Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?

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inKYfromSD
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Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?

Post by inKYfromSD »

I know this is already a nice little coyote gun, but it never gets shot. It just stands in the back of the safe in the dark. I'd like to rebarrel it into a .20 cal, preferably .20 VarTarg. I'd like to keep the same basic dimensions, 16" or 18" barrel. Is this practical? I know the bolt faces are different. Am I better or trying to trade it or sell it?

Thanks,
Brian
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?

Post by Rick in Oregon »

Brian: The bolt face is different for the 243 vs. the 20VT.

The 243 uses the 308-size bolt face (.473"), while the 20VT utilizes the same bolt face as the 204/223 (.375").....big difference. If you're wanting a 20VT, best to find a donor rifle with the same bolt face. :D
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inKYfromSD
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?

Post by inKYfromSD »

Thanks Rick. I found another article last night about using an M77 action as a project build and there wasn't a lot of support for it. Local gun shop is having their annual pig roast sale soon, I'll look for a donor project then. Maybe I'll see if this little rifle will shoot 62 gr varmint grenades.

Thanks again for the advice!

Brian
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?

Post by Rick in Oregon »

Brian, there's a few actions that would be suitable for your build. Some to consider in short action configuration are:
* Sako L461, M75, M85 (& some others)
* CZ 527
* Rem M700
* Brno
* Cooper (of course!)
* Kimber

Or you could go single shot/falling block with:
Ruger No.1 & No.3
Browning 1886 High Wall
Browning 1885 Low Wall

Or break-open action:
Contender

There's others I'm not including, but you get the general idea. I would not plan any custom build on a Ruger 77 either....own some, but IMHO, just not an action known for stellar accuracy or a basis for a custom rifle in the gun world. I didn't mention Savage either.....just not one I'd consider, but that's just me.

Yesterday I picked up a CZ 527 American in 221FB that has a drop-dead gorgous piece of walnut from a local pawn shop. Now I'm fighting myself trying to figure out weather to re-barrel it to a 20VT walkabout rifle, or as it's almost brand new, shoot the 221FB barrel for a couple of years. It's nice to have all three "Fireball" calibers right now (17 Mach IV, 20VT, 221FB)....... :chin:

But the absolute best donor rifle for a 20VT, would be one originally chambered in either 17FB or 221FB if you can find one. :D
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inKYfromSD
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?

Post by inKYfromSD »

[quote="Yesterday I picked up a CZ 527 American in 221FB that has a drop-dead gorgous piece of walnut from a local pawn shop...[/quote]

Nice find! Is this a daily ritual? :) There are a few pawn shops close by but they seem to have nothing but .22 LR semis, AR's that look shot-to-death, and the usual 30-06, 7MM, 300 Win. Something else to do with one arm in a sling.

BTW, I found an M21 but it's not an MTV... Getting closer.

Brian
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?

Post by Rick in Oregon »

inKYfromSD wrote:Nice find! Is this a daily ritual? :) BTW, I found an M21 but it's not an MTV... Getting closer. Brian
Well, not a daily ritual, but at least semi-weekly. :wink: You just never know what will turn up....I've found nice Kimber pistols, yesterday included (Kimber Ultra Carry), plus a Kimber of Oregon M52 22LR sporter in virginal condition not to mention the sweet little CZ 527 I snagged with the killer wood. The good stuff never lasts long, precisely why I troll through on a regular basis.

If you've found a Cooper M21 in 20VT, you may want to give it a hard look. I'm not sure how many MTV's have been made in that caliber..... there's a far better chance of locating one in the VR (standard varmint) configuration than one in MTV. But I know the MTV has the upgraded AA+ wood and the Buick vents, so that may be the driving factor?

The wood on my M38 VR 20VT is their "standard wood" grade......nuthin' to sneeze at, eh?

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Let us know how the quest goes.
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Volstandigkeit
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?

Post by Volstandigkeit »

Brian I sent you a pm about your Ruger.
Volstandigkeit
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?

Post by Volstandigkeit »

I just realized I wasn't on the Nebraska Hunting board. Doubt it would work. My bad.
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