Hello: I'm fishing for some general information on the Ruger Model77 MKII. I know very little about it. Actually I'm not reallinterested much in the stock or barrel. What I want is the action to build a deer rifle on for my son. I guess a 6mm-6.5mm, 25/06, 243AI, that sort of thing.
What kind of reputation does this gun have. Is it prone to recalls or other similar things. I know it has a 3 position safty, are they dependable? Are these rifle more popular as a deer rifle or elk rifle? I don't mean calibers! So the list goes on. Folks, I have been working on this thing for a bit noe and want to get started. Any advice? Thank You for your time and good hunting. Jim L

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I have one in 270 and 280. All they do is kill deer and woodchucks. I highly recommend the MKII as they are sturdy and dependable. I also see no need to build anything given the host of calibers you can find in the Ruger MKII. I think you can get 6MM, 243, 6.5 Swede, 25/06, 257.

I've heard at the gun club that the MKII is not that accurate (the old rumor that dates to when Ruger did not produce their own barrels). Both guns will give .5 @ 100yds with factory ammo. With handloads? Fuggedaboutit! How's pie-plate accuracy at 700yds?

This should tell you everything: I call the 270 "Spank-O-Matic" and the 280 "The Wackifier".

Have had a number of them, great rifle! The .25-06 might be your best choice, I have one and a .257 roberts improved which shoots a little faster than the .25-05, the .243 was a varmint rifle and could shoot a ragged hole at 100 yards and a guy keep offering more money for it and finally sold it, should have keep it! Good Luck

I have four of them and they all shoot great...270, 308, 300 Win Mag, 35 Whelen

The actions are okay, the triggers suck!

I have one in .243 with a 9X scope, 6 lb trigger pull, a wiggly bench, and one pass at trying handloads. I can do 3/4" groups with deer loads and 1/2" groups with varmint loads at 100 yds. This is with synthetic stock and stainless (not bull) bbl. I really need to lighten the trigger - 6 lbs is just too much.
Good Luck,
John

I think they are great rifles, most gun for the money in a factory gun. The trigger is a good design, but poorly finished. All factory triggers are poor as delivered. Have a competent smith stone the trigger, then fit a lighter return spring, and you'll have a good trigger.

The safety in the middle position is a trigger block, unlike the mauser or M70 which blocks the striker. In the rear position, the safety blocks the striker, and prevents bolt rotation.

For a hunting rifle, it is a much better foundation then the M700, though a step below the M70 due to the safety, and bedding block/angled front screw.

I'd think a 6.5-.284 would be an outstanding deer round.

It is a great rifle. I have one in 7mm Rem Mag, and I love it. The new synthetic stock design is far superior to the old design. There are more calibers available in the wood-stocked version.

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
The Safari Specialists
www.slatesafaris.com

The Ruger actions are a good choice for a custom rifle. i particularly like the Ruger rings system. I bought my step son one in .30-06. It has been a 1MOA rifle w/ good handloads. As far as caliber, I would shy away from the .243. JMO, but I think the .260 or 7-08 are better deer rounds w/o much more recoil.

I have a stainless/synthetic in .308. I put a Timney trigger on it soon after I puchased it. With handloads it will stay inside half MOA if I do my part. Money well spent.