Stoked about my new (to me) Ruger 77 ST

[awaveritt]

Just won an auction for a Ruger 77 ST round top with a serial # 73-12xxx. Chambered in 270 Win. Hoping some Ruger aficionados can tell me the date this rifle was made? (1973 maybe?)

My son has invited me to a north Tx hog hunt later this month and I'm really stoked about christening my new-to-me rifle. Been out of the centerfire rifle game (except for cowboy lever actions) for many years. Still have a nice assortment of 270 components/dies out in the garage I kept from my model 70 featherweight days, some 25 years ago. Anyway just thought I'd share my excitement with you and ask about the S# date and any observations about the venerable Ruger 77 and your favorite hog hunting tales.

 

[brasscollector]

Congrats on the new rifle. I have 3 M77s, two older tang-safetys and a newer MKII. I have an M77V in 22-250, a 25-06 and the MKII is a 204, all three are great shooters.
Looks like your rifle was manufactured sometime in 1978.

 

[JJ45]

You can check any Ruger's date of manufacture on their web sight.

I have an early 77 tang safety ST, 30-06 and it is my favorite hunting rifle.

Kinda unique in that it retains the long Mauser claw extractor but has the plunger ejector similar to the Rem 700 and others.

The bolt can be stripped down very simply and far enough to clean the FP, etc.. If you have the manual it explains how. I don't know if the manual is on Ruger's web sight as it is a discontinued model.