Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger M77 bolt stuck

So I’m having a problem here and this is not my first bolt gun or first Ruger but this one has me stumped.
I just received a tang safety M77RLS from a member here. The gun was shipped with the bolt out .
The bolt will not go in the gun because the plunger in the rear of the bolt is pushed in and gets caught on the safety. I cannot not turn the handle to get this bolt in. I took another bolt off another 77rls and that plunger is sticking out and the bolt inserts smoothly.

Help! Any suggestions ?

That will
Not work on this bolt. The back needs to be rotated but it’s locked in. Like it’s cocked. There is no small hole at the back of this bolt because it’s pushed in all the way.

DrDeath,

Thanks for the update. I just looked on You Tube. I have some Rugers but have never had the bolts apart. That can be aggravating for sure.

So I have matching M77RLS on is a long action the problem one a short action. The bolt that will not go in somehow got rotated outside of the receiver and is now in the fired position. Bolt down. I can not rotate the bolt outside the gun to insert...

Been a while since I played with a M77, Is the firing pin dropped or did the claw extractor just get rotated off of the bolt lug?

Assuming the extractor is in the proper place over the bolt lug then recocking the bolt should be too hard but you may need a third hand. First clamp a quarter in your vice, hook the cocking ledge over the quarter and gently pull back to compress the firing pin spring. Once you get it pulled back you should find a hole for a punch or nail that will hold the tension of the spring. Then just rotate the cocking piece to its proper place. Pull tension on the cocking ledge and pull the punch

https://youtu.be/y5GwTa-Jz9w

OK, I am not a gunsmith, and I have not had a Ruger Model 77 for many years. However, when confronted with a similar situation in other bolt action rifles, the usual drill is to hold the bolt firmly, vertical against a stout bench top, and catch one of the lugs firmly on the bench top. Then, pull the bolt handle down until the cocking piece and firing pen can be rotated to the cocked position.

Hope this helps.

Got it. Thank you

Shooter? If so, You think you could close the query or thank the guys that tried to help you on the Ruger forum?

This works on some bolts. Put the bolt into the rear of the receiver backwards. It will not go in very far. the bottom of the bolt will be in the groove that is used when it is in normally. Now you have to hold the bolt down as you lift the handle to cock it. As long as the bottom doesn't come out of the groove, it should cock. If memory serves me right, I think I did this on the 77R I owned in my youth.

Dickweed

???

Dickweed?

Weed, a plant whose value has yet to be evaluated. Dick, short for Richard. Dickweed, kid from Richard that needs to be evaluated.