Ruger Model 77
Casting Toward Success
A Ruger 77 from the early 1970s, this is a long-action
model .30-’06 round top version with ConeTrol bases
and rings holding a Weaver K4.
In 1968, Ruger introduced the Model 77 bolt-action rifle. The 1960s were a tough era for rifle enthusiasts. It was a time when traditional methods of manufacture — skilled hand work, forging and machining — were no longer economically viable. Computer-assisted design and manufacturing did not yet exist. In practical terms what rifle enthusiasts saw was old favorites being discontinued and new models looking cheap and gaudy. There were a few exceptions, such as the Browning Hi Power and the Weatherby Mark V, but by the standards of the day, they certainly were not cheap.
Cut A Check
Checkering was a particular bugbear. Hand-cut checkering was disappearing except on expensive models. Instead we got stamped “checkering” that was purely decorative and did nothing to improve a shooter’s hold on the rifle. To add insult to injury, the stamped-in patterns were often overdone, with cute little swirls, acorn leaves and fleur-de-lis patterns. All these did was remind us of what we had lost. It was also an era in which Monte Carlo stocks were seemingly taking over.
Bill Ruger understood, as the Ruger Company does to this day, all the great ideas and brilliant plans mean nothing unless you market your product at a price buyers can afford. Ruger turned to investment casting to make the equivalent of machined components at a reasonable cost. At the time, the word “casting” set off all kinds of alarm bells. For old-timers, cast parts were considered inferior, made of cheap iron, roughly finished and easily broken. Companies using the process certainly didn’t talk about it.
Bill Ruger not only talked about it, he boasted of it. Ruger believed American shooters weren’t stupid. He believed it was simply a matter of educating buyers, showing how investment casting using high-grade, tough steel properly heat-treated, produced strong, durable components.
Like many other successful entrepreneurs, Ruger surrounded himself with creative people who shared his vision. Among them was James Sullivan who developed the Model 77 action and stock maker Leonard Brownell. The original 77 was actually similar in operation to many of its competitors, with push-feed action and bolt-face plunger ejection.
The 77 stock had simple, classic lines appealing to traditionalists. The stocks had real cut checkering; the patterns weren’t big or fancy but they looked good and provided a more secure grip. The 77 was a rare glimpse of hope for traditional rifle shooters. Maybe the good times weren’t over for good after all.
Dave says he shoots this M77 more than any other centerfire rifle.
It is a Ruger 77 Hawkeye All Weather in .223 Rem. with a Leupold
scope in 30mm Leupold rings, designed to fit the Ruger integral bases.
Short Sheet
The first model 77s were built on short actions. I remember Ruger ads extolling the virtues of cartridges such as the .284 and .308 Winchester. It was soon followed by a longer action for .30-’06 length cartridges. In another move much appreciated by old-timers — many of them young in years — Ruger began chambering for classic cartridges such as .220 Swift, .250 Savage, .257 Roberts, 7×57 Mauser.
In the early 1970s I purchased three Model 77s — a heavy barrel .220 Swift, a light .250 Savage and a .30-’06. The ’06 has a “round top” action to accept aftermarket bases and rings rather than the integral receiver bases and Ruger rings. I’ve read the round top was requested by dealers who wanted to sell aftermarket bases and rings. At any rate, demand was lacking and the round top was soon discontinued.
Fan For Life
I liked the original Model 77. The .250, in particular, made me a lifelong fan of this useful cartridge. The 77 was an important and influential rifle and I am convinced its success was a factor in the appearance of the Winchester 70 Featherweight and the Remington 700 Mountain rifle in the early 1980s. Nonetheless, it wasn’t perfect. While the .220 shot well enough, the .250 and the ’06 gave “hunting accuracy” at best, averaging around 2″ at 100 yards. Ruger outsourced its barrels at the time. Some users reported splendid accuracy, others (like me) barely adequate.
Ruger introduced the Mark II version of the 77 circa 1989. Actually it was a complete redesign with controlled-round feeding, blade ejector, redesigned trigger and safety, stainless steel bolt and complete stainless steel versions. About all it had in common with the original 77 was the shape of the bolt handle and the integral scope bases. By then Ruger was making its own barrels as well.
The current 77 Hawkeye introduced in 2007 was a relatively minor redesign with an improved trigger mechanism and slimmer stock design. The Mark II/Hawkeye are splendid rifles. I have centerfire examples chambered for cartridges from .204 to .375 Ruger and a bunch in between. My only criticism is Ruger introduces and discontinues variations faster than one can track.
My most-used African hunting rifle is a stainless steel Mark II Sporter with laminated stock in .300 Win. Mag. With a Zeiss Conquest scope and Black Hills Ammo 180-grain Barnes TSX loads, it is superbly accurate. I’ve taken dozens of big game animals with it, most with one shot. Other favorites include the full-length stocked International and the Compact Magnums in .300 and .338 RCM.
