Hi guys,

It's been a while since I posted here. I stumbled on what appears to be a good deal. Rifle above, brand new in box for $750.00 CDN (under $500.00 US).

I've been wanting a Remington 700 in this caliber but the Ruger is nicely priced. What do you guys think of the M77 MkII's? Are they as accurate as Remingtons? This will be used primarily for moose.

Tks,

Mike

I have three M77's with tang safeties, two of them are very accurate, one is a good game rifle(works well on deer, not prairie dog accuracy). I have a couple MKII's, one is the most accurate game rifle I own, the other the least accurate varmint rifle I own. The two Rugers that I label "least accurate" shoot 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards. Like most brands, it's a crapshoot. By-the-way, the accurate MKII is a 338WM.
Next question: Can you live with the factory trigger? If you have to buy a Timney trigger, the cost advantage goes away.
Just buy the rifle that fits you best. I can't align my eye with the scope/sights on a Remington, that's why I own Rugers. Their stocks fit my face.

I wouldn't live with the trigger as is. Take it to a gunsmith and they can lighten it to 3.5lbs. I paid gladly 45 bucks.

My most accurate rifle is my M77MKII 300 Win Mag. I would buy another in a second.

I hunt moose with a Ruger M77 MK-II just like yours, but in the Alaska it only costs $400.00 US. I mounted a Leupold Vary-X III 2.5-8x, and have killed several moose with it.

I replaced the trigger with a Timney's, and the boat paddle (the old ugly stock) with a Hogue Rubber-Overmolded.

One thing for sure: Those .33 pills sure impress moose!

[ 02-22-2003, 23:17: Message edited by: Ray, Alaska ]

I own one in 7mm mag and it was my only rifle for years. Now it sits because I use 2506 and 308 rifles that I've picked up. I have had great accuracy out of her though. Indestructable also. I have to agree that I don't like the stock anymore and would be happy with the new laminated stock instead.

I don't think that your price is reasoable though. I bought mine for 700$ the year they came out and have seen them as low as 500$ on sale lately. 600 to 650 sounds more reasonable.

Ray,

I agree, that stock ain't pretty. That's what was primarily holding me back up until now.

My buddy has one in .300 Mag with a nice Redfield scope he may wish to sell. If I can get it complete for the $750.00 I will likely buy it instead of the new .338.

Thanks for the opinions guys...the jury is still out. I'd really like a Remington even though most of my collection is Rugers.

Mike

Red Lable...
I have two M77 MK II. One with the new fiberstock and a Shilen barrel in 35 Whelen, and one stock in walnut / blue in 338 Winmag.
Both are real workhorses with good accuracy.
The trigger can easely be fixed by a smith, the price paid here in Norway is approx. US$ 50.for such a job.
The scopemount is as tough as rock and I have no problem advocating the Ruger rifles.

Arild,

Thanks for the reply.

I have had a few Ruger rifles so I know the scope mounting system is good and strong.

Boilerroom, I've not seen prices as low as you quote. Do you have a good source you could hook me up with?

You guys seem to have good confidence in the new MKII's, so I'm going to get one. Either the .300 Mag used (likely) or a brand new .338 (possibly)

Mike

I have one of the all weather MKII's with the zytel (canoe paddle)stocks in .300 Winchester mag, and the only thing I would change is the trigger. The stock is the toughest thing I have ever seen. The trigger never bothered me before, until I picked a Rem M700 varmint gun up, it has a 2lb trigger, so now I will have to have the Ruger's trigger adjusted down some. I don't think you can go wrong, mine took a nice grizzly for me last fall.

I have the Ruger in 223, 243, and 25-06. All of them shoot and perform great. I actually prefer them to Remingtons, i don't like Remington stocks. I had the triggers done on two of them and could only get to 3.5-4 pounds. I bought a Timney for the 243 and i love it. The other two are next.

I have them all in the canoe paddle design and love them. Wish they would not have changed them.

A good gun smith can work a Ruger trigger by following the instructions at the site below. But keep in mind that once the work is accomplished, the warranty on the gun is over with. Some filing to remove steel, and polishing is required, and is best left to a gun smith.

http://www.centerfirecentral.com/77trigger.html

I am a big fan of the M77 Mk II, for the money, I don't think you can get a more durable hunting rifle. My wife's .308 win ultralight will put 3 shots into 5/8" with rem 180 gr factory ammo, and most everything else shoots in the 1 to 1 1/2 moa range.

As has been mentioned, the trigger from the factory isn't finished properly. It is however, and oustanding trigger, once tuned. I wouldn't waste $ on a replacement when a real gunsmith can slick up the trigger for 1/2 the price.

Hey, thanks a lot guys. I knew I came to the right place

I'm gonna go look at that .338 tonight, it has the new version stock, not the "canoe paddle"

I appreciate the responses. Do any of my Alaskan friends require company this fall?

Mike

The .338 jumped off the dealer's shelf into my hands and it wouldn't let go. I think they put velcro in the checkering or something because it sure was clingy. It insisted I take it home and love it, so I did.

It sure is purty.....now I need a scope, dies, brass, bullets, powder, shell holder.....so many toys so little time

Enjoy your new rifle!

Congratulations on your new rifle. You have made a good decision, for the .338WM is very popular up North in bear country. The .30-06 and .300WM are also popular, but my favorite is the .338.

I mounted a Leupold Vary-X III 2.5-8x on my .338. This is an outstanding little scope, and looks good on the gun. But regardless of what scope you buy, you may want to see what scope has the longest eye relief. Some scopes don't have enough eye relief to keep your eyebrow at a safe distance from the scope. My Leupold has plenty eye relief, but I had to use extension rings to bring it a little closer to my eye, since it is a short scope.

A low power scope such as a 2-7x and 2-8x are the best choices, and even 3-9x on the high end of magnification. But so far I haven't had the need to use over 6x within 300 yards.

[ 02-22-2003, 23:39: Message edited by: Ray, Alaska ]

The eye relief of the Luepold 1.5-5 can't be beat. I have one on my 338WM. I opted for the heavy crosshairs, since the rifle won't ever be used on small game. The heavy crosshairs show up well in dim light, but make any group shooting a hassle. I have to use only the big center diamond of the Redfield targets, the surrounding small diamonds are completely covered by the crosshairs at 100 yards.

Phil: Keep in mind that Leupold can replace the cross hairs for a small fee. Thy have a large selection of sights.