I can't help you with a lot of the brands you are asking
about but I own Ruger and Winchester.

My M70 in 375 H&H balances very well and I like the newer
stock design with the bigger recoil pad area. I added a
scope (Leupold Veri-X II 2-7 in Leupold QRW bases) and
did a little trigger work to lighten it up (3.75 lbs.) and
I'm a happy camper.

The Ruger is in 458 Lott and was rather lite (9.5 lbs.) for
my taste and barrel heavy with a 6+ lbs. tigger pull. I added
a scope (Leupold Veri-X III 1.5-5 in Warne QR bases) put in
a Timney trigger (at 3.75 lbs.) and added the "standard" (11
oz.) Breako mercury recoil reducer in the butt and replaced
the stock pad with a Kick-Eze. It's now MUCH better to shoot,
while it's not a "plinker" it's not the Holy terror it once
was.

As far as looks the Ruger has it all over the Winchester.
Better wood (VERY pretty!!!) and bluing and better (I think)
"lines". But then it cost about $400 more (when I bought it).
So cost wise I have to give it to the winchester, both shoot
well and I wouldn't hesitate to take either gun to Africa,
if I could afford it...

Hope that helps

Roi