I'm thinking about getting a Ruger 77 chambered in this caliber. I know it's crazy on my part because I already own a 260 Remington. Ruger has stopped the chambering of this round in the current year, more the reason I thought about getting it. The only other Ruger I have is a tang style 77 in 220 Swift. That one really shoots. I was wondering how the newer models shoot and looking for information on this caliber in particular. Shoud the rifle be free floated? I KNOW the trigger will need to be worked on or replaced. Who makes a good replacement trigger for it? Thanks in advance.

Bob257

I have a Ruger Mark II in 243, it is a good shooter, I'm not a real big fan of the Rugers, but it was a good cheap used pickup rifle. I heard something about the earlier rugers haveing Douglas barrels on them and thats why they shot so well, but I don't know that for sure. I'm sure someone that knows will reply to the subject. As far as triggers go the Ruger trigger can be worked to a nice 2-2.5lb pull. But if you want to go lighter or just don't like the original trigger I put a Shilen 1.5-3lb in a Rem 700 VS last month and am very impressed with it. I have it set for a shade less than 2 lbs and its clean crisp and consistant. Not bad for a $72 trigger.

In a coincidence, I just bought a Ruger 77 MkII in 6.5X55, because it was no longer catalogued. The manual has easy instructions for removing the trigger, and www.midwayusa.com has Timney triggers for $57.

John Barsness writes that some of them respond to tip bedding and some need to be free-floated. He says Ruger's don't often respond to action-bedding. If you can get hold of a November 2003 issue of "Rifle," Barsness has an easy how-to on bedding.

Jaywalker

Too bad about Ruger dropping the 6.5 x 55. On the other had, they are one sweet handling and shooting rifles. Ruger did a fine job on that one. I know I bought one back in the first year they were made. I had it bedded and did a trigger. Its one of the few rifles I own that will shoot half inch groups with hunting loads. I'm not the only one that has been able to get that kind of accuracy with hunting bullets. I think ruger just made them right and made the barrels right. Only thing is that they should have put 24 inch barrels on them rather than the 22 inch. That my only bitch about them. and I don't lose any sleep over it.

Thanks for the replies! I have the Rifle magazine, I keep them all and catalog the articles ( I know...anal). I'll look it up. I'll see what I can get my 'smith to do with the trigger or else get one from Midway.

Bob257

My Ruger in 6.5 x 55, shoots very well. It has a one in 8 twist and also is long throated, just like a 6.5 x 55 should be.

If the trigger needs to be replaced, I put a Dayton Traister trigger on one of my Rugers ( not the 6.5 x 55), and it works well. I have re done most of the triggers on my Rugers to break lighter, and they have turned out well. ( Except the one that got screwed up, so I bought an aftermarket trigger, oh well, price of educating myself.)

Guess Ruger had to drop something, for all the new "In" calibers they are adding to their line this year. I am sure that the 6.5 x 55 will come back someday, after the short mag craze is over with.

My 6.5x55 is a Remington Classic from a couple years ago. I also have 3 Swedish M96 mausers in that
caliber. If you want really top notch, accurate reloads get yourself some VihtaVouri 550 or 560 powder,
and the affiliated Lapua Scenar bullets in 108, 123 and 139grs. The Scandanavians really know this
caliber well, and their reloading components for it are top notch. I went through the hoopla with
Reloder 19, the Hornady 129gr., and Sierra 140gr, 142gr. bullets all for nought. Lapua and VihtaVouri
did it all for me the first time. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal