Stainless Rifles, which one has got it?

B.Ruddick

B.Ruddick

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I've been studying the Stainless Rifle market for some time now, and I am leaning towards a Winchester Model 70 Stainless Classic. (used of course)

The reason being is because this is the only rifle that I am aware of that offers everything Stainless, trigger assembly, floor plate, receiver, barrel, bolt etc...

But who's who in this market new & old (Rem, Win, Browning, Sako, etc....)

Who else can compete with everything on the rifle being Stainless?, except for the stock of course. Stock configuration is not a concern.

Barrel length is a concern, between 22" & 26" is preferable.
I do appreciate the short bolt throw of the Brownings and Tikka's, and am aware that the Win is not that short, I can adjust.

The calibers I'm considering are 7X57, 7-08, 270, 257 Weatherby, 280 Rem, and of course the trusty 30.06(preferably).

I am not interested in hearing about the performance of the cartridges, just what other Stainless weather beating rifles are out there that offer everything in Stainless and low maintenance?
 
I bought a Browning A-bolt white gold medallion this year for moose hunting. It is a beautiful gun. The main reason that I went with it is that I hate shooting the synthetic guns. This one has a wood stock and stainless barrel, action and adjustable trigger. That's my two cents.
 
Other rifles, Ruger and Remington comes to mind, have aluminum floor plates which may not be as fancy but even more weather resistant.
 
B.Ruddick said:
The reason being is because this is the only rifle that I am aware of that offers everything Stainless, trigger assembly, floor plate, receiver, barrel, bolt etc...

But who's who in this market new & old (Rem, Win, Browning, Sako, etc....)

Who else can compete with everything on the rifle being Stainless?, except for the stock of course. Stock configuration is not a concern.
Click to expand...

As far as I know the Remington is not all stainless, the bolt head is a separate part and it is made in chrome moly and pinned in place, also as others have mentioned the t/g floorplate assembly is aluminium. I am not shure if the others are "completely stainless" but I think maybe the Ruger and Sako might be. More and more synthetics and aluminium is being used instead of stainless no doubt to lower manufacturing costs and weight. The M70 SS is as good as it gets as far as I'm concerned and it would be my choice also.
bigbull
 
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Ruger's stainless finish is - IMO - superior to others. Target Grey, if you can get it on your rifle, is amazing. their normal stainless is still darker and nicer looking than others.

if you keep your trigger group well oiled it shouldnt rust unless you seriously (almost deliberately) neglect your rifle. IMO you should go and handle all of the rifles you are interested in and choose one that fits you best and has the nicest finish.
 
I've got Winchester, Ruger, Remington stainless rifles....

One Ruger got left out in the rain and snow for a year with no ill effects, not even a speck of rust.

Winchester seems to stand up nicely, but I've never subjected it to a year outside. Remingtons bolt head will rust.:)
 
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Ive owned alot of Rem 700 stainless BDL's with the factory floorplates. None of them have showed any signs of rusting, although I dont hunt often in snowy conditions, and when I do, I usually give my rifle a good wipe down when I get home.
 
All of my rifles are Cro-Moly, (except for one it's half & half) and down here on the Southern parts of Vancouver Island, it rains and rains, I just hate taking the rifles apart every time, wiping them down, greasing/oiling then back up, and putting them back together the next morning, it all takes time, so I'm really just looking to save some time here, because some say I tend to burn the candle at both ends, I have to correct them, I light the whole candle with a raging fire, forget about the ends, so if I can save some time, I'll be one happy hunter.

Ruger's I do like, but are the internals Stainless?

Sako 85 eh? what is the bolt throw on that Sako - short like Browning or long like Win or Rem?

One of the reasons I choose the M70 SS is that the barrel was 24", I like getting a little extra pressure out them if I can for the longer shots. I see that the revised version of the M70 to hit store whenever, now only has a 22" barrel.
I'm not concerned about the way any of these rifles fit or handle(well handle action wise yes), but as for stock comfort, that is easy to adjust, easier with wood, synthetic can take a little more time, not much.

Thank you for input thus far, anyone else have anything to add, please do.

Aluminum Floor plates no big deal, I forgot about that, more so interested in the Trigger assemblies, bolts, safety assemblies, the internal parts being stainless.

Brian
 
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Just like ITCPARA, I ordered a Sako stainless hunter....wait for it......wait for it.............no seriously! Wait for it!! a year and counting. Yuk.

A Sako is not completely stainless either- but has a short bolt throw around 60degrees IIRC.

Heym make a stainless with beautiful walnut too. Stock upgrades available for $$. I priced them from Quebec dealer (Arcinter) at around 5 grand. Sweet, but kills the budget for a week or two.
 
Just recently bought a Ruger 7 Mk II...60 rounds through it or so and happy with it.

The manual states "All mechanical components are made of heat treated Chrome molybdenum or stainless steel with music wire coil springs throughout the mechanism." In other words I will have to open the rifle up to see if the sear etc is steel or stainless.
 
The only part on my Ruger that saw any rust after it's year out side int he snow and rain was the trigger- Which was a Timney.

No other parts showed any sign of rust.
 
Only have two 'stainless' rifles.... a limited edition Ruger 77 in 7.62x39mm [with added Williams iron sites] and a Tikka 695 stainless synthetic in 6.5x55mm... I prefer the Tikka but the Ruger was a 'must have'.

Down the road I'd like to add a Rem 700 SPS stainless in 7mm-08...
 
I have owned a Remington 700SSDM in 30-06 for 6 years. It is my "dirty weather" rifle, and I have yet to have any issues with rust. It is true that the bolt head itself is not stainless (Remington & others claim this is in an effort to prevent galling should the surfaces that contact lack lubrication), It is pretty easy to remove and wipe off the bolt before putting it away. The fact that this is one of the most consistently accurate factory rifles I have ever owned doesn't hurt, either!! Regards, Eagleye.
 
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