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
Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?
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.![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
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.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?
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
Thanks again for the advice!
Brian
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?
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 :chin:](./images/smilies/chin.gif)
But the absolute best donor rifle for a 20VT, would be one originally chambered in either 17FB or 221FB if you can find one.![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
* 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 :chin:](./images/smilies/chin.gif)
But the absolute best donor rifle for a 20VT, would be one originally chambered in either 17FB or 221FB if you can find one.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?
[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
Nice find! Is this a daily ritual?
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
BTW, I found an M21 but it's not an MTV... Getting closer.
Brian
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?
Well, not a daily ritual, but at least semi-weekly.inKYfromSD wrote:Nice find! Is this a daily ritual?BTW, I found an M21 but it's not an MTV... Getting closer. Brian
![wink :wink:](./images/smilies/wink.gif)
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?
![Image](http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/packrat1/Rifles%20Load%20Dev%202010/DSC_0008.jpg)
Let us know how the quest goes.
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?
Brian I sent you a pm about your Ruger.
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Re: Ideas for Ruger M77 Mark II .243?
I just realized I wasn't on the Nebraska Hunting board. Doubt it would work. My bad.