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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 28,377
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 28,377 |
It's been over 30 years since I had a Ruger bolt action rifle. The last one was a heavy barrel .25-06 that wouldn't group under 2" to save my life. That made me very wary when hitting the "buy it now" on this one. So how come nobody over the past 30 years told me they were this good? (or someone probably did and I just wasn't listening ) Have had the lefty SS short action Model 77 .308 for a few weeks now, long enough to get to know it. By all accounts I shouldn't like it as much as I do. That stock is just weird. Why couldn't they put a normal salt and pepper laminate on it instead of this funky green-black-brown combo? But after living with it a while the combination is becoming "interesting". The forearm shape is great but the pistol grip is all wrong for me - too flat on the sides, no swell at the bottom at all, too short, yada, yada. The rifle is heavy - just 2 ounces shy of 8 pounds with the Ruger rings and a Leupold VX-II 3-9X40. It could probably shed about 2 pounds with someone else's rings. But the weight keeps the recoil down and helps it hold steady, and even at 8 pounds it balances very well so it doesn't feel overly heavy. But the main thing is - it shoots. Boy, does it shoot! Had it glass bedded and free floated and the smith worked on the trigger so it breaks really cleanly at a very consistent 3 pounds. the action is smoothing up and I've figured out I have to put a tad downward pressure on the bolt handle to keep it from binding. The proof is in the pictures. Both groups below are the load it loves, Winchester cases, Fed 210, 47.5 grs. RL-15 and a Hornady 150 Spire Point seated .030" off the lands. It averages 2817 fps which is just perfect, it can take more without strain but I like it right where it is. Two weeks ago working up loads - 7 shots, blustery windy day, wind shifting from 8 to 12 o'clock and gusting from from 2-3 to 15 mph. The flyer is my fault but those other 6 went into .570" Today - another cold and windy day but it was steady at 9 o'clock and a pretty constant 15 mph. These were for sight-in, three shots into .404". two of those shots are right on top of each other. And here it is. The ringer was the result of practice this morning, all shots at 200 yards, most from kneeling with a few from offhand. You can see the wind pushed most shots to the 3 o'clock side but the weight and steadiness of the rifle was a real help. (Just noticed but that stock does camouflage nicely against my muddy ol' weedy back yard.) To say I like this rifle is an understatement. Despite all the stuff that's "wrong" about it I really, really like it. Damned if I'm not having a heck of time deciding whether to get another one. Don't need another .308, got two already so it'd have to be a rebarrel, but I'm thinking with that 2.9" magazine box I could be the first kid on my block with a left hand, stainless steel short action M77 in .257 Roberts. Somebody please talk me out of this...
Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery. Hit the target, all else is twaddle!
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,213
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,213 |
I'd do it if I was you and had your money.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,733
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,733 |
Nice looking rifle. I'm really sold on these newer Rugers. The one's I've had even from a few years back all shoot. Can't imagine someone not having two or three.
NRA LIFE MEMBER GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS! "Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653 |
Good shootin'. It is clear you got that Ruger performing well and your enthusiasm is not lost on those of us who own Ruger 77s that do the same. Like your idea of a .257 Bob.
You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,908
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,908 |
I own a LH SS laminate hawkeye in .270 win, .25-06 and .300 win mag. I almost jumped on the limited run of .308's but I'm tapped out on funds right now.
They are definitely good shooters. I bedded the 25-06 and will eventually bed the other 2, although I'm not sure they need it. I need trigger work on 2 of them, the .270 is perfect as-is.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,518
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,518 |
For the most part, I think since Ruger started making their own barrels ( in the early nineties I think ) accuracy has been a lot better. They won't compete on the lightweight circuit, but they are tough as nails. I like the few that I have.
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Doug
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,323
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,323 |
Most of the Ruger's I have is their Target rifle version and they sure enough are shooters. Haven't had a bad one yet.
`Bring Enough Gun`
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11,654
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11,654 |
They's good rifles. Have a few myself and all shoot more than well enough. Some ridiculously well.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,628
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,628 |
Very nice rifle w/ extraordinary results! I really like the color of that stock, personally.
Sounds like a great idea on the Bob! Do it up!
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,163
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,163 |
its the result of cold hammer forging.
TRUMP- GABBARD 2024
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,959
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,959 |
All of my LH Ruger,s SS shoot well. Some better than others take a little to get them just right, and they all need to be bedded IMHO. I prefer the LH SS MK 2 06 to a LH SS Win 70 06 I owned.
kk alaska
Alaska 7 months of winter then 5 months of tourists
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026 |
I'd do it if I was you and had your money. You've already got one of those All Weather Hawkeye's in 308 so you know what he's talking about..... . You probably already sold it off though didn't you.......
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026 |
It's been over 30 years since I had a Ruger bolt action rifle. The last one was a heavy barrel .25-06 that wouldn't group under 2" to save my life. That made me very wary when hitting the "buy it now" on this one. So how come nobody over the past 30 years told me they were this good? (or someone probably did and I just wasn't listening ) Have had the lefty SS short action Model 77 .308 for a few weeks now, long enough to get to know it. By all accounts I shouldn't like it as much as I do. That stock is just weird. Why couldn't they put a normal salt and pepper laminate on it instead of this funky green-black-brown combo? But after living with it a while the combination is becoming "interesting". The forearm shape is great but the pistol grip is all wrong for me - too flat on the sides, no swell at the bottom at all, too short, yada, yada. The rifle is heavy - just 2 ounces shy of 8 pounds with the Ruger rings and a Leupold VX-II 3-9X40. It could probably shed about 2 pounds with someone else's rings. But the weight keeps the recoil down and helps it hold steady, and even at 8 pounds it balances very well so it doesn't feel overly heavy. But the main thing is - it shoots. Boy, does it shoot! Had it glass bedded and free floated and the smith worked on the trigger so it breaks really cleanly at a very consistent 3 pounds. the action is smoothing up and I've figured out I have to put a tad downward pressure on the bolt handle to keep it from binding. The proof is in the pictures. Both groups below are the load it loves, Winchester cases, Fed 210, 47.5 grs. RL-15 and a Hornady 150 Spire Point seated .030" off the lands. It averages 2817 fps which is just perfect, it can take more without strain but I like it right where it is. Two weeks ago working up loads - 7 shots, blustery windy day, wind shifting from 8 to 12 o'clock and gusting from from 2-3 to 15 mph. The flyer is my fault but those other 6 went into .570" Today - another cold and windy day but it was steady at 9 o'clock and a pretty constant 15 mph. These were for sight-in, three shots into .404". two of those shots are right on top of each other. And here it is. The ringer was the result of practice this morning, all shots at 200 yards, most from kneeling with a few from offhand. You can see the wind pushed most shots to the 3 o'clock side but the weight and steadiness of the rifle was a real help. (Just noticed but that stock does camouflage nicely against my muddy ol' weedy back yard.) To say I like this rifle is an understatement. Despite all the stuff that's "wrong" about it I really, really like it. Damned if I'm not having a heck of time deciding whether to get another one. Don't need another .308, got two already so it'd have to be a rebarrel, but I'm thinking with that 2.9" magazine box I could be the first kid on my block with a left hand, stainless steel short action M77 in .257 Roberts. Somebody please talk me out of this... Very nice rifle and very nice shooting... I've got a righty SS/walnut 308 Hawkeye that does the same thing...........great rifles. I got rid of a new winchester model 70 fwt 308 and kept the hawkeye if that tells you something....About time you listened up......
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,293
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,293 |
I'd do it if I was you and had your money. You've already got one of those All Weather Hawkeye's in 308 so you know what he's talking about..... . No he doesn't. You probably already sold it off though didn't you....... Yes he did.
This is a shooting forum, there is no place here for logic.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026 |
I'd do it if I was you and had your money. You've already got one of those All Weather Hawkeye's in 308 so you know what he's talking about..... . No he doesn't. You probably already sold it off though didn't you....... Yes he did. Dan Dan Dan,,,,,what are we going to do with you.... I like all of my Rugers, they are the work rifles in the family...... . Even the tang safety 300 win mag was shooting awesome yesterday.......
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,213
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,213 |
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026 |
Please tell me you still have your pre 64 300 winny....
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,159
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,159 |
Go for the 257 Roberts. I bought a M77 tang safety recently and it shots great with my reloads of 100 gr Sierra PH's and IMR 3031 (right our of the Sierra Manual). I didn't really need this rifle but I got a good deal so I bought it or at least thats what I told my wife when she saw it hidden in the back of my car.
.280 AI Fan
"I don't make jokes, I just watch the government and report the facts" Will Rogers
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" Unknown
Trump 2024!
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,026 |
Go for the 257 Roberts. I bought a M77 tang safety recently and it shots great with my reloads of 100 gr Sierra PH's and IMR 3031 (right our of the Sierra Manual). I didn't really need this rifle but I got a good deal so I bought it or at least thats what I told my wife when she saw it hidden in the back of my car.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,274
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,274 |
Ruger's accuracy definitely improved when they started making their own barrels.
"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."
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