Ruger M77 MII Zytel Model - Love or Hate ?

When I had my shop, it was not unusual to see the stocks broken at the wrist. Failure in the cold.
How cold typically and how many would you guess you saw? I seem to recall you spent time in the North so I'm assuming some of the temps might have been -30 and below.... :)
 
I saw a number of these stocks broken at the wrist. No idea what fraction of the Rugers had stock breakage. The Ruger paddles weren't the only synthetics that broke. Injection molded stocks were more likely to break than layed up synthetics, solid wood or laminated wood. Yes, it got cold and rifles got used in the cold. Didn't get babied either.
 
One problem is the freeze drying of Nylon. If the moisture content goes down in Nylon then it becomes very brittle. Cold and dry is the worst.
Epoxy/carbon/glass does not have that issue or at least by far not as bad.

edi
 
They have a cool iconic look and I appreciate their minimalism, light weight and toughness

I don't like shooting them on anything with real recoil tho.
 
I saw a number of these stocks broken at the wrist. No idea what fraction of the Rugers had stock breakage. The Ruger paddles weren't the only synthetics that broke. Injection molded stocks were more likely to break than layed up synthetics, solid wood or laminated wood. Yes, it got cold and rifles got used in the cold. Didn't get babied either.
Yes it gets cold in the winter in many parts of Canada.... some people's cold is another persons mild... :)

I remember skiing years ago in some minus 35C weather for a few days, (slow skiing to keep the wind chill down and with lot's of stops inside to stay warm).... after a few days of those snot freezing temps it warmed up 10C to a balmy -25C.... noticeably nicer!
 
Had a few back in the day...dont own one now.

The stock was a success for its design element...very durable...not only super strong material but with the buttpad integral to the stock nothing to wear out/fail which is a common area to happen.
Ive always admired the stock for its design and resulting durability....and consider it very handsome in its utilitarian form.

Incorporating an all stainless action/barrel and small parts combined with the robust stock made for arguably one of the most durable low maintenance damage resistant weapons ever.

Ive had a 223/22lr and 308 version....none were stellar accurate...all accurate enough for hunting tho....all had horrible triggers ..heavy and creepy.

I wished now I had kept the 223 and 22lr versions....would be very high on my lost of SHTF and or if I only had a couple rifles .....and I would def luv to have several left to sell at the ridiculous prices they seem to be fetching these days.
 
Oh forgot to also mention....the stocks make an excellent cold weather rifle ...as warm to the touch as possible in the cold....and being solid resistant to cracking/damage when cold as some stocks get brittle in the deep cold.
 
Had a few back in the day...dont own one now.

The stock was a success for its design element...very durable...not only super strong material but with the buttpad integral to the stock nothing to wear out/fail which is a common area to happen.
Ive always admired the stock for its design and resulting durability....and consider it very handsome in its utilitarian form.

Incorporating an all stainless action/barrel and small parts combined with the robust stock made for arguably one of the most durable low maintenance damage resistant weapons ever.

Ive had a 223/22lr and 308 version....none were stellar accurate...all accurate enough for hunting tho....all had horrible triggers ..heavy and creepy.

I wished now I had kept the 223 and 22lr versions....would be very high on my lost of SHTF and or if I only had a couple rifles .....and I would def luv to have several left to sell at the ridiculous prices they seem to be fetching these days.
I like the .22 version as well.

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I had one in .280 Rem that was purchased new from Wholesale Sports in 1995. It’s the only rifle I’ve parted ways with that I feel true sellers remorse over. Not the prettiest rifle I’ve ever had but, certainly never let me down and I shot it well.
 
Contrary to what a buddy thinks, he has a load of canoe paddles, I still find the fuggly.
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I have one in .30-06 that is my "tough conditions" rifle. I don't baby it, it's the only rifle I own that I have no concern about using in rough, wet, unprotected conditions with little chance of maintenance. It needed a new trigger and new softer recoil pad to be properly shootable. I also added a Ruger front sight and a NECG peep for a backup sighting system. It wears a Zeiss 3-9 on Ruger mounts. It's accompanied me on a couple remote pack in trips in Northern BC, and was almost perfect for that purpose. Lighter weight would have been my only wish. Sure is ugly though. Probably why I don't mind using it in harsh conditions. P1000259.jpeg
 
A further comment about the broken stocks I saw... These rifles were used under conditions that would be seldom encountered by the overwhelming majority of users. Real cold, rough handling. For most shooters, the stocks would hold up as well as any injection molded stock.
 
A further comment about the broken stocks I saw... These rifles were used under conditions that would be seldom encountered by the overwhelming majority of users. Real cold, rough handling. For most shooters, the stocks would hold up as well as any injection molded stock.
Thanks for clarifying tiriaq.... without the context around the extreme cold and rough handling a person might come to the conclusion that the stocks are inherently weak.
 
I love Ruger rifles and have owned quite a few M 77s, but I could never do one of the canoe paddle jobs because I find them hideous, and the stainless ones of the vintage were all polished and blingy.
 
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