Ruger mod-77 impulse buy!

[Texas Star]

Only shot 3 rounds out of it up in the air off the deck, shoots good with no problems have not had a chance to check out the scope yet...…….Thanks again for all the responses...………………………............…..M*

I hope those three rounds that you fired into the air didn't land somewhere they shouldn't!

How on Earth can you say it "shoots good" when your target was the whole atmosphere? You need to get to a proper range where you can safely fire at a real target.

You may also want to read a good basic book on rifles. I suggest Jack O'Connor's classic, The Hunting Rifle, 1970 or thereabouts. It probably also discusses the Model 77, which appeared in 1968.

His, The Rifle Book is another good read.

Model 77's have been improved. Ruger was outsourcing barrels and some were not too good. The action was also improved.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I bought a Ruger 77 .30-06 new in 1979 for $199 from Gibson's Discount Center in Cleburne, Texas to be my scoped .30-06 bolt-action rifle for a lifetime. It never did shoot well. It was good enough for the deer I took with it, but was ungratifying off the bench rest.

I sent it on down the road in in 1987 in favor of a well-worn pre-64 Winchester Model 70 from 1953. This rifle has rewarded me with wanting to shoot every decent hand load I fed it. One-inch or less 5-shot groups at 100 yards with every bullet weight from 125 grains to 220 grains. Only the pesky 110 grain spitzers opened up a dab to 1 1/4 inches. It's proven to be the lifetime .30-06 for me.

 

[Texas Star]

I bought a Ruger 77 .30-06 new in 1979 for $199 from Gibson's Discount Center in Cleburne, Texas to be my scoped .30-06 bolt-action rifle for a lifetime. It never did shoot well. It was good enough for the deer I took with it, but was ungratifying off the bench rest.

I sent it on down the road in in 1987 in favor of a well-worn pre-64 Winchester Model 70 from 1953. This rifle has rewarded me with wanting to shoot every decent hand load I fed it. One-inch or less 5-shot groups at 100 yards with every bullet weight from 125 grains to 220 grains. Only the pesky 110 grain spitzers opened up a dab to 1 1/4 inches. It's proven to be the lifetime .30-06 for me.

Bryan-

Maybe that's why the Model 70 is called, The Rifleman's Rifle!

Jack O'Connor's favored rifle, although he customized his.

Mine's a Featherweight Classic in .270. I like CZ and Sako, but think the M-70 is still the best production hunting rifle.

My son has a FN-made .30-06 M-70 Fwt. of current form that is scary accurate. It deserves its Zeiss scope.

 

[Mblhopo]

I hope those three rounds that you fired into the air didn't land somewhere they shouldn't!

How on Earth can you say it "shoots good" when your target was the whole atmosphere? You need to get to a proper range where you can safely fire at a real target.

You may also want to read a good basic book on rifles. I suggest Jack O'Connor's classic, The Hunting Rifle, 1970 or thereabouts. It probably also discusses the Model 77, which appeared in 1968.

His, The Rifle Book is another good read.

Model 77's have been improved. Ruger was outsourcing barrels and some were not too good. The action was also improved.

No problem.....When shooting off the deck rounds fall across the creek into a 500 acre farm field where are 100yd range is, I just shoot 3 rounds to see if it works ok, Will check scope an see how well it shoots on the range....Thank you...………………………...M*

 

[6GUNSONLY]

As others stated, the ebony forend suggests you have the Ultralight version, which while not "rare", are certainly not plentiful, either. Especially in the long action model. A very nice rifle. Personally, I prefer the Tang safety models to the later MK II version, though all are excellent rifles. I have several, from .223 to 7mm Rem. Mag, and am a sucker for one if priced Right or in scarcer calibers or configurations.

 

[tug700]

I believe you have a Model 77 RL which was sometimes referred to as an ultralight. The RL is a nice rifle with a thing barrel.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

I had a string of bad luck with Model 77 rifles in 308. First one was a standard barrel in 74 and then two heavy barrel models in 1977. I really liked the feel and fit of the stocks, but the rifles just wouldn't group, even with match bullets. At the time, silhouette shooting was all the rage and I set the heavy barrel models up just for that sport, but alas, they got traded off.

I certainly hope that yours is a shooter.

 

[Texas40]

My Ruger 77 is the JR version.
.357 cal.
So far shoots pretty accurate with open sight and old eyes. Will put a small scope on it soon.
Only 150 rds thru it just picked it up 1/31/20

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BAM-BAM]

My Ruger 77 is the JR version.
.357 cal.
So far shoots pretty accurate with open sight and old eyes. Will put a small scope on it soon.
Only 150 rds thru it just picked it up 1/31/20

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Skinner Sights makes a nice little barrel peep sight for these. I mounted the Skinner sight and added a 1-4x20 Lupold scope and paracord sling....... great little utility rifle for Penn's Woods.

 

[Texas40]

Skinner Sights makes a nice little barrel peep sight for these. I mounted the Skinner sight and added a 1-4x20 Lupold scope and paracord sling....... great little utility rifle for Penn's Woods.

The sling is another addition I will acquire as well. Yeah a 4x was what I was thinking.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Puller]

My Ruger M77 MKII All Weather in .30-06 is my favorite go to deer rifle. It is very accurate off the bench and in the field. I've owned a number of bolt guns including a model 700 and model 70, which were good guns, but I much prefer the M77 and I have since traded off the other commercial bolt action rifles and have kept only the M77. One specific feature I particularly like is the three position safety on the Ruger, its much better designed than on the other models.

 

[BAM-BAM]

In these threads I always suggest folks check out the CZ offerings.... they have 3 sizes of Mauser actions from rimfire to "big bore"....good to great wood and a great value for the money. I've accumulated 9 over the past decade.

I like the rimfires a lot .22lr..22mag and .17hmr .... but my favorite are the "mid-size" guns for 5.56 and 7.62x39.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I've always had a soft spot for the Model 77. Have a Mk II in 30-06 stainless with a 1.75x6 Leopold on it. Love that rifle

 

[Gene L]

Got a77-22H, a Hornet that's very accurate in one of my favorite calibers. All-weather, heavish barrel.

 

[Mblhopo]

I think Ruger called it the Ultralight although I thought that had an 18.5 inch barrel; might also have been called a "mountain rifle." Nice guns, had one a long time ago. As others have suggested, you might want to replace that BSA scope if you plan to do much shooting and hunting. The tang safety M77's are popular and haven't been made in a long time. I've had many Ruger's over the years, some were accurate, some not so much. My motto became "if your Ruger shoots well, keep it." The next one may not although I've had good results with some of their more recent products. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Jeff... I measured wrong It does have a18.5 in barrel also the scope is a 3.5x10x50...………………………….M*

 

[arjay]

I had an RL ,tang safety,ebony forend,(ultralight) in 243,weighed about 6lbs and I put a Burris mini 6x scope on it. The only gun I regret selling

 

[bmcgilvray]

I've never been much enamored with the Ruger 77 in any of its iterations, feeling that they were "less than meets the eye," but do have a '72 vintage 77 V in .220 Swift that I've long been fond of.

Seen here with a pre-war Winchester Model 70 .220 Swift that I also cherish for its shooting qualities.

 

[Rpg]

I've got an older 77 in 270 win with the tang safety I bought for my father in 1979. It's the most accurate 270 I've ever owned.

The tang safety was the feature that made the selection easy for me: I shoot sxs shotguns pretty exclusively and the tang safety makes quick handling a breeze.

If you're shooting only at the range or from a hunting lease blind, the safety doesn't make any difference. But if you're still hunting or hunting from horseback here in the Rockies, when snap shooting opportunities often present themselves, the tang safety makes a big difference.

Too bad Ruger went away from the tang safety.

 

[torizus]

Have a 1982 Hawkeye, 24" bull barrel,red pad & tang in 308. that sat around for about 25 years until about 4 years ago.

Not being a hunter, I just used it for 308 load development in ar's because it seemed so accurate at long range with a bipod. (at least my version of long range)

I put on a mag bottom metal from CDI, (rip Jeff) and it has now become my only bolt action 308 as its dead on way beyond my ability.

I think its a great gun or that era model.

 

[Texas Star]

My Ruger M77 MKII All Weather in .30-06 is my favorite go to deer rifle. It is very accurate off the bench and in the field. I've owned a number of bolt guns including a model 700 and model 70, which were good guns, but I much prefer the M77 and I have since traded off the other commercial bolt action rifles and have kept only the M77. One specific feature I particularly like is the three position safety on the Ruger, its much better designed than on the other models.

Puller-

The three position safety dates from 1937, in the Winchester M70. Ruger copied it.