M77 barrel quality

[BradCoPAHunter]

I hope to buy my first centerfire bolt-action rifle this fall.  I've always used lever guns, but I've got the bug for a bolt.  The gun will be used for hunting black bears, whitetails, and (someday I hope) mule deer and elk.  I have been to lots of gun shops and handled many rifles.  The ones that seem to fit me best are the Ruger M77 and Winchester M70 Featherweight.  I can't afford a new gun, so I'm cruising the used gun racks.  I rarely find any used M70's where I live, but I can find M77's fairly easily.  In fact, there is a nice original tang safety M77 in .270 at my local dealer.  He also has an early MKII with the skeleton stock in .270.  However, before I lay down my cash I'd like some info from you Ruger M77 owners regarding barrle quality.

A vast number of online message boards/reviews of M77's (original and MKII) report inconsistent or poor accuracy, especially for the earlier made guns.  I have read that Ruger did not make their own barrels for a time, but nobody can give a definitive range of dates/serial numbers for these guns.  Overall, the "bad barrel/accuracy" claims seem to be less common for the MKII models.  From your actual, hands-on experience as M77 owners (not "I had a friend who..." or "someone told me that..."), are these claims legitimate or over-inflated myths that have endured over the years?  Should I avoid the older tang safety models, or do I take a chance? 

Also, why do so many people hate the older synthetic "skeleton" stocks?  Is it just because they are non-traditional/ugly, or did they actually compromise the quality or accuracy of the guns?  Personally, I love the look and feel of walnut, but I hate worrying about scratching it up while I'm hunting in the mountains.  In this respect I'd prefer the synthetic.

Any other thoughts you can share in helping me choose (or not choose) an M77?  Thanks.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

The barrel issues were with the tang safety models---that said---the tangs are a nicer action with adj trigger and easy to work safety.

The skeleton stocks with any fairly hard kicking rifle will dig into your shoulder like a knife----the newer syn stocks pretty much fixed that---but they aren't the quality of the older stocks either.

Trade offs everywhere.

[flintlock]

I have a 1980 model M-77 in .243, my brother bought a used M-77 tang safety in .270....Mine groups around an inch with CoreLokts and the Federal Premium 85gr HPBT....My brother's .270 (which I sighted in for him originally and shoot for him every year) will group the Federal Premium 130gr Sierra SPBT into 1 1/4-1 1/2 inch....Its the only load I ever tried as he was happy with this....

One of my hunting buddies had a .270 with the skeleton stock....I also sighted his in, so I have shot it, would group the Federal Premiums well, but he got rid of it because it did kick noticably more than my brothers M-77 with the standard wood stock...

Its my understanding that Ruger used to farm out the barrel making to various users....I have read the same as you....But, I prefer the older tang safety models....I would bet that you can find a good factory loading for it....

Also...the trigger can be adjusted easier on the older tang safety models than the newer Rugers...

I love the rings you get with the Rugers as you can check every screw so I check these every season...

[Coyote Hunter]

BradCoPAHunter  -

The Ruger M77 and M77 MKII’s are fine guns with rare exception.  I have two of each.

Yes, the M77 triggers are adjustable whereas the newer MKII trifggers are not.  No big deal – both are easy to touch up or replace.  The newer MKII triggers I’ve looked at were pretty good, including the .300 Win Mag I got nearly 2 years ago and the several I looked at a couple weeks ago at Sportsman’s Warehouse.

How much accuracy do you need”  My M77 .257 Roberts and 7mm Mag M77 will both do under 0.5” at 100 yards, the .MKII 300 Win Mag will do under an inch, and the MKII VT .22-250 will do 0.50” at 200 yards.   My buddy’s M77 MKII will do under 0.5” at 100 as well.

My .300 Win Mag has the “canoe paddle” skeleton stock.  While I like the stock, I do believe it impairs accuracy a tad as it has a bit of flex in it at the grip.  I keep toying with the idea of getting a laminated Boyd stock but can’t justify the cost/benefit ratio when its already shooting under an inch.  The newer synthetic Ruger stocks are more traditional in design.

A hint on walnut stocked Rugers – float the barrel and reseal the channel with a light coat of polyurethane.  (I do this to all my bolt guns.)

As to scratching up a walnut stock, my M77 in 7mm Mag has been elk hunting for 20+ years and still looks pretty good.  During that time it has broken my ribs (aided by a mule and a tree log, long story), been banged against rocks, been in the wet and covered in mud.  Has some “character” but not too much!  If you like walnut, don’t be deterred – just use a little paste floor wax.

My next rifle will probably be another Ruger.

[BradCoPAHunter]

Thanks for the feedback.  As far as accuracy goes, I'd be happy with 1" at 100 yards.  Given my limited rifle shooting experience, my skills will probably play a much larger role in accuracy than the gun will.  Still, I wanted to avoid buying a rifle known for poor accuracy, hence all the questions.  I do like the idea of the position of the safety (tang) and adjustable trigger on the original M77.  Then again, I like having a 3-position safety and controlled round feed as on the MkII.  As you've said, there are trade-offs.  I did a little more searching on Google regarding the skeleton stocks, and most people agree that the felt recoil with these guns is noticeably more than on wood stocked models.  All of my rifles have been in the .30-30 and .35 Remington class, and now I want to get something like a .270, .308 or .30-06.  I guess that I don't need the extra felt recoil from that skeleton stock, huh?  I considered forgoing a Ruger and picking up a synthetic stocked Savage 16 Weather Warrior because I had heard excellent reports on their accuracy.  However, when I picked one up the other day the stock felt cheap and flexible, and I could barely work the bolt it was so stiff.  That turned me off pretty quickly, even if they are inexpensive and accurate.  The search continues.

[3DTESTIFY]

BradCoPAHunter, I understanding is that problem barrels were early  M77 tang safety models from 1968-70, the first few years of production with outsourced barrels. Once Ruger started inhouse production of M77 barrels, the problem ceased to exist. Maybe someone else can comment to verify this view.

[safetysheriff]

allegedlly the bore diameter was not consistent along the length of the barrel on the original Model 77's that were mfr'd elsewhere (Wilson barrels, possibly).  the bullets were choked down in diameter and then exited from a muzzle that needed a tighter bullet fit in it.   naturally accuracy was a problem with those barrels.    Ruger used to have the same 'choking' problem with their revolvers when they overtightened the barrels in their frames!   that problem has also been rectified.   

my M77/MkII in .270 All Weather had a trigger that i chose to re-work with the instructions from www.centerfirecentral.com/77trigger.html   the trigger is much better now.   i have not taken the time to work up my 'best' handloads for this rifle because i've worked on other projects since then.   

i like that stock with the Ruger name impressed into/on it. 

ss'

[RNettles]

I bought my M77R MarkII to replace a Remington 7400 Synthetic Jam-O-Matic... 1/2" groups @ 100 yards using factory Federal Premium 150 Gr. Nosler Partition... Great fit and finish. Hammer forged barrel...

[Coyote Hunter]

My next rifle will probably be another Ruger.

And indeed it was. 

Picked up a used but like-new Ruger M77 made in 1984 and chambered for .30-06. I floated the barrel and resealed the channel with polyurethane, took about 20 minutes with a couple pieces of sandpaper, a Magic Marker to wrap the sandpaper around, and a screwdriver. 

So far it seems to shoot very well, holding 3" at 200 yards even in the high winds I've had to shoot in.  Its a keeper.