Shaun_300 Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 I've been thinking about a new rifle for a while, first it was the Remington Model 7 CDL, now after checking out the Ruger M77 Mark II, I'm having a hard time deciding which one to get. Also when it comes to the Rugers, I'm also wondering whether to get the compact model (16 1/2" barrel) or the Standard (22" barrel). I'm leaning towards the compact, but wondering what the shorter barrel will do to the accuracy. If I do get the compact it'll be in .260 Remington, if I get the standard it'll either be the .260 or the .25-06. Any experience with the calibers and or rifles anyone? What are the pros/cons of each, which one would you go with? Some input on whether to go compact or standard would be appreciated to. This will be my new wolf/groundhog gun, also may use it for deer sometimes too when I don't carry my WSM. (I know, I'm braking the OTPG rules.... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II Personally, I hate the Ruger 77. Its a decent looking action, but its investment cast and the tolerances vary a lot in them. The other thing I don't like about them is the angled action screw. It can make bedding them properly a pain. I will take a 7, 700, 110, 70, etc over the 77 anytime. As for the choice of chamberings, I have both the .260 and the .25-06. Both work very well on varmints and deer. The 25-06 is of course a long action, so it will not fit in the Model 7. The 260 Rem is a fun cartridge that is equal to the 6.5x55. If you handload, you can use the 95 gr V-Max. It shoots great and is super explosive. I shot the 95 gr Ballistic Tip for deer and I did not have to change anything from my varmint loads. I could interchange bullets and hunt deer or varmints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II Thanks for the reply AJ, after hearing that maybe it's best to go with the 7. The compact version really caught my eye, thinking it'd be a handy little rifle to throw over my shoulder on the snowmobile when I go wolf hunting. I do want something that'll be reliable and something relativly easy to modify if I decide to do so. Thanks again for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ousoonerfan22 Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II The model 7 CDL is a nice looking gun I wouldn't mind having one myself. AJ, Do you have an article on the .260? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II I bought my daughter a Ruger 77 compact in .260 and I've been very happy with it. For a hunting rifle I have no complaints. The problem with the .260 is that there are not many factory loads for it. If you don't reload it's not a good choice IMO. Anyways I have two Rugers and really like them. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowhntr Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II I've got a M77 Mark II standard in .308 and I love it. Even in the standard it isn't heavy and it is a tack driver. You can't go wrong with either the compact or the standard, but, the extra barrel length in the standard will give your bullets a little more punch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II Out of all the Rugers M77 that my buddy and I have....several .300 win mags, older M77 in .250 savage...and a .243...only my .300 with a laminate stock needed a bedding job to make it shoot great. It shot great the first and second shots...then would climb...still staying within 3"...but I had it bedded and floated and now it shoots great. No complaints....would gladly buy another M77. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_218 Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II I own three Ruger M-77 MKII: one in .270, one in .22-250, and another one a M-77/.44 Magnum. They have all proven to be very dependable and accurate for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II Looked at the Ruger compact in wal marts special order catalog back at Christmas 2005 when buying my oldest daughter her first deer rifle. I was going to get it in a .243 though. Ended up with a browning a-bolt microhunter because the ruger may not have been able to have been gotten to the store in time for Christmas. The ruger compact looked like a nice rifle to me though. Far as the .260, think if I were you I would look closer at the .243 or the 25-06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II [ QUOTE ] AJ, Do you have an article on the .260? [/ QUOTE ] Yep, here you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reloader Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II I own a ruger M77 ultralight (16.5 inch barrel) in 30-06 and I grew up shooting standard M77mk1s in various calibers and absolutely love them. They all shoot sub MOA, my 06 consistently shoots 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards from a cold barrel. there is one downside to the UL/Compact and that is that the barrel heats up faster and that can affect point of aim after 5 or so rapid shots. I wouldn't hesitate to recomend any M77 to anyone looking for a hunting rifle...I must admit though that the M77's have a total "lawyer trigger" breaks cleanly but very heavy trigger pull... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II Thank you for all the opinions folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pudd Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II the biggest difference here is were talking about a hunting gun, not a benchrest gun, I own several m77's and love them, but if I were to build say a 6BR it would definatly be off a 700 action because of the tighter tolerances. So either model will bring you enough accuracy and dependability for hunting purposes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II I also have a MKII 77 Ruger s/s -synthetic (the old skeletonized stock). It's a .300 Win and has been a consistant 1 1/2" shooter straight outta the box. It's my absolute "go to" whitetail rifle. It's ugly. But I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terminator Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Re: Ruger M77 Mark II I own 3 of the M77's and absolutely love them. They are probably the most rugged rifle out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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