| Ruger Rifles & Carbines: a Long Gun Legacy | |
Page Three
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Ruger
Rifle Dates of Introduction
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1959
- .44 Carbine (discontinued 1985)
1964 - 10/22 1967 - No. 1 1968 - Model 77 (discontinued 1991) 1972 - No. 3 (discontinued 1986) 1975 - Mini-14 1982 - Mini-14 Ranch 1983 - 77/22, 77 Ultra Light (discontinued 1991) 1986 - Mini Thirty 1989 - Model 77 Mark II, Mark II Ultra Light 1990 - Model 77 Mark II Magnum 1992 - Model 77 Mark II Express 1994 - Model 77/22 Hornet 1996 - Model 96 1998 - Model 77/44 1998 - Model 77/50 1998 - PC4, PC9, PC4GR, PC9GR |
Ruger's integral scope mounts serve as an example of how his designs work together. They are not only good looking, with fewer screws, the system makes for very quick scope interchangeability. I've been shooting a lot of different Ruger rifles during the past several years, and many times I've removed a scope from one Ruger rifle and replaced it on another rifle quickly; for a given rifle action length it requires turning only two large cross-screws in the rings.
Ruger scope rings come in three different heights. Unlike with most rifles, you get a set of steel rings with each rifle. If you have a collection of loose Ruger scope mount rings for the Model 77, do not try to match them for height. Rings of a pair are two different heights. Make sure that you mount the highest ring of a pair in the rear. Otherwise you will have your scope in a serious bind.
The
few complaints I've heard about the Ruger Model 77 since its introduction center
around two things, the aluminum floorplate (instead of a steel one) on standard
rifles and the lack of an adjustable trigger on standard rifles.
|
All-Time
List
of Model 77 Chamberings |
|
.223
Remington
.22 PPC .22-250 Remington .220 Swift 6mm PPC .243 Winchester 6mm Remington .250 Savage .257 Roberts .25-06 Remington 6.5x55mm Swedish .260 Remington .270 Winchester 7mm-08 Remington 7x57mm Mauser 7x64mm Brenneke .280 Remington .284 Winchester 7mm Remington Magnum 7.62x39mm .308 Winchester .30-06 Springfield .300 Winchester Magnum .338 Winchester Magnum .358 Winchester .350 Remington Magnum .375 H&H Magnum .416 Taylor .416 Rigby .458 Winchester Magnum (Not all chamberings are currently available) |
The use of aluminum for a floorplate instead of steel is partially a monetary and partially a practical consideration. Aluminum is lighter and wholly serviceable for the purpose of a floorplate. The finish on the floorplate is such that an unknowing shooter might not know the difference. On the other hand, the paint can be scratched off the aluminum alloy and the bright silver metal underneath makes the scratch very noticeable. The fact is that the Model 77 Mark II Ruger offers more quality for the money than practically any firearm and a price performance choice had to be made. Aluminum alloy is lighter and costs less. If you want a steel floorplate, you can get it on the deluxe rifles. The deluxe Express rifle also weighs more. Regarding the trigger, I think that the number one priority in the Model 77 Mark II is safety first and foremost. Since the trigger is nonadjustable, an unknowing shooter cannot make it unsafe by adjustment. The pull required for the average Ruger trigger is reasonable. Even with the safety disengaged it takes a deliberate act to make a Model 77 Mark II fire. If you want a light-pulling trigger for a Model 77 Mark II, you can get very good aftermarket triggers from firms like Timney. Then you shoulder the responsibility for a light-pulling trigger in a sporter. Ruger is not oblivious to the fact that a fine trigger is desirable for precision shooting. You can get a good two-stage target trigger in the target version of the Model 77 Mark II. All in all, I would not complain about this situation, particularly since it is so easily and inexpensively rectified with a replacement trigger if desired.
The standard rifle
looks good. The stocks are walnut with a tasteful cut-checkering pattern and
a pleasant satin finish on the wood. There is no plastic-looking high gloss
here. The grip cap is a nice-looking oval with the Ruger logo. The butt is fitted
with a highly practical rubber plate. The rubber prevents the rifle from slipping
when it’s leaned in a corner. The standard rifle also comes with QD-type
sling swivel studs. The synthetic rifle is different; it has Ruger-designed
loops for a carry strap. The steel on the standard rifle is finished to a high
gloss and blued. The bolt body and handle are stainless steel and finished bright
without coloring. The barreled action is well-fitted into the stock without
unsightly wood-to-metal gaps. In all, the standard Ruger Model 77 Mark II is
a handsome rifle—you won’t find a production gun that is better looking.
It is also lightweight, well balanced, and shoots well. 
Besides the standard Model 77 Mark IIs, you have a choice of steels, finishes, and stocks. Aside from the standard walnut stock, you can get either a full-length stock that runs to the muzzle or you can get an ultralight one. You can also get a laminated stock or a synthetic stock. The synthetic stock is not the usual shell with low-density foam interior. It is a solid polymer material that is practically indestructible.
Besides the blued-steel barreled action, you can get Model 77 Mark IIs in stainless steel. You can get a left-handed model, and you can get one with or without sights. You have a choice of calibers for everything from prairie dogs to pachyderms. There are variations to satisfy practically any shooter.
Some years back rumors were started and repeated, as rumors are, that Ruger barrels were poor. The rumor was that they were second-party barrels and bought so cheaply that they couldn't possibly be any good.
Like with all production
rifles, I've had some Rugers that shot very well and some of them that shot
poorly. I do know that Ruger began hammer forging its own barrels a few years
back, and recently I’ve had the opportunity to view the interiors of a
good many of them with a bore scope. 
I can say from personal experience that the interior finish on the current hammer-forged Ruger barrels compares favorably with any other factory barrels. Again, no one seems to have a total handle on accuracy when it comes to rifle barrels. Some barrels simply shoot very well and some do not. I do not think that you can tell from examining a barrel’s dimensions, finish, or even straightness whether it will shoot well. I will say that when everything is right, a Ruger Model 77 Mark II rifle will group as well as practically anyone can shoot it.
Besides a healthy
respect for the machinery of a Model 77 Mark II rifle resulting from my exhaustive
experimentation with the mechanics of the firearm, I like the rifle. I like
the way it handles, functions, and performs. Let me put it this way: During
the last three years I’ve shot the highest scoring (Boone & Crockett)
Rocky Mountain elk of my life, the largest pronghorn antelope, the largest mule
deer, and the largest blacktail deer, and all of them were taken with Ruger
Model 77 Mark II rifles.
|
Current
Ruger
Model 77 Mark II Chamberings (March 1999) |
|
.223
Remington
.22-250 Remington .220 Swift .243 Winchester 6mm Remington .257 Roberts .25-06 Remington 6.5x55mm Swedish .260 Remington .270 Winchester 7x57mm Mauser 7x64mm Brenneke .280 Remington 7mm Remington Magnum .308 Winchester .30-06 Springfield .300 Winchester Magnum .338 Winchester Magnum .375 H&H Magnum .416 Rigby .458 Winchester Magnum |
Page One - 50
Years, .44 Mag carbine, 10/22, Mini-14, No. 1, No. 3, Model 96, Model 77 Variants,
Auto Carbines
Page Two - Model
77 - History & Design
Page Three -
Model 77 Mark II - Scope Mounts, Trigger, Grades, Current & All-Time
Chamberings
This article was originally published in Shooting Times magazine in March, 1999.
