1979 M77 338 win mag

[old ford]

Last year I purchased this rifle for an Alaskan hunt that has since been canceled. I have never shot this rifle but it appears to be great shape for its age. It has numerous scuffs on the stock. Nothing to deep and some scratches on trigger guard and floor plate. Normal use marks in my opinion. Before I decide if I'm going to sell it or not. I wanted some input. has anyone tried glass bedding and adding a Timney trigger? If so how much did it improve your accuracy?

 

[Silent Sam]

You've never shot it but you are concerned about improving accuracy? Changing it from factory configuration "may" change it's resale value. Properly bedding it "may" improve accuracy. Ruger triggers can be worked pretty easily into very good hunting triggers cheaper than replacing them.

 

[OldRugerMan]

Thanks Sam. Now I don't have to give him the bad news --- That is that the resale price "will" be affected by altering the rifle in any way. I sold my RS M77 338 a long time ago and I don't need another one but I would pay about 1/2 - 2/3 the price for one that someone has "worked" on.

 

[22/45 Fan]

You've never shot it but you are concerned about improving accuracy?

That was my thought too. You have no idea what accuracy the gun can currently produce. When you know that and find it unacceptable that is the time to consider any alterations.

 

[old ford]

I was just wondering if anyone typically saw a noticeable improvement by by glass bedding their rifle? I understand individual rifles vary.

 

[Silent Sam]

Yes I have seen improvement in rifles that had bedding issues to begin with. Rifles with significant recoil, such as a 338WM show bedding issues sooner and more pronounced than calibers with less recoil. The point is you can't fix anything until you know how it's broke, or of it's broken at all. If I was going to sell it I would leave it as is. Shoot it then decide what you want to do with it.