Ruger M77 Tang Safety in .308 New Acquisition!!

[LA Rondo]

Hi Folks, back here after a long time!

A Ruger M77 Tang Safety Red Pad in .308 w/ 24" heavy barrel & Leopold scope.
The rifle is in tiptop shape, clean inside out, at least a 9 out of 10.
Blueing is perfect, no scuffs on the wood, bolt & action as clean as they come new.
If the rifle was shot at all, it must have been only a few times.

I looked up the serial, it dates to 1978.
It's in unbelievable condition for a 40 y/o
In my opinion, it's one of the best looking rifles of all time.

Now, I am reading all the "horror" about lousy barrels and poor accuracy!?
Paperwork is done DROS is processing, pickup date on 6/14.

Sometimes I think, it's better not to read all the stuff people write on the internet.
This morning I felt like I want to back out of the sale,
which of course would cost me 20% of $650 for restocking and $35 for DROS.

I am not a hunter, nor a bench rest shooter who's counting MOA groups.
At the present, only shooting factory ammo.

What is the good word?

 

[shafter]

I have one and it's been a decent hunting rifle. Plenty rugged and accurate enough for that, but I've seen much better accuracy out of cheaper guns. My friends budget Savage can shoot circles around it.

 

[LA Rondo]

I previously had my eyes on a Savage Model 10 FCP HS, Remington 700 SPS Tactical
That M77 is a classic. I love classics. But, if she doesn't shoot well, it's not going to be much fun.

 

[edwardware]

My Ruger M77 in .270, tang safety, 1970's, with an original Leupold M8 4x scope, consistently puts Federal Bluebox 150gr SPs into a 1 MOA group.

It's taken me a while to find a handload that duplicates that, but I just arrived there with Speer 130 SPs over H4831SC.

A pretty, practical, rifle.

Edit: I believe that the Federal Bluebox load works so well because of the very gentle ogive on that bullet. I suggest you buy a box and try it.

 

[LA Rondo]

I shoot the Federal Blue Box in my M1A, works fine.
I'm not even evaluating my groups on paper.
At this point I am shooting at steel plates out @ 300 yards,
without much of a set up on the bench.

 

[.308 Norma]

Sometimes I think, it's better not to read all the stuff people write on the internet.
This morning I felt like I want to back out of the sale,
which of course would cost me 20% of $650 for restocking and $35 for DROS.

I don't know what a "DROS" is, but if you're reading about the "horror" of lousy barrels and poor accuracy of the old M-77 tang safety Rugers on the internet after you just bought one, yeah, you should probably stop.
My old M-77 tang safety is a 30-06 instead of a 308, and it doesn't have a heavy barrel. But it's probably about the same vintage as yours; I bought it used in the early '80s. I don't know how it will do with factory ammo as I've never put a factory round through it. But with my handloads of a Hornady 165gr BTSP over a charge of IMR4350, it wasn't hard to find a load that easily goes 3-shots MOA. And it works amazingly well on mule deer, clear out to an honest to goodness, paced off, 460 yards.
My wife also has (had) a M-77 tang safety 7mm-08 that she bought new, sometime back in the '80s. Our oldest daughter, and in turn, our oldest grandson have kinda laid claim that old rifle, but my wife, our daughter, and now our grandson have killed a lot of mule deer with it over the years. I think it also will still do 3-shots MOA. I know it would when my wife had it.
However, I do remember that that particular M-77 absolutely hated Hornady 139gr BTSP bullets. Those were the first bullets I tried in it because, as I said, my own M-77 tang safety does so well with Hornady 165gr BTSPs. Alas, we went through a whole box of Hornady 139gr BTSPs in my wife's M-77, different powders and charge weights, different primers, different seating depths, and that danged rifle still would not group under 3-shots in 4" at a hundred yards. Finally, we ran out of the BTSPs, so I stuffed a few Hornady, plain-based 139gr SPs in the remaining charged cases I had. All 5 of those plain-based SPs went into about an inch and a half at 100 yards, and my wife has never fired another BT bullet in her M-77 since. As far as I know, neither has our daughter or grandson.
I wish I knew how to post a picture though, because I have one of our grandson and his proud mom (our daughter) when they showed up at the house last deer season with one of the biggest mule deer bucks I've ever seen in my life in the back of their truck. Our grandson killed that monster at a little over 200 yards, with his grandmother's old tang-safety, M-77 Ruger, 7mm-08.

 

[Riomouse911]

DROS is California’s Dealer Record Of Sale fee and form, with the associated 10 day waiting period... to reduce crime of course.

 

[Riomouse911]

And I have a red pad - Tang safety 77 RSI in .243 that’s a decent shooter. It won’t win any benchrest matches, but it’s minute-of-whitetail accurate to any range I can hit for myself.

Don’t sweat it! I would buy it, find a load it likes and enjoy it.

 

[.308 Norma]

to reduce crime of course.

Thanks! And of course!

 

[Riomouse911]

 

[LA Rondo]

DROS is California’s Dealer Record Of Sale fee and form, with the associated 10 day waiting period... to reduce crime of course.

Exactly that.

 

[LA Rondo]

I don't know what a "DROS" is, but if you're reading about the "horror" of lousy barrels and poor accuracy of the old M-77 tang safety Rugers on the internet after you just bought one, yeah, you should probably stop.

It's a great looking rifle in formidable condition, incl. premium Leopold glass.
I have not taken delivery on it. DROS is still in process. Sale is final when I pick it up.
Just FYI, this how it works in CA.

 

[jmr40]

Prior to 1992 Ruger purchased barrels from various vendors, "low bidder". Some were of poor quality, others were purchased from reputable companies who made target grade barrels. As a result accuracy was all over the place. Since this has a 24" heavy barrel I'd think the odds are good that it may have been made by one of the better manufacturers.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

My only experience with one is my wife's in .243 Win.
It's a good shooter. 1.5" groups are routine and I can often get them within MOA if I'm shooting well.

It did well with factory Federal 100 grain ammo.
Now we're shooting 85 grain Sierra Gameking BTHP for deer and it shoots those very accurately as well.

No complaints.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have that rifle in .22-250 and it is quite accurate.
A .25-06 with 24" tapered barrel, the only non-Magnum of that configuration, was less satisfactory.

 

[LA Rondo]

I like to tell a little story.
Back in March, I decided to get back into shooting and went to look at rifles.
I went to Greta's in Simi Valley, it's a very clean and orderly store. Has nice pre-owned inventory.
So, I see this Ruger M77 in my favorite caliber.
I didn't go for it, because I was actually looking for a good deal on a loaded SA M1A.

Nobody seemed to have anything in inventory, until I tapped into Martin B. Retting, Culver City
Squared the deal right there and then, pick it up 10 days later.

However, that Ruger M77 Red Pad stayed in my mind, like a renter who doesn't pay rent.
I tried to restrain myself from going there for several weeks.
When I finally caved, I found out she was not there anymore.

I thought ok, so be it. On the other hand I started feverishly looking for a bolt action that I liked.
Nothing really for weeks, that I would catch on whole-heartedly.

With all the gun store visits I undertook, I stopped for a routine check at Greta's, and ...
sure enough: there she was again!

I asked, what happened, how come she re-appeared?
They said, the rifle was in the backroom and the deal with whoever was going to buy it, fell through.
So this time, I didn't flinch for a second, squared the deal right there and then.

That explains a bit, why I didn't do any inter-web research before hand.

 

[.308 Norma]

That explains a bit, why I didn't do any inter-web research before hand.

Yeppers, that does kind of explain it a bit.

Now, I am reading all the "horror" about lousy barrels and poor accuracy!?

However, if what you are reading while doing your "inter-web research" is "horror" about lousy barrels and poor accuracy of the tang-safety Ruger M-77s, I'm really glad the internet, as we know it today, wasn't around back when I bought my tang-safety Ruger M-77; I probably would have researched it on the internet, paid attention to the "horror" stories, never bought it, and deprived myself of around 38 years of owning and using a great rifle. And as I said in my first post in this thread, my wife, our daughter, and now our grandson have another tang-safety Ruger M-77, so they too would have been deprived of owning and using yet another great rifle all because I read something on the internet.
Don't get me wrong Rondo, I'm not saying internet research on a gun you're thinking about buying is wrong, or even bad. I do it myself. What I am saying is that I, my wife, our daughter and our grandson have all had great luck with a couple of tang-safety Ruger M-77s. And you're reading our experiences on the internet right now.
BTW, at present I'm doing internet research on Ruger mini-14s and mini-30s because I'm considering buying another one. I had an older mini-30 with a wood stock about 10 years back, and it was the most inaccurate piece of junk (6" 3-shot groups at 100yrds) I'd ever seen. But from what I've read on the internet, Ruger minis have been improved, and 2" 3-shot groups are possible now. That's not as good as my old tang-safety Model 77, but I can live with it. So now I'm just trying to decide between a mini-14 and a mini-30.

 

[SwampWolf]

I've always been a fan of the rugged, classic-styled Ruger Model 77s and MKII 77s. I currently have four (all with "sporter-sized" barrels), two of them being Model 77s bought new in the early seventies (a 30-06 and a .257 Roberts). Maybe I've just been lucky but I've never shot a Model 77 rifle that wouldn't put three shots of factory ammunition in groups under three inches @ 100 yards from a rest. On the other hand, I've never shot one that I would consider "super-accurate" (an inch or under) with factory ammunition. But they make for great hunting rifles and I appreciate the fact that the safeties lock the bolts shut when "on".

 

[SwampWolf]

Prior to 1992 Ruger purchased barrels from various vendors, "low bidder". Some were of poor quality, others were purchased from reputable companies who made target grade barrels.

I've heard that story countless times over the years but I've never seen any empirical evidence of the claim. I'm not saying that such wasn't the case but I'd love to see the proof.

 

[Bushpilot]

In my opinion, it's one of the best looking rifles of all time.

I agree, M77s were some great looking rifles.. The new Ruger Hawkeye Standards are right up there as well IMO...

Now, I am reading all the "horror" about lousy barrels and poor accuracy!?

While it's true that Ruger 77 barrels tended to be "hit or miss" accuracy-wise, I don't think the situation was quite as bad as people today make it out to be. I've had some Ruger 77's that were great shooters and some that were only mediocre but I think the really bad ones were fewer and farther between then people today make them out to be... Your's has a lot going for it, it's a heavy barrel and chambered for a highly accurate cartridge, it will probably shoot fine.... If the price was right I would have probably went for it as well... Let us know how it does...

Alas, we went through a whole box of Hornady 139gr BTSPs in my wife's M-77, different powders and charge weights, different primers, different seating depths, and that danged rifle still would not group under 3-shots in 4" at a hundred yards. Finally, we ran out of the BTSPs, so I stuffed a few Hornady, plain-based 139gr SPs in the remaining charged cases I had. All 5 of those plain-based SPs went into about an inch and a half at 100 yards, and my wife has never fired another BT bullet in her M-77 since.

I've seen similar things with boat-tails. Unless I'm shooting at very long ranges I'll take a good flat base bullet over a boat-tail every time as far as accuracy is concerned....

 

[LA Rondo]

Thanks for the kind words.
I backed out of the deal yesterday evening.
They were not exactly happy about it, but didn't charge me restocking fees.

Something made me uneasy about it.
This morning I recalled, I once had a S & W revolver that absolutely would not shoot. Not even from 10 feet.
It was awful. I couldn't wait for the day I got rid of it.

This M77 showed no handling marks whatsoever, which leads me to believe she was a 40 y/o safe queen.
Which is nice. I love safe queens. What a pretty rifle!
So adorable, I would have felt bad to leave fingerprints [acid] on the blueing.

However, at this point, I want a more rugged shooter.
So, I'll keep looking. Will see what comes up.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I love the old Ruger M77s, don't have any newer than maybe 20 years old. I have one with a bull barrel in .280 I've had for over 40 years and it shoots 1" groups. My favorite is in .257 Roberts and with the old Remington round nosed bullets will shoot through the same hole at 100 yards, it will not shoot other factory loads especially the more pointed like Hornady worth a darn. Also have ones in .308, 30-06 and they are not tack drivers but plenty out to 300 yards for deer and hogs.

 

[DDDWho]

I've owned Ruger 77s with both safeties. Back in the day when I took stuff apart to see how it worked I removed the cover plate from the tang safety. As I recall it was a somewhat flimsy looking affair with what looked like a safety pin putting tension on the slide button. I suppose all lasted well but I was amazed at the seeming weakness of it. I used it as a hunting rifle, zeroed on a pie plate at 200 yards. I once hit a deer running full speed quartering away from me at about 100 yds. I have no complaint about its accuracy.
My current 77 is a Hawkeye with the Mauser type safety. Being right handed it is as easy for me to operate as the tang and it seems much more substantial. I actually prefer the Mauser type safety.
These are just observations and preferences of mine. I don't want to hear of one over the other. You wont change my mind.

 

[hdbiker]

I bought a as new Ruger 77 MKII dated to 1991, out of a collection, the rifle was pristine in every respect. Having another .308, I had loads on hand to try. After trying 5 different bullets (150 grain ) and three different powders, it wouldn't group better than 2-2/12 inches at 100 yards'. I complained to the seller and he offered to take the rifle back but suggested calling Ruger. After a conversation with Ruger customer service they asked for the serial number of the rifle and said OHHHH. They wanted the rifle back for testing, sent me a shipping label and I returned it using Fed Ex. A few days later Ruger called and said they would re barrel the rifle, would take about 10 days. I received the rifle back in a timely amount of time. AMAZING but now I have several loads that will group an inch or better. NO CHARGE !!!!!!!!!!! Ruger customer service is second to none !!!!!!. hdbiker

 

[jonc]

They're great hunting type rifles and the ones I've handled are usually really smooth actions. I'm sure you'll love it