Ruger M77 accuracy

[astocks2622]

Hello, am looking for a new hunting rifle for this fall, and have my eyes on a Ruger M77 in 30-06 or 7mm Mag. I've been looking around at some reviews and several mentioned some accuracy problems with the Ruger rifles. are these simply anecdotal reports, or are Rugers not known for accuracy?

 

[MachIVshooter]

The M77's are plenty accurate for hunting. I have an older M77 in 6mm Rem that is right at MOA, and a new M77 MkII Varmint in .220 Swift that is consistently 1-1/2" for 5 shots at 200 yards. My little sister has an M77 Mk II in .280 Rem that shoots just over 1" at 100 yards.

My Remington 700's are slightly more accurate, but not so much that it's gonna make any difference for big game hunting.

 

[skinewmexico]

A lot of it is caliber dependent. But a friend of mine gave my son a M77, and it took about two days of sanding to float the barrel, and a new sear to make the trigger not give me a "fingers on a chalkboard" feeling. To be charitable, I will say it still shoots minute of deer.

 

[boone052]

Ruger M77 Hawkeye

I recently purchased a Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .30-'06. Love it. Great hunting accuracy. Shot 1" groups at the local range at 100 yds, with minimal adjustments out of the box. Also, a beautiful looking hunting rifle.

 

[ants]

I have posted my positive experience on previous threads. I have an old tang-safety M77 that shoots dead-on accurate, better than any other 30 caliber I own. I also have an M77 in 7x57 that makes a one inch group at 100 yards.

I'm certain that there are M77 rifles that didn't please their owners. And plenty of owners that didn't please their rifles.

 

[CWL]

I have a M77 VLE in .308. Granted it is their accurized version (floated barrel, hvy barrel), I was pleased by how smooth the bolt action and trigger felt. After matching the proper scope to it, my gun shot .71 MOA at 300 yards using match ammo.

Plenty accurate for deer.

 

[Float Pilot]

I bought one a year ago. A stainless M77MKII all weather in 350 Remington Magnum.
Initially it shot 4-6 inch groups out of the box and could obtain 3 inch groups with selected handloads.

I had to:
1. Recrown the Muzzle.
2. Free float the barrel channel on the stock.
3. Rebed part of the action.
4. Polish the feed ramp since it was rough as sandpaper.
5. Polish the sides of the action so the bolt would work better.

I am now obtaining 0.75 inch groups with selected handloads.

Now that Bill Ruger has died, I personally think that their quality control has gone all to heck.
If you don't need a controlled feed then get a Remington (and it pains me to say that).
Or if you need a controlled feed, then get a CZ. Their price is still reasonable considering the high quality of the metal work.

 

[Kingcreek]

I have an early M77 in .270 cal that shoots 1.5" groups with a couple different factory loads and shoots to the same POA. I've never bothered to try and better it with any handloads as it works plenty good for my hunting.

 

[umc180gr]

I have a new Hawkeye in .22-250. I would not hesitate to buy one in .30/06. It's a great rifle and accurate, just ask the coyotes that have met it.

 

[jonnyringo]

All bolt gun OEM's have had great, good and bad shooters. You just seem to hear more about the bad in many cases. The Ruger is a nice rifle and made in America. I'd say go for it.