Gonna buy a new Ruger-need thoughts and input-see post #29

I've had a Stainless Ruger 77/357 for several years and really like it as a utility rifle at the cabin. I tend to carry either a 3" Model 66 or 60 .357 at the cabin or wondering around Penn' s Woods...... 5.5lbs and 5 rounds in the magazine vs the 4 in a 77/44.

Mine has a little Weaver 1-3x20 Shotgun scope mounted. Carried a lot but only shot a little...... but.... to your needs "mine" is also retro fitted with a fiber-optic front sight and Skinner barrel mounted peep sight as backup.




Recently I got a .223/5.56 Ruger American Ranch Carbine (16.12" barrel, 6lbs, 36 OAL) w/ a "Mossburg shotgun style" tang safety...... which takes AR magazines.... no iron sights but does have a rail for a small red dot if that would work for you. (We still can't hunt with semi-auto center fire rifles here in Pa.) The price on these is "right" vs the 77/xxx's


Ok, OK a 10 round magazine sticking out the bottom is a bit much ......but......I got a Pro-mag "flush fit" 5round AR mags........with the 5 round mag it kind of looks like a CZ527 with it's 5 round magazine.

For my 65 year old eyes I added a Leupold 1-4x20 Turkey Plex scope I had.......off the bench I'm getting 1 1/4 inch 100 yd groups.


Looking for a shorter magazine; I bought one Pro-mag ($20) as an experiment; it worked well in this bolt gun...... so grabbed two extras ( got about 100 rds through the 3 mags without any issues)....these will be my primary range or hunting mags with the 10 rd P-mags if I ever have need for a SHTF bolt action .223/5.56. For a "grab and go" at the cabin in Penn's woods I'll load a 5rd mag and put a 10rd P-mag on my belt

Another handy caliber for a utility rifle is the .22 magnum. out of an 16" barrel it has the muzzle energy of a 9mm.

Wee Hooker said:

So how about a Ruger 77 all weather in 7.62x39? Ultra cheap and readily available ammo that delivers great energy at hog hunting ranges. Has the flush mag too. Biggest downside is that it's on the expensive side up front.

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FYI; the American Rifle Ranch in 7.62x39 (Model 16976) uses mini-thirty magazines .....and IIRC you have a Mini-30 (?) already.

BAM-BAM said:

FYI; the American Rifle Ranch in 7.62x39 (Model 16976) uses mini-thirty magazines .....and IIRC you have a Mini-30 (?) already.

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Mini 14. Probably gonna go with the 77/44. Get a 5 round mag for the mini 14 and just use that instead.
I like the .223 and the 7.62x39 because I can get ammo cheap. Missed out on a stainless #1 in 7.62x39 a few weeks back from the classifieds and am still kicking myself.
If whoever bought it changes their mind-shoot me a PM

If you don't have one, try a 10 round Factory magazine for the mini-14....I have found it to be the best 'all around' magazine........Not tacticoool like a a 20 or 30 round magazine being almost flush fit; yet still gives you double the .5.56/.223 rounds.

Caj, I don't know about the 77/44, but my older 77/22 had a damned heavy trigger when I got it and didn't lighten up too much with use. When I got it, I would hazard a guess it had a 10 lb trigger pull and even after it was broken in it was at least a 6 lb pull. But last hitch in, after a trip to the range with it I decided that I was tired of the heavy trigger and ordered the Timney sear and spring kit from Midway and it came in while I was at the rig. Last week when I got back from work, I installed it in my 77/22 and what a difference it made. My trigger is now right on 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 lbs and a pure pleasure at the range. If you get the 77/44 and find the trigger unacceptably heavy, give me a ring and we can install one on your gun too, as the same sear kit works on the 77/44 and 77/357 guns.

After installing the sear, I had to file down the safety pad on the trigger to give clearance for the safety and from reading the reviews, this is a common thing on the Rugger 77 guns and the sear kit.

Never had a 77/22 but lot of "stories/posts" over the past 7-8years on a rimfire forum about the 77/22 needing about $200 worth of parts,just to the equal of a CZ 452 rimfire...... which starts out priced at $200 less than the Ruger.

My 77/357 trigger is not bad....... guessing about 4-5lbs with a clean break which is OK for a 'field/utility" gun IMO.

CAJUNLAWYER said:

Well, decided to treat myself to a new stainless bolt action rifle with open sights that I can carry around in the suburban, four wheeler or boat.
Have it narrowed down to a Ruger 77/44 and a stainless scout rifle in .223.
Really like the .44 but the ammo can get pricey. The big issue with the Scout is the damn proprietary magazines and the fact that I can't find a 5 rounder (I hate the way the 10 rounder sticks out so far). Biggest thing we have to shoot down here is deer or pigs so I don't feel under gunned with either.
SO thoughts from the group??????

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Cajun spending his money, Guess he's not hosting that party on Bourbon St.

No sense in making a rash decision. Let's grab a top shelf bottle of scotch, a bucket of gulf shrimp and some good music and think about this for awhile. The answer will come to us by morning.

Maybe a change in plans.....
Have found two guns locally that caught my eye.
First is a Remington 788 in .223 with bases and rings. $450.
Next is a Ruger American in .223 with a 3x9 Nikon scope.
$300 w/o and $400 w/ scope.
Probably can get the 788 for $400 and thinking of putting a Timiney trigger and a scope.
The Ruger looks like OTD ready to go.
Aside from price any issues on the 788 I should be aware of???
I was leaning towards the Ruger but I've read some good things about the 788 accuracy wise.

Ruger makes a bolt action ranch rifle (16" barrel,threaded) in 223/5.56 that takes AR magazines. It's not stainless..but it does have plastic wood, and they guarantee MOA accuracy with factory ammo and it's under $400 new. Reviews have been very positive. No sights either...but does come with a top rail to put whatever on it. I've got one incoming...

Which version of the Ruger American....... some use 5rd ruger mags ($40) w/ a 3 star rating (27 out of 48 were 1 or 2 stars) on Ruger's own website. and some AR mags (<$15).

Breakaway500 said:

Ruger makes a bolt action ranch rifle (16" barrel,threaded) in 223/5.56 that takes AR magazines. It's not stainless..but it does have plastic wood, and they guarantee MOA accuracy with factory ammo and it's under $400 new. Reviews have been very positive. No sights either...but does come with a top rail to put whatever on it. I've got one incoming...

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See post #21 above .... I've had mine about 2 months..... you'll really like it!

BAM-BAM said:

Which version of the Ruger American....... some use 5rd ruger mags ($40) w/ a 3 star rating (27 out of 48 were 1 or 2 stars) on Ruger's own website. and some AR mags (<$15).

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Looks lioke the one that uses the ruger mags

CAJUNLAWYER said:

Looks lioke the one that uses the ruger mags

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Makes me wonder why it's already for sale "used" ????
I'd go for a new American Ranch w/ the 16" barrel ........AR mags and small 1-3 or 4 scope or just a red dot.

Luck

I see lots of "new" guns for sale..used. Sometimes people just don't like a gun for whatever reason. I bought a new Model 69 S&W. I just did not like it..compared to a model 629....so I sold it. Nothing really "wrong" with it other than I was expecting to like it "more". I think the Ruger Ranch bolt will be just fine for my needs. I bought a Ruger American in .22LR (stainless) and it has met all my expectations and then some. I've got a 3x9 low profile illuminated reticle scope to put on the Ranch. Time will tell if it's a keeper..

Breakaway500 said:

I see lots of "new" guns for sale..used. Sometimes people just don't like a gun for whatever reason. I bought a new Model 69 S&W. I just did not like it..compared to a model 629....so I sold it. Nothing really "wrong" with it other than I was expecting to like it "more". I think the Ruger Ranch bolt will be just fine for my needs. I bought a Ruger American in .22LR (stainless) and it has met all my expectations and then some. I've got a 3x9 low profile illuminated reticle scope to put on the Ranch. Time will tell if it's a keeper..

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I think you will like the " RAR Ranch" a lot.....it's the ones that use Ruger mags .... that seem to get a bad rap...... for the mags.... not the rifles themselves. IMO a $40+shipping mag should work and not break!!!!

I own a 788 in 223 and 6mm, have owned both of them since the 70’s. They are my “go to” coyote rifles. I have a 70’s vintage Weaver 4x12 on the 223, it is a moa or better rifle depending on what I shoot through it. Normally 50 gr varmint bullets.
I am a fan of the 788’s, have made no mod’s to either of mine.
Mine have served me well for 40 years.
On the flip side of the coin, I also own a couple of Ruger American’s and have shot several others in different calibers, I think they are an excellent value. If it was my choice, as much as I like my 788’s, I would probably grab the Ruger and never look back.

BAM-BAM said:

FYI; the American Rifle Ranch in 7.62x39 (Model 16976) uses mini-thirty magazines .....and IIRC you have a Mini-30 (?) already.

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That’s an amazing and versatile combo, and the x39 makes a great oinky or Bambi buster for the bayou.

OP, MUST the choice be stainless? The new Ruger Rancher x39 that takes the Mini mags is a ridiculously versatile and effective gun, suitable from everything from home defense to hunting, you literally totally cannot go wrong with that combo.

CAJUNLAWYER said:

Maybe a change in plans.....
Have found two guns locally that caught my eye.
First is a Remington 788 in .223 with bases and rings. $450.
Next is a Ruger American in .223 with a 3x9 Nikon scope.
$300 w/o and $400 w/ scope.
Probably can get the 788 for $400 and thinking of putting a Timiney trigger and a scope.
The Ruger looks like OTD ready to go.
Aside from price any issues on the 788 I should be aware of???
I was leaning towards the Ruger but I've read some good things about the 788 accuracy wise.

Click to expand...

The Remington 788 rifles were a no frills utilitarian sporting rifle primarily intended to capture the entry-level purchasers market segment. Within a short time it became obvious that Remington had done just about everything right with that design. Exceptionally solid lock-up that provides optimum support for the cartridge case head. Available back in those days in a variety of popular calibers for just about any sporting application. These rifles developed a very good reputation for accuracy and durability. I recall a number of precision bench-rest rifles being built on the 788 actions.

Only real issues I can think of re: 788's are (1) they have been discontinued for quite some time, so parts might be an issue if anything breaks. On the other hand, not much to break in that design, and nothing a good gunsmith shouldn't be able to duplicate if needed, (2) box magazine, and I don't know how easy it might be to find replacement magazines if needed. If I owned one I might be tempted to look for a junker to keep on hand for parts (but if I had a junker I know I would start thinking about bringing it back to life!).

I have a 788 in 223. Standard 223 magazines are unobtainium.
Someone put me on to 788 mags for 222 Rem. Much more availability and reasonable pricing.
Trade off is 222 mag holds 1 less cartridge. Big deal.