Texas Hunting Forum
Browning or Ruger
I'm looking to buy a 6.5 credmoor and they only make it in 4 different makes and they are Browning,Ruger,Savage,and Thompson Center. My top 2 choices are the Browning and Ruger. The Browning is in a A-bolt II long range hunter in blued synthetic w/a 26" barrel. The Ruger is a m-77hawkeye in Matte Stainless synthetic w/a 24"barrel. Both are awesome shooters and good quality rifles and both fit her about the same. I have just never owned a centerfire rifle in either make. So i'm having a hard time trying to decide. Please give any info and insight to help me decide.
Posted By: jshouse
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 03:22 AM
Love my A-bolt in 30.06., never a problem in about 15 years. Never owned a ruger but I know u can't go wrong with a Browning.
Posted By: tetralaw
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 03:39 AM
Browning Abolts are underrated I feel. They may not have a huge aftermarket like a Remington but for a purpose rifle from the factory, it's what I would pick of the two.
Posted By: aggiehunter03
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 06:25 PM
I loved both of my Abolts. Adjustable trigger that breaks like glass and the wood stock models come factory glass bedded.
Posted By: kmon11
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 07:32 PM
If this is a hunting rifle that will be carried and/or used from a blind I would go with the Ruger. Those 2 extra inches make a difference in carrying around and in getting out windows for shooting.
Posted By: kmon11
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 07:32 PM
Since it is for the lady, you might want to let her make the choice.
Posted By: JCB
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 07:35 PM
I am a die hard Ruger fan. I say go with the Ruger.
Never had a lick of trouble out of the A-Bolts......I just like Ruger.
Posted By: mustafa
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 07:40 PM
id gow with savage out of that group.
Posted By: bass461
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 08:10 PM
Handloader magazine had a article on the 6.5 and says the Ruger is extremely accurate
Posted By: deewayne2003
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 08:14 PM
I vote Ruger
If you want a bomb proof hunting rifle thats accurate; its hard to beat a M77 Stainless.
Posted By: Adelbridge
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 08:47 PM
might be moot if Ruger doesnt have any product in the channel
Posted By: Chopped54
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 08:55 PM
Browning
Posted By: Kawabuggy
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 09:53 PM
I own quite a few Brownings and have recently bought a few Rugers. I find the Brownings to be just a tad bit more accurate than the Rugers, but it is so small a difference that it really should not be considered. I really like the stainless Rugers with the laminate stocks. They are a bit heavier than the Brownings though as all the Brownings that I own have sporter weight barrels, and the Rugers seem to have a heavier barrel that tapers down towards the muzzle, but still heavier than the Brownings by at least a pound, maybe more.
If you will be doing a lot of walking with the rifle, go Browning. If stand sitting, or not a lot of carrying-go Ruger. If you like really pretty rifles, go Ruger. If you are the type that worries about nicks & scratches, go Savage!
Posted By: HWY_MAN
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 10:11 PM
I'm looking to buy a 6.5 credmoor and they only make it in 4 different makes and they are Browning,Ruger,Savage,and Thompson Center. My top 2 choices are the Browning and Ruger. The Browning is in a A-bolt II long range hunter in blued synthetic w/a 26" barrel. The Ruger is a m-77hawkeye in Matte Stainless synthetic w/a 24"barrel. Both are awesome shooters and good quality rifles and both fit her about the same. I have just never owned a centerfire rifle in either make. So i'm having a hard time trying to decide. Please give any info and insight to help me decide.
I love them old tang safety Rugers, put a good trigger in them and they'll shoot with the best, but I have to admit the Browning is a sleeker and better looking rifle.
Posted By: LandPirate
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/05/12 10:20 PM
My primary hunting rifle is a Browning. I love everything about the functionality of the rifle. It ain't pretty. It's a Composite Stalker and the 2nd one I've owned. Bolt functions smooth and the adjustable trigger is excellent.
I also own an old tang safety Ruger M77 and an old Ruger #1. Love both of them. They're both shooters and I have no hesitation taking either to the stand.
In my opinion you can't go wrong with either choice.
Posted By: Don Dial
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/06/12 10:45 AM
I've owned both and have always been a Browning fan, however, I had a Stainless that had a bbl so rough inside it felt like plowed ground when you would run a patch thru it..I spent about a
yr and a lot of money trying to make it shoot and finally sold it
when I got it to 1 1/2 in groups..I've owned several Rugers..mostly SS and all shot, as did my SS Brownings..I get what fit her best depending on useage and her frame..DD
Posted By: dawaba
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/06/12 11:41 AM
If this is a hunting rifle that will be carried and/or used from a blind I would go with the Ruger. Those 2 extra inches make a difference in carrying around and in getting out windows for shooting.
+1. If you plan to hunt from a box blind or cab of a vehicle, you will want the shorter barrel; that's a no-brainer. Otherwise, try to handle and dry-fire both rifles and see which one most stirs your juices to start flowing. I've owned rifles of both iterations and prefer the Ruger, but only by a whisker. Unlike some other posters here, I've spent hours of frustration adjusting A-Bolt triggers, but obviously, YMMV.
BTW, you cannot run fast enough to GIVE an Alaskan an A-Bolt. The trigger assembly is notorious for freezing up and rusting up in that harsh northern climate. I know; I've been up there 14 times.
Posted By: retfuz
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/06/12 10:14 PM
I've got an old Ruger Liberty model that's been thrown off a horse with me, rolled down a snowy mountain, and it still shoots better than I can. A good shooting, rugged, rifle.
Posted By: Wstxhunter
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/07/12 05:13 PM
Always been a ruger fan, got several of em and have never been dissapointed!!
Posted By: 482camaro
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/07/12 05:24 PM
Ruger
Posted By: MTN_HUNTER
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/09/12 05:09 PM
I'd go with the ruger also, have had really good luck with the M77 platform. I'm actually wanting to pick up a M77 predator in .243 if I can find one for the right price.
I wouldn't think twice about Ruger.
Posted By: tlewi24
Re: Browning or Ruger - 09/09/12 05:46 PM
My Abolt 270 is my primary deer gun and has been a great gun, but I just recently picked up an m77 25-06 that i can't wait to shoot. I've always been a fan of he rugers in smaller calibers.
Since it is for the lady, you might want to let her make the choice.
BINGO!
Let her decide. They are both good rifles.