77 Express Rifle Owners?
- Thread starter debent55
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My 375 H&H has been very deadly @200 yards!
doccash
Buckeye
I think time will prove that the express format will be the best rifle ever made by Ruger. From a collectors standpoint I don't think you can own too many. Dr.C
Black Fly
Single-Sixer
I've never owned one, I've been tempted a couple times. I've pretty much limited myself to the tang safety models. But, they are truly lovely rifles and the ones I've handled have been a joy. I'd buy one to use, not to collect, so would be more into one that's been shot. I know the Magnum versions were a bit heavy for caliber. What is the weight of the 06 or 270 versions.
Thanks
Bfly
Thanks
Bfly
Here are my Express rifles - a 7mm Mag on the top, a 416 Rigby in the middle, and a 30-06 on the bottom. I think they're beautiful rifles. I had to do a lot of searching to find the 7mm Mag and the 30-06. They just don't show up for sale all that often, except for the 270's, which seem to be a bit more common.
I thought I was going to have to sell the 7mm Mag recently (I posted about it here http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=159015), but I figured out a way to keep it by selling some scopes to raise the cash I needed. I figure that scopes will be a lot easier to replace down the road, even though I had to sell them at a loss while I would have been able to sell the express at a profit (hopefully).
To answer your questions:
1. What is the accuracy like? I've never shot the 7mm Mag because it was supposedly unfired when I got it and I'd like to keep it that way, though I may break down and shoot it someday if I'm able to keep it long enough. The 30-06 has average accuracy, but I haven't tried very many loads in it yet. The Magnum rifles are known to be more accurate than you'd ever expect them to be. I have yet to shoot mine. I just got the 416 this spring and I've only recently acquired some brass, dies, and bullets. Factory ammo is quite expensive of course.
2. Do you wish they were still being made? I wish Ruger would make me a few more! I'll take one in just about any caliber you can name, but I'd be pleased to find the remaining factory-produced calibers. One in 300 Win Mag or 338 Win Mag would make me very happy, and I'd be overjoyed to find one in the elusive 25-06. I don't know that I'd want them to be back in regular production, because that would probably lower the value of the ones I already own. (Selfish, I know...)
3. Likes? There's a lot to like with these rifles. As I said in that other thread, in my opinion, they are the best-looking factory rifle ever produced by Ruger. I love the integral quarter rib, the barrel-band swivel stud, the multi-leaf express sights, the Circassian walnut stock, the ebony forend tip, the blued bolt handle, and the high quality of the bluing in general. I mean, that's a beautiful rifle! Just try to get those features on a custom gun for less than $3K.
4. Dislikes? The integral quarter rib can make mounting a scope a bit of a pain. You have to mount them higher than on a regular barreled rifle, because the objective bell cannot follow the contour of the barrel where it normally dips down after the chamber. That's why none of mine wear scopes yet. But the iron sights are excellent of course. Someday I'll get something like 1-4x20 or a 2-8x32 mounted on them with Warne quick release rings; something where the objective bell is small enough that it won't cause any problems.
I thought I was going to have to sell the 7mm Mag recently (I posted about it here http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=159015), but I figured out a way to keep it by selling some scopes to raise the cash I needed. I figure that scopes will be a lot easier to replace down the road, even though I had to sell them at a loss while I would have been able to sell the express at a profit (hopefully).
To answer your questions:
1. What is the accuracy like? I've never shot the 7mm Mag because it was supposedly unfired when I got it and I'd like to keep it that way, though I may break down and shoot it someday if I'm able to keep it long enough. The 30-06 has average accuracy, but I haven't tried very many loads in it yet. The Magnum rifles are known to be more accurate than you'd ever expect them to be. I have yet to shoot mine. I just got the 416 this spring and I've only recently acquired some brass, dies, and bullets. Factory ammo is quite expensive of course.
2. Do you wish they were still being made? I wish Ruger would make me a few more! I'll take one in just about any caliber you can name, but I'd be pleased to find the remaining factory-produced calibers. One in 300 Win Mag or 338 Win Mag would make me very happy, and I'd be overjoyed to find one in the elusive 25-06. I don't know that I'd want them to be back in regular production, because that would probably lower the value of the ones I already own. (Selfish, I know...)
3. Likes? There's a lot to like with these rifles. As I said in that other thread, in my opinion, they are the best-looking factory rifle ever produced by Ruger. I love the integral quarter rib, the barrel-band swivel stud, the multi-leaf express sights, the Circassian walnut stock, the ebony forend tip, the blued bolt handle, and the high quality of the bluing in general. I mean, that's a beautiful rifle! Just try to get those features on a custom gun for less than $3K.
4. Dislikes? The integral quarter rib can make mounting a scope a bit of a pain. You have to mount them higher than on a regular barreled rifle, because the objective bell cannot follow the contour of the barrel where it normally dips down after the chamber. That's why none of mine wear scopes yet. But the iron sights are excellent of course. Someday I'll get something like 1-4x20 or a 2-8x32 mounted on them with Warne quick release rings; something where the objective bell is small enough that it won't cause any problems.
One just sold (375 H&H) for just over $1200 on gunbroker.
I haven't shot my 375 yet (like the fellow above). It's unfired and I may keep it that way. I have a couple of other .375's that I typically shoot, and a new No. 1 Boddington in .375 Ruger that I plan to shoot but just haven't found the time to do so yet.
I agree, though, the Ruger Express Rifles are beautiful. If I could find one in .30 06 I'd be a goner.
I agree, though, the Ruger Express Rifles are beautiful. If I could find one in .30 06 I'd be a goner.
pete44ru
Hunter
.
Once upon a time, I had a pre-cursor to the M-77 Express rifles - a tang-safety Model 77 Circassian chambered in .458 Winchester Magnum.
They're beautiful rifles, indeed........
.
Once upon a time, I had a pre-cursor to the M-77 Express rifles - a tang-safety Model 77 Circassian chambered in .458 Winchester Magnum.
They're beautiful rifles, indeed........
.
I have two.
One is a 375 H&H that's never been fired...
The 375 was new when I bought it.
And the other is a 416 Rigby in which I shoot cast bullets with SR4759. I got it used at a local chain gun store whose clientele is more interested in black plastic rifles and 9mm handguns (which I suspect they hold sideways when shooting), so I made an unreasonably low offer and the store was glad to get rid of it. Thank God for poor taste in the general shooting public.
The Rigby is accurate enough; I am using open sights and it groups into about an inch at 50 yards....
I am a sucker for nice wood. Both of these fit that criteria. If I could find a 30 06 RSM with good wood I'd buy it, too. These are incredibly well made rifles.
One is a 375 H&H that's never been fired...
The 375 was new when I bought it.
And the other is a 416 Rigby in which I shoot cast bullets with SR4759. I got it used at a local chain gun store whose clientele is more interested in black plastic rifles and 9mm handguns (which I suspect they hold sideways when shooting), so I made an unreasonably low offer and the store was glad to get rid of it. Thank God for poor taste in the general shooting public.
The Rigby is accurate enough; I am using open sights and it groups into about an inch at 50 yards....
I am a sucker for nice wood. Both of these fit that criteria. If I could find a 30 06 RSM with good wood I'd buy it, too. These are incredibly well made rifles.
pete44ru said:
I have one of those, too. And I agree, they are magnificent. With a 4X Redfield and 405 gr Remington bullets over SR4759, this one shoots cloverleafs at 100 yards. Deep lustrous bluing, beautiful balance, it's all there. I bought this rifle in 1974 when I was still in the Army. Paid $342 for it brand new. It was a lot of money back then. Today it's 3 boxes of .458 factory ammo.
Talk about a thread revival! Reading this makes me sad because the three rifles I had pictured three years ago have all been sold now. Not all is bad though. I've still got some Express rifles; one in .270 and one in .338 Mag. Here's a few pictures that fail to do the wood justice.
gatling - The wood on your .375 is amazing, and the .416 is none too shabby either.
SHOOTER - You asked what calibers the Express rifles were made in. They were made in .270, 30-06, 7mm Mag, .300 Mag, and .338 Mag. A handful were also made in .25-06, and I heard a rumor of one in .300 H&H. The Magnum (sometimes referred to along with the Express rifles) were made in .375 H&H, .416 Rigby, and .458 Lott, and I heard a rumor of one or more in .404 Jeffrey.
gatling - The wood on your .375 is amazing, and the .416 is none too shabby either.
SHOOTER - You asked what calibers the Express rifles were made in. They were made in .270, 30-06, 7mm Mag, .300 Mag, and .338 Mag. A handful were also made in .25-06, and I heard a rumor of one in .300 H&H. The Magnum (sometimes referred to along with the Express rifles) were made in .375 H&H, .416 Rigby, and .458 Lott, and I heard a rumor of one or more in .404 Jeffrey.
63November
Single-Sixer
I remember the 404 Jeff in the catalog; never saw one in life however. I'm quite surprised they go as cheap as they do. They are a fine design and quite well executed IMO. Mine is a 375.
Came across this post today. A couple of weeks ago I was going through my gun collection and noticed I have a Ruger Model 77 Express Rifle in 300 Win Mag. Still brand new in the box as I had never shot it. I believe it was made in 1996. The rear sight appears to be milled into the receiver. Quite a lot of machining to do that.
Little info on these rifles, and they are sure beautiful, the stock looks to be high grade. I plan on retiring this year and already have a Leupold scope, 2X8 power to mount on it. Just curious what type of accuracy I can expect. Its almost too pretty to shoot, but I'm going to enjoy it.
Little info on these rifles, and they are sure beautiful, the stock looks to be high grade. I plan on retiring this year and already have a Leupold scope, 2X8 power to mount on it. Just curious what type of accuracy I can expect. Its almost too pretty to shoot, but I'm going to enjoy it.
Rodman
Single-Sixer
I have one in 30-06 and its an exceptional shooter. I have used it some for hunting. I have been pondering selling mine since I wanted something a bit larger like a 375h&h for Alaska or maybe a 35 whelen. I am going to shoot it today though before I make up my mind as its been a couple years since it had any rounds put through it. but I wish Ruger would put a rifle out like this as I much prefer how they are set up plus the action on mine came head and shoulders smoother than any of my other 77s I own.
Rodman
Single-Sixer
HBEnfield, well I have never had much luck selling on here so I listed it on Gunbroker. here is the link -
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/610617481
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/610617481
Silent Sam
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2006
- Messages
- 728
What ringmounts are on that rifle?
