That would have been in the early 90's... Ruger did not make any stainless Mark II rifles in the 80's. I had three of the Davidson's 7.62X39's and they were all very accurate... all are now owned by other CGN members.
Ruger canoe paddle stocks
- Thread starter HeadDamage
- Start date
That would have been in the early 90's... Ruger did not make any stainless Mark II rifles in the 80's. I had three of the Davidson's 7.62X39's and they were all very accurate... all are now owned by other CGN members.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
I bought my one in early 1989.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/a-look-back-at-the-ruger-model-77-rifle/
Not a stainless Mark II... production of blued Mark II's began late in 1989, and into 1990... cataloged models were in 1991, and stainless models followed. The year does not really matter, they are great rifles.
Went back in my photos... yours may be one of the 780-4###X run from 1991... I have had a couple of those... check the serial number.
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- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
My one was a stainless Mark II and my dealer amigo ordered a few at the '89 Shot Show in Texas. Meself & another friend of mine got ours in late spring of that year. I was into my 2nd season with my Ruger when I met me wife to be in Nov '90. These early 7.62x39 units wore Douglas barrels, fitted by Ruger and were .308 bore as opposed to .310. The manual that came with my rifle stated to not use milsurp ammo in 'er. Tight bores & hard primers make for mediocre performance from these early Mark II units.
wshere can I find the serial# range for these 7.62x39 rifles to know which ones are bored 308 and 310? I have one in stainless., originalownrer and don't have the foggiest idea which year I bought it. very accurate with my reloads using 123gr Hornady bullets.
I thought all the paddle stocked stainless 7.62x39 ones were the smaller bore though I hadn't heard that Ruger was saying not to fire surplus ammo in them. I've done it quite a bit, odd light primer strike was the only issue I've noticed.
Dug it out, serial number's pm'd. it's raining cats and dogs out on the coast here today. Occurs to me this light weight, stainless steel rifle would be a really nice foul weather black tail rifle. Hmmm, time for some reloading. Anybody have a 7.62x39 load stout enough for a fat fall west coast black bear?Has an old Bausch&Lomb 4x scope on it. Thanks for the inspiration!
Just got back from sighting in the 300wm paddle gun and dam, I have yet to shoot a paddle stock rugger that isn't a great shooter. First load I tried was Remington 180gr corelock, easy 1 moa even though less than ideal conditions with wind and facing the sun while shooting. Recoil is substantial but not uncomfortable, I used to have a 338wm paddle stock and it was more stiff but not painful. I don't get why some people say the paddle stocks are painful on magnums.
I also had time to really see what my paddle stock 77/22 would do and it was shooting one ragged 10rd hole after another at 25m. Not saying it is a target rifle by enough to head shot grouse if I do my part.
I also had time to really see what my paddle stock 77/22 would do and it was shooting one ragged 10rd hole after another at 25m. Not saying it is a target rifle by enough to head shot grouse if I do my part.
