m77 question

Philip · 03-13-2008, 03:44 PM

ok, so dad knows someone from work who wants to sell a .308 ruger bolt action. it sounds to me that it must be a M77 of some description, and has a synthetic stock.

just wanna know if there are any problems that this model may have, and any problems with it that one should look out for.

thanks.

rfc357 · 03-13-2008, 03:56 PM

Yeah, look out for inaccuracy! I have had good Rugers and 77s that were stinkeroos. In fairness, I still have both 77s in .308, they shoot pretty well. Other than Ruger's spotty record with barrel quality, they a re OK rifles.

turner · 03-13-2008, 06:13 PM

I'd say, as a general rule, the old 2 position tang safety model, likely has a poorer reputation accuracy-wise. If the rifle has a synthetic stock as a standard(not added later) feature, it would surely be a newer MKII with a Winchester mod 70-like 3 position safety at the base of the rear part of the bolt. It's true that Ruger at one time had a bad reputation for accuracy, but most all my newer MKIIs have shot from good to VERY good. The last one I have purchased, a 77 Hawkeye in .338 Fed, shot 3/4"(3shot group)

Taurus Fan · 03-13-2008, 06:23 PM

The Model 77 has had a great reputation for many years, rumors of it being incaccurate are news to me. I bought one in 1980 in 7mm magnum, was very accurate.

sbowers5 · 03-13-2008, 06:29 PM

I have a old tang safety 77V bull barrel .243 and it is very accurate and i have never had any problems, and don't kn ow of anybody that has. just my opinion.
steve

rfc357 · 03-14-2008, 06:00 AM

I have owned four model 77s. The first two were tang safety guns, one a .30-06 and the other a 7x57. Both were miserable shooters. Chamber casts showed both chambers were oversized, with over-long throats.

My two Mark IIs in .308 shoot fine.

turner · 03-14-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfc357

I have owned four model 77s. The first two were tang safety guns, one a .30-06 and the other a 7x57. Both were miserable shooters. Chamber casts showed both chambers were oversized, with over-long throats.

My two Mark IIs in .308 shoot fine.

RFC357, I've owned perhaps 6 or 8 M77s and I'll stand by the statement I made earlier, which said, the older Rugers are MORE likely to have "poorer" accuracy than the newer models (as seems to be your experience as well). My newest 77 Hawkeye is one of the most accurate deer rfiles I own. The Ruger 77 is one of my favorite rifles (along with the #1), but they (Ruger) have had to fight to regain some customers who purchased poor shooters in the past.

Philip · 03-15-2008, 07:25 PM

i think it is a mark II, so it sounds like they are a good firearm overall?

texnmidwest · 03-15-2008, 07:55 PM

Rugers are well made rifles. Problem is some of them shoot and some of them don't. I guess the same can be said for Remingtons and Brownings as well.

I would ask why he was selling it. If the price is right then buy it.

ArkansasHunter · 03-15-2008, 08:03 PM

I own the newer Ruger Hawkeye in 308 which was developed from customer imput.
My Ruger is bullet hole accurate.
I had heard over the years that Rugers were not accurant too though I liked them very much I never bought one.
Fortunitly some time back Ruger bought new hi tech hammer mills and the day of bad barrells have ended.
A.H

Philip · 03-15-2008, 10:59 PM

Dad here... Philip left this up for me to read...

I'd be interested in your opinion on the value of this rifle. It is a MkII, the guy says he bought it new about a year ago and wants $475. It includes a scope, I forget the brand but seem to recall it is a 3-10x50. I have only emailed and talked over the phone with the guy, not yet seen him or the rifle. Was thinking about going to see it this weekend. He balked when I asked him if I could take it to Gander and have the gunsmith look it over, saying, "Why would you want to do that, it's hardly ever been shot?" Could be I'm paranoid, but that seems like a red flag to me. According to my price book, it's supposed to be worth $525 in exc cond (page 1017, The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices - red cover book published in '05)

What do you think?
Dad

turner · 03-16-2008, 09:12 AM

The price seems fair, and the fact it already has a scope might be a plus. If it's a Walmart "special", maybe not and quite possibly the reason for his selling. If, with the bolt fully removed the bore is bright and not dull or (heaven forbid) rough or rusted, I'd say it sounds like a it could be a good deal. The newer Ruger MKIIs and even newer Hawkeyes are generally known to be excellent rifles, with most (negative) comments on some overly heavy triggers. I own 3 of the newer Ruger 77s now (one is a .308) and all shoot very well and have good triggers.

Philip · 03-16-2008, 09:19 PM

well this is me Philip again, we went to see the guy and the rifle. he says that he wants to sell it because he no longer has time to shoot, and because of the city closing in around where he lives, so he cant shoot at home. because of this he is downsizing. the scope is a Simmons 3-9x50, and the bore, bolt, and the entire gun seem clean and shiny. he said he only shot it enough to get it scoped in (a box or two). he still has the box for it and it has an extra set of rings (he had to get taller rings to accomodate the scope.)

turner · 03-17-2008, 09:54 AM

Well, Mr Phillip, I'm thinkin' you have found yourself a quality rifle at a very good price. The extra rings are woth $50. I'd offer him a cool $450. and hope you can take it home for that. I think you'll be very happy with that rifle. Congrats

Simply curious here.... is it a stainless steel finished rifle?

Philip · 03-17-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turner

Well, Mr Phillip, I'm thinkin' you have found yourself a quality rifle at a very good price. The extra rings are woth $50. I'd offer him a cool $450. and hope you can take it home for that. I think you'll be very happy with that rifle. Congrats

Simply curious here.... is it a stainless steel finished rifle?

Yea

03-13-2008, 06:29 PM	#5
sbowers5 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: sawyer, ok Posts: 537	I have a old tang safety 77V bull barrel .243 and it is very accurate and i have never had any problems, and don't kn ow of anybody that has. just my opinion. steve __________________ For those who never fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.

03-15-2008, 07:25 PM	#8
Philip Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 149	i think it is a mark II, so it sounds like they are a good firearm overall? __________________ i am not trying to jam a round up a fly's butt @100 yds. --- billy

03-15-2008, 07:55 PM	#9
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,403	Rugers are well made rifles. Problem is some of them shoot and some of them don't. I guess the same can be said for Remingtons and Brownings as well. I would ask why he was selling it. If the price is right then buy it. __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

03-15-2008, 10:59 PM	#11
Philip Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 149	Dad here... Philip left this up for me to read... I'd be interested in your opinion on the value of this rifle. It is a MkII, the guy says he bought it new about a year ago and wants $475. It includes a scope, I forget the brand but seem to recall it is a 3-10x50. I have only emailed and talked over the phone with the guy, not yet seen him or the rifle. Was thinking about going to see it this weekend. He balked when I asked him if I could take it to Gander and have the gunsmith look it over, saying, "Why would you want to do that, it's hardly ever been shot?" Could be I'm paranoid, but that seems like a red flag to me. According to my price book, it's supposed to be worth $525 in exc cond (page 1017, The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices - red cover book published in '05) What do you think? Dad __________________ i am not trying to jam a round up a fly's butt @100 yds. --- billy

03-16-2008, 09:19 PM	#13
Philip Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 149	well this is me Philip again, we went to see the guy and the rifle. he says that he wants to sell it because he no longer has time to shoot, and because of the city closing in around where he lives, so he cant shoot at home. because of this he is downsizing. the scope is a Simmons 3-9x50, and the bore, bolt, and the entire gun seem clean and shiny. he said he only shot it enough to get it scoped in (a box or two). he still has the box for it and it has an extra set of rings (he had to get taller rings to accomodate the scope.) __________________ i am not trying to jam a round up a fly's butt @100 yds. --- billy

03-13-2008, 03:44 PM	#1
Philip Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 149	m77 question ok, so dad knows someone from work who wants to sell a .308 ruger bolt action. it sounds to me that it must be a M77 of some description, and has a synthetic stock. just wanna know if there are any problems that this model may have, and any problems with it that one should look out for. thanks. __________________ i am not trying to jam a round up a fly's butt @100 yds. --- billy

03-13-2008, 03:56 PM	#2
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	Yeah, look out for inaccuracy! I have had good Rugers and 77s that were stinkeroos. In fairness, I still have both 77s in .308, they shoot pretty well. Other than Ruger's spotty record with barrel quality, they a re OK rifles.

03-13-2008, 06:13 PM	#3
turner Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tn Posts: 623	I'd say, as a general rule, the old 2 position tang safety model, likely has a poorer reputation accuracy-wise. If the rifle has a synthetic stock as a standard(not added later) feature, it would surely be a newer MKII with a Winchester mod 70-like 3 position safety at the base of the rear part of the bolt. It's true that Ruger at one time had a bad reputation for accuracy, but most all my newer MKIIs have shot from good to VERY good. The last one I have purchased, a 77 Hawkeye in .338 Fed, shot 3/4"(3shot group)

03-13-2008, 06:23 PM	#4
Taurus Fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cobra Command Headquarters Posts: 781	The Model 77 has had a great reputation for many years, rumors of it being incaccurate are news to me. I bought one in 1980 in 7mm magnum, was very accurate.

03-14-2008, 06:00 AM	#6
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	I have owned four model 77s. The first two were tang safety guns, one a .30-06 and the other a 7x57. Both were miserable shooters. Chamber casts showed both chambers were oversized, with over-long throats. My two Mark IIs in .308 shoot fine.

03-15-2008, 08:03 PM	#10
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,684	I own the newer Ruger Hawkeye in 308 which was developed from customer imput. My Ruger is bullet hole accurate. I had heard over the years that Rugers were not accurant too though I liked them very much I never bought one. Fortunitly some time back Ruger bought new hi tech hammer mills and the day of bad barrells have ended. A.H

03-16-2008, 09:12 AM	#12
turner Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tn Posts: 623	The price seems fair, and the fact it already has a scope might be a plus. If it's a Walmart "special", maybe not and quite possibly the reason for his selling. If, with the bolt fully removed the bore is bright and not dull or (heaven forbid) rough or rusted, I'd say it sounds like a it could be a good deal. The newer Ruger MKIIs and even newer Hawkeyes are generally known to be excellent rifles, with most (negative) comments on some overly heavy triggers. I own 3 of the newer Ruger 77s now (one is a .308) and all shoot very well and have good triggers.

03-17-2008, 09:54 AM	#14
turner Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tn Posts: 623	Well, Mr Phillip, I'm thinkin' you have found yourself a quality rifle at a very good price. The extra rings are woth $50. I'd offer him a cool $450. and hope you can take it home for that. I think you'll be very happy with that rifle. Congrats *Simply curious here.... is it a stainless steel finished rifle?*