I have it in my heart to get a semi-custom 308 Norma Mag built. It won't be a full custom, probably just a re-barrel and maybe stock work later. I am a 700 man at heart but am having a whale of a time finding a 700 magnum in left hand that doesn't cost like gold, as I am also a southpaw, and to top it all off, am fighting medical bills due to colon cancer.

Here is the question: what do you custom gunmakers think about starting with a Ruger 77 Mark II? Any pros or cons? I have located a LH in 7 RM that is priced at just about half of what a 700 LH is going for.

Thanks in advance, guys...

Either one would work, i,m a Remington man also but for the money difference i'd go Ruger.
I know a guy that has a rifle built on a Ruger action, premium barrel,don't remember whos,etc.
It's chambered for 6 TCU and it shoots very well, I shot 3 rounds and the hole(one) was not much bigger than 6m/m. I was impressed.
It'll all depend on your Gunsmith.

Stepchild

I am not a GS, but I too am "mostly" a 700 fan at heart & I would have zero issues building a 308 Norma on a Ruger.

I had a LH Mark II in 7 RM that shot lights out....I bought it to be used as a donor for a 416 Taylor, it too worked out very good.

Few high end customs are built on 700s; classics like Win M70s, CRF, Mausers, and the like. I would go with the Ruger as it is crf, and has the sort of, M70 safety. I know, push feed extractors work fine so don't go there. Anyway, there are no down sides to using Rugers as basis for sporters; I am not sure why there aren't more of them.

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Anyway, there are no down sides to using Rugers as basis for sporters; I am not sure why there aren't more of them.

My perception - it's due primarily the angled front action screw and secondarily the M17 style bolt handle.

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Originally posted by capoward:

quote:

Anyway, there are no down sides to using Rugers as basis for sporters; I am not sure why there aren't more of them.

My perception - it's due primarily the angled front action screw and secondarily the M17 style bolt handle.

Because gunsmiths don't have to do a lot of extra work to them to make them a custom that they can charge a lot more money for.

I like Rugers MKII my last custom was one 416 Taylor it well put 3 of 4 different bullet weights and types into one ragged hole.

For total of 1200.dollars its is not a piece of art but it functions and shoots very well.

Some smiths well say it is not custom well a new barrel in a non factory caliber, new trigger bedded stock makes it what.

Unless a smith is making his own actions all are just reworked factories the degree they are worked over just varies.

Take a old 98 one needs to spent tons of time and money bring it up to modern standards. That all adds up to money in the smith pockets.

No wonder they like them

I have no problems on how people are willing to spend their money and there are true artists out there making truly fine rifles.

Can they function and shoot better then a cheaper rifle yes they should.

Can a cheaper rifle shoot and function better then they can sure.

But they do look pretty for sure.

Now that I am done stirring the pot getting every bodies dander up I'll stop.

go and shoot your guns today and enjoy them no matter what or who made them

There are a few reasons why the Ruger 77 action is not used for "custom" builds.
1. Integral scope mounting system limits choices.
2. Not many options for a custom trigger.
3.Very limited options for synthetic stocks or after market semi inlet wood.
4. In the grand scheme of things the 77 is a "new" action.
I have built a number of very accurate varmint rifles on the 77 and have no qualms about using it as a base for an accurate varmint or big game rifle.

the front screw really doesn't pose a problem, and the bolt handle can be reshaped or replaced, so these are not really relevant. the remmy being a round action is easier to chuck up with a 3 jaw. there is really no reason not to use a 77

there is nothing wrong with the 77 for a custom/semi-custom gun. the 700 is a " big boy tinker toy" in that there are many suppliers of aftermarket parts to suit about anyone. I have re barreled and restocked several 77's for clients and the owners were happy with the results.

If a Ruger had a forged & machined or hogged out from bar stock action people would be all over it.

Why do people build many more small block Chevies than all the others put together? It is actually cheaper to build a Remington clone than a "blueprinted" Remington receiver . What is your ultimate goal?

Butch, I want an accurate rifle with a better than average trigger, since the trigger dictates how accurate the rifle will be. That is probably the single thing that keeps me from buying the LH Ruger: the trigger...

I bought the 25-'06 Model 77 Mark II that Frank Martinez had up for sale several months ago, and the trigger is/was horrendous. About an inch with carefully assembled handloads is all it would do, and I know the caliber is capable of much better than that. I bought a Dayton Traister replacement and it is no better.

Is there ANYONE that makes a decent trigger for a Ruger Mark II? I am not a rich man, but I like rifles that shoot five shot, single ragged holes at 100 yards. Is that too much to ask?

I put timney triggers on my left hand rugers and feel they are very good. They require a little fitting so the safety will slide in place but it really isn't difficult if you take your time.

I put spec tec triggers in my MKII 77s they work well. don't know if they make one for left handed ones

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Is there ANYONE that makes a decent trigger for a Ruger Mark II? I am not a rich man, but I like rifles that shoot five shot, single ragged holes at 100 yards. Is that too much to ask?

There's a left hand spec teck in the classifies

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Originally posted by Doubless:
Butch, I want an accurate rifle with a better than average trigger, since the trigger dictates how accurate the rifle will be. That is probably the single thing that keeps me from buying the LH Ruger: the trigger...

I bought the 25-'06 Model 77 Mark II that Frank Martinez had up for sale several months ago, and the trigger is/was horrendous. About an inch with carefully assembled handloads is all it would do, and I know the caliber is capable of much better than that. I bought a Dayton Traister replacement and it is no better.

Is there ANYONE that makes a decent trigger for a Ruger Mark II? I am not a rich man, but I like rifles that shoot five shot, single ragged holes at 100 yards. Is that too much to ask?

I have a blued/timber stocked 77MKII in 25-06, it is glass and pillar bedded in the original stock, has a stainless Timney trigger fitted, let off is just shy of 1lb and it shoots 1/4" groups regularly with 100gr BT'S, to be honest, this rifle shoots just as well as my target rifles built on 700 actions.
If you want a fully adjustable trigger for your Ruger, get a Timney, they work.

Cheers.

I went this route about 4-5 years ago. I found a M77 MKII in 7mag with a shotout barrel for a song. Midway had some Krieger #4 .264 blanks in stock so I ordered one and sent it to John Farner. He built a really nice .264WM for for me with a Timney trigger and I put it in a McMillan.

It's not much to look at but it's very accurate and functional. I hunt a lot of beanfields these days and use this rifle probably more than any other.

As far as the arguments go against using this action for a custom build: I like the bolt handle as-is. The scope mounting system is perfect for my needs. They make a nice trigger for this rifle that will get well with in the needs of a hunting rifle. Stock choice is slim but you can get a good one for it and the rifle only needs one anyway. It's ugly but functional. I wouldn't pick one for a full blown custom build but for a semi custom working rifle I think it's a nice choice.

If I build a custom rifle it will be either a pre 64 mod. 70, or most likely a Large Ring or Small Ring Mauser. I may want to sell it someday. Rem and Ruger custom rifles are almost impossible to sell and if you do you'll have to take it in the shorts, a fact of life!

You take it in the shorts selling any custom rifle. Another fact of life!

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Originally posted by TC1:
You take it in the shorts selling any custom rifle. Another fact of life!

You are correct, Terry.

Tang Safety Rugers are beginning to increase in desirability for a moderately priced full custom.

I would have no issues doing one, and I am a longtime OM 70 or Mauser fan.

Rich

I did my .308 Norma on a tang safety Ruger...

I don't much worry about resale on a rifle I build, I'm building it for me to shoot, not to sell.

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Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Hmmmmm that camo doesn't exactly blend in

Yep, but the deer and hogs don't seem to notice.

This one is a little more traditional...copied TC1, kinda...6.5-06AI