Ruger 77/22 rifle review
Shooting Times (UK) has reviewed the .22 Ruger 77/22 rifle
Priced towards the upper end of the rimfire scale, the M77/22 still gives excellent value for money. Build quality is good, as is the accuracy and reliability in the test.
With the options of stainless and synthetic designs, this rifle gives a genuinely good choice for any rimfire shooter – it has the feel of a centrefire rifle but the weight of a light sporter. Supplied with 1in dedicated scope mounts, it is a definite winner as is the pre-threaded barrel, essential on a sporting rimfire these days.
I briefly looked at getting the synthetic model. I decided it was not worth the price. In my opinion for the price it should include an adjustable trigger and free floating barrel.
Ruger 77/22-R
I have a 77/22 stainless with synthetic stock. The workmanship and design are all very good. However I cannot get around the heavy trigger pull. You can pick up the cocked gun with the trigger! That is the way it is designed, and the pull cannot be changed without some after market trigger kit or a gunsmith. Selling a fairly expensive rifle with such a heavy trigger pull is irresponsible. I am sure the attorneys at Ruger are happy with the gun– it is safe–, but as a shooter, I am greatly disappointed. I understand from internet blogs that this is not the only instance of poor triggers from Ruger. Ruger needs to get their attorneys out of the firearms design department and let shooters have a say.
I know I can fix the gun with a kit, but why should I? I intended to buy a good shooter and I was willing to pay for it. Of course Ruger would be happy for me to modify the gun and void the warranty and let them off the hook for consequential damage (the attorneys again). Maybe that was the intent all along: sell a gun that is not shootable and force the consumer to modify it and make the legal department happy.
I will probably get rid of the rifle and buy one (probably less expensive) with a decent trigger.
Ruger designed the 77/22 to be consistant with its other rifles so it could be a practice gun for the off-season. When you pick up a ruger 77/22 it will feel the same as if it were a 30-06, 308 or 270. The trigger pull is the result of this consistancy and many shooters who are used to ruger firearms appreciate it. Those who already use ruger and do not like the trigger pull usually take it to a gunsmith.
I also have the Ruger “all weather” stainless/synthetic 77/22.
I have one of the very first that came off the line, it’s about 20 years old now.
It took me all of 30 minutes to smooth and lighten the trigger with a 1200 grit stone. I have it at 2.5 lbs, and very very crisp. It’s unreal accurate, like shooting a laser.
I’ve probably put over 15000 rounds (not a typo) through it.
It likes CCI mini-mag ammo best, even better than the high dollar match ammo.
I have a Leupold 3-9x on it in the factory rings.
On any day, I will gladly shoot head to head with any Anschutz owner out there.
I won’t lose.
I would love to have one of these Rifles, just too many bills right now.
But one day I will own one.
I use a .22 Rifle for Squirrel hunting, and at night for Coon hunting with Hounds. This one would be great, with a Sling, and a Leupold 4x Rimfire scope on it.
There are two 77/22s in my family, an All-Weather I purchased for myself back in the 80’s and a heavy barrel stainless I bought for my older son when he graduated from high school.
The All-Weather came with a light, crisp pull, right out of the box. I never really tested it very thoroughly for accuracy, as I bought it for its durability and light weight. I gave it to my younger son some years back, and he put a Gilmore red dot on it, which of course is no good for evaluating its potential. I hope to pick up a good used one with iron sights some day for myself.
The heavy barreled model had a terrible trigger, but I installed a Timney replacement sear (about $35) and now it’s light and crisp. It’s an easy job and well worth the effort. This gun shoots excellent groups (in the 1/2 inch range) with several loads, even some of the bargain stuff. I just bought some Wolf Extra Match and will try that out soon. This is probably the best bolt gun going for the tinkerer, considering that you can swap out barrels with ease, allowing you to shoot .17HM2 and Aguila SSS loads.
Look at it this way it is how they keep prices lower by staying out of court. Ruger does not like this any more than you It cost no more to make a 2lb trigger than a 7lb.Buy this gun and have fun improving the trigger its easy!!
I just purchaced a 77/22, with a 3×9 Nikon Scope. I haven’t shot it yet, but may on the weekend. Nice looking and feeling rifle. Can’t wait.
I have polished out my 77 22 triger and it shoots great. As a matter of fact it will out shoot my CZ 452 FS easly. They both like CCI Mine Mags.
The laminate stock model has a 24in barrel vs. 20in on the All Weather. I am planning on picking up an “All Weather” mag. in the very near future but could anyone comment on the severity of the effect of that short barrel? Thanks guys
Shorter barrel only effects speed same barrel considerd is used. But your change will be very small in 22 magnum.faster bullets are have less time to fly wind effect them less.
With regard to the 77/22 series I have some building experiance with this action. Really a little to much, you will see what I mean! Mad Scientist Rimfire! I Started with the 22lr VBZ Heavy barrel laminated.รท Volquatsen trigger @ 12ozs.was first. Green. Mtn 77/22 .920″bull ss Barrel cut to 16.25″ Threaded 1/2×28 tpi. 11deg. Crown,chamber setback to saami. Minimum match chamber. Bore lapped- Well then for optics, I chose a Shepherd Enterprises 3-10×40 With their ranging circle reticle, this being mounted in Rugers excllnt. SS rings. Then was mounting a 5.56 full auto rated suppressor(NFA Tax Paid) from the bench @50M CCI Std.Vel. Ran in the low .3s to 1/2″-( Smaller groups were rimgauged and weight segregated).100M with such load ran 1/2 to 3/4 for 5 shot strings. Noise being similar to a low power air gun! Oh boy! Well I wanted a Target Synthetic stock, really none were offered that I cared for. Still aren’t either to my dismay! Well ended up going with a shaped Bell & Carlson Anschutz silhouette BLANK for a 10/22, Some mods. Inletting/fitting and glass bedding. Well with the Ruger barrel clamp system a pressure pad in the forend is mandatory Imo. Black plastic film canister shims work well as a test of this. Next time I would go with a dedicated match RF threaded / indexed tuning post.( Tunes barrel harmonics to ’sweet spot’).Last was to stipple the stock-paint and install an adj.buttpad .Final Touch was a Turner Saddelry O7 ptrn. Tgt sling. Oh allmost forgot @ CPC, Randy does a pin tightening on the bolt halves that’s super for rounding groups out and eliminating fliers! Bolt face was also squared. What has $1950 and such effort produced? 300Yard Brain shots on Jackrabbits( on calm mornings etc) Yet I can hear the firing. pin go click! All USA and it will spit out Anschutzes all the live long day! What could be better you ask? Being a retired US Army Soldier in a very rural area with steel targets I cut from I beams all from 25 out to 300! Morning Coffee with this rig is a great am indeed!
I bought the 77/22 (wood stock) to have a “fullsize” 22 ,thus have the feel of my hunting rifles etc.etc. I’m sitting here at my desk looking a target I have pinned to my wall and I’m still laughing; at a 100yrd.bench rest I was using a friends Federal Gold match ammo and 8 out of 10 are touching or in the 1″ bulls eye! I have a 3×9x50 cheap Tasco scope,factory rings and that is it! I can’t imagine what I could do with a good scope and having the trigger “massaged”! And this rifle is over 15yrs. old and only God himself knows how many rounds have already been through it. This is just plain fun!!
I did pick up the All Season model. I’m a mediocre shooter and just today @100yds from a bench the Ruger punched the first 2 through the same hole and the 3rd a half inch lower using Remington Accutips (let’s face it, shooter error and not the gun). Smooth action, near perfect accuracy, looks/feels great, virtually indestructible and I like the trigger, it is heavy but it’s smooth and responds well to a steady squeeze instead of having no resistance then a sudden ultra sensitive breaking point like cheaper .22s.