Author Topic: The Ruger 77MKII...where is the love? (Read 5418 times)

Mr. Joe · « **on:** February 12, 2008, 04:11:19 AM »

Talking rifles last night with a friend of mine i came to an interesting conclusion. It seems to me that the 77MKII action has all the features of the great rifles of the past that everyone dotes on. Think about it, controlled round feed, three position safety, integrated bullet proof scope mounts, every finish caliber or configuration anyone could want, classic beautiful stock lines, moderate cost, and its made in the United States. It is really better than the pre 64 70 in every respect. The only downfall i have found are the terrible triggers. There are several drop ins available, and by trial and error i have learned to turn the MKII trigger into a beautiful thing however. Whats the deal, why is this not by far the most popular rifle on the market? I don't want to hear of accuracy either, i have owned enough of these and everything else to comfortably say, you have just as must chance of pulling a tack driver out of a Ruger box than you do pulling one out of any other rifle box. Im not a brand biased guy, as i own alot of rifles of various makes, it just seems our friends in Coneticut should be getting more credit.

tobster · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2008, 07:57:06 AM »

Any tips on trigger tuning? The price of an after-market trigger kind of washes out the benefits of not having to buy rings. Let Ruger discontinue the MKII and everyone will howl how it was the best thing going!

Mr. Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2008, 12:45:16 PM »

http://www.centerfirecentral.com/77trigger.html

This is what i do, its much easier than it sounds.

30-06man · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2008, 01:30:41 PM »

I like the Ruger M77 Hawkeye much better. Its got a new trigger too. Its better than the MkII and it has many of the same features.

giturgun · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2008, 01:56:15 PM »

I have a 77 MK2 in 30-06. It was one of the ultralight models. I have 10 dollars in it , tip board.

Have put a B and C stock on it ,Weaver adapters for the scope mounts. The trigger is not bad on this one , I changed the spring for one from a hardware selection I have and it made a big difference. I am going to work on it some using the instructions in this link. Really the trigger was not bad at all new. It shoots good enough for the use I have for it deer hunting ocassionally. I split my deer gun use between about 20 different rifles and SP ' S so none are used a great deal.

I have been toying with putting a 6 mm Rem barrel on it but haven't got around to that project yet.The problem is to much gun work needing done which is a good thing, but to finance the projects I have to work . Either that or starve. Should have been born rich or at least smart enough to have become rich , well off , or something.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2008, 01:17:05 AM »

I have an all-weather 77 MKII in .243 that I have been using as my coyote rifle for about 5-6 years. I put a timney trigger in it and set it at 2.5 lbs. I have done nothing else to the rifle except practice and hunt. This rifle will shoot sub-moa with about three reloads from a 60gr Sierra HP to a 85 gr Sierra GK. It has been more than I bargained for from the beginning. I agree with Mr. Joe.

bjm

Lead Poison · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2008, 07:54:24 PM »

I love Ruger rifles!!!!!!!!!

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2008, 03:35:00 AM »

Like Lead Poison, I love my Ruger rifles. The trigger on some are better than others, but the older Ruger M77 triggers are adjustable and the M77 MKII and Hawkeye triggers are easily tuned up. All are easily replaced. As a note, I’ve had to tune the triggers on my Savage, Marlin and Browning rifles. The one Remington I own, bought used, has a good trigger but it’s not perfect. The Ruger rifles come with scope rings and the cost of good rings for my Remington would have easily covered the cost of a trigger tune-up on a Ruger. I figure it’s a wash.

My Rugers also get free floated. No big deal there, so do the other brands.

On the other hand, the Rugers have a lot going for them. Mine shoot extremely well, as the targets I’ve posted over the years attest. The CRF feed on the MKII’s and Hawkeyes is nice but I don’t miss it on the M77’s. What I do like about the Rugers is the scope mounting system (which a mule, a log and two broken ribs conspired to convince me is exceptionally strong), the claw extraction and the one-piece bolt.

The other thing I like about the Ruger rifles is the overall value. While not fancy they are what I consider an outstanding hunting rifle – reasonably priced, rugged, reliable and accurate. Guess that’s why there are more Ruger rifles in my safe than all other brands combined.

weasel · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2008, 05:56:11 AM »

Maybe I'm missing something, aren't all the Ruger bolts CRF w/ claw extractor? Haven't looked at a Hawkeye personally yet.

Mr. Joe · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:08:55 AM »

The MKIIs and the hawkeyes are, but the origanl 77 while it did have the claw extractor, was a push feed with plunger style ejector like on a garand or a 700.

deltecs · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2008, 12:36:33 PM »

Quote from: Mr. Joe on February 17, 2008, 11:08:55 AM

The MKIIs and the hawkeyes are, but the origanl 77 while it did have the claw extractor, was a push feed with plunger style ejector like on a garand or a 700.

Not all Mark II's are controlled round feeds either. The early Mark II's with the terrible plastic stock were push feed. The bolt face could easily be milled a bit and then they are controlled round feed, but not all Mark II's were factory built to be controlled round feeds. All the Hawkeye models are controlled feed.

Cement Man · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2008, 01:53:56 PM »

I love my Rugers as well. Picked up a new addition - 77MKII VT in .308 last week, haven't shot it yet. The VT has a great trgger as is. Starting to get this urge I can't resist for a .308 Frontier now.

Besides what CH mentioned, I really like the current 3 position safety and have always found the hinged floorplate and latch to be positive and easy to manipulate -even when my fingers are froze.

petemi · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2008, 06:46:06 AM »

I love my M77 MK II in .308. I call it the "Magic Rifle" I use 168 gr. Winchester Supreme Ballistic Tips for everything from red squirrels to deer. The rifle loves the bullet and I know where it is going and don't have to mess with the scope by changing loads. I have made some incredible shots with this rifle, the most recent, a fox at 300 plus yards shot through right behind the shoulders. I have taken about a dozen deer with it out to about 200 yards and only one went 75 yards. The rest died within 10 steps of where they stood. I had her out yesterday morning coyote hunting, but didn't get a shot. I've got arthritis and the factory trigger works fine for me.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2008, 04:20:59 PM »

The Ruger 77 MK-II is the finest bolt action rifle in the world in my opinion.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2008, 04:34:41 PM »

Mine is a 6.5x55 and the romance flourishes.

Regards,
Sweetwater

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2008, 03:25:13 AM »

I have been a Ruger Rifle and firearm man ever since the M77 came out I have several and hunt mainly with Ruger Rifles but I still don't Think the Rugers are near the rifle these old model 70 Winchesters are. I have a pre-64 Model 70 featherweight in 308 that still out shoots my Rugers and it was made in 1952. But still my favorite is my Ruger 77 MKII in 7mm Mag

petemi · « **Reply #16 on:** March 02, 2008, 09:44:07 AM »

I was ACTUALLY working down at the barn a little while ago, and of course, my mind was on guns and not what I was doing. It is difficult to get wrapped up in horse apples. I was thinking about this thread, and it dawned on me, that except for target shooting, Ruger could have made my M77 MKII a single shot. I had one deer once that I thought might not be totally gone and suffering, so I used my Blackhawk to put a round behind the ear. That's the only second shot I've ever had to use. She's a .308. The "Magic Rifle".

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #17 on:** March 06, 2008, 07:06:20 AM »

the new hawkeyes have a very very better trigger... i had my markII taken to a gun smith he striped the trigger out and smothed it all out its about 4lbs now i love it
you all so forgot an importent thing its the only decent price rifle made in the USA by Americans that has the three point safty with the extractor
i heard kimbers do all so but then thats like 3 rugers for a kimber so thats a lot more $$

Rod B · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2008, 11:27:21 AM »

I have a Ruger 77 VT in .308.

It has proven to be a reliable & very accurate rifle.

benchracer · « **Reply #19 on:** April 05, 2008, 08:00:23 AM »

Being a southpaw, I have been a big Remington fan for quite awhile. However, a couple of years ago, I started tinkering with milsurp mausers to teach myself some things about gunsmithing. The more I tinkered with the mausers, the more I began to appreciate the classic mauser design and the more I wanted a left handed one. I knew that a Winchester Model 70, if I could find one, would pretty much be an American Mauser, but was unaware that the Ruger 77 MkII is also a controlled feed mauser type rifle ( I didn't realize that had been one of the changes from the old push feed Model 77's).

As of last month, I am the proud owner of one of the last pre-hawkeye left hand Ruger 77 MkII's. Got a pretty good deal on it, too. As purchased, it is a 30-06. However, I plan to send it to Z-hat to have it made into a 6.5-06. I can't wait!

I don't know if my move to the dark side is complete or not, but I am definitely on my way!

backstrap · « **Reply #20 on:** April 05, 2008, 10:54:17 AM »

I have a older 77mkll tang safety in 30-06 and love the gun very accurate and liable and good trigger and have taken many deer with it tried to find 1 in 25-06 and never could they are such a good rifle know 1 ever gets ride of them, so i had to settle for a browning a-bolt in 25-06,i had some of the newer 3 position safety mark2 rifles and got Reid of them because of the trigger and not likeing the safety to many positions to get it on fire and nosier i wish ruger would go back to the old tang saftey system and better trigers i would buy some more rugers

mjbgalt · « **Reply #21 on:** April 05, 2008, 11:18:22 AM »

i bought one in .243 this morning. very nice wood, and the trigger breaks about like i like it.

will see how she shoots. i am not normally a fan of having my rifle barrels bedded, would prefer free-floated, but i am going to shoot it first and see how it does.

-Matt

deltecs · « **Reply #22 on:** April 05, 2008, 12:14:02 PM »

Quote from: backstrap on April 05, 2008, 10:54:17 AM

I have a older 77mkll tang safety in 30-06 and love the gun very accurate and liable and good trigger and have taken many deer with it tried to find 1 in 25-06 and never could they are such a good rifle know 1 ever gets ride of them, so i had to settle for a browning a-bolt in 25-06,i had some of the newer 3 position safety mark2 rifles and got Reid of them because of the trigger and not likeing the safety to many positions to get it on fire and nosier i wish ruger would go back to the old tang saftey system and better trigers i would buy some more rugers

I agree and with minor modifications this could have been controlled feed. They shot better too. I have over 8 of the Mark I's and everyone shoots accurately.

Ahab · « **Reply #23 on:** April 07, 2008, 07:05:36 AM »

Quote from: 30-06man on February 12, 2008, 01:30:41 PM

I like the Ruger M77 Hawkeye much better. Its got a new trigger too. Its better than the MkII and it has many of the same features.

Yes indeedy, looking to get another.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** April 07, 2008, 07:18:58 AM »

What on earth have you done ? Why you have let the cat out the bag , %#@*&% #$!@& !@#$@ !
now they won't be able to make them fast enough , that old supply and demand thing &%$#&@ . They are awful guns honest i know i have a bunch ! I mean who would want one !

all fun aside , Strum Ruger gives alot for the money ! more than most !

myronman3 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 11, 2008, 03:57:41 AM »

it is good to know i am not alone.

when i bought my rifle, i could have bought anything i wanted. i picked a ruger. gunsmith charged me 25 bucks to adjust the trigger, and it couldnt be any sweeter. it is another "magic rifle".

Sweetwater · « **Reply #26 on:** April 11, 2008, 08:12:57 PM »

MM3-

I posted earlier that my Ruger MKII is a 6.5 Swede (which it is) and my wife and kids (daughters) love it. I do, too, but that's been a 48 year romance with the Swede. Your other post concerning a rifle for your Spouse - I would think the MKII in your chosen caliber would make a dandy platform for her.

Regards,
Sweetwater

WayneJessie · « **Reply #27 on:** April 13, 2008, 08:14:53 AM »

I think the M77 MKII rifle is the best hunting rifle to be had for $1000 or less. The build quality is superb and it's made here in America by Americans. That didn't used to be a concern for me but it is as I get older. After holding a new Remington 700 in the gun shop the other day I really appreciate the quality that is apparent in my MKII Rugers.

Carroll B · « **Reply #28 on:** April 13, 2008, 12:16:43 PM »

I have the MK77 in a .308. Once I floated the barrel it will shoot as good as my ability. Took an antelope at what the guide said was just over 325 yards. I'm fond of Rugers owning 2 wheel guns and a semi-auto handgun. For the money the Mk 77 is a great gun.

myronman3 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 14, 2008, 05:56:12 AM »

Quote from: Sweetwater on April 11, 2008, 08:12:57 PM

MM3-

I posted earlier that my Ruger MKII is a 6.5 Swede (which it is) and my wife and kids (daughters) love it. I do, too, but that's been a 48 year romance with the Swede. Your other post concerning a rifle for your Spouse - I would think the MKII in your chosen caliber would make a dandy platform for her.

Regards,
Sweetwater

and if i find one it is a done deal.