Model 7 or M77 Compact 308s

WhelanLad

WhelanLad

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So im just looking at my options here, i wouldnt mind the girl having something with a shorter barrel on her .308

it isnt worth the gun smithing Fee to lop the barrel down on the Franchi - so im looking for another rifle in the mean time.

The Model 7 is no longer made, but they are out there---
an the M77 Compact is available....

What are you choosing?

obviously FEEL has alot to do with the change over - so wont be buying without feeeling --

other options were- but arnt on top of list- Howa superlight (not her ideal..tooo light an specialised)
ruger americans may come with shorter barrel but not big fan of the feel..
 
I have a Ruger mark 2 .308 compact 16.5” and it’s scary accurate .5 MOA to 300 yards with 150 Hornady SP’s.
I also have a Frontier in .358 which is almost the same but has a slightly heavier barrel, 250 SP’s .75 MOA
No problem making hunting shots out to 300 with either.
I also have an older number 7 with a16” barrel and iron sights in 7-08 super accurate and very handy in the timber.
I find short barrels tend to be very accurate, I have cut many guns from 22 down to 20” or shorter and accuracy always improves.
One of my favourite rifles lately is my stainless T3x 7-08 that I cut to 19”
 
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keith mokry said:
Model 7 has more of a feel of larger rifle than the Ruger compact. Have both and both sit on rack as usually use something else. Why? Don’t know
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ok thanks alot for the insight!
simliar LOP ?? compact more shorter foreend?
would u mind a photo of the two ontop one anther? :)
 
I've got a rem 7 308 and a Ruger 16½ in 243.
You can't go wrong with either but the action on the ruger seems smoother and the trigger is better, plus tge barrels 4" shorter amost
 
I have two Frontiers in .308. The action on the Ruger is a Mauser action, and the integrated Ruger ringmounts are excellent and also give the option of mounting a scope in a scout mount. They also come with a rail you can forward mount that opens up a lot of modern reflex sight options.

I have no idea what fit & finish is like on recent production Rugers, but my Frontiers' is night and day compared to the typical Remington of the same era. Trigger and accuracy are very good - despite what many people think the shorter, stiffer 16.5" barrel actually helps accuracy.
Unlike FatCat I actually find the Ruger M77 action less smooth than a Remington 700 -- but all Mauser style actions feel sloppier to me (pretty sure this is by design). The upsides are the better safety, huge claw extractor and controlled feed.

That said, the short LOP on the Frontier is a huge issue for some people.
I never saw the big deal with LOP and was always of the mind that shorter is better -- especially in the bush. I'm tall with positive ape-factor arms but when I pick up a gun I just automatically adjust to whatever LOP it is, but some people freak out if the LOP isn't their ideal.
Some people are sensitive I guess: like the ones that spend 10 min re-adjusting your seat and all your mirrors to drive a block with your car :rolleyes:

Either way make sure you shoulder it first before buying. Parts and stocks are available for the Ruger but it's still much easier and cheaper to customize a Remington.
 
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keith mokry said:
Try to get it tomorrow eve when get home
As on road today. Rem has larger stock dimensions than the Ruger compact
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This is accurate.
The Ruger is tiny , it has a shorter length of pull.
I'm 6'4 and had to add a slip on Limbsaver for an extra ¾" length.
 
I’d pick the Ruger, but I’ve been on a Ruger kick the last couple of years. I’m sure she will be good with either, I’d see which fits her the best as well as which features each gun has will fit the bill best.

The Ruger Scouts have quickly become a top favourite of mine, they check all my boxes for a compact hunting rifle/do it all rifle. My .308 would be the rifle I grabbed if shtf.
 
How does she do with recoil? I have a model 7 in 7mm-08 and shooting off the bench the recoil is stiff. My friends don’t like shooting it let alone my wife, lol! 308 wouldn’t be any better….
 
Those are both probably tied as the worst balanced and handling hunting rifles in history with the heavy stock and short pencil barrel. I’d grab her a tikka or even a a 700 and chop it down.
 
Ruger over the Model 7 all the way. That said, it depends on what she likes and what fits her better. I have owned both and they were both very accurate. Model 7s can be found cheap used in blued synthetic is price is a factor. I am not a fan of the bolt release on the 7. The Rugers are built like tanks. As per Slimbo, a chopped 700 ot Tikka is better if you want access to aftermarket parts and accessories.
 
bunny said:
I have a Ruger mark 2 .308 compact 16.5” and it’s scary accurate .5 MOA to 300 yards with 150 Hornady SP’s.
I also have a Frontier in .358 which is almost the same but has a slightly heavier barrel, 250 SP’s .75 MOA
No problem making hunting shots out to 300 with either.
I also have an older number 7 with a16” barrel and iron sights in 7-08 super accurate and very handy in the timber.
I find short barrels tend to be very accurate, I have cut many guns from 22 down to 20” or shorter and accuracy always improves.
One of my favourite rifles lately is my stainless T3x 7-08 that I cut to 19”
Click to expand...
.5 moa 300 yds please post pics of target
 
Gillshot said:
How does she do with recoil? I have a model 7 in 7mm-08 and shooting off the bench the recoil is stiff. My friends don’t like shooting it let alone my wife, lol! 308 wouldn’t be any better….
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Worst ! geneally shooting a heavier bullet ! But handloaded the 308 with a 125-130 gr is a GREAT cartridge ! RJ
 
Pic of Ruger compact and Remington model 7. If it’s for her I would try to find both and let her decide. With 16” brl Ruger is more compact. An after market light weight stock could drop some weight as I believe stock is 32oz and wouldn’t be able to shave any oz off
 

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keith mokry said:
Pic of Ruger compact and Remington model 7. If it’s for her I would try to find both and let her decide. With 16” brl Ruger is more compact. An after market light weight stock could drop some weight as I believe stock is 32oz and wouldn’t be able to shave any oz off
Click to expand...
appreciate this alot mate. thanks
 
remington jim said:
Worst ! geneally shooting a heavier bullet ! But handloaded the 308 with a 125-130 gr is a GREAT cartridge ! RJ
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were downlaoded at 2400fps for 308 cartridge...... recoil not really a drama as we reduce the charges, shes only shootin deers ;) an no, we dont need a 7mm backcountry for them.

but has no trouble hitting 400m gong with 7mm08 in the kimber 84m full power loads :)
 
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