AZmark
Member
I just picked up a used older Ruger 77/22 and was wanting to hear from others that have this gun what they think of it, what modifications have you done, or any other info you may have about it.
Thanks
Thanks
Ruger 77/22 experiences
- Thread starter AZmark
- Start date
- Status
Skylerbone
Member
The 77/22 was actually my first firearm, given to me by my dad back in the ‘80s. Always liked the balance and action on it but as I became a better marksman I noticed there were other rifles that simply performed better.
Turns out mine had a flaw in the barrel, something I didn’t know until a gunsmith checked it out. If I had known about Ruger’s excellent customer service I’d have sent it in. As I was a snot nosed teen I sold the rifle and bought a Marlin.
Beyond adding a scope and sling the only modification was a small bit of sanding of the stock’s barrel channel. Still miss that rifle.
Turns out mine had a flaw in the barrel, something I didn’t know until a gunsmith checked it out. If I had known about Ruger’s excellent customer service I’d have sent it in. As I was a snot nosed teen I sold the rifle and bought a Marlin.
Beyond adding a scope and sling the only modification was a small bit of sanding of the stock’s barrel channel. Still miss that rifle.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
My 77/22 is a wood-stocked .22WMR. No mods other than mounting a Leupold scope. It's one of my favorite walkaround rifles.
Chuck R.
Member
I've got one of older models, bought it new in 1990, mounted a Leupold 3-9 compact on it and have shot the snot out of it for the last 30 years. I can't even begin to count the number of squirrels I've killed with it and I use it as my big game hunting warm-up gun.
MarshallDodge
Member
I had one for a long time, probably 20 years, but it started sitting in the safe for longer periods of time and I always took the CZ out instead so I sold the 77, and bought another CZ.
Cemetery21
Member
I had one for many years. I really liked the size and reliability. A solid rifle. I bought a 17 barrel for it somewhere along the line, then a stainless barrel. All shot okay.
Then, I started shooting with a group of old men and bought a Shilen sporter barrel. It shot okay too, but not good enough to keep up with that crowd. My Volquartson barrelled 10-22 wouldn't either. So, a Kidd and a Kimber 82G later and I'm right there with them.
Then, I started shooting with a group of old men and bought a Shilen sporter barrel. It shot okay too, but not good enough to keep up with that crowd. My Volquartson barrelled 10-22 wouldn't either. So, a Kidd and a Kimber 82G later and I'm right there with them.
SwampWolf
Member
That's the very gun you have to keep, no matter how crooked it shoots.
77/22mag, all weather. First 22 WMR out of five or six that I've owned that would consistently do sub 2 MOA. Don't know why I sold it. Guess because I had a 17 HMR and foolishly thought it was better. Not. More accurate but not as effective on 40# wild canine fawn eaters.
Steve Milbocker
Member
Bought mine shortly after they came out. Like many have said it’s not a stellar performer on paper but it’s plenty good enough for hunting and really nice to carry. I have a 3-9 Weaver Wideview on it. Overkill for sure but a nice old scope.
I have an all-weather model which is fun and relatively accurate out to about 150-200 yards, with the Nikon scope I put on it. It was reasonably priced and I think that I have had it about 20 years. It is not as accurate as the Kimber I used to have but good enough for most of the fun I have with it
Mine is sporting a 6-18x40.
I've got a heavy barreled varmint 22LR. VQ sear is only mod. Reliable 1-1/4 MOA with ammo it likes. Also have 22 Hornet sporter. Doesn't shoot worth squat - 3" MOA at a 100. A little better with best handloads but not much. Gonna have a K-Hornet conversion when time and money allow.
Howland937
Member
I used to have an affinity for all things model 77, specifically the blued w/walnut. My 77/22 was a Sporter in .22 Hornet. It suffered the same lack of accuracy you've described. I finally found a load that would consistently shoot 1 moa with a 40 gr VMAX. But I had to pull the bullet so far, it turned into a single shot. Never could duplicate that accuracy with any other bullet and became tired of the whole mess
I have had 3, a 77/22 . 22 LR beautiful rifle not a super tack driver, little trigger work and floated barrel. Shoots more than well enough for fun and squirrels, currently has a Leupold 2-7 scope. A 77/22 in .22 Hornet, absolutely one of my favorite rifles, I did a channel release and glass bed on it and it is a good shooter, found a load with Rem BR primers it loves, doesn't like them hot though it will splot the cases. Have considered a K Hornet conversion, but it is quiet and accurate as is. Final one was a .22 WMR version, absolutely beautiful wood, so beautiful I kept it way longer than I would otherwise have,terrible shooter, best it ever did was about 2 inches at 50 yards.
dranrab
Member
I have two, both with standard barrels. One is a stainless LR and the other is a blued magnum. They are both pleasantly accurate with their favorite ammo and bone stock. There's just something about a 77/22. They just feel like a quality piece. I had my 16 year old grandson with me last week. I showed him all my guns. When he handled the 77/22, he said "dang PaPaw, I like that. It's light but heavy." I chuckled knowing exactly what he meant.
GunnyUSMC
Member
I bought a used one about a year ago. The bluing is messed up from water damage but all in all it’s in pretty good shape. I had to order a new mag for it. When I took it to the range the new mag was defective and I didn’t shoot it much.
I plan to shoot it this summer. If it shoots good, I’ll refinish it and put a better scope on it.
I plan to shoot it this summer. If it shoots good, I’ll refinish it and put a better scope on it.
Top is .22 WMR. Scope is Leupold compact 2x7. Trigger spring has been replaced. It is my favorite and most used rifle. It's about a 1.5 MOA rifle which is way good enough for my uses.
Middle is .22 LR. Scope is Nikon 4x. Same trigger spring replacement. About the same accuracy as the magnum.
Bottom is M77 RL in .270 Win. It's the reason for the middle one, I just wanted the pair.
I find Ruger 77 rifles to fill my needs, they're good looking, reliable, plenty accurate and carry very well. Love them.
Tired of the mess is a good description. After reading a pile about getting a Hornet to shoot, I put it away until I can do the conversion.
swg1
Member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2020
- Messages
- 428
I've got the heavy barrel 22lr. It busts clay pigeons on the hillside at 200yds all day long, when fired from a bench.
Great fun when some ar15 shooters set up the clay pigeons and in the midst of them dumping a magazine at them you quietly plink one and they ass slap each other over their marksmanship. They never suspect the guy with the 22.
Not picking on AR's, I have a bunch myself.
Great fun when some ar15 shooters set up the clay pigeons and in the midst of them dumping a magazine at them you quietly plink one and they ass slap each other over their marksmanship. They never suspect the guy with the 22.
Not picking on AR's, I have a bunch myself.
Last edited:
dranrab
Member
What percentage of the time would you say you hit them at 200 yards?
swg1
Member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2020
- Messages
- 428
From a bench and on a windless day, 90%+ of the time. I think the 16x Nikon on it with the adjustable objective lense helps. Anyhow, I forget if I've zeroed the rifle at 75 or 100 yds, but it is such that with the duplex cross hair, if I float the pigeons right on the tip of the lower vertical wire as it transitioned from thick to thin was perfectly sighted for dropping into a clay pigeon. It's easy enough my grandkids could do it off the bench as well.
Was kind of fun one day when the sun was perfectly behind me that I could watch the Remington gold bullets in flight through the scope.
Was kind of fun one day when the sun was perfectly behind me that I could watch the Remington gold bullets in flight through the scope.
dranrab
Member
That is exceptional. There is a long, but very interesting series of tests test going on here https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1129343
The shooters are shooting some of the best guns and best ammo available and not coming anywhere near that kind of accuracy with anything but the very best ammo.
- Status
