Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger M77’s

Short action from late 1968 thru 1969, then long action introduced in 1970. Flatbolt SA up into 1973, and LA flatbolts from 1970 into 1973 with the rare transition hollowbolt thrown in. By 1974, its the now common roundbolt.

I have a 6MM flat bolt with the Varmint barrel. It has the integral rings. I had a flat bolt in 30-06 once that had the round top and sights. I see the tang safeties from time to time with round tops. Usually 7MM Mags, 30-06, and 270’s. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a short action caliber with a round top though.

Admit it. Larry. You are wrong! Ruger made tangers with integral scope mounts. I HAVE two, several other posters have confirmed this. You can do it, Larry. Just admit it! It will be cathatic, You'll feel better.

I haven't read through these 14 pages. I'm sure there was plenty of argument, this being The Fire.

I have 5 M77s...all tangers.

77RL 257Rob
77RL 308 Win
77RL 260 Rem (barreled by McGowen)
77RSI 250 Sav
77V 220 Swift

Except for the 220 Swift, which I haven't shot in decades, they are all light weight, thin and short barreled hunting rifles. At that, they all shoot right at, or just under an inch. I couldn't/wouldn't ask for more from such a light hunter. The 260 Rem shoots under 1/2" often enough to keep me smiling.

Lots of folks don't care for the M77 for one reason or another. Mine do what they are designed to do, they do it well, and I'm quite satisfied with them.

I have a tanger that could be yours. 7mm RM with B&C stock and after market adjustable trigger.

The 77 always seems to come up in these type of discussions. Same dislikes and likes. Heavy, investment blah blah, Accurate enough, bad barrels, etc…. Working mans gun, accurate, sleepers, so on and so. Seems like everyone has had a bad one if you have had enough. I’ve only seen one that wouldn’t shoot. Compact mkII in 7mm-08 when I was younger.

I’ve owned enough to know a few tricks that might have tightened it up.

I’ll go ahead and post what I know up. Most folks will already know these but I think this is a good time to share. Isn’t that why we are here?

Stop reading here and PM me if your Ruger is a price of junk and you want to mail her to me because it’s a lost cause.

1. Torque the action screws in order. front lug screw gorilla tight, rear trigger guard monkey tight and middle just enough to hold it firm and allow the floor plate to latch without being rattly.
2. Relieve the box magazine contact points where the trigger guard and floor plate hinge meet. Should have the ability to move just freely and not bind when action it torqued. (See step 1)
3. Most Ruger triggers are adequate when it comes to weight and creep except the MKII. (Now notice I said adequate, no need to argue over it. There are better factory triggers) All have creep and over travel that will drive you crazy when compared to other triggers but can be corrected with trigger job or new trigger. The MKII needs some serious stone work to ease the weight and creep. (Maybe the root cause of a lot of inaccuracies). Easy enough for the novice with patience and directions found online.
4. I’ve never bedded or floated a Ruger so I cannot speak to that. Others can chime in on that front.
5. To reduce the weight. Stay away from the magnum contours and 25/06, buy a new lighter stock, or a set of dumbbells and bulk up a little. If a 7-9 lbs rifle knocks you out of the hunt maybe it’s time for a new hobby or life choices. Meant to be a joke. The magnum contoured barreled guns and 25-06 are tanks!
6. Sell them to me a severely discounted rate since, you know, the above issues.

My love for the Ruger 77 came from my first 2 and my uncle. A Stainless MKII 308. Given to me by my father in 2001 (my first bolt gun), a m77 tanger in 30-06 given to me by my father in law, and a 25-06 skeleton that I obsessed over ever since my uncle showed me his in the 90s. I still own all three, plus a Hawkeye Blue and laminate 264, and a stainless mkII 300 wsm.

Cheers all! And long live the Ruger M77!