Gunsmithing build on a ruger m77 action?

[savagehunter44]

I was thinking of building a 243 on a ruger m77 action, but wanted some opinions on the action. first are thay really all that good for a build?
and after some use will thay 'break in' and not be so rough or sticky? are there any good varmint style stocks for it. some pics would be nice for some ideas

 

[savagehunter44]

or what about a howa 1500 action, I can get one kinda cheap right now

 

[buffybuster]

Between a Ruger M77 or a Howa M1500..... Go Howa. They can be made into a very serviceable rifle.

 

[savagehunter44]

howa is much cheaper, just harder to find, guess I could go with a rem 700. but everyone uses a 700. wish the howa had more stocks available like the rem. only reason I would go with a rem is I can use the 700 police stock or B&C m40 style

 

[Lucky Jack]

howa is much cheaper, just harder to find, guess I could go with a rem 700. but everyone uses a 700. wish the howa had more stocks available like the rem. only reason I would go with a rem is I can use the 700 police stock or B&C m40 style

One of my rifles is built on a Howa. It's always been a good action. There are features that are standard on the Howa, like the M-16 style extractor and the weatherby style bolt handle, that lots of guys have added to their Remington 700 actions. Legacy Sports even makes a drop in 10 round detachable magazine for them. I like Rugers but I would go with the Howa.

 

[savagehunter44]

can you post a pic of it? I have a dealer that is going to call about a barreled action in 243 , he might can get a 24in bull barrel on a 1500 action for around 439.99. I think its a 1in9 twist. id have to look again

 

[Lucky Jack]

Howa 1500 I built six years ago. Shilen barrel .308 WIN, B&C stock other goodies added along the way. Many creatures of the forest have perished because of this rifle.

<img src=https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/576081_3015015136225_200887066_n.jpg>

 

[Lucky Jack]

Here it is with the can (AWC Thundertrap .30) and NVM-14 3P. For 300 bucks I had Leupold install M-1 dials and a MIl-dot.

<img src=https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/74158_1459806896991_2562045_n.jpg>

 

[savagehunter44]

that's nice! perfect coyote gun, yeah im starting to go more with howa. I hope I can get the barreled action soon. B&C makes a nice stock for a varmint style barrel, I wish it didn't have the cheek piece tho.

 

[Lucky Jack]

Thanks! When I put that rifle together I was working at a shop in Louisiana. They hunt from stands there (and the truck if no one is watching) so I shortened the barrel to 20 inches. Much more maneuverable and shoots as good or better than it did with the 24 inch barrel. The B&C I used basically has a straight comb so I added the cheek bag which solved any mounting problems.

 

[savagehunter44]

howa it is !, he said he can get the barreled action. but its a 1in10 twist .. its not to bad I guess, was hoping it would be a 1in9 or 8.

 

[murtaughf3]

I have a savage model 11 in 243 that shoots pretty good for factory. Once I shoot the barrel out I'll upgrade. When I got it there was almost nothing I could get for it due to it being a drop box magazine, now more and more options availible. I went this route vs the Rem 700 just because everyone has a 700, and that is not to say they aren't good, I just don't really want what everyone has, I like to be a little different. So that might be an option.

It looks like my next project is going to be a M77, more of hunting that anything but non the less will be next project. I know what you mean about the sticky action and I have read several places that yes it does get alot better. Don't really know anything about the howa so can't comment there.

 

[Stokes]

You've made the right choice! Howa is a very fine action, especially when you factor in price, or compare it to the Ruger.