ruger 77/22 hornet

[hdj2520]

I'm looking hard at a 77 hornet. Any reports from owners?

[Thebear_78]

I had one and really liked it for predator calling.  It shot well and was a joy to carry.   I shot a fox with it the first night I had it as a matter of fact.  My dad really took a liking to it and has since confiscated it.  If you find one for a decent price I wouldn't think twice about picking on up.

[CyberSniper]

I have the 26 inch barreled target model.
It has done very well for me, can't complain.
Some loads shoot under an inch @ 100 yards.

Using Unique powder and 35 grain Hornady V-Max bullets, I even
have a reduced load that shoots under an inch @ 100 yards.
( Chronographed this load at 1,980 feet per second, which is
about like a lot of .22 Magnum loads. )

[Jerry Lester]

A lot of people give Ruger rifles(any of them) a bad report. This is mainly due to the fact that years ago Ruger bought their barrels from other companies, and quite frankly, they often shot like crap. Ruger has made their own hammer forged barrels now for quite some time, and honestly, they're as good, or in most cases better quality than the other big name factory barrels.

On the 77 Hornets...

I've personall owned several standard, as well as a couple 24" laminated 77 Hornets. I've also loaded for several others in both variations. They have all shot decently with a few being very accurate. I've yet to find a 77 Hornet in 24" laminated that wouldn't shoot several loads under MOA. The standard version with 20" sporter barrel, and walnut stock also shoot good over all, but I've found they really shine if you'll fully float the barrel, and bed the recoil lug, tang, and the center of the action where it contacts the stock.

I've given quite a few standard models this treatment, and every one of them not only improved, but turned out to be great shooters as far as normal Hornet accuracy goes. My current(standard) 77 Hornet will shoot several loads with 40g-55g bullets under an inch, and it serves as my primary calling rifle, and also as a nice compact 200+ yard walking around groundhog gun.

Hope this helps?

[hdj2520]

I'VE ALSO GIVEN SOME THOUGHT TO A K-HORNET CONVERSION BUT IT
STARTS TO GET EXPENSIVE AFTER A WHILE.
 ANOTHER CALIBER MIGHT BE SMARTER, BUT A HORNET IS LIKE A REDHAIRED IRISH GIRL , TEMPERMENTAL AND SOMETIMES A PAIN,
BUT HARD TO REPLACE WITH ANYTHING ELSE.

[tatonka]

I have a Ruger 77 Hornet SS laminated stock 24" barrel. It shoots great (under 1") with Lil Gun & 35 gr & 40 Gr Vmax bullets. It is stock except some bedding work & trigger job. I highly recommend them although I have read reports of some having accuracy problems. I suspect those with problems could be resolved with minor work. Good shooting!

[lakota]

I too have the SS laminated version.Got it about a year ago. It is stock except for a spring and sear kit. It shoots 35 and 40 grain V-max w/ 12.5-13 grs of little gun. I have shot a few groups that were sub 1/2" MOA. On an average day I group right around an 1" . This gun is potent medicine on whistle pigs. Last summer I made my longest shot on one. We paced off 225 paces(no range finder). All it has been doing is raining this summer, so between that, and renovating our house I have not been able to do any wood chuck shooting.

[dave375hh]

The idea of a conversion to K-Hornet is a good idea with the blued models. The stainless guns seem to be fine as is, other than the triggers. My 77/22H has a throat so long I can't even come close to the lands. If you convert to K-Hornet have the bbl set back and rechambered by someone who can understand the consept of "normal throat length", because Ruger can't. If you do get a bad one don't expect Ruger to help you. I called and complained about 2.0" groups and was told by whatever moron(wouldn't give his name) answered the phone said that 3.0" groups were within their standard for a  Hornet. BS!!!!
SAAMI spec's for the Hornet call for a COL of 1.723. In my rifle to touch the lands with a 40gr Nos.BT requires a round of 2.037! At that length the bullet is no longer in the case. This was and will be my last ruger rifle ever, if I win one I'll sell it without opening the box.

[lakota]

My buddy has had several of the blued Hornets and not one of them shot worth a hoot. He even had one converted to K-Hornet and It still would not shoot. If I could find one cheap enough, I would send it off to ER Shaw or someone else to be re-barreled.