Bolt-Action Rifles of the 20th Century

Page Four

As for the Ruger, this rifle is priced right. The list price is $599 to $700, but it sells for about $400 in discount stores so most folks can afford it. I’ve been picking up used Model 77 rifles in like-new condition for $325 to $350. The list price on the Model 70 Featherweight is not too much more than the Ruger at $639 to $737.

The standard walnut-stocked, blued Model 77 Mark II is an overall good-looking rifle. I like the lines of the receiver, bolt, and stock. Forget the looks of Ruger’s synthetic stock, in my opinion. The standard Mark II incorporates real walnut, a nice satin finish, and a pleasing rubber buttplate. I like rubber buttplates simply because the rifle is not likely to slip when it’s leaned against something. Ruger’s scope-mounting system is the best; the safety is top notch; gas-handling characteristics are excellent; and the claw extractor, standing ejector, and cushioned boltstop are a tough combination to beat. Unlike in the Mauser, the Ruger or Winchester standing ejector does not require that a locking lug be split. Instead of contacting the case from the center of the lug, the ejector slips into a groove in the bolt body at the bottom left side of the boltface under the receiver bridge.

Bill Ruger has certainly earned the title of the greatest mind in sporting American firearms of the 20th century. Ruger made the casting process practical for modern bolt-action centerfire rifles. With Ruger methods, receivers are cast to very close tolerances and the process can incorporate any beneficial features and still little metal has to be removed during machining. This revolutionizes the design possibilities while keeping machining costs down.

The Winchester Model 70 is also a very nice rifle overall. I particularly like the lines of the Featherweight stock and here is one instance where I think the featherweight stock, particularly with lighter colored wood, doesn’t look bad with a stainless receiver and barrel. I also like the simplicity of the Model 70 trigger and the fact that it is exposed where the functioning can be seen.

I think the Winchester Model 70 has really dominated production rifles since 1936 when it was introduced. Its predecessor, the Model 54 Winchester, introduced in 1925, was also a good rifle. The Model 70 has been around a lot longer than the Ruger. These two rifles, the Model 70, partly because of its longevity, and the Ruger Model 77, get my nod for the top bolt rifles of the 20th century for the average hunter. These two rifles are affordable by most. It is interesting that these two rifles are probably more like the 1898 Mauser than any others.

If I had to narrow it to just one rifle, it would be the Winchester Model 70 Classic Featherweight with blued steel and wood stock. The things that tip the scale are the Model 70 trigger, the longevity of the Model 70, the overall good looks and aesthetics of the Model 70 Featherweight stock, and the steel floorplate.

By the way, while the floorplate on the Winchester Model 70 Classic Featherweight is steel, the trigger guard is not. And as I stated, the floorplate on the Ruger Model 77 is not steel, but the trigger guard is.

Page One - Overview, Bolt Locking, Extractor, Ejector
Page Two - Gas Handling, Trigger, Safety, Magazine/Feeding, Scope Mounting, Bolt Stop
Page Three - Bedding System, Aesthetics, Rick's Two Favorites
Page Four - Comparing the Ruger 77 and Winchester's 70 Featherweight
Page Five - Blaser's Innovation, What the 20th Century
Has Brought Us For Rifles
Page Six - Lever-Action Bolt Gun?
Page Seven - Mauser Influence Spans the Centuries; Jamison's Top 50 Guns

This article was originally published in Shooting Times magazine in January, 2000.

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