I just love my Ruger M77/22 Hornet

[Tom K]

I just got rid of the 4th armadillo I've taken out this year, and about the same number last year. All one shot each. Better than a .22LR or even 9mm or .45ACP. I leave the rifle propped up in a corner in our bedroom with the bolt open and the loaded magazine in a drawer. The Hornet has a bright LED flashlight clamped to the scope so I don't have to juggle a light and a gun separately. I also have electronic earmuffs ready to go.

I go out most evenings with a spotlight in the back yard to see what critters are around. Lots of raccoons lately, a family of about five that scrounge sunflower seeds under the bird feeders, often a possum or two, bunnies, skunks (none lately), once in a while I see deer eyes lighting up in the woods. Most I leave alone but the armadillos receive the death sentence because they dig up the yard so badly. I'm in a rural-ish neighborhood of 1-acre lots and the neighbors appreciate my vigilance - I'm the "armadiller killer". Our lot backs up to a heavily wooded creek so I always position myself to shoot that direction.

Beside being effective, the gun is just classically beautiful and a pleasure to shoot. I just wish Ruger would make it in a left hand version.

[Erich]

I wish they made a Southpaw version, too. The .22 Hornet is a neat round, and that's a great little platform for it.

[arjay]

They are nice rifles,picked one up in 17 hmr some years back

[silentflyer]

I love the .22 Hornet round, have a Contender and a Savage Model 40, both super accurate. Not a lot of muzzle blast with the rifle, a bit more with the Contender.

[Bob R]

I love my Ruger M77 MKI chambered in 220 Swift. Probably a little much for urban pests but it works like a champ on rockchucks and 'yotes. I have never changed the scope, it still wears a Weaver K4W that just fits the gun perfect for the period (1976). Like you, I wish it was left handed also but it isn't and I can live with it.

bob

[Bullet Bob]

For you sinistral types, my Browning Lo-wall in .22 Hornet would be a good bet:

[Erich]

Yes, sir! That looks like something that would be really neat to have. I'm not a giant fan of the high-gloss finish Miroku insists on using, but those are nifty guns.

[Brian in Oregon]

Originally Posted by Tom K

....Beside being effective, the gun is just classically beautiful and a pleasure to shoot. I just wish Ruger would make it in a left hand version.

A friend bought one when Ruger first introduced them. I was surprised by the accuracy, something Ruger generally is not noted for. On our first varmint trip he made a spectacular cross-canyon shot on a crow at the Deschutes River. This was back in the days before the crow got relisted as a migratory bird and became shotgun only with a season (but no bag limit).

Some people complained about the accuracy, but in most cases that was due to use .223 Hornet bullets for reloads instead of .224.

Originally Posted by Bullet Bob

For you sinistral types, my Browning Lo-wall in .22 Hornet would be a good bet:

Browning 1885 Single Shots are awesome guns. I have High Walls in 223, 22-250 and 25-06. Looking for a 30-06. (Also have a lot of original High and Low Walls too.) My 223 High Wall has killed more critters than all my other guns combined. Been temped to pick up a Low Wall in 17 WSM.

[Bullet Bob]

"...giant fan of the high-gloss finish Miroku insists on using..."
___________________________________________________

I agree wholeheartedly. At least it's fairly weatherproof. The metal work is outstanding though.

I took some extra fine steel wool to knock the gloss off my Browning/Miroku model 92 .357, but haven't had the heart to do it to the Low Wall.

[tndrfttom]

When these became available I had my LGS order one because I like the Hornet cartridge and the rifle had that really nice Ruger traditional rifle look. I put a Leupold scope on it and all seemed good. Unfortunately I could not get it to group with either factory ammo or reloads that would shoot well in a different Hornet I had. It would shoot two bullet holes within an inch and then the third bullet hole would be 3-4 inches away. Five-shot groups were just a cluster. I returned it to the factory. When I got it back the repair order had an annotation that the accuracy was “within acceptable limits”. I fiddled with it for a while longer and then sold it. It was a rifle that I really wanted to like but this one just wasn't right.

[BB57]

Originally Posted by Erich

Yes, sir! That looks like something that would be really neat to have. I'm not a giant fan of the high-gloss finish Miroku insists on using, but those are nifty guns.

Neither am I.

Fortunately the more recent production Browning 1885s have a nice satin finish on the stock:



This one is in .22 Hornet at well.

My Mini Mauser .22 Hornets will shoot 1/2 to 3/4 MOA with 40 gr V max bullets, but they won't quite stabilize in the 1885, despite the twist being nominally the same in all three rifles.

It's a tack driver though with 35 gr V max bullets.

[Erich]

Oh, dang it - and I just got some spare money, too . . .

[italiansport]

Let me add my vote to the left handed version needed crowd. I have one in 22LR but it's a chore to shoot left handed. I emailed Ruger on just this subject years ago and never did get a response.
Jim

[Erich]

Well, we all just got that email that they've just discontinued all the 77/xx models, so . . .

[Kanewpadle]

My dad has a 77/22 that he loves. Prairie dogs hate to see him coming. For a little farther out he uses a CZ in 221 Fireball or CZ 223/5.56. Dogs ain't got a chance.

[Big Cholla]

Originally Posted by tndrfttom

When these became available I had my LGS order one because I like the Hornet cartridge and the rifle had that really nice Ruger traditional rifle look. I put a Leupold scope on it and all seemed good. Unfortunately I could not get it to group with either factory ammo or reloads that would shoot well in a different Hornet I had. It would shoot two bullet holes within an inch and then the third bullet hole would be 3-4 inches away. Five-shot groups were just a cluster. I returned it to the factory. When I got it back the repair order had an annotation that the accuracy was “within acceptable limits”. I fiddled with it for a while longer and then sold it. It was a rifle that I really wanted to like but this one just wasn't right.

But, being a gunsmith I replaced the barrel with a Hart blank and chambered it for the 22 K Hornet. I also re-bedded the action in the stock with AcuraGlas and rebuilt the trigger. I worked up some loads and started getting 1/2 groups at 100 yds. ... and on occasion a 3/8" three shot group. I still take that rifle for prairie dogs and picket pin ground squirrels. It is head spaced to allow the use of factory 22 Hornet loads. It is then not quite as accurate and loses a little in muzzle velocity. It was a lot of work and expense to modify the Ruger 77/22 Hornet, but that was before the CZ and the Husqvarna rifles were available.

As stated above, it is a very pleasing to the eye rifle. Great balance for a 'walking varmint rifle'. .............

[sasu]

This is my lovely 77/44 44 Magnum. I have not shot in a long, long time, I think I will take it out next week.



It is now customized with a diopter rear sight and fiber optic front sight. Should be a lot easier to shoot accurately than the factory notch rear and black front sight.


This is approximately what the sight picture looks like.

[Tom K]

I also have a M77/44 in blue steel and walnut but I'm not nearly as fond of it. Even with a scope on it isn't nearly as accurate as the Hornet, and is a bit of overkill for armadillo.

I also have a .22LR M77/22 which I really like, and left handed M77s in .223 and .308 that I bought from CDNN on sale. I haven't even scoped the latter two yet, much less shot them.

[TAC]

The .22 Hornet is a fun caliber to shoot! Years ago, I bought a brand new Ruger #3, in .22 Hornet (made for a short time). I sold it, and regretted it ever since.

[BAM-BAM]

I'm a CZ rifle fan ...... 452,453 and 527s in .22lr,.22mag, .17hmr and .223....... but my "all around utility rifle" at the cabin is my stainless/Polymer stocked Ruger 77/357 w/ a 1-3x20 Weaver scope...............