THINKING OF GETING ONE IN 30-06
GOOD GUNS?TOO LIGHT?

I would not reallycall6.5 lbslight. The standard Savage 116 is the same weight (6.5 lbs)and comes with a standard 22" barrel vs the 20" in the Ruger. In general I feel the Savage is more accurate and the Accutrigger is hands down superior the Ruger trigger. Neither gun is going to win any beauty contests but funtionally I think you will have higher velocities and a better trigger with the Savage.

The Ruger 77UL is a good rifle, but with a 20" barrel I think I'd go with the 308Win. You'll probably need to bed the action/free float the barrel, and for sure will need a trigger job.
The Savage noted is also a good buy. They are very accurate.
For a carbine length rifle, you might also want to check out the Remington Model 7 - laminated stock, 20" barrel. Nice gun.
It's available in 308Win.
Personally, I wouldn't want a '06 that weighed less than 7lbs. before putting a scope, etc. on it.

My standard 77s in .223 and 300 WSM will shoot .5 MOA. I would not worry about accuracy. I wanted an ultralite .223 but I got the standard because it was cheaper and I didn't think it was worth the difference. You will most likly need a trigger job but that should be all. They are very good guns.

I can't add much... yes, you will need to do something with the trigger, and yes, in a 20" tube I'd be more apt to choose the .308

Why would you guys choose the .308 over the .30-06 in a gun with a 20" barrel?

I think because the shorter cart.may burn quicker ,better on a shorter barrels .also .260,.243,7mm-08....

The 308 is a smaller (Volume) case but has a higher pressure limit. The higher pressure limit can get a bullet accellerating quicker than a lower pressure cartridge.

The 06 has a larger volume case but a lower pressure limitand can maintain pressures longer (further) down the barrel.This willaccellerate the bullet for a longer duration. This means an 06 will not get to fully accelerate the bullet and the 308 will come closer to fully accelerating the bullet with the available powder. Powders in the 308 tend to be faster burning also.

Ruger calls this rifle ultralite because when it was introduced it was pretty light. Now days there are alot of rifles that are as light or even lighter. The best reason to get this in .308 is the short action, which is lighter than the long action. The .30-06 is always going to be faster but in a shorter barrel the .308 closes the gap. I've had trigger jobs done to all my m77's. I think last time I payed $25. It was well worth it.

I have had a Ruger Ultralite in 270 for about 20 years and killed a mountain of deer and hogs with it, but the recoil is pretty tough. I would suggest a heavier gun or a smaller caliber. I had put mine in the gun safe for good, but I decided to try a Simms pad on my gun last season which helps a great deal.I have never owned a 30-06, but I would hate to be behind a RL model in that caliber. Good luck with your choice of weapons and calibers.