Ruger 77/357

[grimjaw]

I have an old Weaver 2.5X that I've been using on rimfires, but it seems to work well enough with the 77/357. I've only put a couple of different .38 Special loads through it at 50 yards so far.

Aside: the rings that were shipped with this rifle were rusted on the bottom. Pretty shoddy quality control, IMO.

 

[Tophernj]

Nice setup, Grimjaw.

How has the .38 been feeding in your rifle? I've been reading of problems that others have been having and would love to hear from someone that actually uses the .38. Not really an issue for me as I load soft loads on .357 cases. I'm curious nonetheless.

C

 

[M1key]

Nice setup, Grimjaw.

How has the .38 been feeding in your rifle? I've been reading of problems that others have been having and would love to hear from someone that actually uses the .38. Not really an issue for me as I load soft loads on .357 cases. I'm curious nonetheless.

C

Ruger doesn't recommend 38 SPLs since the rotary mag was designed for 357 length cases. I haven't tried any, but you might be okay if you load them singly.

Here is mine with a 50-yard group shot today into stiff headwinds. Group is typical at about .80" with 158 handloads. Scope is a Weaver 2-7x.

M

 

[grimjaw]

Tophernj, I tried two different .38 rounds: full lead round nose and jacketed flat point. Both had a couple of jams b/c of the issue M1key cited. The .38 rounds are a little too short to feed reliably. I don't plan on using them often, I just didn't have any .357 that day at the range.

 

[Tophernj]

Thanks Gents.

I should be good as I only load in 357 cases. I will let y'all know how it goes with the glass I have coming.

C

 

[HoosierQ]

Nice setup, Grimjaw.

How has the .38 been feeding in your rifle? I've been reading of problems that others have been having and would love to hear from someone that actually uses the .38. Not really an issue for me as I load soft loads on .357 cases. I'm curious nonetheless.

C

While not a lot of experience, I ran 20 .38 special round nose lead through mine with no problems. One magazine load (of 5) was fired as fast as the bolt could be worked with no issues. Not sure what experience I'd have with a semi-wadcutter or a big open hollow point.

 

[Tophernj]

Thanks, HoosierQ. Much appreciated.

C

 

[RainDodger]

For rswartsell, up at the top of this thread... I too, wondered about a bolt rifle in .357, and then I handled one of these little things at a gun shop! Whoa! Very "cute" as the wife might say, small, handy, and nicely made! I wanted one! Just for fun! Who cares if there's a real need for it!

On the other hand, I've got a lot more "practical" rifles with better calibers in handy sizes, so I didn't buy one... but I'd love to have one of these to play with.

I would probably put a fairly low power, small scope on it, and I'm a sucker for better quality stuff. Leupold, Nikon, etc.

 

[HoosierQ]

For rswartsell, up at the top of this thread... I too, wondered about a bolt rifle in .357, and then I handled one of these little things at a gun shop! Whoa! Very "cute" as the wife might say, small, handy, and nicely made! I wanted one! Just for fun! Who cares if there's a real need for it!

On the other hand, I've got a lot more "practical" rifles with better calibers in handy sizes, so I didn't buy one... but I'd love to have one of these to play with.

I would probably put a fairly low power, small scope on it, and I'm a sucker for better quality stuff. Leupold, Nikon, etc.

I opted for this over the Rossi because there is essentially a whole website out there dedicated to making your Rossi work and/or work well from the factory. Now it looks like once you get there, you really have something and Rossi owners seem to be a very happy group...so obviously there is something there. Then there's Marlin where there seems to be a lot of problems with new guns and used ones around here are very scarce. So that sent me down the path of buying a nice, well made, ready to shoot .357 magnum carbine for $700 instead of one for $400 that I would have to do a lot of work on (work that I am not up to in terms of tools and metalworking skill).

I suppose my first choice in a world of unlimited funds would be a Uberti 92. But there we're talking another $500.

So right there is a very solid, handy, light, well built little carbine of roughly M1 Carbine size and dimensions for a caliber that is easy to reload, easy to find, redundant to other guns on hand (unlike the M1 Carbine).

So 77/357 it is! Plus, quite frankly, it is a bit unique and sure to get some attention at the range. It would make a very powerful little backpacker too. .357 magnum in a .22lr package. Sort of a bolt action trapper I suppose.

 

[Tophernj]

Well, the scope showed up last nite and got mounted pretty quickly. Pics to follow and a real deal range report will be along shortly as well.

C

 

[Hummer70]

I had a Marlin 1894 357 and with good iron sights ( Redfield target aperture sights) I could get Sierra 158s into 6" at 200 yards. From the group above it would appear the 77 is capable of the same.

They you consider the money involved in getting one and the accuracy to be gained in a 308 for about the same price its a stretch to consider a 77/357 when a American in 308 downloaded would be much more utilitarian or loaded with cast bullets.

 

[Tophernj]

Hello Hummer.

I, for the most part agree with you however in my own case I don't reload rifle. Actually, if I get a rifle that uses shouldered cases, I probably will not reload for it. I don't have enough time right now to deal with straight walled pistol cases much less adding to the whole deal with trimming and such. Therefore, the 77/357 is a great little gun for me.

C