RE: Bolt v. Semi
 

Just my opinion but a Ruger m77 would be way down on the list of bolt actions to purchase. The quality of workmanship just isn't there like it is on other rifles.

The triggers are terrible and non adjustable so plan on spending about $50 for a trigger job or more for an after market trigger.

Even though they come with a set of rings I have found Ruger rings to be some of the absolute worst made. Talk about a set of rings that need to be lapped. Plan on another $60 for Leupold rings or have the Rugers lapped.

The machining on the receivers leaves much to be desired IMO. There seems to be very little consistancy from one to another.


IMHO one of the best values in the price range you are looking is a Howa/ Weatherby vnaguard (not the cheap synthetic version). Much much better and more consistant on the tolerances and machining. Adjsutable triggers, use Remington two piece bases, Shoot as well as any other rifle out of the box. Look at a Howa and/or vanguard before you buy a Ruger.

RE: Bolt v. Semi
 

Semis in cold weather aren't dependable in my experience. There may be some models that are better and with minimal lube are acceptable in colder weather.

But I'd recommend taking a look at a Tikka T3. The trigger on it is far superior to what Ruger has put in their rifles for years. It's comparable in price and much more in quality and accuracy out of the box for the money, imo.

RE: Bolt v. Semi
 

The only things I find that matters practically thatworkagainst the auto is that they can have a worse pull and whats more important, they are more noisy to load. But thats only a problem if you hunt where you cannot load until you are in position. Maybe it is easier to find a good low price bolt than an auto?

My next will probably be an auto.

RE: Bolt v. Semi
 

Bolt is a little bit more accurate at long ranges....IMO

RE: Bolt v. Semi
 

I do not like the safety on the ruger. I'm not talking about for safety reason---I'm sure it's very safe. But for hunting reasons, you just (I did anyway) have to move your trigger hand away from the shooting position to switch the safety off---as opposed to just using your thumb to move it--like on a remington, etc. It may seem like a very slight detail but when you're in a real hunting situation at closer ranges to tha animal, it's a problem as it just adds that extra movement and split second that is not desireable (in my opinion). You could flip it with your thumb, but its going to make a fairly substantial "click"---I just think it's adetriment.