The discussion thread on the 458 Lott raised some questions.

I have never owned a bolt action Ruger but am thinking a Ruger 77 in 7mm mag would be a great starting point for a 416 Taylor.

What are the differences, pros & cons of the various models of the 77 over the years?

I'm told there were different safetys over the years in model 77s - what should I look for?

Are there models made in certain years I need to look out for?

Thanks in advance to all you Ruger specialists.

M77 Ruger, pushfeed and tang safety until 1990.

First Generation M77 MkII started in 1990-1991, was a pushfeed with 3-pos safety for only a year or two.

Second Generation M77 MkII, since 1992 or thereabouts, have all been CRF and 3-pos safety. This is the one you want.

Dates are just my recollection from having lived through the ownership of some of all these variations.

The RSM has been through 3 generations since about 1990 to present. They have all been CRF and 3-pos safety, with minor variations of barrel hardware, weight and length of barrel. None of the RSM's has ever had a recoil lug on the action other than a little round nub of a bolster that fits into the recoil plate anchored in the forearm and extending back to the action to hook over the nub.

You want an M77 MkII made in 1992 or later.
It makes a fine .416 Taylor. I have one so done. Mine started as a .338 WinMag, but the 7mm RemMag would do fine too.

What Rip said..

if you look at the boltface on the mkII, it's easy to see if it's CRF already or will need to be cut. If the bolt face is entirely circled, it's a pushfeed, but can be opened by any smith that can open a bolt face.

rugers, out of the box, and all of them I have touched, are mag and top feed... that is, even with an RSM in 458 lott, you can close the bolt on a loaded round you just tossed in the top... some require a bump on the bolt handle.

jeffe

The 416AR, will give you about 200fps more than the Taylor. Will fit in a MkII 7mag action.

Hog Killer