So I got this little 77/44 with a 16.5” bbl in the fall been doing little things to it like Timney sear/spring, triggershims.com bolt shims (on the way), topped her with a VX freedom 3-9 but I’m on the fence to my modification for making it my little bush rig. I want to make it easier with my bad hand in the cold to cycle the bolt so I bought a badger bolt knob. Have any of you guys done this to the compact M77 platform how was the scope clearance?
Doing a little work on my 77/44
- Thread starter EasternCountryBoy
- Start date
I played with one for a bit. Did the shims kit and that helped a bit.
Searched far and wide for a better rail to get away from the ruger rings so I had some ability to move the scope, and could not come up with anything in Canada, or even somewhat easy to get out of the US. The tarrifs coming on kinda scared everyone, and I didn't want to pay crazy $$ for a little rail.
I ended up moving it along, as I did not like the bolt getting close to the scope for a bush gun and the fact that I just could not get it cycled consistently quickly with the clearance to the scope. At least not to my liking. Went with a lever instead.
Searched far and wide for a better rail to get away from the ruger rings so I had some ability to move the scope, and could not come up with anything in Canada, or even somewhat easy to get out of the US. The tarrifs coming on kinda scared everyone, and I didn't want to pay crazy $$ for a little rail.
I ended up moving it along, as I did not like the bolt getting close to the scope for a bush gun and the fact that I just could not get it cycled consistently quickly with the clearance to the scope. At least not to my liking. Went with a lever instead.
I've done similar work on my 77/44. The Volquartsen sear was a real improvement. I was less impressed with the bolt shims.
The first scope on my 77/44 was a Leupold FX Ultralight 2.5x20 in Ruger rings. It was okay but there wasn't much clearance between the bolt and the ocular housing. I purchased a Weigand rail and repositioned the scope slightly forward give me more flexibility than the Ruger rings.
https://jackweigand.com/products/weig-a-tinny-scope-mount-ruger-77-44-rifle-44-44-magnum/
As I wanted the lightest package possible I removed the scope and rail went with a Burris FastFire which is attached to the rear receiver on a Burris mount that fits the Ruger dovetail. Lighter than the scope and mounts, faster acquisition but still good out to 100 yards.
The first scope on my 77/44 was a Leupold FX Ultralight 2.5x20 in Ruger rings. It was okay but there wasn't much clearance between the bolt and the ocular housing. I purchased a Weigand rail and repositioned the scope slightly forward give me more flexibility than the Ruger rings.
https://jackweigand.com/products/weig-a-tinny-scope-mount-ruger-77-44-rifle-44-44-magnum/
As I wanted the lightest package possible I removed the scope and rail went with a Burris FastFire which is attached to the rear receiver on a Burris mount that fits the Ruger dovetail. Lighter than the scope and mounts, faster acquisition but still good out to 100 yards.
Yeah, the clearance on the scope is not my favorite. I do have a lever though for big medicine in the bush My 500 Smith & Wesson but she’s
A little big for deer lol
They never used to be my first choice. Honestly, if Nikon still made glass, I would probably be running one of those like I have. I’m one of my other rifles.
I definitely wanted to get a volquartsen kit, but they don’t make those anymore. I know one guy in Mississippi that still sells them. That’s where I got my bolt shims from.
From what I've seen there doesn't seem to be much difference between the Timney and Volquartsen units. My only criticism of the Volquartsen was their trigger spring made the pull too light so I used the factory spring instead resulting in a 3.0lb pull.
What’s the chance you have that volquartsen spring kicking around ? I’d buy it off you for my 77/357 lol. I can’t find one in Canada right now for it
Sorry. It's long gone.
