Ruger M77 Thoughts? Opinions!
- Thread starter dh002052
- Start date
ipscgraz
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I had an old 77V in .308. It was just another out of the box factory rifle with a heavy barrel; not any more or less accurate than the average bolt gun. I liked it and my plan was to use it as a trainer for precision but I got busy...
I have a newer 77 Mk II in 308. Stainless with a synthetic stock it is great for off range shooting (and hunting that I don't do any more.) I also have a 77/44 that is a great light rifle.
I like the Rugers and will probably get more, but if you want benchrest accuracy or precision (this forum) there are better options.
I have a newer 77 Mk II in 308. Stainless with a synthetic stock it is great for off range shooting (and hunting that I don't do any more.) I also have a 77/44 that is a great light rifle.
I like the Rugers and will probably get more, but if you want benchrest accuracy or precision (this forum) there are better options.
Over the years in general has not a great reputation for accuracy but there are always exceptions. I have a friend with a 77 30-06 and can shoot consistently under and inch with his hand loads. He also had a 6mm #1 with a chamber so large and a throat so long he used a neck sizing die and it sized the fired body as well... and 100 grain bullets had to be seated out to the end of the neck... and his 77 308 had the firing pin hole so far off center it would misfire. Ruger did replace that bolt. They have always had a good look to them though.
I have two m77 MKII rifles which I bought new when the MKII version came out. Both stainless steel "canoe-paddle" synthetic stock guns, although both are now in aftermarket stocks and have aftermarket triggers. Totally reliable guns. I like hunting with levers, single shots, muzzleloaders, or oddballs of some sort most of the time, but I almost always have one of these along as a just-in-case backup gun, and I have taken a lot of game with them.
Edited to add: Sorry, just noticed this was in Precision Rifles. My two are standard weight sporters.
Edited to add: Sorry, just noticed this was in Precision Rifles. My two are standard weight sporters.
I really like the ruger 77 s, they have really nice fit and finish but if your looking for a precision rifle it might need a little gunsmithing, at least a good trigger job and what ever else a good gunsmith recommends
iv only shot older ones from late 70's early 80's all were nice, shot moa with factory loads
For hunting the 77 would be one of my go to guns for sure,
iv always liked rugers. probably because i learned to shoot with a m77/22, that was my dads gun, Iv always wanted one but the $700 + price tag has kept me from getting one, one of the nicest .22lr s out there in my opinion
iv only shot older ones from late 70's early 80's all were nice, shot moa with factory loads
For hunting the 77 would be one of my go to guns for sure,
iv always liked rugers. probably because i learned to shoot with a m77/22, that was my dads gun, Iv always wanted one but the $700 + price tag has kept me from getting one, one of the nicest .22lr s out there in my opinion
I had a Ruger M77 MK II VT in 308 for a while. One of the most frustrating times of my life! This rifle would not shoot under an inch for me no matter what I did to it. I had it bedded, tried multiple different loads...both factory match offerings and handloads, and I could not make it happy. The sad thing is I have had other Rugers, both sporter weights and the earlier tang safety heavy barrel that all shot very well, easily under 1 MOA with handloads so the expectation was high for the MK II heavy barrel version. After several months and many hundreds of rounds later I let it go.
I guess maybe had I thrown more money at it I might have got it to shoot. But I was at the end of my ropes with it.
I guess maybe had I thrown more money at it I might have got it to shoot. But I was at the end of my ropes with it.
... I've got a Ruger Mdl.77 (Sporter weight, and Tang Safety ) bought it used, in 270 Win. and couldn't be happier with it! 'Shoots a I inch group with 130 grn bullets and pretty much any powder does the trick ! One can argue that the fit and finish is not world class, BUT, Rugers, in general, an economically priced. Speaking for myself, I'd definitely get another ! ..... Now to find a used one in 243W or 22 Hornet that I can afford ! LOL ! ..... David K
Just sighted the gun in on Friday best group was just under 2" with 125gr match bullets! I will work out some other loads and some heavier bullets! It would be nice if people let us know at what yardage they are shooting when mentioning thier groups!
paperslayer
Regular
- Location
- Chilliwack
they are good hunting rifles...nothing more. there are better platforms for upgrading than Ruger. Inherent issues with lock time in the Ruger bolt make it a poor precision platform
Lock time? Not sure what you mean exactly. Do you mean the time it takes to cycle the action or lock it into RTF?
I have a Ruger 77 MKII in .300 Win Mag that I took a whitetail buck with last Sunday. 320yd shot using factory ammo (long story there...) was terminal for the deer. But as paperslayer commented I would clasify them as a good (great) hunting rifle but would look to other options for a precision rifle.
I have a LH Hawkeye SS laminate in .375 Ruger that averages just under an inch at 100 yds with factory 270g Hornady ammo. Haven't tested my handloads yet as I recently moved to the Calgary area and find it sorely lacking any good outdoor ranges 
Used to have a LH MKII SS laminate in .25-06 that averaged about an inch with just about every load I tried. Stock trigger, not bedded, no mods at all.
I don't buy Rugers to shoot competitions, I buy them to shoot critters. I will definitely be buying more Rugers in the near future.
Used to have a LH MKII SS laminate in .25-06 that averaged about an inch with just about every load I tried. Stock trigger, not bedded, no mods at all.
I don't buy Rugers to shoot competitions, I buy them to shoot critters. I will definitely be buying more Rugers in the near future.
I believe lock time describes the time between trigger pull (release of the sear) to the time of the pin strike on the primer. This is my understanding but I may out to lunch...
I have one in a 6 mm Remington. Tang safety. This was the first rifle I shot past 1000 yards. Two three round groups at five inches, still have the target in a frame downstairs. I would still be shooting this rifle is the throat had not worn out and pushed it to 3 inches at 100 yards. This one is a wood stocked heavy barrel.
I do agree with the lock time. I changed the main string on mine and still it was noticeably slow.
If it is a rifle your are starting with I would jump. It will surprise you.
I do agree with the lock time. I changed the main string on mine and still it was noticeably slow.
If it is a rifle your are starting with I would jump. It will surprise you.
Please note that I have no experience with Ruger's Target line of rifles.
Having a preference for controlled feed actions and also stainless steel, I've owned a few Ruger rifles as they are one of the few moderately priced options among this market. The Ruger rifles which I have owned have not displayed stellar accuracy, however: most have been capable of only slightly better than 2" five shot groups from the bench for me. That said, I tried to accursed a Hawkeye about a year ago by dropping in a Timney trigger and bedding the laminate stock. Although I've heard a fair bit of positive feedback regarding Ruger's new LC6 trigger, I never fully warmed to it and for me the Timney replacement was worthwhile for me. The bedding I would not do over again.
What was the result? In my hands I am capable of 1.25-1.5" five shot groups with the rifle at 100, representing about a 1/2" improvement for me. For reference, though, I've shot several stock Remington 700's or Savages which have been capable of better groups right from the box. Based on this limited anecdotal evidence and some of the alternatives, I'd be reluctant to try building a precision rig on a Ruger action again.
Good luck!
Ryan
Having a preference for controlled feed actions and also stainless steel, I've owned a few Ruger rifles as they are one of the few moderately priced options among this market. The Ruger rifles which I have owned have not displayed stellar accuracy, however: most have been capable of only slightly better than 2" five shot groups from the bench for me. That said, I tried to accursed a Hawkeye about a year ago by dropping in a Timney trigger and bedding the laminate stock. Although I've heard a fair bit of positive feedback regarding Ruger's new LC6 trigger, I never fully warmed to it and for me the Timney replacement was worthwhile for me. The bedding I would not do over again.
What was the result? In my hands I am capable of 1.25-1.5" five shot groups with the rifle at 100, representing about a 1/2" improvement for me. For reference, though, I've shot several stock Remington 700's or Savages which have been capable of better groups right from the box. Based on this limited anecdotal evidence and some of the alternatives, I'd be reluctant to try building a precision rig on a Ruger action again.
Good luck!
Ryan
Yep. It's like the 1911 is for pistols: no other pistol has the R&D and market variety that the 1911 does because EVERYONE was focused on the 1911. Who knows what would result if all the smiths and engineers focused that level of experimentation and research on a Glock or a Sig...?
So it goes for the Ruger - it seems the cool kids are hot rodding and modding the Remingtons or they go for the boutique rifles and avoid the mid level rifles altogether.
If you are going to compete for medals with these guys you will probably need to go to something else. If you just need a rifle that works for you the Ruger will certainly fit the bill.
So it goes for the Ruger - it seems the cool kids are hot rodding and modding the Remingtons or they go for the boutique rifles and avoid the mid level rifles altogether.
If you are going to compete for medals with these guys you will probably need to go to something else. If you just need a rifle that works for you the Ruger will certainly fit the bill.
I agree, this is probably the case. Like has been said before the Remington 700 action is the small block chevy of the firearms world. Maybe it's not the best but it's certainly the most common so most of the aftermarket stuff is made for it. I like the control round feeding as well. And before Winchester re-released the Model 70 with CRF Ruger was probably the best mid-range option available.
I get slightly better accuracy @100yds than most people have posted; but I do reload and take care to ensure all my ammunition is consistent to a very small tolerance. I find factory ammo doesn't come close to the consistency I achieve.
