Ruger M77
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2009) |
| Ruger M77 | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Ruger M77 MK II .270 WIN | |
| Type | Rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | L. James Sullivan |
| Designed | 1968 |
| Manufacturer | Sturm, Ruger & Co.[1] |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications (Ruger M77 Standard) | |
| Mass | 6.75–8.25 pounds (3.06–3.74 kg)[2] |
| Length | 42–44.75 inches (106.7–113.7 cm)[2] |
| Barrel length | 22–24 inches (56–61 cm)[2] |
| Caliber | Various |
| Barrels | Various |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Effective firing range | Various |
| Maximum firing range | Various |
| Feed system | 3-5 round integral box magazine[2] |
| Sights | Various sights |
The Ruger M77 is a bolt-action rifle produced by Sturm, Ruger & Co. It was designed by Jim Sullivan during his three years with Ruger and introduced to the market in 1968 primarily as a hunting rifle. The rifle features a traditional Mauser-style two-lugged bolt with a claw extractor[3].
Design and features
From the beginning, the Ruger M77 was intended as a modernized Mauser 98, though numerous changes were made. Bill Ruger wanted to use investment casting in place of a forged receiver. The Sullivan-designed bolt dispensed with the Mauser blade type ejector and instead used the simpler plunger style of ejector. A two-position tang safety and redesigned trigger system were also designed from scratch.
Perhaps the most novel feature of the M77 is the only one that has not been redesigned, the angled action screw. The front action screw of traditional bolt-action rifles draws the receiver directly down against the stock. The M77 uses an angled screw that draws the action down and to the rear, tightly bedding it against the stock.
Variants
The M77 has undergone one minor and two major redesigns. The first change involved incorporating a proprietary scope mount milled integral with the receiver. The first rifles had simple rounded-top receivers drilled and tapped for separate scope mounts[4].
M77 Mark II
The M77 was entirely retooled and reintroduced in 1991 as the Model 77 Mark II. The safety, bolt, trigger, and bottom metal were substantially redesigned. The claw extractor was retained, but the bolt face was opened up to allow controlled-round feeding[5]. The plunger ejector was replaced with a Mauser style fixed blade ejector. Finally, the tang safety of the original model was replaced by a three-position safety allowed the bolt to be operated while the gun was still on safe, making unloading of the rifle less hazardous. Ruger also eliminated the factory-supplied adjustable trigger available on the original M77.
M77 RSM Mark II
This variant of the M77, often known as the Safari Magnum, features a circassian walnut stock, express sights and a long magnum action designed for classic safari cartridges such as the .375 H&H, .416 Rigby, and the .458 Lott.[6]
Hawkeye
In 2006, Ruger introduced new features and a new name for their rifle, the Hawkeye. Major changes were made to the trigger system and the stock was recontoured, but otherwise the rifle remained unchanged.[7] [8]The LC6 trigger addressed complaints from consumers about the Mark II trigger to make it easier for gunsmith adjustment than the earlier design.[9][10] The LC6 trigger is lighter and smoother[11].
The Hawkeye featured the introduction of a new line of short magnum catridges such as the .300 Ruger Compact Magnum as well as dangerous game catridges .375 Ruger[12] and .416 Ruger, both of them capable of being chambered in standard length actions[13]
.30-06 Cal SAR (Search and Rescue) rifle
The SAR Rifle, .30-06 caliber, RUGER, Model M77 is a rifle designed for use by Canada's search and rescue technicians (SAR Techs) and aircrews. The SAR Rifle is designed to be a compact survival rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield. The rifle is based on the standard Ruger M77 Mk II rifle but the barrel has been shortened to 14.5 in (370 mm). The orange coloured buttstock has been modified so that it can fold along the left hand side of the stock and it also can hold six additional rounds of ammunition. The rifle is issued with a special case that has been designed to attach to the search and rescue technicians' parachute harnesses.
Gunsite Scout rifle
To develop the Gunsite Scout, Ruger worked closely with Gunsite Training Center to meet the criteria of the modern scout rifle set forth by Jeff Cooper. The rifle is chambered in .308 Winchester, weighs 7 lb (3.2 kg), and has a 16.5" barrel and black laminate stock, ghost-ring iron sights, flash hider and a picatinny rail for optics mounting.
References
- ^ Peterson, Philip. Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values: The Shooter's Guide to Guns 1900 to Present (16th ed.). p. 427.
- ^ a b c d "Ruger M77". Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
- ^ Zent, John (November 16, 2018). "Ruger Model 77 Rifle Turns 50". American Rifleman.
- ^ Pearce, Brian (January 2019). "Original Ruger M77 A Classic Bolt Rifle for 50 Years". Rifle Magazine.
- ^ House, James E. (August 21, 2023). "My Ruger Hawkeye is a Keeper". Gun Digest.
- ^ "Ruger® Firearms". Archived from the original on 2009-10-23.
- ^ "Ruger News".
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Brad (November 20, 2020). "Ruger Hawkeye Hunter Rifle Review". Rifle Shooter Magazine.
- ^ M77 Recall
- ^ "New Bolt Action Hunting Rifle Trigger Mechanisms".
- ^ Gash, Steve (August 17, 2020). "Ruger Hawkeye Hunter .30-06 Review". Shooting Times Magazine.
- ^ Boddington, Craig (January 4, 2011). "Meet the .375 Ruger". Rifle Shooter.
- ^ Pearce, Brian (March 2023). "Ruger M77 The Evolution and Future". Rifle Magazine.
External links
