Okay, here's my report. It was pouring down rain at the range, so all I did was fire from the covered 50-yard range at remnants of clay pigeons that are scattered throughout the impact berm.
Once I got the scope zeroed, breaking pieces of clay pigeons was very routine. So I cannot tell you if this is a 2" group at 50-yards, or a half-inch group. The results on the clay pigeons would look the same. I will shoot at paper when the weather and the time is right. :mrgreen:
Now, the rifle...
Seems to be built well. Fit and finish is on par with any other All-Weather Ruger firearm. The magazine and the magazine release do not work well together. Pushing in on the release still requires some manipulation and tugging to get the magazine free. Inserting the magazine is even tougher. Requires two hands. One hand inserting the magazine, and the other hand pushing on the magazine release to get the magazine to seat. It will not pop-in otherwise. I'm hoping a little wear-in will free all this up. Lubrication where the magazine meets the release did not help.
Now, the scope and ring combination...
I remember this was an issue with my 77/44's also. The factory rings are quite high. I installed a Leupold Compact M8 4-power. The spacing of the rings is such that the eyepiece is way too far forward, and not usable. So I then installed a standard-length Leupold M8 4-power. Eye relief was then okay, but the M8 is a pretty skinny scope. I was able to put my hand between the objective and the barrel. Way too high.
So, I figured I'd put low rings on this gun for use with the M8 scope. I did so, and everything seemed perfect. Perfect until I discovered the bolt handle now hits the eyepiece on the scope. :?
Now back to the tall rings. So since the scope must sit really high over the receiver, there's no reason not to use a bigger scope. I know for a couple reasons it's overkill, but I settled on my Burris 4.5x14x32 AO. I've got a lot of scopes to choose from, and this one fit the best. These rings are still higher than I like, but there's really no other choice than this to preserve bolt handle to scope clearance. And the bolt handle is still pretty close to the bell on the eyepiece.
I remember the scope I settled on with the 77/44's was the old 1.5x4x20 Leupold. I can't find any in my stash, so maybe I sold it. I can see myself buying another, and installing it with lower rings. I did not have bolt handle clearance issues with this scope on the 77/44's.
I could also see me just putting an aperture sight on this little gun.
So...
Just like the 77/44, the 77/357 is pretty tiny. In this case, tiny means very handy, and that's exactly why I buy these kinds of guns. I did not shoot many rounds today, but with the ease of breaking any piece of clay pigeon I wanted to, I'm sure once I actually group it on paper, I will be satisfied. And I will be further satisfied when I acquire the right scope and ring combination.
WAYNO.
