I am not a collector/fan of Ruger 77s (but I am a fan of the 35 Whelen), so I traded a #1B in 243 for a minty 77 RS in 35 Whelen. I know the 77 RS in 358 Win brings a premium, but how do the 35 Whelens compare? Lou

Don't know how rare they are but a guy at my range has two of them. They both shoot great.

I am not sure how rare they are but I am sure they can be found with some effort. I have one blued with the boat paddle plastic stock. It always works.

375forme

Does it have sights?

Dr Lou,
I am not sure if that question is for me but yes my ruger has open sights.

where's Bill

Bill, sorry the question was for you.
Thanks, Lou

I have one with the open sights. Older tang safety model. The wood on ths tock was so pretty I took it out of the stock and restocked it with a Ramline synthetic. It will shoot 200 gr. bullets into a 1.25" group (Remington factory ammo) and the Remington factory 250 gr. ammo into a 1.0" group. If I mix the two weights up, the entire group opens up to 1.50".
I replaced the crappy pad ramline uses with a Pachmeyr Decelerator pad and the rifle is right pleasant to shoot. I'll be taking it on my elk hunt this year.
Paul B.

Paul, thanks for the reply. Lou

The older tang safety M77R and M77RS rifles that were special runs (the uncataloged calibers)were made in lots of 500 so they are somewhat rare but not impossible to get. I have had quite a few of these special run calibers over the years and a few like the International stocked 7/08 bring quite a sum of money. Some models are more collectible than others so you see fewer of them for sale as they are put away by someone.

Woodrow, thanks for the information. Lou