Ruger Hawkeye, Mk77 or Remington Model 700

[Flfiremedic]

OK...need the experts..am about to pull the trigger on a 30-06 before I start fixing my bike. Want a blued steel oiled walnut stock. Its down to the big 2 or 3...the Hawkeye, M77, or M700. Only holdup on the M700 is the cheekpiece. I like a clean stock...just don't know what the judges are saying about the Hawkeye...and no experience with the M77. HELP!

 

[stalkingbear]

m77 vs 700

I would choose browning a-bolt.

 

[ugaarguy]

The biggest improvement on the Hawkeye is the trigger, which is far better than the previous M77MKII rifles. Other changes are a different checkering pattern, and a laser engraved floorplate. Model numbers changed from M77MKIIxxx to HM77MKIIxxx.

The Ruger M77MKII, HM77MKII, Remington 700 BDL, and 700 CDL are all American made rifles that will serve you just fine. Browning A-Bolts are decent rifles but cost more money, don't give you anything more in return, and are made in Japan.

If I wanted a Japanese made rifle I'd get a Weatherby Vanguard for less money, or a LSI/Howa 1500 for less than that (the Vanguard is a Weatherby branded Howa 1500; Legacy Sports International - LSI - is the primary US Importer for Howa products). The Vanguard/1500 is a fine rifle for the money as well.

 

[stalkingbear]

hm77 vs 700 vs a-bolt

I have had several a-bolts and still own a few. In my opinion,the a-bolt is the best commerical mass produced rifle on market. here's just some features I can think of off top of my head. 60 degree bolt throw,very slick out of box bolt operation,available in boss,extremely accurate,comes factory glass bedded,adjustable trigger,tough durable finish on wood stocked modeld, concealed detachable magazine,magazine has X spring instead of W spring for optimum feeding reliability,sako style extractor,bolt handle shaped/angled/ contoured for fast,easy operation,3 locking lugs,tang safety where your thumb can naturally operate it instead of having to remove grip to operate right side safety,and the current 1000 yard benchrest action winner is of course based on a a-bolt action.

 

[Flfiremedic]

I have a first generation A Bolt, and have never been satisfied with the trigger.

 

[viking499]

Between the two choices, I would go with the 700.

If not those between those two, CZ and Tikka shoot awful good for me. Don't know if either is made in the caliber you want.

 

[aspade]

Neither of them is a bad rifle.

If you don't like a cheekpiece on the stock, don't get a 700 BDL. Remington makes standard straight comb stocks too.

I don't think Remington stocks are oil finished, mine looks like polyurethane.

I would pass up both of them for a CZ 550.

 

[ugaarguy]

I have had several a-bolts and still own a few. In my opinion,the a-bolt is the best commerical mass produced rifle on market

When Miroku makes them right, they're a slam dunk. Sadly, the shop where I work sees them returned more often than any other major brand bolt rifle. With the premium you pay for the Browning name it's disappointing. They're nice rifles but I've not seen their performance justify the price premium. Going on what I've seen with A Bolt II returns, plus personal experience with Remington & Savage accuracy, I think the latter are better buys. To my knowledge the 90 degree bolt & "W" spring in the magazine haven't been problems on the 700 action Remington M24 Sniper Weapons System either.

 

[jmr40]

Tough call because all are fine guns. The Remington offers a lot of different models and if you want something a little different look at them. I have a Hawkeye that I bought in August and it has become my favorite gun.

I have never owned an A-bolt but they seem way over priced for what you get to me. I have a Tikka that is a shooting machine. Most accurate rifle that I own. The Hawkeye has won out because it just feels better in my hands and balances better for me. Accuracy is not far behind the Tikka either.

 

[ChopperKen]

I have a 77mkII in 6.5x55, the stock trigger sucked(15 min fix)
Since I bought it I have bought 3 more mkII's,Good guns every one!!

 

[Tberger688]

No question MK77, Remington is push feed, to small an ejection port, swivel floor plate with poor lock. Don’t even think about a Remington for dangerous game, IHO.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Aw...aspade beat me to it. Browning A bolts and Remington 700s have a polyurethane finish, not oil.

 

[Flfiremedic]

Bought the Hawkeye...now for a scope...Burris Eurodiamond or maybe a Zeis...opinions anyone?

 

[pete f]

Buy a leupold, your kids will thank you when you give it to them in thirty years.

 

[ugaarguy]

Burris Eurodiamond or maybe a Zeis...opinions anyone?

A good gun shop should have a scope comparison, which is a stock with two rubber blocks that you snap the scopes into one above the other, and look through them. Look at the scopes like that and compare. The US made Zeiss Conquest scopes have a lifetime warranty when purchased at a Zeiss authorized dealer. Leupold VX-II and VX-III scopes are great, as are the Burris EuroDiamond & Titanium, and the Bushnell 3200 & 4200 Elite, all of which have lifetime warranties. There are plenty of right answers, so pick the one you like best.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I own a 77 and a 700 both of which I bought in the mid 80's.

Of the two, I'd go with the 700.

No experience with the new Ruger, so I can't comment.

My choice is based on a subjective "feel" and not a profound difference in quality or accuracy. Remington 700's feel better to me, both are good.