M77 RSI international 308win

[krod47nw]

I just put one of these on layaway.  M77 RSI international.  Anyone else have one or have experience with one?  I understand they make a limited run in a different caliber each year.  What do you have and how do you like it?

[mrbumps]

I just picked one of those up the other day myself.  I also have one in 7x57mm, which was the last run they did.  They have also made them in .257 Roberts, .250 Savage, 7mm-08, and 6.5x55mm.  All the previous models are fairly hard to find, and when you do find them, they are usually at a premium.  I have not shot my .308 yet, but I have put a couple of loads through my 7x57 and got 1.5" 5 shot groups.  I understand that the full length stock can open up groups as the barrel gets hot due to the increased amount of wood contact.  For a hunting rifle, I think they will be accurate enough.  I also have a No. 1 RSI in 7x57mm.
 
One thing I did notice about the .308 model versus all the older runs I have seen, is that the checkering on the forend of the stock wraps complelely around the bottom of the stock.  It's differnt than the other runs.

[krod47nw]

I'd love to have some of those other chamberings.  7x57 is one of my all time favorite rounds.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got an older tang safety 250 savage and its allways been one of my favorite whitetail guns.

[Luckyducker]

I had one chambered in 308Win 6 or 8 yrs ago and traded it off because I couldn't get better than 8" to 10" groups at 100 yds with factory or handloads.  I think the barrel needed to be floated but I didn't know how to accomplish that so I just let it go.

[krod47nw]

I had one chambered in 308Win 6 or 8 yrs ago and traded it off because I couldn't get better than 8" to 10" groups at 100 yds with factory or handloads.  I think the barrel needed to be floated but I didn't know how to accomplish that so I just let it go.

 
I was under the impression that the 308 was just introduced this year.  Have they repeated it?

[Lloyd Smale]

they made and sold a bunch of them back when they were tang safety blued guns. the recent on is a limited addition stainless gun.

[krod47nw]

they made and sold a bunch of them back when they were tang safety blued guns. the recent on is a limited addition stainless gun.

 
 
I see.  So these were once in full production?  What were they called back then?

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

RSI's have been in the catalog for years in .308---.30-06---.270 and .243.

[Pinkerton]

I think what you put on layaway is the stainless steel Hawkeye RSI, but the blued 77RSI and 77Mark II RSI have been around for a long time. I found a 308 MarK II RSI and put it on layaway at my local shop, went in and they had brought in the stainless hawkeye in 308 on the rack later on and I thought about taking the Mark II out and putting the Hawkeye on layaway instead but didn't.  The new Hawkey was more than I wanted to pay, and the checkering on the left side of the stock looked like it had been done with a swiss army knife, but the wood was beautiful. So I came home with the blued Mark II.  I see there's no longer a bolt action RSI cataloged.

[krod47nw]

It seems like there are many names attached to these rifles.  Are there differences, or are they all the same.  Hawkeye, RSI, International, M77, MarkII, someone please explain.  I'm not really even sure what to call the one I'm getting.
 
Kevin

[Pinkerton]

Well, here's what I think I know, if anybody has better info (or memory) please chime in.
 
Ruger first made the bolt action 77 with a tang safety, replaced that later with the 77 Mark II that had a 3 position safety similar to the Winchester 70, i'm not sure about the years of production. About 2008 Ruger made the Hawkeye which had a trimmed down stock and re-designed trigger.
 
The RSI or international models refer to the full length stock.
 
I thought it was strange that Ruger chose "Hawkeye" for the name of their new bolt actions because at one time in the late 60's I think, they produced a single shot pistol in 256 Win by the same name. It was a failure and now pretty collectable. 

[Lloyd Smale]

yours would be a hawkeye international.

[krod47nw]

Thanks for the great info guys.
 
Kevin

[alan in ga]

I'd have to buy a .358 Winchester full stock Ruger 77~! Wish they'd make one....