M77 concerns

Accuracy can be hit or miss on the older M77 tang safety models due to Ruger outsourcing production of the barrels. Unfortunately, no way of knowing until you shoot it. Definitely don't get one in 7x57mm. The one I had in 308 Win was a 2MOA gun no matter what it shot. Wanted to like the rifle, but not good enough accuracy for me. No experience with the Mark II models, but the accuracy was better, albeit not in the same league as the other major production rifles (700, 70 etc.). Trigger was very heavy and stiff and no longer adjustable like on the tang safety models. Hawkeye model tried to remedy this with the LC6 trigger, but it was still very stiff. The stock was redesigned to be a bit more trim in the hands between the tang, mark ii, and hawkeye models. Also the angled recoil lug probably isn't the best for accuracy and is hard to bed. Oh and the original tang safety model is push feed, and then it was switched to CRF in the Mark II.
 
No concerns... it will be a tang safety gun, so on disassembly from the stock watch that the safety pin does not back out... it will probably have the medium contour 24" or 26" barrel, which some, myself included, find a little muzzle heavy.
 
While I am inclined to agree with the "hit or miss" accuracy statement, I disagree that
the 7x57 would be one to avoid. I had 2 of these, and both were moa guns.

The 300 Win should be OK. Worst shooting tang safety Ruger 77 I ever saw was
a 7mm Rem Mag. Fought with that rifle for 2 months, trying to get it to shoot under
2½ moa without success. Finally gave up and rebarrelled it...end of issue.

On the opposite side of the coin, I owned 3 different tang safety Heavy barrelled 77s
chambered in 220 Swift. All were ½ moa rifles. Dave.
 
I have a few M77s like them all. All shoot good. The gun will outshoot you. If you are not happy with the accuracy. Look into a trigger kit. My 300 had a whopping 10lb trigger. Now its at 4lb and out to 300yrds game does not stand a chance.
 
Also there was a trigger recall on the original M77, which you can check for a T on the underside of the bolt to show factory refurb'd, or you can email Ruger today and they'll mail you the screw.
 
my tang safety 25-06 shoots just about any load at a inch ,, hand loads 1/2 "" some much for your theory that tang safety models had bad or hit or miss barrels mosinmaster
 
Only the very early tang models had unpredictable barrels. U predictable, in that some are 2-3 moa or worse, others are tack drivers.

They are still a much better rifle than the new entry level rifles. I must have had 10 M77 rifles, and all have been good. The MkII are the best, Hawkeye have some sort of "Matte" finish, certainly doesnt resemble bluing. Member, Hoyt Cannon is our resident M77 guru.
 
My 300wm tang safety is awesome! Accurate as hell. Put a limbsaver on it it it recoils like my 7x57. I heard the reason the 7×57 has such bad hit or miss reviews on accuracy is the rifling twist is meant for the big bullet lower velocity factory ammo produced at the time for the old original mausers and that why when handloading modern stuff the accuracy is spotty
 
S-357 said:
My 300wm tang safety is awesome! Accurate as hell. Put a limbsaver on it it it recoils like my 7x57. I heard the reason the 7×57 has such bad hit or miss reviews on accuracy is the rifling twist is meant for the big bullet lower velocity factory ammo produced at the time for the old original mausers and that why when handloading modern stuff the accuracy is spotty
Click to expand...

I think most of the 7x57's were 1-8 twist, mine is the slower 1-9.5 (I think, might be 9) still likes 175 grain NP's though.
 
rkm456 said:
I think most of the 7x57's were 1-8 twist, mine is the slower 1-9.5 (I think, might be 9) still likes 175 grain NP's though.
Click to expand...

The tang safety 7X57's are 9.5" twist, the Mark II's and Hawkeye's are 8" twist... My Mark II 7X57 shoots the heavies well, but the Hornady 154 SP's are even better with 50.0 grains of RL-19.
 
hoytcanon said:
The tang safety 7X57's are 9.5" twist, the Mark II's and Hawkeye's are 8" twist... My Mark II 7X57 shoots the heavies well, but the Hornady 154 SP's are even better with 50.0 grains of RL-19.
Click to expand...

Your knowledge of the Ruger 77 platform never ceases to amaze me.

This thread reminds me, I still need to throw that scope on mine. (Assist to you on finding new ring screws)
 
I have the exact same rifle asyou are looking at. Get a really good look at the barrel with a blue tinted l.e.d. flashlightand go from there. Mine is outstanding in the accuracy department, I was going to sell it but after I smoked a nice whitetail buck at 462 yds last fall, I quickly changed my mind. They are a decent gun for the money, but I would ask to shoot it first before paying for it. After some tinkering with bullet depth seating, mine will put 3 rounds all touching @100yds. Wont ever sell it.
 
I have one in 250 Savage (250-3000) made in 1976 the year I bought it. Have probably taken 100 deer with it and many coyotes. Shoots both 100 g and 87 g to MOA and never a problem. Has the same Tasco scope on from that time and has never drifted off centre.
 
If it is in decent shape for a decent price go for it. I have had a few M77s mostly in heavy barrels. All have shot excellent. My 6mm has probably seen 3000+ rounds. Still decent groups. Firing pin hole is getting worn. Which reminds me i should get it fixed. But still works. Triggers are adjustable on the older ones.
A 300win mag probably hasn't seen that many rounds.
 
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