Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger 77/44 and 77/357 rifles

Trying to understand why a man would want a bolt action rifle in 357 mag

I would kinda like one as a step up rifle for my kid when he gets a little older.

Plus, I have probably 30 lbs. of brass to feed it.

I have a few serious hunting rifles. Sometimes I buy something just because it's fun. If you can consistently hit at 300 yards with a .357 maggie, 500 with an '06 should be a chip shot.

Brian Pearce has a good article on these rifles in the July issue of Rifle Magazine. If you don't subscribe, hunt one up.

Why does anybody need a logical reason to own one? I have mine because I wanted it...and we all know how I can be if I don't get what I want.

My friend's 10-year old son asked to borrow it for his first deer hunt this fall and it should be a good choice for him; small, light, easy on the ears and shoulder, and powerful enough for his needs at this point.

With all the nice used Marlin 44 and 357 rifles out there that are even handier, I don't see the need to buy one.

Not everyone likes lever guns. (ducking)

If you can find one. In my area, anything other that a 30-30 is scarse. If you do find a Marlin in 44 or 357, they are quite expensive. Other parts of the state/country may be different.

Need doesn't have much to do with the purchase of a second rifle. They do a few things better than lever guns, and visa versa.

The SS version is better in wet weather.

On assumption one hits the target with the first shot, I'm at a loss to see the superiority of a lever gun and I own several of the latter.

The 77/44 is lighter than the Marlin and probably more accurate if loaded properly.

You won't feel guilty if you turn your Ruger around and paddle the canoe with it.

Can't wait to get my 77/44 out in the woods this year. Being short and light it should be super handy in the woods where I spend most my time.

I own the 77/.357, have owned the Marlin .44 and .357. Neither of the Marlins would hold a candle to the Ruger in terms of accuracy.

The little Ruger is just has handy as the Marlins. It is more user friendly, with a scope mounted.

I do a lot of walk around hunting and the .357 is great for close range work.

I've got a couple box blinds in East Tx. that are in thick growth and both have short 75-80 yard shooting lanes. The 158 grain jacketed flat points are deadly on porkers and small deer at these ranges.

I have had some pretty accurate Marlin 357 rifles especially. Your Ruger must be a tackdriver. I cannot see how the Ruger is any more user friendly with a scope mounted. I have a Weaver 2.5X mounted nice and low on my little 1894C and it is very user friendly. Equipped with a receiver sight, there is no bolt action rifle handier than a levergun. You can wrap your hand around the reciever and carry it all day like it is not even there.

Sounds like this rifle and cartridge combination will be around for many years.

I loved my Marlins, sans scopes. I've got such a big head I couldn't get a decent cheek weld, even with low mounts.

Neither of my 2 .44's or the .357 Marlin would avg. less than 4" at 100 yds. The 77/.357 will easily avg. ~2" at 100, for 4 shots.

I actually held on to the last Marlin .44(a 1981 model) till I got the Ruger.

For me, maybe not others, the Ruger balances and points perfectly.

I did at one time have a little Marlin in .32-20 that was amazing at 50 yds. I just sold a Savage 23 in .32-20 that was very accurate as well.

YMMV

At one time I did get Rifle. When they stopped Rifles and Woodsmoke / Barsness,
I let the subscription run itself out. I'll hunt one up.

I would prefer the bolt gun.


Travis

Me too, Travis.

I can't really say why, but the idea of a .357 and a .44 bolt gun really appeals to me. Probably has something to do with the impulsive, irrational rebel side of me.

To me it comes down to scope use. If you want a scope use the ruger, if not the leverguns are, for me, the better choice. I can definetly make faster hits with a lever.

I do not like the feel of a levergun with a scope on it.
Exception being some of the lever action .22's. They are not so bad with the smaller scopes on them.

I'm thinking my boys wouldn't hate it to start their deer hunting careers here in Indiana with the 77/357 (meets are regs for rifle). Anyone know if the inletting is the same for the 77/357 as the 77/22?

I didn't know untill now how light this rifle is.At 5.5 lbs I am going to have to take a closer look at it for my daughters first deer rifle.This is half the price of the Kimber we were considering and just as light.

How low can you mount a small objective scope? The pictures so far seem to have higher than necessary mounts.Is bolt clearence an issue?

We were looking into the Kimber in 223.Recoil in my 7 lb rifle with 100 grain 243 factory loads,was a bit too much for my daughter.What would recoil be like in one of these 77/357's ? She is 4'4" tall and 65lbs.

I like the idea of being able to swap out the trigger, and stock with some quality shizz.

And, if you decide to suppress something, these are THE route to go.


Travis