Big Stick likes the 7mm-08 as does my brother, so I don't know what your area is like for long range shooting, but I think the short would do alright for most conditions.
<br>Bill

Of the two I much prefer the Winchester also. However a 24" bbl and that weight is a tiny bit big for just a deer rifle.
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<br>So now I have started something and I have not studied the left hand rifle availability.
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<br>So from what I know I would select the M-70 in .270 and also use it for long range woodchuck hunting. It should excel at that.
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Partsman,
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<br> In general, longest shot would 250 yards and under out here in western Pennsylvania. Whitetail deer is the target.
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<br> While most consider the Savage an accurate rifle for the money, most wouldn't give it consideration when compared against a Win. M70 or Remington 700.
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<br>For some reason in a short action, I like the 7mm-08. In a long action, I like the .270 No particular reason other than personal preference.
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<br>Savage is the only choice for us southpaws in short action. Bigger selection of manufactures for long actions.
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<br> Leo

Well either caliber will do it for you, I have not used a 7-08 but have and use a 270 winchester on occasion.
<br>It is a nice caliber.
<br>Bill

Don,
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<br> I too like the Win M70--- in long action. The long(er) barrel and (extra) weight were also a concern to me. But so far consensus indicates to go with the M70. While I prefer the .270, I'll take either caliber (.270 or 30-06) depending on which I can get the better deal. Not much difference recoil-wise or performance-wise on deer.
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<br>As you mentioned the .270 would probably be better on the lighter side such as varmits while the 30-06 would have the edge for the heavier stuff.
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<br> Leo

If you are interested in a short action, look at the Tikka -- it has a better trigger than any of the others you've mentioned.
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<br>I'm told Savages can be very accurate but the trigger needs to be changed out.
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<br>John

I would have to concur with John Frazer. The Tikka has the best trigger right out of the box. Nothing to look at, as big game hunting rifles go, but they do what rifles are supposed to do, and do it well, for very little money.

Anyone know why the Winchester M70 Lt is so heavy? Does the 24" barrel contribute significantly to the weight? How much weight does the wooden stock add?
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<br> Leo

I have to agree with JF and TRH. I have a Tikka in .22-250 and i cannot say anything bad about it.
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<br>George
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Maybe the Tikka has a better out of the box trigger, but the M70 can be easily reworked to a very nice break. So good that a custom trigger will not improve it.
<br> The M70 trigger is very simple and very easy to maintain.
<br> What's more, Winchesters and Rugers have an excellent reliability record, something the Tikka has yet to earn. E

Eremicus,
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<br>Well said. Plus, the Tikka's I've seen have too much plastic for me.