Ruger M77 Tang Safety, red recoil pad

FatCatsDad

FatCatsDad

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I just picked up a cheap rifle that seems to have been in a time capsule.

A Ruger M77 long action.

What is the significance of a Tang safety and red recoil pad. ?

I notice people make a distinction when describing the Rugers, like Pre 64 Winchesters


Is it from a time when quality was better, I was told it was bought new in 1980 and is unfired.

Scope rings have no screwdriver marks.
 
The tang safety model was their original entry into the bolt action hunting rifle market.
What's it chambered in? Any iron sights?

(Later models, like the Mark II and Hawkeye) had a three-position safety. Most people would agree that the three-position safety is an improvement.
There were also some in the early years (tang safety model) that had accuracy issues during to a third-party barrel supplier QC problem.
You might want to check the serial number to see when it was made, or just take it out and have fun with it.
 
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The red orange pad is standard on that vintage M77. The iron sights are a bit uncommon. A round top receiver is even better. I had one in 270 and it was very accurate. Nice find.
 
Nice score, way to go.

M77 RS I think, is the official title for that one? Nice rifle! A push feed, despite the claw, but it sure don't lack any extraction haha.
 
The guys wife also made me lunch !

The guy just brought it out and offered it instead of cash.
3 deer went through a field behind his house where we were working and I mentioned Deer season is coming soon.....15 minutes later he brought that out.
 
I have a very similar rifle in 308, it was also unfired. I was expecting a terrible trigger - based on reputation - but the trigger is amazing, clean, crisp and light. The rifle is a heavy barrel and shoots very nicely indeed. Douglas was one of the barrel contractors, but there doesn't seem to be any record of who made what. Finish on it is beautiful.
 
Red butt pad may just be a sign it is original unaltered, a collectors wish
Might want to check the bore though, rifles can look mint but suffer storage degradation
 
I've owned and do own many of those "red pad" 77's and they're one of my favorite rifles.
Yours is a 77RS (rings and sights). The 77R is the clean bbl version with no sights. The RSI is the International (Rings/sights and full length wood.)
There's a 77V (varmint) with the heavy barrel and the seldom seen 77 ST "round top" that came with open sights but needs aftermarket scope bases.
Also there's an ultra light version mating the pencil thin RSI barrel with a sporter stock.
Several variations make for interesting collecting.
Congrats on a very nice score. It's a keeper.
 
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The tang safety was standard production from 64-67 to 89-93 ish nothing special as far as overall quality good production grade rifles investment cast receivers okay triggers nice bluing compared to the plastic guns of today I guess they are a classic
 
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