Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Rgrady35 on July 01, 2009, 11:16:47 AM

Title: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: Rgrady35 on July 01, 2009, 11:16:47 AM: I'm in the market for a 7mm Rem Mag. A co worker has a older M77 tang safety he was thinking about selling. I understand that before '92 Ruger was buying blanks from different venders and as a result there were accuracy issues with some rifles. The gun is indecent shape, a few dings and it needs a good cleaning. It has a old Redfield scope on it. I'm not sure of the magnification. I'll probably put another scope on it. I've offered him 250.00 for it. He said he would think it over. I'm asking for some advise. I really am not certain that I would even go to 300.00 for it. I hate to let a good deal go though. Some input would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: jackelope on July 01, 2009, 11:18:05 AM: shoot it first.
see how she shoots, they're good rifles. i think huntnphool uses a 7mag m77.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: Woodchuck on July 01, 2009, 12:05:03 PM: i have an old m77 .338wm, bought new in 89? accuracy has never been an issue, gun will shoot way better than its handler. i will say this, it does break stocks, i shoot primarily factory loads and have shot some mild handloads. every 3rd or 4th year i have to ship it to ruger and get it replaced, they never charge a dime all it costs me is freight there, love that gun
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: 6x6in6 on July 01, 2009, 12:20:53 PM: I've got a '84 M77 in 7 mag.
It's the most consistent shooting one of my 4 M77's. Not that any of them I would say is incosistent. It's the only one with the tang safety.
If not already done so, make sure it has the accidental firing screw fix done or do it yourself. Contact Ruger with S/N of the gun and they will verify if it qualifies and/or been done.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on July 01, 2009, 12:34:32 PM: I love my tang safety Ruger77 from the late 80's. (Originally in .300winmag, now chambered for .30-338) Accuracy is NOT an issue.

And... The pre-MKII can accept the Ruger77 varminters trigger. -As good or better than a Timney! In fact, many of the magnum rifles came with them.

As for breaking stocks, I've never heard of that. Mine is pillar/glass bedded/free floated factory piece of wood, and although there's a little crack in the end of the foregrip from me falling down a cliff with it in my hand, I've never heard of Ruger 77's being hard on stocks. I don't shoot whimpy little loads either.

-Steve
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: jdb on July 01, 2009, 12:40:15 PM: buy it.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: Woodchuck on July 01, 2009, 12:44:02 PM: it is the only one i know of, but looks like brand new every few years :) so i dont gripe too loud, and jdb is right, buy it
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: Rgrady35 on July 01, 2009, 12:51:20 PM: Ya'll got me convinced. I'm gonna offer 300.00, I hope he'll bite...it's all the cash I have right now. Wish me luck.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: testar77 on July 01, 2009, 01:00:08 PM: Quote from: Rgrady35 on July 01, 2009, 12:51:20 PM
Ya'll got me convinced. I'm gonna offer 300.00, I hope he'll bite...it's all the cash I have right now. Wish me luck.

Has he turned down your first offer of $250 yet???
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: jackelope on July 01, 2009, 01:00:35 PM: wait for him to decline the 250 offer....
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on July 01, 2009, 01:04:21 PM: Then if he does, only offer $275! Damn man, you wanna 'give' ALL your money away? Barter! Barter! Barter!

-Steve
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: testar77 on July 01, 2009, 01:07:15 PM: Quote from: JackOfAllTrades on July 01, 2009, 01:04:21 PM
Then if he does, only offer $275! Damn man, you wanna 'give' ALL your money away? Barter! Barter! Barter!

-Steve

:yeah:
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: Straight Shooter on July 01, 2009, 02:03:28 PM: I have one in .308. Originally, it was .22-250, but my dad (retired Navy Gunner's Mate) had a .30 caliber machine gun barrel turned-down and installed back in the 80's. Sweet shooter (more accurate than my newer stainless Mark II... also .308). The only thing I don't like about Rugers is the scope rings (very solid, but I hate having to replace them... harder to come by and more pricey than Weaver-type). Ruger's customer service is great! The Redfield should be Japanese-made, so it may be worth taking a closer look.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: MountainWalk on July 01, 2009, 02:12:25 PM: I own the tang saftey and wing saftey versions of the model 77. They are both great rifles. The tang model, in my opinion has a better trigger. Both have the good bedding system. The rifle your talking about prolly has a hump along fore arm barrel channel. Most give pretty reliable accuracy. If it doesnt, its a simple matter to float it. Most don't need this. My tang model 77 in 220 swift is an excellant shooter as is. It can put 15 shots into three inches at two hundred yards.

In short, buy it.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: Dakota Dogman on July 01, 2009, 03:57:11 PM: Have one in 7x57 which I love; great rifle.

Only concern is that the tang safety has caused "non-intentional fires" a couple (2 in 25 years) of times. Seems to be a combination of trying to pull the trigger hard with the safety on, and then trying to take the safety off at a later time. I guess there was a recall somewhere along the line or some such thing to adjust something.

Don't know, not worried about it either as the rifle has been great & killed a bit of all its been asked to.

God Bless,
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: Straight Shooter on July 01, 2009, 04:18:20 PM: Quote from: Dakota Dogman on July 01, 2009, 03:57:11 PM
Have one in 7x57 which I love; great rifle.

Only concern is that the tang safety has caused "non-intentional fires" a couple (2 in 25 years) of times. Seems to be a combination of trying to pull the trigger hard with the safety on, and then trying to take the safety off at a later time. I guess there was a recall somewhere along the line or some such thing to adjust something.

Don't know, not worried about it either as the rifle has been great & killed a bit of all its been asked to.

God Bless,

Had the same problem with a Japanese Mauser converted to .45-70. Had gunsmith extraordinaire Bill Wiseman (name dropping :P) repair it when I was stationed in Texas.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: jackelope on July 01, 2009, 04:25:48 PM: Quote from: 6x6in6 on July 01, 2009, 12:20:53 PM
I've got a '84 M77 in 7 mag.
It's the most consistent shooting one of my 4 M77's. Not that any of them I would say is incosistent. It's the only one with the tang safety.
If not already done so, make sure it has the accidental firing screw fix done or do it yourself. Contact Ruger with S/N of the gun and they will verify if it qualifies and/or been done.

sounds like ruger has a fix for it based on the earlier post.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: 6x6in6 on July 01, 2009, 04:51:34 PM: Overtravel screw fix.......
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PDF/SafetyAnnouncements/M77.pdf
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: huntnphool on July 01, 2009, 05:01:24 PM: If you don't want it tell him I will buy it :chuckle: I have a few tang safety Rugers and never had issue one. :twocents:
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: wapitislayer on July 01, 2009, 06:02:07 PM: me and my friend bought 7mm and 300 back in 1983 both were m77 rugers.we did have accuracy issues with the 7mm. What we found out was that the 7mm had a thinner barrel and got really hot after 3 to 4 shots. My 300 had a little thicker barrel and stayed alot cooler and shot very well. We just thought Ruger should of put a thicker barrel on the 7mm.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: Rgrady35 on July 01, 2009, 07:25:27 PM: I am really impressed with ya'lls enthusiasm. It sounds like you were as excited as me.
At the end of the day the guy walks up to me and looks me dead in the eye, and says, I gotta have 300.00 for it. I said OK. I really appreciate all the info. The Redfield scope is a 4X. It has Made in USA on it.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: 6x6in6 on July 02, 2009, 11:43:34 AM: Nice!

FWIW, 175 gr Nosler Partitions with IMR 4350 loaded to the max by the Nosler book have been incredibly accurate and consistent thru mine.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: Rgrady35 on July 02, 2009, 12:28:19 PM: Thanks

I've been loading Nosler 140 gr Ballistic Tips over H4831 sc for whitetail. May have to try your recipe for bigger game. :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: huntnphool on July 02, 2009, 08:16:24 PM: I use 140gr. Nosler Partitions with RL-19 for mule deer, nice accurate long range setup.
Title: Re: Ruger M77 issues
Post by: hunterofelk on July 02, 2009, 09:33:33 PM: I had a M77 in 7mm Rem Mag., couldn't get any loads with velocitys higher than 2800fps to hold a two inch group at 100 yards. Traded it for a Remington.