Author Topic: Ruger 77/22 All Weather? (Read 8001 times)

Atomic Chicken · « **on:** June 30, 2005, 06:13:40 PM »

Greetings!

I'm not sure whether to post this on the rimfire rifle or Ruger rifle forum, but I figured maybe more owners would be here on the Ruger forum so here goes.

I have long been interested in buying a Ruger 77/22 All Weather rifle with stainless barrel and synthetic stock in .22 LR caliber. I have not seen any of these locally for several years, and I've heard that Ruger doesn't make them any more (though I don't know if this is true or not). Browsing at a seldom visited local gun shop today, I noticed a 77/22 in .22 Mag. on one of the display racks, and asked the counter salesman if he had any in .22 LR available. He said he didn't think so, but checked the back of the store anyway, and came out with a box containing a year 2000 issue 77/22 in .22 LR. He was as surprised as I was that he had one, he said he could have sworn up and down that the only one he had was the .22 Mag display model! I was pretty pleased, especially after noticing that the .22LR model was in better apparent condition than the display .22 Mag. model.

In any case, the gun was marked $350... I immediately put down a $50 deposit for layway, I plan on paying off the balance and picking it up early next week. In the meantime, I have two questions:

#1 - Is this as good a gun as I think it is? How do you owners of the .22 LR All Weather version like yours? I'm more concerned with durability than great accuracy, although I've heard the 77/22 accuracy is pretty good. I already have a model 77 MKII in .243 Win. and love the ruggedness of it, probably the most solidly built rifle I own.

#2 - What is the best scope in a 4X or 6X fixed power that I should be looking for to top this gun? I am looking for a matte finish FIXED power scope that is as durable as possible, in keeping with the "Rugged Tank" all weather construction of the rifle. I would like to keep the price of the scope under $150, but I'm willing to go over this limit if the scope is REALLY durable and worth the extra $$$.

Thanks in advance!
Bawko

mag-check · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2005, 03:57:20 AM »

I have one in 22 magnum and there great little rifles, the best I think! And yes Ruger still makes them. I have a Burris x4 power compact scope on mine and shot a 5 shot group at 100yds that went .784 with the Winchester super X 40gr. HP, got a buddy that has a Ruger like mine and he shoots groups like that all the time! like I said the best little rifle for the money. Mag-Check

Atomic Chicken · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2005, 12:53:41 AM »

Greetings!

OK... not being the most patient person, I raided the savings account today and paid off the layaway on this rifle. Having a bit of extra cash, I went shopping for a nice scope to top it off, traveling to 3 different area sporting goods stores in search of the "perfect" optics for this fine rifle. After seeing scopes from just about every brand name on the planet, I decided that the Nikon ProStaff Rimfire Classic 4x32 in matte black offered the best mix of optical quality, warranty, good reticle design, and reasonably low price. I was tempted by the Leupold 4x, but the thin reticle lines (not very good for low light use) turned me off as did the more than 2X price increase over the Nikon. In any case, I purchased the scope, 300 rounds of CCI CB Long ammunition, and a Butler Creek sling and headed home for the test run.

Firing 50 rounds down my basement hallway (Shhhhh... don't tell!

), at a target approx. 75 feet away (approx. 25 yards), I was able to consistently put 3 bullet groups in the same hole... although sometimes it was elongated to almost the diameter of two .22 hole diameters (Nice tiny cloverleafs!) I've always liked the extremely low noise and excellent accuracy of the CCI CB Long ammunition, and this evening was no exception. From what I have seen so far, I should have absolutely NO problem printing 1/2" to 3/4" groups at 50 yards when I test this gun at the range tomorrow! I can't wait to see how full and hyper-velocity rounds perform...

For anyone who has hesitations buying this rifle, I would absolutely recommend that you GO FOR IT... this is the sweetest shooting little bolt action .22LR I've ever owned! Fit, feel, and finish are superb - the bolt operation is glassy smooth and the all-weather stock looks like it could survive a warzone! I like the overall appearance of the rifle more than any other bolt action .22 I've seen to date... it just LOOKS sleek, beautiful, and deadly. Did I pay too much? Probably. Am I happy with my purchase? DEFINITELY!!!!

Best wishes,
Bawko

Keith L · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2005, 02:18:21 AM »

I like them too. I have one in .22 mag that is great, but needed a trigger job to make it really perfect. It fits the way I use a gun well, and is well put together. Congratulations.

mag-check · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2005, 06:57:58 AM »

Atomic Chicken in the Hyper Velocity 22LR ammo try the CCI SGB I don't shoot a 22LR but have some friends that do and they say some very good things about this ammo very accurate and very hard hitting on small to larger small game! And best of luck with your new rifle :grin:

centershot · « **Reply #5 on:** August 05, 2005, 01:03:41 PM »

Hello Atomic Chicken, I have one of the 77/22's all weathers and have had nothing but good results with it. 50 yd targets are always under 1" and usually closer to 1/2". I must admit to not using it much in the past year as I picked up a .17hmr that just kicks butt. The .17 has the extra range and whop that a .22 just does not have. Anyway the little ruger is a fine shooter and with a trigger job will keep you happy for years to come.

BTW I bought the Nikon 8X32 LX's that you recommened in the optics forum.............Wow, these make my DCF SP's look sick. Thanks for the advise.

Atomic Chicken · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2005, 03:44:33 AM »

Greetings!

To centershot:

I'm glad you like your Nikon 8x32 LX binoculars... they are still in my top 3 favorite binoculars even after trying every pair I can get my hands on (and buying quite a few of them!) for several years now.

Also, thanks to you and others on this thread for posting your experience with the 77/22 All Weather - it's still working GREAT for me and has rapidly become one of my favorite bolt action rifles of all time... and I've owned a MANY bolt actions in my time! I'm currently down to only two - having just sold a Rem. 700 VS .308 Win. last week and several others earlier this year... I'm kind of "pruning" the collection and trying a few different options in search of a future "core" collection of 4 or 5 REALLY excellent rifles. The Ruger 77/22 All Weather (.22LR) and the Ruger M77 MKII All Weather (.243 Win.) are definitely going to be in that collection (currently being the only 2 remaining bolt action rifles I own!). I am not particularly a Ruger fan, having only owned 3 of their rifles in my life... but those two are DEFINITELY keepers... I don't think I could ever bring myself to sell either of them at this point. My next rifle will probably be a Tikka T3, although I've seriously considered picking up a nice Weatherby as well (being one of the ONLY mainstream brands I've never owned yet...)

Best wishes,
Bawko