I have a mid 70's Ruger M77 Tang Safety 7x57 that I've never been able to get to shoot, especially with bullets less than 175gr. I'd like to find a replacement barrel (still 7x57) that can shoot 130-150 gr bullets. Looking for barrel and twist recommendations. Any gunsmiths that can do the job as well.
Ruger M77 Tang Safety 7x57 rebarrel project
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Newtosavage
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So sorry to hear this. I love my Ruger 7x57 and it shoots exceptionally well, even with the pencil-thin 18.5" barrel (RSI model).
But I sure went through plenty of loads that were awful before I found the ones it liked.
I am not an experienced handloader but I am persistent and thorough. Had I only shot my rifle unmodified, with factory ammo, I am certain I would no longer own it despite it being the most beautiful rifle I've ever owned.
But I sure went through plenty of loads that were awful before I found the ones it liked.
I am not an experienced handloader but I am persistent and thorough. Had I only shot my rifle unmodified, with factory ammo, I am certain I would no longer own it despite it being the most beautiful rifle I've ever owned.
ThomasT
Member
I seem to remember reading that the rugers had a long throat and did not do well with lighter (shorter) bullets. You may be able to have the barrel set back and a new chamber cut with a shorter throat. But if you go through that much work it may be a better idea to just have a new barrel installed. And I am a 7x57 fan myself. I have a custom 7 mauser built by my granpaw on a G33/40 action with either a douglas or P.O. Ackley barrel. Nobody remembers which barrel was used. I also bought a Remington Mountain rifle off GB a little over a year ago in 7x57. I have killed most of my deer with that round.
Sorry to hear of your troubles. That gun is a keeper! I had a tang safety M77 in 7X57 years ago. I got rid of mine because I also had a 280Rem at the same time, and they are almost ballistic twins. I couldn't find loading notes for the 7x57, but I did find some for my 280. Mine liked 140 and 150gr Nosler BTs with Re19 powder.
I had a few M77s over the years from the early to mid 1970s. I still have my super accurate M77 .250 Sav; and until recently a fine M77 .338 Win mag. The .257 Roberts 77 had a very long throat and never produced the accuracy it should have. Man, but that .338 and .250 are awesome.
Throats are long on the Rugers. The no 1s were not any better believe me on this. Mine had to have a 175 seated quite a ways out. Anything else was too short. Not sure what Ruger was thinking when they reamed them. E R Shaw makes decent barrels. A 1-9 twist would be fine.
Thanks for the reply's. Definitely going to keep it as it's the first gun my father bought me when I was a teenager. Even with handloads, I've never found a load it likes and can shoot consistently 2" @ 100yards. Attempting to find a reasonably priced barrel fitted to the action.
Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
Why not shoot the 175's(as they are shootin good) and be done with it.JMHO no need to rebarrel
Just checked E R Shaws web site and it looks as if you can get a barrel installed for around 300 bucks. I had them build a 250 Savage and it performs well. Sierra pro hunters go around 1.25. Now this may not sound fantastic, but, it was a 50 shot group fired over several days. This was done when at my dads when bow hunting. Some days only 2 or 3 shots. Some 10 or more. One set of 5 was as fast as I could aim well. What this tells is that hot, cold, clean, or dirty the point of impact remains the same. That is consistency I can live with.
Another option is to have that barrel set back. However, if any thing like my no 1, it would have go be moved back a long way. It may also cost almost as much to have the barrel set back.
Another option is to have that barrel set back. However, if any thing like my no 1, it would have go be moved back a long way. It may also cost almost as much to have the barrel set back.
witchhunter
Member
Try PacNor, they will put a nice barrel on and throat it how you want. be sure and get the twist that you want too. They are very reputable, I know a couple of my friends that highly recommend them. Their guns shoot!
Nother vote for Shaw for lost cost options. I have an 700 that they rebarrled from .223 to 6x47, it will hold 1" or better with every bullet ive tried, besides these 86grain etips im playing with now. They also did some action work while it was there total cost was about 400 bucks i think.
Jim Watson
Member
A friend had a similar problem. He sent it back to Ruger, they crowned the muzzle and touched up the bedding. No real improvement. He sent it in again, they replaced the barrel. He said the test target looked acceptable if not wonderful... until he noticed it was shot at 50 yards instead of 100 or more. So he sent it to an independent shop and had a Douglas put on. For some reason, he had it made a .280 instead of a 7mm Mauser. It shoots accurately and he reports that a non-magnum .284" bullet will NOT bounce off an elk.
If you are in my area (Alabama) I could find out who he used. If you are going to have to ship the gun anyhow, there are a number of good places.
If you are in my area (Alabama) I could find out who he used. If you are going to have to ship the gun anyhow, there are a number of good places.
Southern California
Leaning towards ER Shaw, looks like a decent compromise between quality and cost. Now I need to decide if I get a stainless barrel or blued. Not sure what the gun would look like with a blued action and stainless barrel. I also need to determine matte finish or not. Their price list is a bit confusing if getting the finish is an additional cost, along with drilled for scope. I'll contact them once I know what I want.
You could also have the action and barrel cerakoted, add a little corrosion resistance, and make everything match nicely.
Personally for any rebarrels i do on my blued working guns I'll likely get stainless barrels and have the whole thing cerakoted in mate gray/stainless.
And yeah its best to just email them for a quote. i believe cost structure is barrel cost, then add cost to actually do the install and chamber, then add any other opions like finishing or action work.
Personally for any rebarrels i do on my blued working guns I'll likely get stainless barrels and have the whole thing cerakoted in mate gray/stainless.
And yeah its best to just email them for a quote. i believe cost structure is barrel cost, then add cost to actually do the install and chamber, then add any other opions like finishing or action work.
osprey176
Member
You won't need to drill for a scope, your action is already drilled, or has integral mounts. If the gun has sentimental value, as you stated, I would lean toward keeping it looking original with a blued barrel. I have a rebarrelled Tang safety in 7 RM, restocked, that shoots incredibly accurately. Bought it used, so I'm not sure of the barrel brand, my bud at the shop I picked it up at thinks it's a Shilen.
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