Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Lightly used Ruger 77 in 7rmg pro's and con's?

Found a very clean Ruger 77 7rmg and wondered about ya'lls thoughts for an old fart to use when distances get too long'ish.

I just turned 79 and have not hunted or spent much time on the range these last couple years, but took out another year's membership at the local County Shooting Range last week.

My battery of rifles has shrunk down to a couple 270's , a Winchester Model 70 , and a Marlin ( Ruger SS), + a TC Creedmore that is still unfired with 8-900 6.5 bullets left on the shelf from the 6.5 Swede Tikka that I just sold , and a lightly used Winchester FWT 7x57 that I have given to my dealer to swap for the Ruger 7 Rmg.

Health Issues as good as can be expected at my age .., but It's been a very long time since I've shot any kind of magnum, but have a long history with magnums... and have found a source for 300 Wmg's that is tickeling my Gotta Have One of those TOO bone. Spent 13 years as a firearms manufacturer's Sales Rep, usually working in 5 and up to 12 states at times, along with all the National Shows. JUST NOT gonna find another 9.3 x 62 though.

So what Say ya'll about the "Do I" get another Boomer PDQ or do I slowly ease back into the "Boomer" 's or use the CM's to get back into X ring proficency and slowly burn up lots of those left over slower CM 6'5 bullets and later pickup a faster 6.5 PRC rifle before I get back in the Magnum Boomers again??
Ron

The downfall to the Ruger 77, is they seem to kick harder than a comparable Rem 700 or Winchester model 70. Maybe stock shape/ergo's?? Who knows? A swap from a Winchester model 70 7x57 to a Ruger m77 7mm rem mag seems like a very poor swap, personally.

If you don't mind me asking, what model 70 7x57 was it? Also, what do you consider "too longish", that the 7x57 won't handle??

Not sure that I'd go back to the magnum boomers at all.


Okie John

I just ordered a Seekins Havak in 7mm PRC for a long-range "magnum" rig. It's got comb height and ergos to accommodate a modern, long-range scope and a fast-enough twist for high-BC bullets. Most Ruger 77 7mm Mags have none of these things. I did sell my Ruger 7mm Mag this week also, which sums up my thoughts. 6/6.5 Creedmoors and 6.5 PRC should work also, though with less recoil.

I don’t believe you’re gonna kill anything with it that you couldn’t with your 270. A magnum doesn’t make you a long range marksman. If you just like the rifle, and don’t mind the extra recoil then go ahead! I’m a rifle nut too!
Good luck, and take care!
Rick

How do you " lightly" use a rifle? Why are ALL used rifles advertised as "lightly used"?

Face it, its always a con....look down the barrel and in the chamber with a bore scope before you even think about laying down your hard earned money.

Gave my Ruger 77 7mm RM to one of my sons probably 20 years ago. If I miss it, it’s for sentimental reasons, having killed a truckload of deer with it. For practical purposes, not so much.

That's kind of where I am at age 62...

I think most rifles really are lightly used- either people don’t have many rifles because they don’t shoot that much, or guys that shoot a ton have a bunch of rifles to switch between. I’d say most of us fall into the latter group!

Still shooting some magnums at 75. Just worked up new loads for my 7mm Rem Mag and my .300 Win Mag using Barnes LRX and TTSX. Also working on a 225 grain TTSX load for my .338.

It just depends on what feels right to you. But I do shoot more rounds of standard cartridges than magnum.

I love my 7mm RM but lately I've been hunting with 7mm-08, Your 270 Win and 7x57 can handle great distance, unless you're just itching for a 7mm RM.

I’d go in the opposite direction…

243 Win, 6mm Creedmoor, 6mm ARC, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor. Something with light recoil, but with a high degree of lethality!

If it’s an old tanger you’ll feel like you got kicked in the head by a mule every time you pull the trigger. If you’re a glutton for punishment I say go for it. I’m 62 and keep steering towards lighter kickers. 6.5x55, 7x57 and 308 with a can. You already have what I need to get the job done and have fun doing it.

Agree CRJ1960. I've been on a 6.5x55 kick lately and am really impressed with the " old " cartridge.

I’m not shooting at anything farther away than I want to walk to check the results, especially if it’s in the direction away from the truck.

Is it too late to get the 7x57 back? 😇😂

All other 7 will do that the 270 won't is recoil and bark more.

That 77 in a Magnum will have a bit of weight to it also. Rugers barrel contour on magnums had a bit of steel to em.

You aren't wrong. I have a .338WM tanger that I took caribou hunting this year, off ATV, mostly because I haven't hunt it in more than 10 years. Field recoil is not much noticed, but off the bench I don't shoot it more than 10 rounds at a time. Up around 9 lb with epoxy bedding, scope, sling, Decelerator pad, Mag-Na-Ported, 4 rounds. Worked very well for jump-shooting bull moose, back before those goofy antler restrictions went on. And a younger me...

At that, it's nicer to shoot than the 17" 30-06 tanger. But it hasn't been "lightly used". It definitely has participation trophies. Reblued once, stock refinished at least twice. But it shoots very well!

I'm thinking I should sell the .338 (and some others not hunted much) and just use the 725 in .260 as my go-to for everything.

Agree with all others on the 270 vs 7RM.
Unless you shoot heavies, there really isn’t much your 270 with 140s can’t do with in 600 yards when compared to 7 RM with 140s
I just sold my 9.3 and looking to down size to 243/6.
But to each his own, and if you want the mag. Then let her rip!

Great rifle and a great cartridge. Never been a
magnum fan however. A well placed bullet is what kills.