STOKED! New M77/22

[acloco]

Have lusted after a Ruger M77/22 for a LONG time. Finally made the deal on one today. Just a blued with plastic stock, but it was new in the box.

Have held several flavors of rimfire bolt action rifles, but the M77/22 have always felt the best.

Hope it shoots.

Going to leave as is for the time being and put some rounds down range.

[RAMOS]

Congratulations, Sir! Best of luck to you and your' new friend.

[Rick in Oregon]

Hey Tom! Congrats on the new stick! Great little rifles to be sure. I've got three of 'em, two walnut/blue, one laminated.

Here's my 77/22 Mag with a very large rockchuck (16 lbs) taken a few years ago:



I won't load up the forum with pics of mine, but we're lookin' forward to seeing your new one when she comes in.

[acloco]

Purchased from a private party. They won the rifle in a raffle.

Looked at several scopes on hand, selected a vintage 2.5-10x44 Tasco (Japan glass), and mounted accordingly.


Of interest, I use a product made by IOSSO, called Gun Brite for the external metal care of firearms. Even though this rifle has dark blueing, the blue shop towel removed quite a bit of nasty BROWN on the outside (beginning of rust). Gun Brite (I call it car wax for guns) is an excellent protectant from us (oil/electrolysis), environment, and burnt powder residue on all firearms. Makes cleanup a LOT easier (especially on revolvers) and leaves a barrier that is NOT slippery on the metal parts of firearms. Will also help to remove fine scratches in just about every finish I have tried it on (nickel, chrome, blue, stainless, etc).

As usually, I also swabbed the bore. Started with a blast of carb cleaner, patched out. Clean patch. Blast of Wipeout, patched out....not so clean of patch. Scrubbed with plastic bristle brush coated with Hoppe's #9, patched out.....ugh....dark brown patch. Continued to scrub and patch until a clean patch was the result. Have to love cleaning firearms!!!!

With any luck, might be able to sight in tonight or tomorrow morning. REALLY needs an extended magazine catch!!!

[acloco]

Mrs and I made a trip to the range tonight. Sighted in at 25 yards while running a variety of ammo brands (CCI mini mag, CCI Blazer, Tac 22, Armscor, & Winchester Power Point).

Moved over to 100 yards. As normal, the Blazer was like launching water balloons.

Tac 22 was a little better, but nothing to write home about.

CCI mini mag - plain jane round nose - functioned perfectly.

Power Point - good group (did not measure, could see in the scope).

Armscor - the SURPRISE. Definitely faster than the rest and excellent group.

The trigger needs work. Did I mention the trigger needs work?

[futuretrades]

In the model 77/17 that I sold to finance my 204, back in 06, I think. I did replace the trigger in that rifle with a Rifle Basix. After install, I had a very crisp pull and absolutely no creep. I really loved the trigger in that rifle. Wish I had her back, but I got enough out of her to buy my 204, with some left over to buy the Leupold on the 204.

From my own experience, I don't think you can go wrong with a Rifle Basix trigger.

[acloco]

futuretrades - Thanks for the tip on the trigger. Going to work on the factory trigger....at least for now. Excellent article with pictures & diagram on one of the dedicated rimfire websites.

Could not sleep, so, at 02:00, I am in the garage wearing sandals and fruit of the looms (yeah....too much info - good thing there is NO windows!!!). Per a couple of different articles, trigger is now under 5 lbs, feels a LOT better, and breaks cleanly. FIVE pounds....yeah...even as I typed that, did not sound right. But, that is with the factory spring still. Will hunt for a different spring tomorrow.

Ordered a laminate stock from Boyds late this afternoon. Just could not go with a thumbhole. I have a couple, but they just don't fit my hand. Went with a "tacticool" jacarda laminate.

[acloco]

Update.

Trigger work - completed. Per a couple articles on the web, with....AHEM...a little file work, and new spring from ACE hardware, M77/22 now has a nice 4.5 lb trigger. A LOT better than the NINE pounder + as it arrived.

BOYDS stock arrived safe and sound. Believe it or not, I am bedding the action. Is a slightly loose fit, but very happy with the tacticool laminate stock.

A vintage Japan made Tasco 2.5-10x44 scope looks like it has found a home on this rifle with the factory Ruger rings.