schoolcraft

I'm in the market for a new deer/hog rifle. I want stainless and either synthetic or laminate.

I had my choices narrowed down to a Rem. 700 XCR and a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker....I'd be happy with either I'm sure.

Had a chance to look at a stainless/synthetic Ruger 77 the other day. The Ruger really felt good, as they always have in the past.

Here's my question. I seem to hear A LOT of totally different things about Rugers as far as out of the box accuracy. It seems to be pretty consistant that they need some trigger work done, but I'm not sure if the Remington or the Browning would also need work to get them to be acceptable.

Any input would be greatly appreciated


Schoolcraft

HEAD0001

As you probably know all rifles are hit or miss out of the box, as far as being an accurate rifle. Normally handloading can level this playing field, but not always. Sometimes a rifle needs a little additional work. That is when a good gunsmith comes into focus. It has been my experience that most gunsmith's would rather work on Remington's, and seem to be able to "Ring" a little more accuracy out of a Remington.

Most rifles need a trigger job out of the box. I have been told by smith's that the Remington trigger is easier to work on-when compared to the Ruger. Smith's have also told me that the Remington is easier to bed than the Ruger. However I have never done either job myself. But I have had a few done.

Everbody talks about sub 1" groups on this site. It seems every rifle every body shoots will shoot that well. Believe me all rifles do not shoot sub 1" groups. Heck most shooter's can not do it, even if their rifle could.

If I were you, and this was going to be strictly a hunting rifle-here is what I would do. First put on the clothes you will be hunting in. Then go to the gun shop and handle all the rifles. With your gloves on(if you wear them while shooting), handle the rifles. I would go so far as to say that whichever one "feels" the best for you-you will shoot the most accurately. Tom.

Tuco

I have a stainless M77 in .270 and it is plenty accurate for me. I have it topped with a Nikon Buckmasters 3X9 scope, and it will shoot 1" groups at 100 yards. And it has not been bedded or had a trigger job. It shoots as good as I need too, if I were looking for sub MOA groups it would need a little work and handloads.

rmomn

All three rifles are good it comes down to personal preferance. As far as accuracy the Browning and Remington will on average be more accurate. Thats not to say you could not get a screamer Ruger. With all bolt actions you would be advised to have the trigger adjusted, recrowned and bedded. That for the dollar spent would give you the biggest pay back in accuracy

Hairtrigger

I believe the Ruger is the best value for the dollar.
As far as accuracy... what do you need? If you are shooting deer out to 250 yards no problem with any of your pics. If you are going to shoot at 600 yards... are YOU accurate enough? Do you have a place to shoot that far and practice?
It would be great if you had a chance to shoot all 3 rifles and see which feels the best. I doubt accuracy is different enough in your 3 pics to be a deciding factor.

bigbulls

Rugers are solid, rugged, work horserifles but they need a lot of work IMO. Their scope mounting system is one of the worst ever devised and their rings are some of the worst made in regards to consistancy, fitand finish. You must lap most oftheir rings and debur them unless you want to mar up the scope. I have not tried their new LC6 trigger but they certainly couldn't get any worse than their old trigger system. Almost all of them could use a bed job.

AlthoughI don't personally like the looks of it, mechanically I would rather have the X-bolt over the A-bolt. Browning made some real improvements to the X-bolt rifles. Triggers on teh X-bolts are very nice right out of the box. A-bolts are pretty decent as well although not nearly as adjsutable as the X-bolt or Remington.

The Remington 700 is the camaro and mustang of the rifle world. If something can be done to, or a part made for a rifle it can be done toor had for the Remington 700. You didn't say which cartridge you are leaning towards but in the Remington line I would also look at the XCR combat tactical in .308. This rifle should be one hell of a shooter. It is a stainless riflebut with a black Tri Nyte finish instead of the silverand is placed in a HS Precision stock instead of the Remington factory plasticstock.The new X-mark trigger really doesn't need anything done to it for 90% of people in hunting situations. They are set up nicely right out of the box.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_xcr_compact_tactical.asp

Hairtrigger

Do most Remington owners sport mullets?

bigbulls

That is WRONG on so many levels.

GooseHunter Jr.

I have a MK77 in SS in .338WM. Deadly accurate and topped off with a Burris 3x12x44 Sig. Select scope....reached out and touches em!!!

skybuster20ga

i have a few rugers and a pile of remingtons. im pretty partial to remy and if i was going to pick a deer/hog gun ide take my rem mod 7 cdl in 350 mag.