Impressed by the Ruger American

I expect Ruger to drop it's 77 after making a deluxe version of their American... perhaps with a wood stock and nice finish. They know the market and they know the design is a great one, with profits not to be "wasted" by producing bargain rifles.

The Tikka T3 was once a "bargain" rifle, and without modifications, has increased in price dramatically, as have other guns.

For instance, it pains me to see my first Ruger, a Standard Auto, purchased around 1961 for the discounted price of $30, now selling for nearly $400, while ammo, prior to the shortage, had increased only slightly.
 
I don't think that Ruger will drop the M77 any more than Weatherby will drop the Mark V. There will always be a market for that as well. I think there's a difference between a rifle being "nicer" and a rifle being "better". Some people want a nicer rifle. If the American is a good as is being said, it will probably take a bite out of M77 sales. If I had the money, though, I'd pick an M77 over a Ruger because of the aesthetics. It's a classy looking rifle. Aesthetics plays more into gun buying than I think a lot of people are willing to admit.

For most of us, guns aren't just tools. I don't care what my wrenches and hammers look like as long as they work. A small part of me goes after the guns that are visually appealing.
 
Would Ruger drop the 77 if the American was just as accurate? Let's see
Would Remington drop the 700 if the 783 was just as good? Anyone else remember the 788?
Would Savage drop the 110 if the Axis shot just as well? That is laughable.
Would Weatherby EVER get rid of the Mk V even if the Vanguard was outeslling it 1,000 to 1?
Some rifles survive on their history or loyalty. Even the most hardcore Ruger fans would have to admit that the Savages and Tikka rifle shoot at leased as well as their 77s but they don't care, their 77 has served them very well and they see no reason to use anything else they will buy another 77 as long as they make them.
 
As much as I like my American, I would rather have a 77 still.

I bought the American to plink with and for the possibility of a hunt out west some day. I can afford to have $500 wrapped up in a rifle that may gather dust in the safe and not get a lot of use vs $1000 for the 77.

A nice Ruger M77 is on my bucket list though. I have always thought it to be the sharpest production bolt action out there. I also love the Mauser bolt action.

Dont know what caliber yet though.
 
Kachok said:
Would Ruger drop the 77 if the American was just as accurate? Let's see
Would Remington drop the 700 if the 783 was just as good? Anyone else remember the 788?
Would Savage drop the 110 if the Axis shot just as well? That is laughable.
Would Weatherby EVER get rid of the Mk V even if the Vanguard was outeslling it 1,000 to 1?
Some rifles survive on their history or loyalty. Even the most hardcore Ruger fans would have to admit that the Savages and Tikka rifle shoot at leased as well as their 77s but they don't care, their 77 has served them very well and they see no reason to use anything else they will buy another 77 as long as they make them.
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There will always be a market for premium versions of any product, especially ones that men lust after. :D I have been seriously jonesing for a nice used wood stock Weatherby MK V lately, even though I know the cheaper synthetics have better all weather performance and the Vanguards offer similar (or at least extremely high) performance for 1/4 of the price. But just LOOK at the Mk V! Almost too beautiful to take hunting, but very desirable and prestigious nonetheless. It's a work of art.
 
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Dirty Harry said:
A nice Ruger M77 is on my bucket list though. I have always thought it to be the sharpest production bolt action out there. I also love the Mauser bolt action.
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I have a friend who bought a nice sports car when he was near retirement age, because he said it had always been on his bucket list, and his bucket was getting shallow!!

Life is short. Enjoy it!
 
I said that Ruger may make a deluxe version of the American. That might result in their dropping the 77, maybe not immediately, but you never know what will happen in the business...especially when a firearm company gets bought out by a large corporation. Profit rules, no matter how much we drool. :eek:
 
What I see happening is more variations of the RAR and less lower cost options of the M77 such as the basic Hawkeye. They will need to widen the gap between the two lines if they expand the RAR line.

Kind of like what's Happened to Weatherby. Is the MK V really more accurate than the Vanguard? No but it's a lot nicer rifle. And a lot more expensive than the basic Vanguard.
 
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