What are the chances of ruger replacing its 77/357 and 77/44

[Jason_W]

One of the main reasons why so many people like 357 carbines is they are cheap to shoot, like 9mm and 22LR. Most of them can also shoot 38 spl which is a cheap plinker. The 357 has a decent trajectory out to 100 yards which means you can actually hit something with a little practice. Although the velocity is slow by rifle standards the 158 and 180 gr bullet is heavy enough to use on medium sized game.

The only downside is the the restricted effective range. Probably the reason why some states have recently made them legal for deer.

And with handloading, it's a variable yield round. You can load up a cat sneeze round that will knock a clean hole in a small game animal an still have something left to eat, or you can ramp it up with a stout charge of slower burning powder and get more than 2k f/s at the muzzle with 125 grain bullets and 1800-1900 f/s with a 158 grain bullet. It's never going to be an '06 class big game round, but within it's sweet spot out to 100 yards, it could be an effective deer load with careful shot placement.

The reason I'm interested in a bolt gun in a revolver round is that they're more optics friendly than leverguns. I like leverguns, but to me, a scope on one just doesn't feel right or comfortable and there are some targets for which a little magnification is helpful.

 

[dieselchief]

local pawn shop has one....not sure how to get a private message to you. dc

 

[R.W.Dale]

I've owned three now. Two 44's and a 357

If I ever shot a group under 4" at 50yds with one I neither remember it or have a record of it.
Same for a 22hornet on the same action. I think I could shoot smoothbore slugs with just a bead just as accurately, I certainly can a 10" Blackhawk

I for one don't miss these inaccurate little nuggets and this admonishment comes from a total Ruger fan.

 

[ECVMatt]

I have several .357 rifles, from single shots to the 77/357, and love them all. They are fun to shoot, disproportionately powerful, and mine have all been accurate. I highly respect R. W. Dale's opinion, but all of my 77/ series rifles have been very accurate.

I also love the .30/30, but I don't have any handguns in the caliber, so it makes the .357 a better choice when I just want to go shoot quickly and don't want to carry a bunch of different calibers. I have also found that my .357's don't kick nearly as much as my .30-30's and everyone in my family can shoot them with ease.

Not to start a war, but here is an article that reflects my observations of the .357/.30/30 comparison:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/05/chris-dumm/lever-action-ballistics-30-30-vs-357-magnum/

Paco Kelly also has written some pretty good stuff about .357's in rifles for those who are interested. For just hunting, I will always go with the .30-30, but if I am just exploring the desert or mountains, I generally take the .357 Rifle/Revolver combo.

In a perfect world, Ruger would come out with an "American" style rifle in .357 and .44. This would provide a more affordable option for us pistol caliber rifle shooters.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I've owned three now. Two 44's and a 357

If I ever shot a group under 4" at 50yds with one I neither remember it or have a record of it.
Same for a 22hornet on the same action. I think I could shoot smoothbore slugs with just a bead just as accurately, I certainly can a 10" Blackhawk

I for one don't miss these inaccurate little nuggets and this admonishment comes from a total Ruger fan.

The barrels heat up pretty fast and the accuracy goes south after about 5 rds. I had Ruger rebarrel mine and the first 3 shots touch each other at 50 yds. They did it no charge as it was still under warranty. Mines a lot better than 6 moa which is about all you can do with a slug gun. I would say it's about a 3-4 moa rifle now. Not stellar but good enough for deer. The first barrel was garbage so I know what you're talking about. It doesn't like coated lead bullets, don't know why. I'm thinking about putting a reflex dot on it. Kids love to shoot with dots.

 

[Macchina]

I am lucky and got a 77 44 and 357 quite a while back. Fun little guns. Accurate enough, very cheap to shoot when you cast and reload, handy to tote, and can do just about anything, though they really are not the BEST at anything. Useful little guns!

I got one after they came out and found them to actually be the BEST for a hunt we do every other year. We hunt a local island for a week which includes a grueling 6-8 mile hike with all your gear and plenty of rain. The deer are smaller (with a few trophy bucks every year) and the island is heavily wooded which causes most shots to be well under 100 yards.

I was looking for a lightweight, handy, stainless gun that is dead-durable and quiet enough to shoot without ear protection in heavy cover (this has made guns very loud to me in the past, really ringing my ears). The 77/357 was actually the PERFECT rifle for this hunt. It also has nice open sights in case the scope goes south and it's favorite load is also my best load in my SP101 4.2" which I bring along as well.

I've shot this gun twice at deer and but times was thrilled with the performance. 158gr XTP at 1800 FPS works great. Breaks bones and makes a big hole. Penetration was completely through on the doe after breaking the front leg and just under the far-side hide on the buck which dropped and died instantly from a chest shot.

If you hike in to hunt in heavy cover it really is hard to find a better rifle than a 77/357!

 

[ECVMatt]

Well it looks like Ruger has brought them back.....

http://ruger.com/products/77Series/overview.html

 

[hot chili powder]

Have 3 Rugers @ this time, had more but sold some ( big Mistake)! My wish is for a "lefty" 77/22. Yes I'd like 44 mag in "lefty" 77/44 also....we lefthanders are more or less relegated to the back of the bus!

 

[chicharrones]

Well it looks like Ruger has brought them back.....

http://ruger.com/products/77Series/overview.html

Maybe Ruger just hasn't updated its website yet?

 

[M1key]

I believe Ruger stated the 77 series was to be "temporarily discontinued".

M

 

[ECVMatt]

I don't see any of the rimfire versions with the exception of the 17 WSM. I think the American might have replaced the 77/Rimfire models.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Maybe Ruger just hasn't updated its website yet?

I think that's the case here. I just talked to them last month about it and they gave me no indication that it was still alive. They told me it wasn't in production any longer and parts would be gone in about 2 years. Get em now if you want one, last call.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I'd say that the American rimfire taking the lions share of sales away from this action spelled the death knell for the other models.

The 77/22 was never competitive against the likes of CZ or even savage on the cheaper end of the scale. They were expensive AND not terribly accurate

 

[chicharrones]

I think that's the case here. I just talked to them last month about it and they gave me no indication that it was still alive. They told me it wasn't in production any longer and parts would be gone in about 2 years. Get em now if you want one, last call.

I didn't come across this until later, but over on another forum it is thought that the 77/x series is back. It just doesn't include .22LR, .22WMR, or .17HMR anymore as best as people can tell.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I didn't come across this until later, but over on another forum it is thought that the 77/x series is back. It just doesn't include .22LR, .22WMR, or .17HMR anymore as best as people can tell.

Those things are slow sellers. My LGS has had a new 77/44 for months. I think it's still there. Could be the area. Not many around here want a PCC as most hunt east of the mountains in open country. For woods or restricted straight wall cartridges they excell.

There's a market, just not a big one.

 

[gotboostvr]

Those things are slow sellers. My LGS has had a new 77/44 for months. I think it's still there. Could be the area. Not many around here want a PCC as most hunt east of the mountains in open country. For woods or restricted straight wall cartridges they excell.

There's a market, just not a big one.

It must be the area. I regularly watch them and similar 357/44 rifles move quickly in stores and on the local buy/sell pages.

 

[Choctaw]

Buds has the 77/44 currently in stock.

 

[Dinosaur1]

I have always been a big fan of Rugers. They are solidly built and as a general rule fit and finish is good tho I have seen a couple of single sixes with the cylinder in on an angle. The greatest mystery, however, is why they put so much work into making them sturdy and functional and ignore accuracy. I know, I know, everyone has one or known of one that would shoot the whiskers off a frog at a thousand yards, but not me, and I've owned a boat load. Still do. Many friends and relatives have them too. Back in the day when cops carried and shot matches with revolvers I never seen a Ruger because they weren't as good as Smiths. I have several $300 dollar Savages that will out shoot any Ruger I own. They should just give up and buy their barrels from Savage or Smith. That was my pet peeve rant. On a happy note: M.C. Sports here in Mi was going out of business and had a number of 77/44s they couldn't move till I came along. Two remain unfired. Hornady 240 gr XTP is the magic bullet. Mine won't shoot anything else. I love it tho.

 

[someguy2800]

I never heard anyone complain about the accuracy of ruger revolvers but yes the rifles such as the mini 14's, mini 30's, mark77's, and number 1's can range from mediocre to abismal. Looks like they have turned the ship around with the American rifle as I can attest they are tack drivers, which is exactly what they needed to stay relevant. I'm curious if they have carried over this accuracy to the Hawkeye?

I have a 4.2" sp101 that is very accurate and this winter bought an LC9s that is astonishingly accurate for what it is. I can hold shots on a 6" plate with that at 20 yards offhand which I find amazing for a tiny semi auto pocket pistol.

 

[Dinosaur1]

Hawkeye 30-06 wants a 168gr boat tail hp. At least mine does. Haven't shot anything heavier but the lighter stuff won't group. Don't know anyone with an American.

 

[SteadyD]

My 77/357 hasn't seen any action in 2 years. I should get it out soon or sale it, one or the other. Cool rifle but I prefer my Henry 357. I wish Marlin would start making the 1894c again, though it's quality is likely to be dubious.

 

[Gtscotty]

Looks like it's a done deal:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...s-rifle-re-introduced-due-to-consumer-demand/

 

[chicharrones]

My 77/357 hasn't seen any action in 2 years. I should get it out soon or sale it, one or the other. Cool rifle but I prefer my Henry 357.

What do you prefer in the Henry over the Ruger? Just curious as I want a .357 carbine of some sort for myself someday.

 

[SteadyD]

What do you prefer in the Henry over the Ruger? Just curious as I want a .357 carbine of some sort for myself someday.

I've got the big boy steel model. I like the little extra weight to soak up a bit more recoil, the trigger is a bit better, the extra capacity, and the cheek weld with open sights is better. I shoot rifles lefty so the lever action favors that, and I also prefer the aesthetic of the lever gun versus the bolt action.

I'd prefer a pre safety Marlin even more so I could have a loading gate instead of a tube, but they are pretty pricey these days.

 

[chicharrones]

Looks like it's a done deal:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...s-rifle-re-introduced-due-to-consumer-demand/

Excellent.