Tough Choice Between . . . .

[Old Griz]

The M77 International is a Lipsey's Special run.
The others are standard fare.
As you can see I tend to shy away from big bangers. I hate to punish myself needlessly.

[jason280]

Its an easy choice for me, I'd take the M77 International in 6.5x55.  Then again, I all ready have a No. 1-A in 7x57 and a Belgium BLR in .308. 

The 6.5x55 is a fantastic round, and I have always had a soft spot for Mannlicher stocked Ruger rifles.  I need to bite the bullet and go ahead and buy one, as the prices on the Rugers are just going up and up. 

Just out of curiousity, what is the CZ selling for?

[Brithunter]

Well I voted for the special Run M77 as the std No1 Inter will still be around and the CZ 550FS again will be around later. Hope that helps.

[blackpowderbill]

CZ.  More gun for the money. If my memory is not too distorted I belive the CZ is closer to the old M98 than is Ruger. Also it's jut pertier.

[Rangr44]

I've owned all four of those rifles, at one time or another - multiple Ruger 77 RSI's, a 7x57 #1 RSI, a CZ-550, and a .358 BLR.

Of those four rifles, I currently only own the #1 RSI.

I already have a 6.5x55 - a Model 70 Classic Featherweight - and prefer it to both the M-77 & the M-550, for it's superior accuracy & trigger to the others.

As much as I like the 6.5x55, the 7x57 is a marginally better cartridge - but either is an excellent choice.
The 7x57 is certainly more viable, in both the wide availability of factory loads & handloadable bullets, than is the 6.5.
That means, in a pinch, when you're off somewhere and in dire need of more ammo - you're more likely to find some 7x57 than 6.5, unless you're hunting Scandanavia ! 

The BLR is too much of a clash of styles, for my tastes - but YMMV, of course.

[Freezer]

    First off waht are you using it for?  In brush or for pig I'd have to take the BLR.  After that they're all god rifles, which fits you better?  The No. 1 limits follow up shots but....nice gun.

[TribReady]

I voted for the CZ but you can't go wrong with any of them.
I'm not a fan of the BLR.

[charles p]

I'm ording off the menu.  Get a Remington Mod 7 in 7mm-08.

[Brithunter]

  There is always one who cannot keep in step 

[no guns here]

Personally, I'd go with the CZ.  If you're going to get a full stocked rifle, you might as well go all the way and get the bavarian styled stock.  It looks much better that way than with a straight stock.  At least that's my opinion.  I fully intend to pick up three CZ FS's in the next two years.  I'm going for the 452 FS in 22lr, a 527 FS in .223 and a 550 FS in 6.5x55.  Good luck with whatever you choose.


ngh

[beemanbeme]

I picked the 7x57. Known track record.  I would have picked the 7-08 but didn't know what a "take down" model was and thought it might be some sort of trick pony so shyed away.

Sidebar to Brithunter:  On TV the other day, they were showing some of northern Scotland.  Wow, that is some wooly country. Easily matches anything I've seen over here. 

[Freezer]

    The more I look at your selection the more I like the Browning.  You haven't told us your game or style of hunting. The other three rifles have manlicher stocks, more wood to warp and ruin a shot in bad weather.  More wood to get scratch in the brush.     I do like your choice in calibers!

[Graybeard]

I vote for item E. None of the Above.

I'd get a Remington Model Seven. If you can live with the 7-08 get the 25th Anniversary gun. I did. If you just gotta have a 6.5mm the CDL Model Seven can be had in .260 Remington. Got one of those also.

I wouldn't trade one of my Remingtons for all four of the rifles you list. But I do understand that such things are personal matters and my choices might not please you.

[Brithunter]

I picked the 7x57. Known track record.  I would have picked the 7-08 but didn't know what a "take down" model was and thought it might be some sort of trick pony so shyed away.

Sidebar to Brithunter:  On TV the other day, they were showing some of northern Scotland.  Wow, that is some wooly country. Easily matches anything I've seen over here. 

   Yes Scotland is beautiful but now that the Scots have their own parliment and of course it's controlled by the city folks it's all going to hell in a hand basket. The countryside is beign ruined by these who know nothing but the town and city life. At least Westminster (London) understood Scotland was different and seemed to make the right decisions in a lot of cases..

    Ahhh Graybeard,

              I'm the opposite  I wouldn't give a Remington 700 based rifle house room. I also like full stocked rifles  .

[beemanbeme]

You can send 'em over to me. I've two safes full.  I call it research. I'm trying to find one that won't shoot or that will have the bolt handle fall off or will fire whilst I'm just standing there doing nothing, your honor or any of the myriad of complaints that the Rem bashers --most of whom have probably never owned a Remington--  have happen all the time.
 So far it's been a Fool's Errand but I've only been at it going on 50 years so there is hope I may succeed before I die.  My latest effort is a 700 CDL in yet another 7-08. It has a nicely figured stock and laid it's very first shots "out of the box" using generic ammo I had laying about into a nicely rounded group slightly over 1".  Safety worked and the factory trigger was surprisingly crisp. No pieces fell off.  A little JB Paste in the bore and on the lugs and I'm afraid it'll be another keeper. The test rifle prior to that was a XR-100 in .223.  I can't describe it without sounding like I'm bragging but it has shot a .111.  Measured in competition in a factory match.  The only rifle to best it in competition so far has been a 40X (another Remington) that came out of the custom shop at Remington with a select barrel and a competition trigger and so forth. So it really wasn't a factory rifle as such. 
Remington makes the Model 7 in a full stock.  From the custom shop.  In, ta da, 7-08. It was a classy rifle. Originally they wanted $1300 and before I could talk myself into getting one, the demand got so great that now the price is double and the wait is such that someone of my age might not make it.

[Old Griz]

I've got so many dang "specialized" guns, I wanted to get one really nice all purpose gun that is (1) a good quality firearm, and (2) looks good, and (3) something an old fart with a bad right shoulder can shoot without a great deal of pain. If I go after anything dangerous or huge (griz or moose) I've got a .45-70 that I could always drag out, but I doubt I will ever have the opportunity to do that. I have a hard enough time trying to find a place to go deer hunting. Besides, I like to use a handgun as much as possible.

I'm surprised that the CZ is in the lead as I write this. That was the one I was leaning toward, if for no other reason that it is "Just pertier" as blackpowderbill said, and it has a single set trigger. The only trouble is finding someone who has them in stock. The Lipsey's Ruger International will probably be the easiest one to get right now. I appreciate the Remington suggestions (esp. the .260), but they just look so . . . ordinary. If I just wanted a tack driving rifle I'd probably go with a Savage 7-08. Not pretty, but dead on accurate.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still open--haven't made up my mind yet.

[Brithunter]

Ahhhhh I never mentioned the reason that I dislike the 700 Remington  it's supposdely habit of breaking bolt handles off or poor grouping was not mentioned  That was left to a self announced rem lover 

   No I don't like them because I don't like them  they feel awful to me to use uncomfortable to shoot as well. The first that I shot was a 700 VSS in 223 with John's handloads it was accurate OK but when he brought a Winchester 70 Varmint in 308 than beat it hands down on accuracy as well as comfort when shooting  . I also don't like tube steel actions, smacks too much of the old Sten guns, made quickly and cheaply and designed to be so. Finally NO I have never owned a Model 700 and never will as I don't like them and was fortunate enough to be able to shoot several owned by club members before making this decision. I also never got a Winchester Model 70, even though I carefully looked at one and very nearly went for it. Then I remembered that it's previous owner's handloading was rather dubious and that he had blown up more than one gun so walked away. Then just never found the tight deal on a Model 70 so don't have one.

   Hmmm interesting that Remington offer the Model 7 in a full stock  but notice only from the Custom shop  sounds expensive? and no I didn't know they offered them like that.

[beemanbeme]

Touche' 


Expensive for my pocket but not compared to a one off made by an elf under a hollow log somewhere.   When I was slobbering over one, the price was $1300.  Last I looked, it was over $2000 and climbing. I can't remember the wait quoted.
  At that price, I for one couldn't take it hunting for fear I'd scratch it.  You, of course, would have to get a scope commiserate with the value of the rifle, etc, etc. I'd have to sell a couple of kids into bondage to get that kinda cash and I understand that's illegal.
Interesting that you found a Winnie that would out shoot a Rem.  At the factory matches I shoot, you don't see too many Winchesters.  And then, you don't see them for long. 

[Graybeard]

If Remington's custom shop was a REAL custom shop and they'd offer it to me with a gray laminated stock rather than the brown laminate and in SS metal rather than high polish blue I'd buy one and price be damned. But they don't so I still don't have one.

[Brithunter]

Touche' 


Expensive for my pocket but not compared to a one off made by an elf under a hollow log somewhere.   When I was slobbering over one, the price was $1300.  Last I looked, it was over $2000 and climbing. I can't remember the wait quoted.
  At that price, I for one couldn't take it hunting for fear I'd scratch it.  You, of course, would have to get a scope commiserate with the value of the rifle, etc, etc. I'd have to sell a couple of kids into bondage to get that kinda cash and I understand that's illegal.
Interesting that you found a Winnie that would out shoot a Rem.  At the factory matches I shoot, you don't see too many Winchesters.  And then, you don't see them for long. 

Ahhh welll a sample of only two rifles is not much to go one and there were also in different calibresand chamberings even though both cartridge have an excellent reputation for accuracy. it might just have been his handloads in .308 were better than his handloads in .223? However the .223 would group into 3/4" no problem at 100 yards the .308 would go into about 1/2". Both rifle now have new owners as he had to give up shooting to serious health issues. Prone is out of the question and trying to carry a rifle to the range means he collapses due to not beign able to breathe. His lungs collapse due to some infection like Sillicosis.

I am lucky that I do have a couple of real customs, althugh I didn't commision them, one is an old Rigby Mannlicher in 6.5x53R, pre WW1,  the other a 30-30 bespoke bolt action by a very small firm called Medwell & Perritt and yes the Medwell has some marks on it from hunting and range use despite it costing me $4500. The firend who had the Winchester 70 managed to get for me at trade price a Schmidt & Bender 6x42 scope to go on it. The mounts were already fitted and are Apel EAWswing mounts and I have shot a few deer with it and the odd Fox or two  . Prices here in the UK are of course way higher than those in the US  a normal Remington 700 costs about $1300 US here.

[Mckie Hollow]

Brithunter - Would You happen to have a Rem. Model 600 or 660, That You would like to part with?  I've been looking for a long Time, can't seem to find one @ the right Price.

[Brithunter]

Sorry but presently I don't have any Remington manufactured rifles, that I am aware of, I say that as when BSA converted the P-14's to sporting rifles they removed the markings so it's possible that I have one or two Remington made actions at least. I have been tryign to get the price on a Remington Model 30 in 35 remington but so far have not been able to persuade them it would better here with me  .

[Mckie Hollow]

I think a friend of mine had one of those Model 30's in a 30 Rem. He passed away, I wonder if His Son has it? The Only Model 30 that I remember seeing.

[Old Griz]

I have found out from my dealer that CZ will be exporting the 550 FS in September and the cost will be $729. But then I gotta order rings, too . . .

[kyelkhunter3006]

I voted for the Ruger in 6.5x55, but like the 1 International 7x57 too.  There isn't a better balanced round that produces ballistics like the 6.5 Swede does (.260 Remington does, but not one of your choices).  Besides, you'll have a rifle that other people don't, and that always appeals to me.   

I used to have a Ruger 1A in 7x57 and I sold it to pay closing costs on our first home years ago.  Dumbest damn thing I have ever done.     I bought it when I quit Wal-Mart, special ordered it from Lipsey's.  Paid less than $600 for it after my store discount.  It shot Remington factory ammo in 5/8' at 100 yds.  One of these days, I'll break down and buy another one.   

[kyelkhunter3006]

If Remington's custom shop was a REAL custom shop and they'd offer it to me with a gray laminated stock rather than the brown laminate and in SS metal rather than high polish blue I'd buy one and price be damned. But they don't so I still don't have one.

Amen, GB!  I like the regular MS too, but that would be one heck of a sweet rifle. 

[DakotaElkSlayer]

Old Griz,

I have that CZ550FS and would bet you that it will outshoot any of the others on your list, out-of-the-box.  Another bonus, the barrel is CLEAN.  From the my first time shooting mine, the point of impact doesn't change from a clean barrel to a dirty one.  Kinda' nice hunting in the elements without having to have on or two fouling shots to settle her down, and also to collect moisture.  Did I mention the non-existant recoil?!   100gr. BT @ 3050fps shoot real flat and perform flawlessly on deer...two holes and no bloodshot meat.  One warning...your other rifles will get lonely!

Jim

[lilabner]

I'll take the CZ. I've found them accurate and well built. I would have taken a Sako or Tikka but you forgot to mention them. Why the fullstocks? Is it the romanticism of those old safari movies? I'm not fond of sawed off barrels or stocks that can warp clear out to the muzzle, but I have to admit they are picturesque and the well made ones are beautiful. Throw in the butter knife bolt and you have the whole package.

[Brithunter]

I'll take the CZ. I've found them accurate and well built. I would have taken a Sako or Tikka but you forgot to mention them. Why the fullstocks? Is it the romanticism of those old safari movies? I'm not fond of sawed off barrels or stocks that can warp clear out to the muzzle, but I have to admit they are picturesque and the well made ones are beautiful. Throw in the butter knife bolt and you have the whole package.

Well I don't know why the poster likes full stocked Mannlicher styled rifles but if you really think about this comment  of warped stocks you made you should realise that it seems that it's fairly recent problem. And oen which I believe is firmly linked to Kiln Dried wood  The British Army used the Brown Bess musket fro something like 200 years and it was full stocked yet I don't recall reading about problems even in the Monsoons of India with the stock warping, but of course these were properly air dried not fast forced dried, also the Old "Kentucky" rifles also had long thin stocks to the muzzle end yet I don't recall reading of problems with these either again no kiln dried wood  Then of course a full length stock requires more time in inletting and care as well not all full stocks are carbine length, even Mannlicher offered them in longer barrels, these long rifles usually had two schabels on the forestock. One at the  point where the half stock would end and the other at the tip as normal. This is a European thing as Mauser also did this.

[beemanbeme]

I may not be quite as frenzied as Brit but unless you look at a rifle like a 3/8" wrench to be tossed into a drawer when not in use, you want to pick a nice one.  One that looks like a rifle. One that needs an occasional rub with an oil rag or even a little linseed oil.  Maybe even a traditional looking one. And when you slip through the woods if those camo pants become a pair of fringed buckskin and the WT becomes a woodland buffalo or even a rogue tiger, there's nothing wrong with letting the inner child out to play for a bit.  
But if a rifle is to you a club, then get one of those plastic and stainless contrivances. Bring it home, wet and dirty, and toss it in a corner until you need it again. Wood and blue is not for you.