Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger M77 International .30-06? Like it? Hate it?

I have owned the Ruger International 30-06 for over 15 years. When zero-ed in correctly, I find that it is a very accurate shooting gun. I like the way the wood absorbs a lot of the recoil from the Gun. My Dad has a Mannlicher-Schoenauer 30-06 which cost today about 2.5 times the Ruger. With the exception of the dual trigger, I find that both guns shoot and behave comparibly. You will enjoy this gun. I have shot deer at 300+ yards with no issues.

CZ makes a nice full lenght stock rifle.I have a Ruger RSI 7x57 and the CZ full stock .308 winchester. I will never sell the CZ.

i have a MKII 308 RSI. cold barrel is dead on. subsequent shots string pretty bad but i never miss. i like the gun and it is a joy to carry. i paid $350 about 5 years ago at gander mountain in like new condition.

I've never owned one, but if I found one at the right price, I wouldn't hesitate. I love mannlicher stocked rifles. To me, they are very attractive. I recognize that they are creature killers and not group shooters though.

While I don't have a 30-06 RSI (I've had 3 in other chamberings), I did have an M77 RLS 30-06 with 18.5" barrel.

IME, it's too short. It's very LOUD.

A 30-06 should have a minimum of a 20" barrel IMO, and 22" is as short as I'd go anymore.

The RSI is an appealing rifle... but I think it is at its best in 308 and similar chamberings.

If the RSI had a 20" barrel I'd own one.

I'd jump on it myself... of course it would not be shooting factory ammo anyway.... they are cool, and now they are not being made...

if it had a problem, a gunsmith could remedy that... in fact, see if the seller would let you allow a gunsmith to inspect it before solidifying the deal..

I've been informed by my friend Bud, that he being childless, I get his guns when he croaks. It's in the will.

I glass-bedded his '06 International about 20 years back, and tried a few dozen rounds through it.


The man lives dangerously!

I have three of the RSI rifles, but they're the earlier tang safety versions. One thing that helped with the accuracy problems I had was to relieve that metal muzzle cap a bit. It didn't take much and a little cold blue covered up where I cleaned it up. basically it's just a little off the sies and a bit where the barrel rests.
All three of my rifles were extremely fussy about ammo and it took me a bit over two years to find a load that worked, I won't give the load as it's proved to be too hot in another rifle but it uses W-760, Winchester brass and standard primer and the 165 gr. Speer Hot-Core bullet. Accuracy runs from 1.25 to 1.50" and the velocity is 2550 FPS. No barn burner but every deer shot with that load from 35 fet to 250 yards has been a one shot kill.
Can't complain about that and the RSI is one of my all time favorite rifles.
Paul B.

I wanted an RSI 30-06 for years because I like Rugers and the RSIs are beautiful. Then I bought one. Dang thing kicked like a mule. Didn't take me long to peddle it. The barrels on the RSIs are of very light profile, yielding an overall lightweight rifle. Too light for an aught six to my reckoning, at least too light without a thick, cushy bumper in back. I would think that if they made the RSI with the same barrel profile as the full-length models, they would be more friendly to shoot, and more accurate to boot. But they didn't ask me. Now an RSI in a milder caliber, like 250 Savage, would be a nice rifle. Even the old 30 or 35 Remingtons would make into a sweet little Mannlicher carbine. How about a Mannlicher carbine in 30 Remington made with a Kimber 84M action? The older I get (and the more shoulder surgeries I endure) the less I appreciate recoil, even the recoil of a 30-06.

a 77 rsi in 35 rem in 18.5" barrel would be ideal.

I have had both a 250 sav,. and a 243(still have the 243) and have liked them both. I agree that ruger would have been smarter to put 20" barrels on them but they didn't listen to me. I like the shorter cartridges myself as they just sort of fit my mental image of what a carbine should shoot whatever that means. A full bore 30-06 would in all likelyhood have a pretty sever blast. Heck even 22" barrel ones do. The thing to remember though is everyone with a 30-06 has a 300 savage or 308 if they want one. A little judicious reloading and you should be able to make it a well mannered rifle very capable of taking deer and black bear. Remember a short carbine is made to be handy and is best for short to medium range and just isn't the tool to be shooting 500 yds with and any of the reduced round comparisons I mentioned are very capable deer calibers to 250-300yds. If it's a good deal go for it. If it is at a premium and you have reservations walk.

PJ, when you relieved the cap did you leave a little gap all around the barrel so the barrel is not resting on the metal at all?

I did on Bud's rifle. Shoots 1.5 groups with most any factory load. Kicks a bit, as mentioned - but then neither Bud nor I tend to shoot from the shoulder more than once, followed by an "off-hand" insurance shot from a few inches or feet abit later, as needed.

It is a delight to carry and a beauty to the eye.

All my guns are ugly.....

Just throwing this little bit of info out there, but this thread is almost TWO years old

"PJ, when you relieved the cap did you leave a little gap all around the barrel so the barrel is not resting on the metal at all?"

Yes. But only a very slight gap. Same thing along the sides.
Paul B.