Rough Ruger Action.

[Auburn1992]

I don't know if this is a common occurence with Ruger rifles, but are all the actions stiff?

I purchased my Ruger M77 Mkii Compact (7mm-08) about 3 to 4 months ago and the action is still stiff. If I load all four cartridges into the internal box magazine, then chamber one it is somewhat stiff to move the bolt closed. Also, when I am ejecting a cartridge it is really stiff... almost feels as if the other cartridge in the magazine is applying excessive pressureon the bolt when being moved. Is it the gun or the fact of the agazine being loaded? when I am on my last bullet, it operates fairly smoothly. This gun is still new (only fired 40 rounds through it), so will it loosen up after I shoot it more?

Thanks.

 

[jmr40]

I have noticed the same with some Rugers. It seems more common in the stainless models in my experience. Some rifles are worse than others. I have been in gunshops where I could handle several rifles and some would be as you describe and others would be fine.

The actions will smooth up with a lot of use. I used to sit and watch TV in the evenings working the action hundreds of time each evening and they eventually smooth up.

 

[Auburn1992]

Will it smooth up if I just work the action, or shoot it?

 

[jmr40]

At times I would work the action and dry fire. This seems to smooth up the triggers as well. At other times I would just open and close the action to break it in. Would not do it if my wife was at home. She thought I was nuts. It will never be as smooth as some other actions but will improve with work and is cheaper than sending it to a smith to smooth up.

 

[Strongbad]

Is it stiff when you work the bolt in general, or is it stiff when you're actually chambering a round? If the rounds chamber a little on the stiff side, then it could be that the chamber is a little big snug or the rounds are a little bit on the big side, thus the tight lockup. Not that big of a deal.

 

[CZguy]

Will it smooth up if I just work the action, or shoot it?

It will smooth up just working the action.

 

[Auburn1992]

Its really only rough if there are still rounds in the magazine, then I move to eject a spent cartridge.

 

[pgeleven]

Ruger must be getting kickbacks from the aftermarket industry, look at the 10/22.

 

[doc2rn]

It could be the lip on the internal magazine is to high or the stock is out of spec. Both of these would cause the bolt to be wedged into the top of the receiver. Call Ruger they are genrally pretty good about fixing any problem like this.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Try using a very mild abrasive (like toothpowder) on bearing points (for example, the cocking cam on the rear of the bolt.) Work it a few hundred times, then clean thoroughly.

 

[jmr40]

Try working the action with the floorplate down. I read on another forum that the bolt rubbing on the follower was what was causing the rough feel. My only Ruger was made in 1992 and is pretty slick by now.

 

[TimboKhan]

My M77 MkII in 7mmRemMag glides like a hot knife through butter, as does my M77 in .30-06. My M77 in .270? Not bad, but it hasn't been worked even a hundreth the amount of the first two...