With all the Ruger bashing I thought I would post my first impressions on the new M77 I just picked up. It is my first Ruger rifle...though I love their revolvers.

It is the MkII standard, blued/walnut, in .280Rem. I picked Ruger because they were the only bolt action currently making a .280Rem, and I liked the CRF and wing safety. I handled several and they felt good, so I ordered one from a local guy I know who deals from his house.

The wood actually has some wavy grain in the stock, with nice straight grain through the middle and foreend. I may refinish it, as the brown finish is a bit drab, and I think there is enough grain to be a bit 'showy' with a nicer, lighter finish.

The bolt feel is nice...not gritty or sticky. It needs a bit of slicking up fron use, but I think I can handle that! I think a blued bolt would be better, but I can live with the stainless bolt.

The trigger is quite acceptable...on par with the best I have been able to get from my M70 factory unit. It has some overtravel, but is smooth and breaks cleanly. This was quite a surprise after the comments I had read. I'm sure glad I waited on buying an aftermarket...the factory unit is quite servicable for a hunting rifle straight from the box.

It was quite dirty with greasy fingerprints from the workers handling it. The metal shined up quickly with a bit of Hoppes cutting the grime, and there are no immediately visible flaws in the bluing.

Wood/metal fit is probably average for a factory gun. The tang sits a bit below the woodline, but bedding will take care of that soon enough.

My only complaint so far is some roughness from the casting in the raceways. It doesn't seem to impede the bolt, but is visible to a serious look. I would have thought they casted more oversize and machined down critical areas like that. We'll see how it holds dirt and wears...

Now I need some range time. I couldn't get out today, so I had to settle for writing about it here!

A good caliber choice in your Ruger. Let us know how she shakes out. If your plan is 150-160gr bullet, I;ve found IMR7828 hard to beat for accuracy w/ highest vel.

RE RUgers.

I have a lot of rifles, but only 1 Ruger, in 6.5x55. I want to like them, but my 6.5 is so damn heavy! Likewise with my buddy's 375.

I think you'll be surprised with the Ruger since you've been listening to all the bashing. I hunt a lot with a Ruger 7x57, it is a nice weight for a rifle, your action will smooth out nicely. Mine will shoot consistently .7 for three shots with 140 TSX's at 3000 fps. After all, the .280 is just a slightly overgrown 7x57.

CDH, I bought the exact same rifle about 6 yrs ago. I also wanted a .280 and there was'nt much to choose from and I was (and still am!) on a tight budget. I have been very pleased with mine. If you load ballistic-tips around 2800 fps, they will not blow up; they just leave a big 'ol exit hole. Excellent choice for deer hunting in my opinion. Good luck with yours. Merg