Was there variations on this rifle and what was better or worse?

I only had one in 375 H&H, which I think was the smallest caliber it came in. Bought it over the internet and was truly disappointed when it got to my FFL holder. It was very well made, but 3 lbs too heavy for that caliber. All ready to go, 1.5-5x20, rings, sling and full mag it was almost 11 1/2#. It shot like a varmint rifle - I joked to my shooting/hunting partner I could bring it to his place and shoot ground squirrels with it, it was that accurate. And I also mentioned I could shoot 350 gr bullets all day and not notice much recoil. Sadly, I didn't keep it long and I replaced it with 3 other lighter 375's. Terry

This is very Intro to me That If Ruger changed the MkII over its run other then the Barrel band ?? It seems no one on this forum has any thing to say??

The Mk II Magnum Express did have variations. The early ones lacked the barrel band, the sling swivel was mounted into the stock and around the barrel with an unusual form of barrel band and had a very heavy barrel.
The later ones had a normal barrel band and were significantly lighter due to a barrel with a more typical contour. I personally thing the later ones balanced much better and are worth every penny.

I copied this post I wrote from another thread.

"I had a Ruger M77 Mk II Magnum Express Rifle .416 Rigby without the barrel band. Shot great. MOA or better with 400 Noslers and 410 Woodleighs.
Then I picked up a lighter one with the barrel band and it shoots MOA or better with both of those bullets so let the heavier barreled one go.
No problems with either rifle. They fed and functioned great. I run the 400-410 bullets at 2550 give or take a little depending on weather. I found both rifles shot the 400/410s MOA or better from around 2350 to over 2600.
The only change I made was to put a limbsaver recoil pad on both rifles with 1.5x5 Leupolds.
The current one will stay with me as long as I can shoot it. It's a keeper.
I also had one in 375 h&h with the barrel band. It is a shooter too. A close friend now has that one. He shot it a few times and liked it so much he talked me out of it. Got a nice griz on his first outing with it.

I would like to find a nice one in 30-06 though. :-) "

I have a later version with the barrel band, in .458 Lott.

It is a large, heavy rifle...but I figure you want large/heavy while trying to run multiple shots quickly in a .458 Lott (which you probably want to be able to do if you are going to hunt DG with it).

Slightly off topic.....

The Ruger Express rifles were the little brothers to the Ruger Safari Magnums.

They were chambered in 30-06, 270Win, 300 WM, Rem Mag and .338 WM.

Great rifles, much trimmer than their big bore brothers with all the features, ie, barrel band swivel, express sights, integral quarter rib, Circassian stock.

IME, they list for $1200-1800.

Here's a link to ones that sold.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/979268311/RUGER-M77-Mark-II-EXPRESS-RIFLE-30-06-Springfiel.htm

https://www.gunsamerica.com/9153448...alnut-barrel-band-steel-bottom-metal.htm

Stolen from AR.

"Mark II RSM Rifle, 3 Generations, by my recollection, not quotable for dates, the rest is accurate:

First Generation: 1989 announcement, 1990 production: Heavy 24" barrel with barrel band sling base inletted through the forearm.

Second Generation, about 1994: Same heavy 24" barrel but with barrel band sling base out on the barrel beyond forend tip.

Third Generation, about 2004: 23" barrel of lighter contour, otherwise same as Gen2.
Initially only .375 H&H and .416 Rigby, IIRC, but .458 Lott was out in 2006 for sure."

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4711043/m/3181075971

very Intro! Thanks