1st hunting rifle

[Tjstewart]

Good evening just looking for some advice, looking for my first hunting rifle in .270

Been offered a Ruger M77 MK2 boat paddle stock £500 with hawke scope and mod and also a Howa 1500 with thumb stock with mode £250

Anyone tried either of these or have any other recommendations,

Thanks again

 

[Outback]

I have a Ruger in a different style and a Howa 1500 both good budget rifles , both shoot very well , The one that fits you the best .

 

[JH83]

A .270 north of the border might well of been an estate rifle and done some work, get it looked over by a decent gunsmith who will borescope it. I’ve had a few Rugers, good no frills working rifles.

 

[Essexsussex]

Both will be great. Ideally you’d shoot them both and see how you go, although rarely an option!

Note that if the howa doesn’t have mounts you’ll be up to the same price as the ruger by the time you’ve put mounts and a scope equivalent to that hawke on it. But then you can chose the scope and Hawke wouldn’t be my choice, rather a fixed mag S&B or similar if you are mainly doing 70-150m stalking for deer - expect it’ll be fine though.

I’ve bought rifles with scopes id never chose and found them fine in use.

 

[harrygrey382]

Would be best if you can at least handle them. Thumb hole stocks aren’t for everyone - some people just don’t get on. I can’t stand the boat paddle stocks, but some people like them. Personally I’d choose the Ruger - I like the actions and you get a package ready to go. Starting off you probably don’t know what scope you want and this way you can use it a bit before upgrading

 

[geoshot]

I have, use & lovemy Ruger M77 in a different chambering - it's a great rifle for the money
But, as others have said, get it checked out by a gunsmith that you trust before buying if you can
As for .270w, it'll do anything you need it to in the UK

 

[6.5-06 TIKKA]

Forca 1st rifle, I would suggest the 308win...less recoil for you.
Yip Ruger will do the job, like most rifles...

 

[Scipio]

i've tried shouldering the ruger and it just didnt sit right with me, so i looked to other options. If at all possible i'd suggest handling them both before deciding.

 

[suburban bushwacker]

there are more options for upgrading the Howa. you could look at it as buying the action for £250 and the other parts are free placeholders until you’ve chosen/ saved up for an upgrade. if you’re in luck the mod may be good for thousands of shots.
howa is japanese engineering, they use to make castings for sako. A ruger is an american budget rifle. their fans all seem to own older examples. Hawke scopes aren’t all born equal

 

[Taff]

Go ruger, will hold its value better than a Howa,