Ruger m77 bolt removal

[highcountry_hunter]

Recently got a 1980’s ruger m77 in .270 from my grandpa. It’s a really nice gun, I shot a few rounds this afternoon and noticed it could use a good cleaning before I try to dial it in. I’ve never had a ruger before so I YouTube’d it. Looks simple enough to pull out the tab on the left side of the rifle and remove the bolt. However, mine appears to be stuck in place. I’ve been pulling on it with all I can muster with my thumb. I’ve sprayed a tiny bit of kroil penetrating oil into it to try and loosen it up.
Am I gonna do any damage if I fish a small flathead screwdriver in the seam to help pry it out?


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[JWBINX]

Let the Kroil work for a bit, then try something non metallic to open the bolt release.
It will open with a little effort then use some lubricating oil.
This is not the first one to be stuck.

[fishngamereaper]

Working the bolt back and forth can also break it loose.
Probably just some surface rust holding it.

[wadu1]

The M77 is different from most bolt stops, see attached video on removing the bolt. You pull the stop out from the front.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSSS1HD_zFw

[huntnfmly]

Let the Kroil work for a bit, then try something non metallic to open the bolt release.
It will open with a little effort then use some lubricating oil.
This is not the first one to be stuck.

The M77 is different from most bolt stops, see attached video on removing the bolt. You pull the stop out from the front.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSSS1HD_zFw

These both
My daughter has one in .257roberts that a bit finicky and tight

[highcountry_hunter]

The M77 is different from most bolt stops, see attached video on removing the bolt. You pull the stop out from the front.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSSS1HD_zFw

This is the same video I watched, I ended up just pulling out that little screw that holds the bolt release tab


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[Alchase]

Are you pulling the tab out far enough?

[highcountry_hunter]

Are you pulling the tab out far enough?

The tab wouldn’t budge was the issue I was having


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[Alchase]

The M77 is different from most bolt stops, see attached video on removing the bolt. You pull the stop out from the front.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSSS1HD_zFw

This is the same video I watched, I ended up just pulling out that little screw that holds the bolt release tab


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So you were able to get it out?
Was it corrosion that had it stuck?

[highcountry_hunter]

The M77 is different from most bolt stops, see attached video on removing the bolt. You pull the stop out from the front.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSSS1HD_zFw

This is the same video I watched, I ended up just pulling out that little screw that holds the bolt release tab


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So you were able to get it out?
Was it corrosion that had it stuck?

I don’t think it was corrosion, I wonder if it’s messed up or something. I removed the screw and was able to take the tab off and remove the bolt. It all looked clean but I rubbed it down with some oil and put it back on and it still wouldn’t work right. I’m not gonna sweat it, it’s not my go to rifle. If for whatever reason I ever need to remove the bolt in the field I always carry a leatherman in my bino harness.


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[Alchase]

That sucks, I have to admit it is past my knowledge. 

I hope you are able to get it figured out. Please post back when you do. We all can learn from this.
Good luck!