Ruger Rifles, Feedback needed

[chrisb]

I was looking into a new .308 bolt action rifle and was considering the M77 Hawkeye Compact in stainless/laminate. I've not owned a Ruger centerfire rifle before and i'm interested in some opinions/experiences. I've picked this one specifically for it's size/weight so please don't recommend a 12 lb tactical rifle b/c that's not what i'm looking for at this point.

Here is the spec sheet:

http://ruger.com/products/m77HawkeyeLaminateCompact/specSheets/17110.html

BTW I won't pay $900 for that rifle i'm thinking more in the $500 - $600 range w/o optics

[WAcoyotehunter]

I don't have a hawkeye rifle, but have been shooting Ruger rifles for a long time and have had real good luck with them.  I think you'll be happy. 

The Triggers can be pretty heavy, but can be fixed up easily to whatever set you want.   I kept mine factory because I can shoot it fine with a little extra weight and am too cheap to work on it!   

[wapiti hunter2]

We were looking at exactly the same rifle the other day for the same reasons.  I really like the Ruger bolts and their quality.  It is probably going to get down to the Ruger or Tika for us. It is going to be for my son but I personally would get the Ruger. I am a bit nostalgic and like that they have a long history of success.

[carpsniperg2]

I got my first ruger last year. It's a 338wm and it shoots great. I played with the trigger a little because they can be stiff and got mine set just right. It's the first ruger centerfire in my safe and I like it a lot.

[7mmfan]

My whole family shoots rugers. My dad and I both have M77 Mark 2 in 7mm, his is 30 years old and mine is 10. His is still a tack driver just like mine. My brother has the same except in a .270. We use our rifles like tools, because thats what they are and have never had a problem one with any of them. As far as I'm concerned they are as good of a rifle as you can get. They only thing I don't like about the Hawkeyes is the matte stainless, but you can't really find a high gloss anymore from anyone. The matte just doesn't prevent rust like the gloss does.

[YellowDog]

I have two Ruger M77's.  One is a M77 stainless with the boat paddle stock in .308 Winchester.  This is my go to deer rifle/back pack gun.  The other is a M77 stainless with the laminate stock like the one you linked in 300 Win. Mag. 
My dad has an old M77 in 30-06 that he bought in 1972 that is a sweet gun too.
I have several other rifles from different manufacturers (Remington 700's mostly) and have shot a lot of different guns from different manufacturers.  I really like the Tikka's but I love my Rugers.  There are a lot of good rifles out there for a decent price and I prefer Rugers but there it is mostly a matter of preference.  I would like to have one of those Hawkeyes  in a 7mm-08 but haven't "justified" it yet. 

[Miles]

Overall feel of the M77  MKII is nice.  I have one in .270, and for only being that caliber it kicks like a effin mule.  I'm not sure if it's the design of the stock or what, but there is something wrong with it.     The trigger absolutely sucks and is probably the worst trigger made.  I bought a Tikka a couple years after owning the M77, and the Ruger sits in the safe now.  I've shot a few bucks with the Ruger and like the way it picks up...but hate everything else about it.  My Tikka and Browning BLR both shoot groups...the Ruger not so much.

[C-Money]

Ruger makes good rifles. My family has had great success with the Rugers. You will like it if you buy one!

[Miles]

Good...yes,  the best...no.  I personally wouldn't buy another one unless it had already had been to the gunsmiths and been worked on.  I think it should be a mandatory stop for every factory Ruger rifle.  Straight from the shelf to the gunsmiths. 

They can be "made" in to nice rifles, so if you want a fixer upper go for it.  If you want a great out of the box rifle, look elsewhere.

My father has a .257 Roberts in M77 with the tang safety and it's a great gun, but it's spent a lot of time getting worked on to get to where it's at now...

[marty]

Good guns have a .338 win mag I use for elk never had a problem.

[sebek556]

I own a ruger m77 mkII in 25-06  great rifle, have taken 700 yard shots with it (at paper) and it still hold a group! my wife owns a ruger gun sight scout which looks like a mini 14 with a bolt action and i am impressed with it a little heavy for it size but shoots great with hornady gmx's.

[uplandhunter870]

i have a m77 hawkeye in 243, its a good solid reliable rifle.  as said earlier the trigger is a bit heavy but it works for hunting and with a little work you can have a good trigger.  havent had a single problem with the rifle, have taken deer at 300yrds with it

[Tim]

Rugers are great but a bit on the heavy side,you should look into Savage as well

[headshot5]

I have 5 Ruger M77 MkII's and have had zero problems.  The triggers can be fixed up in about 5 minutes with a dremel tool.  The one thing about the one you are looking at is a 16.5" barrel.  It will be really handy for hunting but loud and with certain powders it will be a flame thrower.  Also, you will give up a little velocity in that short of a barrel.   

[Miles]

Rugers are great but a bit on the heavy side,you should look into Savage as well

The M77 MKII ultralight is right around 6 1/2 lbs.     It's the one with the black forend.

I had to mess around with mine as the stock was putting pressure on the barrel at different points and not helping the accuracy at all.  For me I'd just rather stick with the Tikka.  They have good triggers (easily adjustable), are light, have a floated barrel, and shoot great.  Why buy a Ruger and then have to dick with it to get it to where it should be?