Eurocentric: It is impossible to say just by the date of manufacture whether a Ruger will show better or worse accuracy. Evidence indicates that a higher percentage of later guns exhibit better accuracy, but some earlier ones also did fairly well -- it's just that a high percentage of the early ones did poorly. By and large, the HB stainless had/have a better percentage of "good" ones compared to the blue sporter. The proof is in the shooting. A good friend owns a 77/22H like yours which is about the same age. It performs admirably. Best of luck with it!

I have one so far, a Contender Carbine. I like the little round but what's not to like. I only neck size the brass and since I started doing that have not had any problems with stretching. I'd really like a low wall one day. Set up with a nice apature rear and a globe front. Just to see how well my old eyes could shoot irons. DW

With the 35gr V-max it is all the rifle you need for varmints out to 200 yds.

All of the kids and a ton of nieces and nephews and now grandkids have learned to shoot on one, after they graduate from a 22rf. They also learned how to reload ammunition.

I have a great shooting 77/22H target like yours. I put a Leupy 10X AO on it to test loads, and never took it off. Kids really like the idea of dialing out the "fuzzy" looking at pasture rats.
My nephew said it was a "Ten dollar horse with a forty dollar saddle..." He'd known me for three years before marrying into the family, so what does he know?

Rich

Over the years since 1965; I've owned several .22 Hornet rifles from my first, a Savage Model 340, then Three Model 70's one being a Super grade, one Sako, Ruger's Model #3, & their Model 77/.22 Hornet. Now I only have my Kimber M-82 Series "S". Used my Hornet rifles to take Woodchucks, Squirrels Fox, & Coyotes.

Anyone have experience/comments on the Anschutz rifles? They produce quite a few in Hornet. New they are too expensive but are they worth looking for used? price spread?

As for me and my house it will always have a resident hornet set up and ready to hunt.