I was told recently that the old M77 can be made to CRF with little work. I have yet to hear this from anyone else and he was of no help when I asked who it was that had one or who did the work.

Is this a real mod? Who does it? Has anyone tried it? Nate

The bolt face on the tang safety M77 is not designed for CRF. Perhaps it could be converted as the Sako M85 does for the M75 and the Win M70 push feed to CRPF.

I haven't heard of it being done, but maybe I have not asked the right people.

jim

The spring loaded ejector in the bolt face will create a problem with this conversion.

Perhaps a fixed ejector could be installed.

Rojelio

It's a pushfeed with a claw extractor, not a claw controlled feeding mechanism...

one COULD openthe bottom of the boltface, like the winchester/savage "CRPF"

jeffe

I don't suppose there's an outside chance that swapping bolts with a newer Ruger would solve the problem is there? Are these bolts even the same dimensions?

What?
Jeffe,
You still have the plunger EJECTOR to deal with that is located near the bottom of the boltface.

Rojelio

This conversion is possible for SOME PF 77s. When Ruger started the conversion to CRF they went through a brief stage circa 1991 or so where they were putting out PF actions with the new fixed ejector (NOT a plunger ejector). Soonthereafter they finished the conversion by cutting away the bottom lip on the bolt face, thus allowing the action to function like a true CRF. Thus, if your 77 is from this narrow time frame, then yes the conversion is possible. However, the conversion is generally not possible (without major smith work) because of the old plunger style ejector.

quote:

Originally posted by Tex21:
I don't suppose there's an outside chance that swapping bolts with a newer Ruger would solve the problem is there? Are these bolts even the same dimensions?

This would nto work because the fixed ejector is part of the receiver, not the bolt. Even if this fit were possible, there would likely be headspace issues...

Thanks for the replies. I have a couple M77's and would consider a CRF mod to my .338WM if it was do-able. Just heard it could be done but didn't see how. I can't remember if it has the standing ejector for sure but It is from around that time frame. I'll have to get it out and have a look. It may be a while before I'd get to it, with all the other little projects. Nate

quote:

Originally posted by 9.3x62:
This conversion is possible for SOME PF 77s. When Ruger started the conversion to CRF they went through a brief stage circa 1991 or so where they were putting out PF actions with the new fixed ejector (NOT a plunger ejector). Soonthereafter they finished the conversion by cutting away the bottom lip on the bolt face, thus allowing the action to function like a true CRF. Thus, if your 77 is from this narrow time frame, then yes the conversion is possible. However, the conversion is generally not possible (without major smith work) because of the old plunger style ejector.

There's one of those used transitional model M77Mk2's in 338WinMag at the local hardware store, it's Push feed with the blade extractor.

I was looking at it and thinking the same thing
Could I simply cut away the bottom lip of the bolt face to convert it to CRF...

It's REAL tempting for $329

AllanD

Butch Searcy used to do this about 20 years ago, I had a matched pair of M-77s in .338 that I was going to send to him...then, I found a minty P-64-.338 and just bought that, instead.

I have no idea who, if anyone, does it now, but it couild be done by using a M-98 ejector setup tig-welded to the receiver, a slotted left lug and re-welding the boltface ejector hole....a lot of work when you can now buy CRF rifles easily.

quote:

Originally posted by Allan DeGroot:

There's one of those used transitional model M77Mk2's in 338WinMag at the local hardware store, it's Push feed with the blade extractor.

I was looking at it and thinking the same thing
Could I simply cut away the bottom lip of the bolt face to convert it to CRF...

It's REAL tempting for $329

AllanD

Allan,
the MKii is both CRF and push feed. it feeds from the mag like a mauser, has a blade ejector in the back, and a big claw holding the rounf, from the mag, on the way in...

or just toss one on top and go...

if it has the SWING safety, it's a mkII.. if it's a tang (bridged or roundtop) it's pushfeed

jeffe

The receiver is marked Mk2, but there is a solid lip across the bottom of the bolt face.

It is a swinging safety.

And I did look, it is NOT a button ejector

The boor looks like it's never been cleaned but I need to take a close look at the throat, though I really doubt that anyone could actually "shoot out" the barrel in a 338Mag.

AllanD

Allan,

excellent... heh, i bet i would shoot out a 338... LMAO... I am trying to shoot out a 550!!

I'll snap a pic of my mkii boltface tonight (late) and post it...

and if you pass on it, let me know, as long as it aint stainless
jeffe

AD I'd recommend snatching it up fast! Mine is an M77 tang safety in .338 but it shoots so well I won't give it up even if it is a pusher. I did have to have it massaged some. But it was my fault for taking bad advice, it's a long story.

CRF or not it would be a great rifle to have. Nate

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
Allan,

excellent... heh, i bet i would shoot out a 338... LMAO... I am trying to shoot out a 550!!

I'll snap a pic of my mkii boltface tonight (late) and post it...

and if you pass on it, let me know, as long as it aint stainless
jeffe

It's blue with one of those pencil barrels
and the walnut stock.

If it were either stainless or a laminated stock it'd be across my lap as I type this....

Which is why I'm being a bit slow on deciding.

I tend more twards remingtons but like that I don't need a sight base for a Ruger.
and I can always replace the stock with the laminate I want (probably a Boyds)

I'm not into "pretty" guns but rather working functional guns that I don't have to worry about getting wet.
and have decided after long deliberation that any gun I have to take outdoors after game will not have a wood stock, or atleast not one that isn't pressure impregnated with epoxy resin.

But back to the 338...
Someone kept this rifle a long time but doesn't appear to have removed the (serious) copper fouling from the bore since it left the factory in '91, no visible rust, but haven't seen it with the stock off.

As I said to the owner, "If it were a Remington I wouldn't dither over it"
He replied "If it were a remington it would already be gone"
It's been there for nearly a month and for that shop's used rack that's a long, long time....

This guy prices used stuff so he makes a profit
but with an eye towards not gathering dust...

the four guns my brother and I have bought there
we bought the same day they were placed on sale
stuff doesn't linger... frequently items sell before he can walk back to his desk.

All I can say is that he musta known we were comming the day he put out the Browning BPS 10ga
because he set it in the rack and before he got two steps my brother had looked at it, said:

"that's a BPS... but it doesn't look right?... OMFG! it's a 10guage!!!... then calmly said ""mine." and placed it on the counter as he reached for his wallet.

Funny, neither of us knew that browning had ever produced a 10ga BPS.... until that gun was in his hands.

AllanD

If you're gonna pass this one up you should spread the word!

I have a M77 in .338WM (blue&wood) that I wouldn't trade for any of the new guns, it's that good. I use floor wax on the stock and Boeshield on the metal before hitting the soggy NW for elk and havn't had a problem with it. If I didn't need toys for my boys I'd likely try buy it just to have another one. Nate

Off subject a bit but any one know why Ruger junked the tang safety? I love the one on my 270 Ruger. Just bought a near new Mark I in 7x57 because it has one..

465H&H