In the Hawkeye series, select runs were done with "true" bluing and "satin" stainless, like the Mark II rifles, however the standard finish is what they call "matte blue" (black) and "matte stainless..." I detest those matte finishes, I find them ugly, they don't take oil well, and mark up easily. They used the Matte finish on some otherwise beautiful rifle configurations... too bad because the "matte" is a dealbreaker for me.
School me on the M77
- Thread starter coyoteking
- Start date
In the Hawkeye series, select runs were done with "true" bluing and "satin" stainless, like the Mark II rifles, however the standard finish is what they call "matte blue" (black) and "matte stainless..." I detest those matte finishes, I find them ugly, they don't take oil well, and mark up easily. They used the Matte finish on some otherwise beautiful rifle configurations... too bad because the "matte" is a dealbreaker for me.
I've owned a few tang's and found them to be very nice rifles that fit and felt well. I've never owned a Mk II or Hawkeye to compare them to. I also agree ... a bolt that locks with safety one is a good feature. I'd really like to find an RS model in .308win one of these days. Good luck with your search, great rifles in whichever flavour you prefer.
LittleBoyLefty has it nailed, I would jump on ordering one of the new African models - 24" barrel with walnut, irons and all the classic aesthetics. I have one in 6.5x55 and yes it isn't great for lugging over mountains for 10km in waist deep snow and brush, but it sure looks great and shoots very well.
Prophet River should have some eventually: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...-new-cal-in-the-ruger-african-77-this-year-is
Prophet River should have some eventually: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...-new-cal-in-the-ruger-african-77-this-year-is
I have had a few M77s. My first was a SS boat paddle in a 300 win. I did not enjoy shooting that gun. Stock was terrible and so was the trigger. Have had a few tang models. A M77Vs 6mm and a 243. Still have the 6mm with a timney trigger. I think i have finally worn it out though. A compact 243 which is should have kept and that 280 that no matter how hard i tried with different ammo i couldn't get much more than 4" at 100.
Almost forgot. A M77 mkII target in a 22ppc. Should have kept also.
Finally got a hawkeye in a 264 win. Been my favorite hunting gun since 2009. Trigger is way better.
The one thing that always bugged me about the Rugers is that they always put short barrels on them. 22" on standard and 24" for magnums (24" for a 264 win, come on who does that!). Most other manufacturers are 24" and 26".
Crappy pads too. Red pads, black pads all garbage might as well be plastic.
They are the old Ford truck of rifles. Built tough with a bit of rust but will do what you need them to do. Just won't stand out in any area.
Will always have one or two but prefer the No1.
Almost forgot. A M77 mkII target in a 22ppc. Should have kept also.
Finally got a hawkeye in a 264 win. Been my favorite hunting gun since 2009. Trigger is way better.
The one thing that always bugged me about the Rugers is that they always put short barrels on them. 22" on standard and 24" for magnums (24" for a 264 win, come on who does that!). Most other manufacturers are 24" and 26".
Crappy pads too. Red pads, black pads all garbage might as well be plastic.
They are the old Ford truck of rifles. Built tough with a bit of rust but will do what you need them to do. Just won't stand out in any area.
Will always have one or two but prefer the No1.
- Location
- Lloydminster, Alberta
We've had some in and already out. None for inventory yet as orders have out paced arrivals....
i agree on that i have a mkII stainless and the hawkeye stainless as well and there are not the same but to use them all is good. funny i checked also the rings and they look the same but the finish on the mkII ones is fantastic.
Been shooting a tang safety 280AI converted rifle for over 20 years, had it for about 8 years prior to that as a 270 win. Only started building and buying other rifles in the last couple years as my trusty old ruger did its job on numerous animals and felt extremely comfortable to me.
I'm one of the ones that prefers the old tang safety. I found the old ones much smoother to operate than the MK II, though I'm working from a sample of one of the MK II. The only complaint I have about the tang safety models is that the grip is a little small for my hand. I think they look better too, especially the International.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Exactly a point i was set to make. Usually i just quickly cycle the action for unloading, its nice to do that in the middle position/safe.
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
What is the bottom blued/wood rifle? That looks very handy!
On the gen 1 tang safety guns, Ruger still outsourced their barrel making. They ended up using several different makers before they got their own barrel making capacity up to snuff. This accounts for inconsistent accuracy in the early models. Some makers had better barrel making abiities and equipment than others.
