What's my rifle worth?

[Trey Veston]

I bought a Ruger M77 All-Weather-Rifle in 1998 in .30-06 to use for elk and deer in Idaho. I used it to shoot one deer before I moved to Iowa, then to Arizona, then eventually back up here to the Idaho/Washington border.

It's got less than a box of ammo through it.

Since I bought it as a brush beater, I didn't like the shiny stainless finish and black stock, so I used camo tape and taped the barrel, then painted all of the stainless black with spray paint. The stock was done in Krylon camo. It turned out great and worked well in the woods.

Now, I hear those old Rugers with the "Paddle stock" are somewhat of a collector's item. The rifle is a good rifle and shot MOA with cheap Federal ammo, but the trigger is heavy and the action is typical Ruger clunky. Not a bad gun, but compared to my pre-`64 Model 70 custom rifles, it is like driving a Ford Pinto after driving a new Escalade.

I looked on GB and prices seem to start at $600 and go up to $1400 for these things. Crazy. If I decided to sell mine, I would painstakingly return it to factory original.

I would also not include the Nikon Pro Staff scope, but would include original rings.

So, are these things really worth more than new these days?

 

[red rick]

I think that you would have to put it on a GB to get over $500 dollars for it .

 

[gotboostvr]

I'm thinking you'd be closer to the bottom than the top.

You'd have to put in a pretty good amount of very careful elbow grease to get it back to factory condition.

Sure, you could drop the barreled action in solvent like acetone and get that clean without damaging the metal. Getting that stock clean though... unfortunately, THAT'S the collectable part. Can't use solvent for that or abrasives.

 

[edwardware]

Now, I hear those old Rugers with the "Paddle stock" are somewhat of a collector's item.

I think the overpricing of a few minty Fugly-stocked Ruger rifles is mostly huff and legend. The M77 is a perfectly adequate mid $300-500 rifle, but it's not competitive with $1000+ 'nice' blue and walnut rifles.

Your modifications make yours more useful, and less valuable; that's ok!

 

[wiscoaster]

Remember that as a seller, you're not going to get all that you sell it for, if you're selling through an agent (eg Gunbroker). I don't know offhand what GB's cut is but 20% is usual and customary for a gun shop.

 

[Thomasss]

According to "Blue Book of Gun Values" 2016 edition The All Weather Stainless M77 in 30.06 was not introduced until 2006. Therefore looking back to 1998 was M77 Mark II stainless. The information supplied suggests the 1998 stainless it is basically the same gun except the 1998 version has "no name" black synthetic stock and a 20 inch barrel. The 2006 gun has a DuPont Zytel black stock and a 22 or 24 inch barrel. 90% wear puts the 1998 gun value at $300 and 90% puts the 2006 gun $650. Now I am being generous to say your gun is at 90%. Now since the book does have a notation that both are basically the same gun less differences you should check out the gun's age through serial numbers, etc. For all we know you have may a prototype or custom gun which became the All Weather Ruger a few years later..

 

[Frulk]

Locally out west here I see asking prices for around $650-$800 depending on caliber. Don’t know what they sell for.

 

[jmr40]

Those stocks are either love 'em or hate 'em. I'm in the hate 'em camp. I wouldn't touch that rifle except at a price where I think I could flip it at a nice profit. The pre-2006 rifles also are noted for poor triggers. In 2006 they changed to a more conventional synthetic stock and greatly improved the trigger.

But among some people that stock has a cult like following. It may take a while to sell, but to the right person $600-$700. For most people $400-$500.

Sell it as is. You'll never completely remove all the paint and you'll do a lot of work and get no extra in return.

 

[Trey Veston]

According to "Blue Book of Gun Values" 2016 edition The All Weather Stainless M77 in 30.06 was not introduced until 2006. Therefore looking back to 1998 was M77 Mark II stainless. The information supplied suggests the 1998 stainless it is basically the same gun except the 1998 version has "no name" black synthetic stock and a 20 inch barrel. The 2006 gun has a DuPont Zytel black stock and a 22 or 24 inch barrel. 90% wear puts the 1998 gun value at $300 and 90% puts the 2006 gun $650. Now I am being generous to say your gun is at 90%. Now since the book does have a notation that both are basically the same gun less differences you should check out the gun's age through serial numbers, etc. For all we know you have may a prototype or custom gun which became the All Weather Ruger a few years later..

I ran the serial number through Ruger's system and it says it is model 07827 shipped in 2000. So I was off a couple of years. Searched for information on the model # and haven't found anything.

 

[Poper]

Well, if'n it was me, I would keep it as-is with the one exception of the installation of a Timney trigger.
I had a .270 Win. Ruger 77R (circa 1993) and the Timney trigger made all the difference to that rifle. Sadly, I sold it to pay child support back in 1996. Wish I still had it. T'was rugged, dependable and a fine shooter to boot.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Getting that stock clean though... unfortunately, THAT'S the collectable part. Can't use solvent for that or abrasives.

Just FYI for all

Franmar Soy based paint remover will do it. Its not super fast, but works really well. My machinist teacher used it to strip the enamel off old lathes and bridgeports.

This Stuff Works branded Plasti-Master will also do it safely. It is formulated for removing graffiti from plastics. It is safe on clear Plexiglas. Again, not fast, but works safely. Also safely works on 1985 ABS plastic dash components.