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sbooy42

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NEWB here to rifles and this forum but not forums so please dont beat me down with the search function or turn this into a pissn match:)...

I have never owned a rifle or killed anything over 100 yards (bowhunter here) but I am in the market for a new rifle to try my hand at longer ranges.I primarliy hunt Whitetails and bear but do plan heading west for elk. I am looking at .308 and originally was looking at the Remington 700 and Browning A or X bolt. Then I came across the Ruger M77. I am really liking the M77. I came across this site and figured I'd get Firing Line's opinion. Pros, Cons on the M77?, other suggestions in the $700ish range??

Thanks

if this is in the wrong sub-forum please move
 
A Ruger is a pretty good gun and is generally my 2nd choice when selecting a rifle. I would prefer it by a wide margin over a Remington or Browning. My 1st choice is the newer Winchester models, but the Ruger is good too and a little less expensive. Older Rugers developed a reputation for poor accuracy and that reputation follows them. Don't let anyone tell you a Ruger won't shoot. They made changes in 1992 and again in 2006 that have made current Rugers as accurate as anything else. Some guys just won't let old myth's die.

The chambering is really less important. As an all around choice a 308 is fine, as would be a 30-06, or 270. Any of those 3 will take anything in NA with the right bullets in the chamber. Some will try to tell you that it is a little light for elk. I disagree. With good ammo it is a solid 400 yard elk rifle. The 30-06, 270, or magnum rounds might be more effective at longer ranges if that is important.

Don't make the mistake of buying a dedicated elk rifle and try to make it work on smaller deer and bear that you will hunt 99% of the time. Buy a rifle designed for what you will hunt the vast majority of the time and make it work on those rare chances on larger game. You might be surprised at how well smaller calibers work on really large game when loaded with some modern loadings.
 
I agree with JRM40. .308 is a fine and versitile caliber (one among many that will do the job equally well). Since you have chosen a versitile caliber, the remaining variable for you is the rifle itself. My recommendation is to go someplace (maybe a gun show) where you will see lots of variety and see how different rifles feel to you. Play with the safety and cycle the bolt - not for functionality but for ergonomics. Almost all of today's rifles will actually shoot accurately. It is how a particular rifle fits you that can make the difference.
 
I have a couple three Ruger 77s, not a dern thing wrong with them. For your use the 308 would be an excellent choice.

If you like the M-77 in 308, by all means get it. Don't settle for something we like, get what you like.

You wont be disapointed with the M-77 Ruger.
 
Another here on the bandwagon. I own an old Ruger 77, tang safety model, and it's a fine shooter.

Like some others, the Ruger 77 isn't my first choice, but it is a good choice. I like Savage rifles, but the two Ruger rifles we have in the family are rugged, dependable, accurate rifles that are well acquitted in the hunting fields.

Likewise, the .308 cartridge should do everything you want to do. It's a good, general purpose cartridge that does lots of things well.

sbooy42 said:
NEWB here to rifles and this forum but not forums so please dont beat me down
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We don't generally beat down new posters. Like any other family, we have our disagreements and our firmly-held opinions, but we try to give the best information possible. Pull up a chair and get to know us. Welcome to the forum.
 
Thanks guys. I really appreciate the info and confirming that i am on the right track. I am looking forward to spending some time here, bouncing questions off members and getting educated...

Paw Paw thanks for the welcome. Hope I didn't give a sour impression like the taste other forums have left.:)
 
I agree with Doyle - your best bet is to shoulder the different rifles that you are considering. See how they feel - is it front heavy, butt heavy or fairly balanced? Does it feel comfortable on your shoulder? See how they function. They will all be pretty similar, but the small differences might make one stand out above the others for you. I recently bought my first deer rifle, so I have some fresh experience with the process. I checked out all of the local sporting goods stores and pawn shops to get a hands on feel for as many rifles as I could, and then I went online to find the best price I could and had it delivered. I settled on the Savage model 10 as the one that fit me best, but only you can determine what works best for you.
As far as caliber goes, .308 should do you just fine.
 
Tang saftey M77 has the benefit of an adjustable trigger, I've got a early 80's model in 6mm and had some accuracy issues with it untill I got it glass bedded. Now it shoots as good as any other sporter I have.
 
I have 4 Ruger 77's in 3 rifle generations. I have two with the tang safety, one Mk II and one Hawkeye (other than the name, I'm not sure of the diff between the last two mentioned). They are all fine rifles and shoot very well with my tuned loads. All have been well treated over the years. My dad, on the other hand, has a tang safety 270 that has been abused for decades (he won't clean it or wipe it down or keep it dry, and the only bore cleaning is a mercy cleaning by me every couple of years). That rifle just keeps working and shooting great. Ruger makes a fine rifle. That said, I do love the look and feel of the new FN Winchesters. Sooooo nice!
 
.308

You picked a fine catridge for most any purpose you will find here in North America with the exception of the largest bears. I assume you meant black bears in your post. The .308 Winchester is a great cartridge.
I have a couple of Ruger 77 MII rifles that I like pretty well, but before you go spend your dollars ,take a look at the CZ 550 rifles. At the moment they outclass and outshoot most anything below $1000. Fit and finish is old school and boy do they shoot. It is a true Mauser design with all the benefits plus a superb adjustable set trigger.
 
I really like the layout and handling qualities of the 77, particularly the top tang safety model. My only reservation is that the few I've shot didn't seem to shoot as well as the old Remington 78 or Savage 110's that have resided here over the years. But those were late 80's guns and the new ones may be miles ahead.

I'll dive in on a blue/walnut 77 one of these days and when I do, I'll come here looking for the accuracy tweaks.
 
Sarge, could it be that the model 77's you shot where produced back when Ruger was buying its rifle barrels from a 3rd party supplier. Some of those rifles were definately known to have accuracy issues. They started making all their own barrels several years ago. I haven't heard of any accuracy issues since they started doing that.
 
you guys are great..

Yes Tailchain only Black bears here MI..

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions on a few others to check out.

One thing that I keep seeing on the net is this glass bedding thing. Sounds interesting gunna have to do some research for knowledge.

Thanks agian guys.. I'll keep ya updated on what I end up with
 
I have absolutely nothing against Ruger, they make a fine gun (of any sort), but I always have to throw in CZ, the CZ550 is an amazing rifle. I believe it should make all "try it when deciding" lists for rifles.
 
Yeah i did a quick search and see this becoming another anally detailed hobby like my archery addiction...:) Now how do I break this to my wife:D
 
Is $700.00 your budget with optics? Or without? Not a darn thing wrong with any of the choices you've listed so far. Throw in a Savage as well, not a pretty gun but they will flat out shoot and usually cost a bit less than the other three. Leave enough money in your budget for quality glass, say at least $300-400.00 with mounts.
 
Sarge, could it be that the model 77's you shot where produced back when Ruger was buying its rifle barrels from a 3rd party supplier. Some of those rifles were definately known to have accuracy issues...
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I'm certain it was. The Summer of my Ruger Rifle Discontent (1984?) was shared by my late nephew, a fine rifleman and Ruger rifle addict of epic proportions. That poor kid would sell, swap and trot out a new No 1 every few months, finessing it through the forend mods and declaring it to the Excalibur of accuracy. He had a couple that shot pretty good, too.

Then a poor soul offered me a pitifully common Savage 110 in 30-06 for $125.00. I knew it wasn't hot. (policemen aren't supposed to buy hot guns, you know) I'd picked up a used Bushnell 4x12 for another 25 bucks and hadn't a clue if either of them were any good. Kenny called with the news that he had a great new Ruger 77 in '06 and he wanted to meet me at the old Argo Road range near Blue Springs MO to show it off. I took my $150 worth of second-hand junk just to make sure it worked and get it zeroed.

The Savage shot 3/4" groups with the same loads his Ruger wouldn't keep in 2 1/2", with a Leupold sitting on top. I didn't know whether to laugh at him or cry with him. At any rate, he started making calls and actually got enough info to decide that Ruger was farming their barrel work out. I'm real glad to hear they are making their own tubes these days and if anyone knows when that started, please share it.
 
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Sarge said:
The Savage shot 3/4" groups with the same loads his Ruger wouldn't keep in 2 1/2", with a Leupold sitting on top.
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Yeah, you see, I hate it when that happens, when a cheap Savage tops the mark for accuracy. They're generally uglier than homespun sin, but they shoot.

The Ruger 77 I've got leaning in the corner is a 1973 version. It's in .25-06 and I'm in the midst of working loads for it. I've got a couple of initial loads that are flirting with an inch at 100 yards and I'm hoping to better that by another half-inch. Like any other rifle, Rugers respond well to good reloading practices.

Yet, my Savages generally outshoot them. I normally find a good Ruger in the used gun racks, play with it for awhile, find a load that it likes, then give it to a grandkid, nephew or son. My go-to rifle is an el-cheapo Savage in .30-06 with a $150.00 scope and it'll shoot 3/4 inch groups all day long.
 
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