Author Topic: First rifle! (Read 6357 times)

Stickerbush · « **on:** July 31, 2011, 10:17:03 AM »

So Ive pretty much bow hunted for the last few years and havent been able to purchase a rifle except for a .22. But after a few months of reading articles, posts and asking around I finally picked up my new Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .308win! It has a synthetic stock and a nikon buckmaster 3x9x40 scope. Pretty excited for it looking forward to rifle hunting for deer for the first time this year. took it to the range for the first time and was hitting some pretty good groupings at 50 yards, will increase distance gradually as I get more comfortable with shooting it. Used 150 grain remington core lokt bullets and thats what I will probably use for deer. Been looking forward to this for a long time, nothing like the first centerfire rifle!

Huntbear · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2011, 10:19:22 AM »

Quote from: Stickerbush on July 31, 2011, 10:17:03 AM

So Ive pretty much bow hunted for the last few years and havent been able to purchase a rifle except for a .22. But after a few months of reading articles, posts and asking around I finally picked up my new Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .308win! It has a synthetic stock and a nikon buckmaster 3x9x40 scope. Pretty excited for it looking forward to rifle hunting for deer for the first time this year. took it to the range for the first time and was hitting some pretty good groupings at 50 yards, will increase distance gradually as I get more comfortable with shooting it. Used 150 grain remington core lokt bullets and thats what I will probably use for deer. Been looking forward to this for a long time, nothing like the first centerfire rifle!

You will really enjoy that rifle.. The caliber is a great choice as well. Now it becomes an addiction, soon you will be reloading...

Stickerbush · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2011, 10:59:58 AM »

yea I definately want to get into reloading someday, is it much cheaper than buying regular? or does it price out the same?

Huntbear · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2011, 11:06:06 AM »

You can also install a sweet aftermarket trigger in that rifle. Will go a long ways to making you like it even more.

As for reloading, the initial set up can be a bit expensive, but once you get into it, and start shooting a lot, it is much cheaper to reload.

My .338 WM reloads cost me about 1.20 a shell. Retail for factory ammo for the same bullet, case, etc... 3.50 a shell.

SkookumJeff · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2011, 11:46:58 PM »

You can save a LOT of money reloading ammunition when loading for expensive cartridges, obscure cartridges, magnum cartridges, etc., but you won't save much money loading .308 win. Probably one of the least expensive cartridges to buy ammo for and you will find it hard to reload ammo that shoots better than factory ammo for less money than factory ammo.

Skook

bobcat · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2011, 11:55:23 PM »

Nice rifle, I really like it, and the entire set up you've got there. Best thing you could do would be to change the trigger (as someone said) and that should last you a lifetime.

sebek556 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2011, 12:03:27 AM »

i love my m77 platforms..

pat riotic · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2011, 12:18:30 AM »

i have the same scope on my tikka t3 lite 30-06, you will love that scope good luck this year!

C-Money · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2011, 08:34:42 AM »

Quote from: Stickerbush on July 31, 2011, 10:59:58 AM

yea I definately want to get into reloading someday, is it much cheaper than buying regular? or does it price out the same?

Probably wont save much money reloading for the .308, but you sure get a great sence of satisfaction getting tight groups and harvesting game from ammo that YOU made. I really enjoy reloading too. My family likes me to make their "pet " loads for them. My Brother in-law just purchased the same set up you did only he got a .270win. His rifle is a tack driver, I am sure yours will be too. I helped him sight in his 270 and I shot a tighter group with his Ruger .270 than I could shoot with my Browning .270! Enjoy!

Stickerbush · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2011, 07:46:28 PM »

thanks all, yea I was just curious about the reloading aspect but I cant complain about 308 prices. Lookin to harvest a deer this year with it, archery hunting for elk. Might scout around for bear too if I can get sighted in with some 180gr, other than that its a great set up and I got a great price on it

Stickerbush · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2011, 07:48:46 PM »

Quote from: Huntbear on July 31, 2011, 11:06:06 AM

You can also install a sweet aftermarket trigger in that rifle. Will go a long ways to making you like it even more.

As for reloading, the initial set up can be a bit expensive, but once you get into it, and start shooting a lot, it is much cheaper to reload.

My .338 WM reloads cost me about 1.20 a shell. Retail for factory ammo for the same bullet, case, etc... 3.50 a shell.

yea what could I expect from a new trigger? I really havent shot too many rifles at all so I dont know what the difference would be with a aftermarket trigger. But I am all for it if it helps

marlin · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2011, 07:21:49 PM »

Sweet rifle! I reload for .308 and its not so much savings as better ammo for surplus price. It costs me about 9.50/box of 20 for high quality ammo. So basically you can load supreme ammo for around .50 cents a shot, which is about what cheap steel cased fmj crap will run you in loaded ammo.

addicted · « **Reply #12 on:** August 06, 2011, 09:08:30 PM »

That rifle will do it all. Good choice.

what was the price tag?

Stickerbush · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2011, 09:08:41 AM »

it totaled six bills with tax for the rifle and scope. It is actually slightly used, in my post I meant my "new" rifle. But yea its in near perfect condition for a slightly used rifle and I really couldn't pass it up. It will do just fine for my purposes

addicted · « **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2011, 09:14:56 AM »

Quote from: Stickerbush on August 09, 2011, 09:08:41 AM

It will do just fine for my purposes

I'm sure it will be more than fine.

C-Money · « **Reply #15 on:** August 09, 2011, 04:31:12 PM »

$600 out the door is a pretty good deal! Good scope, and great rifle, you are set!

You shoot it yet? How is it grouping?

Stickerbush · « **Reply #16 on:** August 10, 2011, 05:47:10 PM »

well I shot it and it grouped pretty close together, I wasnt using a solid rest though. Just a pillow, but they were within a few inches apart. But its hard to tell as I have only shot rifles a few times in my life. I'll probably use a better rest next time or shoot prone

superdown · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2011, 05:55:38 PM »

try a lead sled i use one for sighting before i practice off hand it really helps alot.

Stickerbush · « **Reply #18 on:** August 10, 2011, 09:36:00 PM »

C-Money · « **Reply #19 on:** August 12, 2011, 03:53:59 PM »

I use a lead sled too. They are worth the $$!

Stickerbush · « **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2015, 10:04:21 AM »

Re opening this topic, want to see about updating the trigger on this rifle. Any advice on how to do this? Or even determining if it needs this? Just looking to make it as accurate as possible

Jason · « **Reply #21 on:** January 25, 2015, 10:15:00 AM »

Quote from: Stickerbush on January 25, 2015, 10:04:21 AM

Re opening this topic, want to see about updating the trigger on this rifle. Any advice on how to do this? Or even determining if it needs this? Just looking to make it as accurate as possible

Most likely you'll want to upgrade that trigger, I can't remember anybody ever saying they had a factory M77 MKII with a crisp and light trigger.
I ground and polished my trigger and sear in my m77 mkii's, right now it sits at 3lbs, but if i were to do it again I would just buy a Timney or Rifle Basix aftermarket trigger, much easier!

Stickerbush · « **Reply #22 on:** January 25, 2015, 10:17:15 AM »

Is that something I can safely do myself or should I have someone do it

Jason · « **Reply #23 on:** January 25, 2015, 10:28:20 AM »

Quote from: Stickerbush on January 25, 2015, 10:17:15 AM

Is that something I can safely do myself or should I have someone do it

Pretty easy swap, just follow the directions.

HawkCreek · « **Reply #24 on:** January 25, 2015, 11:13:39 AM »

I stoned the triggers in several of my personal M77's and I'm happy with the way they came out but if you need a Ruger trigger spec-tech is the guy to get them from. Made right here in Washington, easy to follow directions also:

http://www.spec-tech-industries.com

Stickerbush · « **Reply #25 on:** January 25, 2015, 11:23:09 AM »

How do I measure my current trigger? Are stock triggers adjustable?

jasnt · « **Reply #26 on:** January 25, 2015, 11:25:04 AM »

Trigger swap is easy. Lots of YouTube videos on it as well. Next step will be reloading. It is cheaper per round but won't save you any money! You will just shoot way more often.

Jason · « **Reply #27 on:** January 25, 2015, 11:44:27 AM »

Quote from: Stickerbush on January 25, 2015, 11:23:09 AM

How do I measure my current trigger? Are stock triggers adjustable?

Stock triggers are non-adjustable . You will need to buy or find someone who has a trigger pull gauge. Your stock trigger I can almost guarantee is atleast 5.5lbs.

jasnt · « **Reply #28 on:** January 25, 2015, 11:59:14 AM »

Quote from: Jason on January 25, 2015, 11:44:27 AM

Quote from: Stickerbush on January 25, 2015, 11:23:09 AM
How do I measure my current trigger? Are stock triggers adjustable?
Stock triggers are non-adjustable . You will need to buy or find someone who has a trigger pull gauge. Your stock trigger I can almost guarantee is atleast 5.5lbs.

if not 9-11lbs. Some factory triggers are adjustable. I'm don't know about the rugers but rem and weatherby triggers can be adjusted. Tho IMHO they are still junk.

Love my timeny triggers. Right at 2lbs it will surprise ya every time which is how it should be

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Author Topic: First rifle! (Read 6357 times)

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