Ruger 77/357 optic recommendation

[Obturation]

Hey all,
Hope you folks are feeling well. I've hit a little bump in the road for my carbine (rifle?). I'm not very experienced with long gun optics, typically just use iron sights of one kind or another or a holographic (or red dot,whatever) and call it good. When I bought this 77/357 in March I planned on just leaving it light weight and compact as possible, I had a bushnell banner (3-9x-ish) laying around that had been bought cheap when the local gander mountain closed and I decided to mount it for load development to help me determine the most accurate load a bit easier and planned to remove the scope once I had it all figured out- maybe goofy logic, but I'm not much of a long gun guy as it is and I just thought it was feasibly the right plan.

First range test was good, scope zeroed easily at 50 yards and all was well. I went home with plans to tweak my standard 357 load around a little and return for further testing. A couple weeks later, 50 yard zero was way off. Hadn't dropped or jostled the gun at all and just couldn't figure it could be so far off. Attempts at re-zero proved impossible . 8" randomly dispersed groups at 50 , even with the load I originally zeroed for. Popped the scope off and realized the little 357 rifle had killed that scope in under 200 rounds, shot fine with the irons. Cheap is cheap but junk is useless. I will admit that I'm frugal but have no problem spending money to be well equipped and I'm realistic about the cost of quality optics , I decided I do want to have a compact, rugged , low magnification sight for this gun long term.

What would you all recommend for my situation ? I basically never shoot over 100 yards and I'm not trying to neuter gnats from a football field away. Just want something durable and compact that won't leave me wishing I had spent a little more. Obvious choice to me was the leupold vx-freedom 1.5-4x20 , but I have no experience with any quality optics ( best I own is an eotech on an AR) . I'm willing to get what's best but don't want to go overboard and end up spending more than I need to but also don't want to wish I had bought better if I'm unsatisfied. So tough, high quality and compact are my requirements , suggestions please.

-as a secondary question, are the factory ruger rings acceptable or should I buy higher quality ruger style rings from another maker or mount a rail ? In my amature opinion, the factory rings seem fine but I'm a Neanderthal and know basically nothing about it.

Thanks!

 

[chicharrones]

A lightweight Leupold in 1-4x, like you mention, would be my choice, too.

I have the now discontinued VX Hog in 1-4x. Nice fat reticles that go narrow near the center. I really like how the fat portion makes for a quick target aquisition option.

I'd have to poke around Leupolds website to see what current reticle compares, but I'm on my tiny phone right now and browsing the internet is a pain in this thing.

By the way, I think factory Ruger rings are fine, although a little high in some circumstances due to the expectation from Ruger that most people will install large diameter scopes.

Full disclosure, my experience above is with my Ruger GSR. I do not have a 77/357.

 

[stringnut]

The wife had a Leupold 1-4 on her Marlin 1894 357 Works great and looks pretty good. Wouldnt go nuts power or size wise on the scope. I had a 2.5 on my 45 70 and it it was more than enough for deer at 150 yards.

 

[Peakbagger46]

A third vote for a leupold 1-4X20. I’ve used one on my lever gun and it’s ideal for shorter range calibers.

If it were me, I would find some lower aluminum rings for better cheek wield and weight savings.

 

[cdb1]

Ruger OEM rings are good quality. I’d put a VX-Freedom 2-7x33 on it.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Yes to all recommendations above^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[GooseGestapo]

My 77/357 wore a 2-7x 32mm. Much better light gathering and and better target discrimination in low light. Our bucks must have 4pts on one side. Keeps you from mistaking a 3” spike for a doe!

 

[AK103K]

Just be aware, the bolt handle come up very close to the scope when the bolt is fully open, and you may find it difficult to work the bolt, especially from your shoulder.

This is a Leupold 4x (which is a pretty small scope) on mine, and it wasnt on there long, because of the issue.



That issue also caused problems with a NECG peep I tried as well. Ended up just going with the factory leaf sight.

The other problem, which would have only made things worse optic wise, the bolt knob is small, and needs to be about double its size.

 

[Skylerbone]

Snapped a few photos for size comparisons, none of them a bolt action carbine but similar power range and scope requirements. I’m shying away from Leupold lately and finding plenty to like with Bushnell, a company you should not write off based on a bargain basement model.

I can also say, having owned a pair for some time, that those 1” tube Leupold scopes don’t offer the dawn and dusk light you need. Speaking of light I apologize for those last two pics, storm knocked out power here, likely for the next several days. Basement, nighttime, flashlight, phone = bad photos.

.357 Mag Henry wearing a 1.5-4x20 Leupold Mark AR. Not classy but got the job done.


Foreground is a T/C Encore .350 Legend with Bushnell Prime 1-4x32, background is the Henry again, sporting a 2-7x32 Zeiss Terra.


As you can see there’s not much difference in real estate between the 1-4 and 2-7 scopes and I always prefer more to less even at close range.

 

[AK103K]

I think what might be problematical with the scopes with the larger rear bells is going to be the Rugers bolt throw.

Its already very tight with the smaller Leupold scope. Id want to make sure the bolt handle would clear the bell and youd be able to operate it without interference.