Should I get this M77?

[philpost]

I've been interested in getting something in .308 that I could use for general use: targets, some potential hunting, not a lot of sniping or tactical operator workeek. The local fun shop has a Ruger M77 International (w/Mannlicher stock) & Leupold scope for $600. I like the way it feels and looks, and is in good shape. Is this a good value, and will it meet my basic, limited, learning-curve kind of needs? What are your opinions on either the M77 platform or the stocks?

 

[jakk280rem]

I like the way it feels and looks, and is in good shape.

seems like you don't really need our help.

 

[bbq fan]

I purchased my M77 in the 30-06 caliber sometime ago. Sadly, its been a safe queen for the most part. I am impressed overall with it. Good luck.

 

[USMC8541]

I won't buy any Ruger rifles, no matter what I did could not make em shoot. Now have Remington 700

 

[R.W.Dale]

I have owned bolt guns from all the major and most of the minor manufacturers.

The only ones that have NEVER dussapointed me in the slightest are the rugers. The rugers are just NICE as in modern day improved Mauser nice. Now this said dont buy a full stocked rifle expecting to shoot dinky groups with it.

 

[rbernie]

I think very well of Rugers, and currently own a handful of 77MkIIs and even a few Ruger #1s. None of them have ever disappointed me; they are field-accurate or better and have been quite reliable.

The Mannlicher stock is something that you either love or you do not. If you do love it, the Ruger and the CZ are the only two affordable choices. A good condition field-model Ruger 77 will sell for $400-$500 depending on condition, with the Internationals going for a bit more than an equivalent standard model.

If it speaks to you - get it.

 

[jerkface11]

$600 with a Leupold scope is a smoking hot deal. Jump on it before someone else does.

 

[DocCasualty]

I've had a M77 for 20 years with a sporting stock and a Leupold VariX-II 3X9. It's been a dead accurate rifle out of the box. I don't think you can go wrong with this rifle and scope. Price really depends on which model scope and your area. I'd try to find some local comparative prices.

 

[jmr40]

Which Leupold scope will determine if it is a smoking deal, or just a fair price. With a Vari-X III or equivalent it is a deal.

As others have said the mannlicher stock is a love it or hate it proposition. Same with Ruger rifles. Personally I'd pass, but if you like that style stock I have no serious complaints about Ruger rifles.

 

[philpost]

Which Leupold scope will determine if it is a smoking deal, or just a fair price. With a Vari-X III or equivalent it is a deal.

As others have said the mannlicher stock is a love it or hate it proposition. Same with Ruger rifles. Personally I'd pass, but if you like that style stock I have no serious complaints about Ruger rifles.

If the stock is love it or hate it, I definitely love it, but bolt-action .308's are a whole new world for me. Could you give me some more opinions on why Ruger rifles are love/hate?

 

[68wj]

Could you give me some more opinions on why Ruger rifles are love/hate?

'Cause they're (at least were) on the lower end of the price sprectrum and snipers don't use them. They make a great hunting rifle and this one sounds like a good deal. I have 3. Two shoot very well and the other does good to get 1.5" groups (all weather model).

 

[rbernie]

Could you give me some more opinions on why Ruger rifles are love/hate?

Oral history suggests that early Ruger 77s were well praised for their accuracy but that later models were inconisistent in the accuracy department until Ruger finally figured out that their barrel subcontractor was having issues and brought all barrel production in-house.

Also, some folk don't like Ruger because of the way that Bill Ruger (now dead) handled himself during the dark days running up to the 1994 AWB.

And finally, as pointed out, Rugers are generally not found in 'sniper rifle' builds and so folk tend to gravitate towards those brands that are.

Like I said - my Ruger 77MkIIs are all accurate and wonderful field guns. Some of their features, such as CRF and a proper three-position safety, may not be fully appreciated by weekend bench shooters but are very much appreciated by those that carry their rifle afield.

 

[juk]

I've got a M77 Varmint with tang safety in 308 and it's a shooter. Not sniper-rifle precise, but then again, the only loads I have shot through it have been hunting loads. With my handloads I see 1" 5 shot groups at 100, and I can hit a 6" gong at 350 yards all day long. I'm not gonna complain about that. I would seriously look into the CZ rifles though. You get a great gun for good gun money.

 

[HOOfan_1]

the CZ 550 FS is about $200 more than the Ruger M77 International though. Although IMO the CZ does look better and has that nice hogback stock

 

[Skylerbone]

Make sure to inspect the barrel carefully as I had a 77 with a bit of button chatter that wasn't noticed until after it had been fired. Overall accuracy did not seem to suffer much but it always bothered me knowing it was there. As for the stock, I think they're beautiful but not always practical and have more potential to decrease accuracy.

While some gravitate toward "tactical" style rifles and discuss their latest "sniper builds", you can always take comfort in knowing that a sniper (and his mission) is what makes his rifle a sniper rifle and no amount of accessorizing can change that.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I'm a fan of CZ overall but there's just something about the 550 I just don't like. Maybe it's that they're always a bit on the porky side compared to a similar ruger.


That and I'm a huge fan of ruger's scope mounting system, but I hate the ones on CZ's and Cz won't give you a set of rings if your rifle came with sights (read $$$$$$)

 

[philpost]

As for the stock, I think they're beautiful but not always practical and have more potential to decrease accuracy.

While some gravitate toward "tactical" style rifles and discuss their latest "sniper builds", you can always take comfort in knowing that a sniper (and his mission) is what makes his rifle a sniper rifle and no amount of accessorizing can change that.

True, I'm partial by nature to wood stocks (& leather slings) rather than to the more synthetic/tactical style. In certain situations, I'm sure a Remington or Howa would be more practical.

 

[rozziboy18]

IMHO

im a fan of ruger ban or no ban, i got my first mk2 when i was 15 from my dad. 270, laminit wood, sporter stainless. one thing i have learned from owning no 4 m77's is that free floating the barrel is never a bad thing! after floating the barrel with 130 hornday gmx's at 100 yd it his just under 1 inch. most of the ruger stigma comes from the AWB guys due to ruger side with it. personaly id rip there arm off for it, scope pending value of corse, and if you have problems with group size, freefloat the barrel and all will be fine!


almost forgot

+100 rbernie

 

[browningguy]

I have an older tang safety model 77 International in .308 and it has been a fine rifle. It shows a strong preference for the 150 gr. SST load and will put three shots in a 1/2" all the time. After three it heats up and starts stringing them but since you should only need 1-2 shots for hunting it's not a problem.

 

[CoastieShep]

I had a mk2 in .223 what was extremely accurate. Have and old .270 that is accurate enough to kill a mule deer at 300 yds.
What more could you want from a hunting rifle?

 

[SwampWolf]

I've got two Model 77s and two of the later MKIIs and all of them will shoot three-shot groups at 100 yards, under two inches with factory ammunition. One (an early Roberts) will flirt with sub-MOA all day long. Though I prefer the earlier models with the tang-mounted, two-position safeties (the bolt in the "safe" position is locked until moved to "fire"-I have a personal peeve toward hunting rifles like the later Remington 700s that utilize a two-position safety that can become unlocked when the safety is "on"); the later MKIIs with three-position safeties are fine too.
One of my MKIIs is an International Model chambered in .308 Winchester. I have a compact Leupold 1X5 powered scope mounted on it and it makes for a perfect handling little carbine in heavy cover but is plenty flat shooting enough for longer (two to three hundred yards) shots.

 

[philpost]

I've got two Model 77s and two of the later MKIIs and all of them will shoot three-shot groups at 100 yards, under two inches with factory ammunition. One (an early Roberts) will flirt with sub-MOA all day long. Though I prefer the earlier models with the tang-mounted, two-position safeties (the bolt in the "safe" position is locked until moved to "fire"-I have a personal peeve toward hunting rifles like the later Remington 700s that utilize a two-position safety that can become unlocked when the safety is "on"); the later MKIIs with three-position safeties are fine too.
One of my MKIIs is an International Model chambered in .308 Winchester. I have a compact Leupold 1X5 powered scope mounted on it and it makes for a perfect handling little carbine in heavy cover but is plenty flat shooting enough for longer (two to three hundred yards) shots.

Real good stuff to know, thanks for posting. I did put a deposit on the Ruger, which is a 1984 model w/2-position safety as described. It's also equipped with a Leupold M8-4X scope. The shop owner purchased this as part of a collection from an older gentleman who took good care of his nice guns.