Ruger Mod. 77 Hornet

[bkraft]

I was at the local gun shop today and what to my wondering eys should appear but a new Model 77 in target grey with a liminate stock. in of all things .22 Hornet. The price is $625. Now next to old Ford Pick-ups and sassy blondes there is nothing that perks my ears up faster than a hornet. Does any body have any experience with this particular gun. Does it have any flaws, does the magazine limit reloading length as it does with CZ's? Does the rotary mag work as well as it does on the 10-22? Any and all opinions and information will be welcomed as this lil gal really,really wants to come to my house to live. She will be used  as a walking varmiter; crows and coyotes out to 125-150 yds.

[mcwoodduck]

While not having the sexy grey target 77/22 V and two or three other consanants.  I do have a plain jane 77/22 H in 22Hornet.
I really like the little rifle and now that I have a proper scope on it.  (had a huge 6-18X40 bushnell that looked funny) Now wears a 3-9X38 Weaver.  But the 6 round rotary mags works well.  i have three and had a little problem with one but found a dirt clot in it.  
The rotary mag will limit your OAL.  Factory ammo works well as do some 40 grain reloads.  
If you are thinking of making a K Hornet out of it.  you will need to modify the mag a little.  But Dr Doug RX has done this and can tell you more.  With the longer barrel it should quiet the 22 hornet down a little.  I can not tell the diffe between mine, the 22 mag or the 17HMR.
But you can when you shoot potatoes.  the 17 makes a white ball about 3 feet, the 22 amg with the 33 grainers is about 3.5 feet and the 22 Hornet with either the 35 grain Hornady loads or 40 grain V max reloads will make a 5 foot round ball of mashed potato.
Mine is now sighted in with the 46 grain JHP's and will be my back up rifle for a javilina hunt this Feb in AZ and was my primary three years ago.
  The only flaw I can find in mine is I do not get to shoot it enough anymore and sometimes it is hard to find 22 Hornet ammo but most shops I go into lately have a box or two.
Good luck with yours.  I think you will be very happy.

[drdougrx]

Hi and thanks for the reference Duck!

I like the 77/22H and Randy at CT Precision does a heck of a job in conversion to 22K at a reasonable price and quick turn around.  Only issue is that the mags only hold 3 rounds.  Z_Hat also has a conversion where they adjust the mags to hold 5, but I've no experience with them.

Also...$625 is kinda high.......

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

mc, how was the javalina hunting in Az. we are about 2 weeks late going down and the quail hunting is not worth going so it will be maybe varmits and fishing...I have shot only one javalina, and it was in Tx...years ago..how is Az. hunting....? Are these little pigs loaded with flees or stuff like that...I have heard that but never knew if they were true or local humor on the outofstater....good luck this year what will you shoot for them

[mcwoodduck]

Trying not to steal the thread and turn this into a javilina hunting thing. 
But....
The season is in mid Feb.  I put in with three buddies of mine.  Two years ago we went and saw a bunch but only one of us connected.
I killed a Cactus with my 22 Hornet.
The next year I was out of the area when they saw a bunch.  Same guy killed another one.  I ran down the mountain and made the 1.5 miles through brush and thickets in about 40 min and was able to chase the ones that got buy the other two guys abck up the draw and to them.  More shots rang out and no more Javilina.  The two on the ground have been smelly but clean.  No fleas that I saw and they tend to hop on and bite me.
I will let everyone know how we did when we return.  I will take pictures and post them here.
It is a fun trip, a little too short but a fun trip.  With all of us taking turns cooking I think I gained 5 pounds last year.  i think we go more to see who can cook what.  Dinners ranged from Pork tender lion, to Ribeyes, to racks of lamb.  Of course all the wives hear is Hot dogs, cold fried chicken and grilled cheese.

[drdougrx]

I love hear'n how you guys rough it!!!   

[BigAl52]

Doug
I looked long and hard at one with a laminated stock all over the net, I even bid on a couple and was outbid. Looked at the Ruger No1 in the hornet also but that 600 dollar price tag kept coming up and I have the smaller version of the Ruger in my safe. Just like the ducks I believe. I have done many testing sessions with mine and have just put a Weaver 4 x 16 scope on it. I have used the 35gr and the 40gr Vmax along with 40gr Nosler ballistic tip. Tested 2 different primers CCI and Rem 6 1/2 all in Remington brass. Powders I have tried is 2400,Lil Gun,IMR4227, and WW296. The gun will shoot about 3/4 inch groups with a couple of different loads. I have seen groups that the laminate will shoot and have not seen anything that would make me leave this one in the safe and spend another 600 on the laminate. I like mine and will keep havin fun playin with it till I find a load I really like. I am waiting on some winchester 46gr HP to try now. Al

[drdougrx]

Thanks Al....I haven't gotten another yet....we'll see (which is code for I'm my gun fund is low!!!)

[Rangr44]

The Target Grey/Lamo Model 77/22H isn't what I'd call a walk-around varminter, since IIRC mine had a MUCH heavier barrel (almost a bull bbl) than the M77/22RS-H sporter.

JMO, but I preferred the lighter rifle.

.