First timer here, I've been thinking of having a Ruger 77 short action rebarreled to a 6.5X47 Lapua. Are these actions up to the job or should I just move on to something else. I've used the search function and didn't see much relating to this action. Thanks for any insight you can offer.
Gunsmithing Ruger 77 action
- Thread starter kennysong
- Start date
Re: Ruger 77 action
For a target/tac rifle, there are better choices. I have 3 Rugers(one a very nice custom job in .308), but when I have a rifle built from the ground up, I use Remington, Winchester, etc.
If you are not wanting to spend a bunch of bucks, sell the Ruger and cruise the pawnshops to find a used Remington. If you buy a beater(you are just going to cannibalize it, so looks don't matter much), you will break even or better.
david
For a target/tac rifle, there are better choices. I have 3 Rugers(one a very nice custom job in .308), but when I have a rifle built from the ground up, I use Remington, Winchester, etc.
If you are not wanting to spend a bunch of bucks, sell the Ruger and cruise the pawnshops to find a used Remington. If you buy a beater(you are just going to cannibalize it, so looks don't matter much), you will break even or better.
david
Re: Ruger 77 action
What are you looking to do with the finished project and do you already have the action?
What are you looking to do with the finished project and do you already have the action?
Re: Ruger 77 action
It's been done. Ruger actions are a fine base for a hunting rifle, but as Long range work nearly always requires an angled base, and because of the proprietary scope mounting method Ruger uses, it does not allow mounting an angled base, or a picatinny style base, so most of the commonly available bases and rings won't fit.
The Ruger action also uses a proprietary angled recoil lug with an angled screw that has a small footprint and is tricky to bed. The system does not allow the use of aftermarket detachable magazine lower metal.
The basic Ruger action is strong and reliable, though on the heavy side. As a hunting rifle they are fine. Hunters like the rugged scope mounting system and rebarrel them to many different hunting calibers, but most serious LR shooters will not want to deal with the oddities when there are so many excellent alternatives available.
When building a custom rifle, the cost of the action is not significant, so it is better to build on a more appropriate foundation.
TC
It's been done. Ruger actions are a fine base for a hunting rifle, but as Long range work nearly always requires an angled base, and because of the proprietary scope mounting method Ruger uses, it does not allow mounting an angled base, or a picatinny style base, so most of the commonly available bases and rings won't fit.
The Ruger action also uses a proprietary angled recoil lug with an angled screw that has a small footprint and is tricky to bed. The system does not allow the use of aftermarket detachable magazine lower metal.
The basic Ruger action is strong and reliable, though on the heavy side. As a hunting rifle they are fine. Hunters like the rugged scope mounting system and rebarrel them to many different hunting calibers, but most serious LR shooters will not want to deal with the oddities when there are so many excellent alternatives available.
When building a custom rifle, the cost of the action is not significant, so it is better to build on a more appropriate foundation.
TC
Re: Ruger 77 action
Thank you all for your views. I've had this thing for 40 years I was thinking about fixing it up and passing it on to my son it will be used for deer,and varmits maybe some time at the bench. I still have the original invoice $160. Its been rebarreled once by Ruger and has always been a decent shooter and totally reliable. I'll take your advice and mull it over and then make a decision. Thank You Kennysong
Thank you all for your views. I've had this thing for 40 years I was thinking about fixing it up and passing it on to my son it will be used for deer,and varmits maybe some time at the bench. I still have the original invoice $160. Its been rebarreled once by Ruger and has always been a decent shooter and totally reliable. I'll take your advice and mull it over and then make a decision. Thank You Kennysong
Re: Ruger 77 action
I have to agree with Top Cat. If you are building a hunting rifle and don't have a use for an angled base, it will make him a fine rifle.
I just had my 77V rebarreled in 220 swift. Works just fine, accurate and I'm proud to take it out and shoot it. Would have been nice to be able to get a fancy tactical stock & 20 moa base but, thats not what this gun was about.
Good luck what ever you decide to do.
I have to agree with Top Cat. If you are building a hunting rifle and don't have a use for an angled base, it will make him a fine rifle.
I just had my 77V rebarreled in 220 swift. Works just fine, accurate and I'm proud to take it out and shoot it. Would have been nice to be able to get a fancy tactical stock & 20 moa base but, thats not what this gun was about.
Good luck what ever you decide to do.
Re: Ruger 77 action
I've had four, still have two, the MKII's were sold to make mortgage payments in tough times, I inherited the other two, MKI's.
I liked the MII's, they were V/T's and the triggers were adjustable and very nice. .22-250 and .308, they were among my most accurate rifles. The MKI's I have are both .280 Rem's, one's a relatively rare Varmint, and the other is a sporter. They both shoot Hornady Custom 139SST loads impeccably, and test handloads with the Varmint and Nosler 120BT's have produced a couple of one-holers at about 100yd.
I'd have to agree with the above. On the heavy side, maybe difficult to mount anything but 0 degree slope, and the aftermarket seems to have given them less attention.
For a build, my choice would be to get a Savage action. Sold as actions only, they come with with the adjustable Accue-Trigger and recoil lug, trigger guard, barrel nut, plus variety of magazine options. They can be combined with several makers' stocks and premium barrels. Sloped mounts are not a problem, and headspacing is a process that requires no machining work.
Versions available are: Target, Varmint, and Sporter.
That would be my preferred aproach.
Greg
I've had four, still have two, the MKII's were sold to make mortgage payments in tough times, I inherited the other two, MKI's.
I liked the MII's, they were V/T's and the triggers were adjustable and very nice. .22-250 and .308, they were among my most accurate rifles. The MKI's I have are both .280 Rem's, one's a relatively rare Varmint, and the other is a sporter. They both shoot Hornady Custom 139SST loads impeccably, and test handloads with the Varmint and Nosler 120BT's have produced a couple of one-holers at about 100yd.
I'd have to agree with the above. On the heavy side, maybe difficult to mount anything but 0 degree slope, and the aftermarket seems to have given them less attention.
For a build, my choice would be to get a Savage action. Sold as actions only, they come with with the adjustable Accue-Trigger and recoil lug, trigger guard, barrel nut, plus variety of magazine options. They can be combined with several makers' stocks and premium barrels. Sloped mounts are not a problem, and headspacing is a process that requires no machining work.
Versions available are: Target, Varmint, and Sporter.
That would be my preferred aproach.
Greg
Re: Ruger 77 action
There are better choices. The barrel tennon and bolt bore are seperates features when cast and no effort is made to put back anything even close to centerlne. In other words the barrel and bolt generaly dont line up very well.
There are better choices. The barrel tennon and bolt bore are seperates features when cast and no effort is made to put back anything even close to centerlne. In other words the barrel and bolt generaly dont line up very well.
Re: Ruger 77 action
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kennysong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thank you all for your views. I've had this thing for 40 years I was thinking about fixing it up and passing it on to my son it will be used for deer,and varmits maybe some time at the bench. I still have the original invoice $160. Its been rebarreled once by Ruger and has always been a decent shooter and totally reliable. I'll take your advice and mull it over and then make a decision. Thank You Kennysong</div></div>
I just gave my son a 700 in .308 that I have had since the late 60s. He tells me that all he is going to do is true and re-barrel. That made me feel good. Keep your Ruger and pass it on.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kennysong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thank you all for your views. I've had this thing for 40 years I was thinking about fixing it up and passing it on to my son it will be used for deer,and varmits maybe some time at the bench. I still have the original invoice $160. Its been rebarreled once by Ruger and has always been a decent shooter and totally reliable. I'll take your advice and mull it over and then make a decision. Thank You Kennysong</div></div>
I just gave my son a 700 in .308 that I have had since the late 60s. He tells me that all he is going to do is true and re-barrel. That made me feel good. Keep your Ruger and pass it on.
