I took the Ruger M77 RSI Mannlicher rifles out today and absolutely love them. The 30/06 is a tang safety the 308 and 223 are the newer bolt safety. My question is what is a scope that would look good on this rifle without being too big!??? Was thinking Leupold 1-4x20 or Leupold 2x. Any suggestions ??

I have the VXll 1-4X20 on my RSI tanger in 250 Sav. Looks and handles like a very well balanced outfit.

I like the 2-7x32ish size. I have a Kahles AH 2-7x36 on my Mk II RSI in .308. Prior to that it wore a 2-7x32 Nikon Monarch. A 2.5-8 or 2-7 Leupold would be a good fit too imo. Anything bigger than a 36 obj. looks to big to me.

2.6-8x36

Personally I like the 1.5 to 5 size on any of my Mannlicher stocked rifles. That size seems to affect balance and point ability the least amount. I have had good luck with the Leoupold on my 77 RSI in 250-3000 savage. I have an Athlon on my CZ 550 FS and it works a treat also. I have often wondered about the muzzle blast on long action calibers in the RSI guns. Have you found it to be objectionable in the 30-06?

I have a Vari-X III 2.5-8x36 on my RSI 30-06 and a Vari-X II 2-7x33 on my RSI in 243.
I think they fit well.
The 06.

I have a Leupold 2-7x on one and a Mepro 6x42 with a German #4 on the other.

I’m thinking Leupold 1-4 and the 2-7.

I bought a 77 mark 2 in 308 this year. Killed a mule deer buck and coyote with mine. My eyesight is fading, and iron sights are just a blur. So, my beloved Winchester 94's are closet guns. I wanted to scope my Ruger with an appropriate lightweight small scope. I installed a Leupold 4x compact scope. Small and light and enough power to use for antelope sized game to 400 yards. I tested this by mock sighting in on these animals at this distance and if I had a license and the skill, the antelopes would be in peril. The carbine is only 1/2" longer than my 94's.

i've had a few on my 308. it now has a burris mini 2-7 or 3-9. i had a vx2 1.5-5x20 on it and that was nice too.

I have a Bushnell (silver) Elite 3200 3x9 on my M-77 Hawkeye Lipsey model, stainless & wood, Ruger RSI in 7x57. Thought it would serve as an appropiate combo for Blacktail here on Vancouver Island.

Too much scope

I had a Leupold 1.5-5x on my 250 RSI, then switched to a Leupold FX II 4x and had RJ Renner to his “thinning” to the stock. Magical! Terry

Do you have any pictures? I often wondered what he could do to the full length stock.

I have a compact 4X Burris on my .250.

Leupold M8 2.5x Compact on a short action & the older M8 4x Compact on a long action.

I have Leupold 1.5-5x20s and 2-7x28s on my short action 77 RSIs and 2.5-8x36s on my long action 77 RSIs.

Is your 223 77 RSI from one of Lipsey's stainless limited runs? I've never seen the RSI cataloged in 223.

Yes

LongSpur,
I have NEVER been able to post images on this site. Can’t figure out how to make them smaller. I can email images if you would like. P.M. me with your email. Thanks, Terry

postimages.org is your friend.

Sent, thanks

Doug Turnbull makes both barrel and receiver mounts for the 94 that accept red dots with the Docter/Burris FF footprint. The barrel mount fits round-barrel guns and fits very close because it’s machined to fit the barrel over the dovetail. The receiver mount uses the holes for a receiver sight. No drilling or tapping for either, unless your receiver isn’t drilled. They make one for the 71/86 too.

Get those 94s back in the game.

Here are Terry's pictures for his RJ worked over RSI

That stock work probably cost more than the rifle cost when it was new.

That said, it looks like nice work and nice work isn't cheap.

Weight?

I have three Ruger RSI tang safety rifles, all in .308 Win. Two handle real nice and have the proper slim feel associated with that style rifle. Number three however feel clubby so maybe the Renner treatment just might be the way to go on that particular rifle. Just might give then a call and check on the cost. I have shot any of those RSIs in years so would take it out and see where it stands in the accuracy department.
Why three? first one was mine. My wife wanted it so I had to chase one down for her and I just fell into number three on a trade. Every one was dirt cheap because their previous owners couldn't find a group that made them happy. Me? Being a bit more realistic figured they were never meant to be .25" grouping machines. Last time I used any of them at the range groups ran from 1.25" to 1.5" and at that level killed deer just fine. Longest shot ever taken on deer with one was at 250 yards laser measured. Worked just fine. I would love to find one in 7x57 that wasn't priced like the owner thought it was the Hope diamond.
Paul B.

What is the physical difference between the two 77 RSIs that you like the feel of and the one that feels "clubby"?

I like the look of a Mannlicher-style stock and have owned a pile of 77 RSIs, including 1 of the very rare tang safety 7x57s that is still NIB. I have found that the long action 77 RSI balance a little better than the short actions, but not as good as the average Husqvarna with a Mannlicher-style stock.

I have found that installing a soft neoprene O-ring around the barrel where the barrel meets the end cap helps to cushion the barrel to stock interface can help to imporove accuracy. This has always worked for me, but others who have tried it didn't have the same experience. Either way, a neoprene O-ring or 3 isn't going to cost more than a couple of dollars to try, so if it doesn't work for you, you aren't much out of pocket.

That's a nice looking rifle, right there.

"What is the physical difference between the two 77 RSIs that you like the feel of and the one that feels "clubby"?"

The forearm and pistol grip areas are noticeably fatter. You can feel the difference when handling them. Also, the two nice ones do this; when I can look at something close my eyes and snap the gun to my shoulder, the crosshair in the scope is either dead on what I was looking at or so close as to be negligible. The "fatter" gun doesn't even come close. I use a light switch as the aiming point. All three guns shoot the same load though with decent accuracy, at least for deer hunts. Probably be just fine for pigs as well should I run across some.
Paul B.

I like my RSI 308 with a Leupold 2.5x but am casually looking for a VX3 1.5-5x20 for a touch more power. IMO they look best and balance well with a smaller 20mm objective scope.

All of the 77 RSIs that I've owned, shot, or held seemed to have the same stock contour.

I haven't owned, shot, or held any of the Lipsey's stainless 77 RSIs, but would assume that they have the same stock specs as the blued CM cataloged rifles.

Your chubby 77 RSI stock is a mystery to me.

Aw, man! Had one of those rifles and foolishly sold it. It came from BC, too.

Enjoy that one! Sounds like a very nice setup

"Your chubby 77 RSI stock is a mystery to me."

Yes, I agree it is a puzzlement, but there it is. You're more than welcome to stop by and feel the difference yourself anytime. I admit the difference is subtle but it's there.
Paul B.

Thanks, but the probability of me being in Tucson anytime soon is a few positions to the right of the decimal point.