M77 tang safety 7mm-08

[Pauerpilot]

Aloha form AZ. I just purchased an M77 tang safety 7mm-08. Got a smoking deal on it. Went to the range and could not get better than 10 MOA at 100 yards. I have very good Leupold glass on it so I know it's not the optics. The scope is mounted correctly with Ruger Rings. The rifle is free floated and glass bedded. Everything that an accurate rifle should have, this rifle has it. it will not shoot!. I checked headspace and the rifle is head spaced correctly. I tried to measure the chamber then............. problems. The distance to the lands of the rifling is extremely excessive. Even with long projectiles, the bullet will not touch the rifling and remain in the case. Never had anything like this. I can confirm that the rifle has not been abused or a 308 has been fired erroneously. I purchased this rifle from the original owner. He confirmed that the rifle has never shot an animal because he could not get it to shoot. The rifle has been in a safe for decades. That is why I got this so discounted.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? In my mind, if this rifle has not been shot much or modified. What is up with the barrel? Is it possible that this came out of the production line not in spec? The chamber is cut wrong?

I sent Ruger a service question last week. Ruger got back to me today. Ruger wants the rifle back. Ruger offered to replace the rifle with a new Hawkeye at a "discounted" price. I do not know what that price is. Ruger is going to call me later with that information. Either way, the rifle is NOT safe to shoot in my opinion. It seems odd to me that Ruger asked for the rifle back. I sent Ruger the service question looking for information. I did not ask Ruger to fix the rifle or service the rifle. I asked about chamber dimensions they used for the 7mm-08 in the M77.

I am at a crossroad. I purchased this for my wife. I wanted a 7mm-08 for her to shoot. 270 WIN was a bit much. She likes the handling and recoil of the 7mm-08. To re-barrel the rifle will be approximately $500. I got the rifle for next to nothing.

OR

Send the rifle in and get a new M77 Hawkeye in 7mm-08 and pay for the "discounted" price tag.

the difference being that the tang safety has a 22 inch barrel and the Hawkeye has a 16.5 inch barrel.

any information would be greatly appreciated.

Al

 

[bigbillyboy]

Yes, I think it's odd that they immediately offer a deal on a new gun without ever seeing it .....?

 

[hittman]

Ruger wants the rifle back. It seems odd to me that Ruger asked for the rifle back. I did not ask Ruger to fix the rifle or service the rifle.

Sounds to me like Ruger went above and beyond the call of duty offering to trade you out of it. They quit offering service on those quite a while ago. Could have just told you you're SOL.

Good you got it cheap. Now you know why.
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FIREARMS WITH NO PARTS / SERVICE AVAILABLE:

• M77 Mark II Express Rifle
• M77 Mark II Rifle in Short Ultra-Mag Calibers
• Model 77 Rifle with Tang Safety

Ruger Parts & Service

ruger.com

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

place to start is , take it to a good gunsmith and have a chamber cast done , make sure it's really a 7mm 08 and not a missed stamped 7mm of a different type

 

[kmoore]

I would be spending the money and time to do as post #4 says. Quite possible its a 7mm but not a 7mm 08. Then decide its future.

 

[Pauerpilot]

place to start is , take it to a good gunsmith and have a chamber cast done , make sure it's really a 7mm 08 and not a missed stamped 7mm of a different type

Now that has never occurred to me. It might be in a different chambering and it is stamped 7mm-08. interesting.

Now I think I will get the chamber cast.

Thanks y'all!!

 

[Pauerpilot]

Yes, I think it's odd that they immediately offer a deal on a new gun without ever seeing it .....?

I agree! Ruger has always done right by me. I have had several rifles and pistols that they have serviced over the years. That was a "Hmmmmm??" moment for me when the gentleman very quickly offered a deal. Perhaps Ruger knows that this was a problem and just want to make it right. I will definitely give Ruger Support the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Sam Summey]

Aloha form AZ. I just purchased an M77 tang safety 7mm-08. Got a smoking deal on it. Went to the range and could not get better than 10 MOA at 100 yards. I have very good Leupold glass on it so I know it's not the optics. The scope is mounted correctly with Ruger Rings. The rifle is free floated and glass bedded. Everything that an accurate rifle should have, this rifle has it. it will not shoot!. I checked headspace and the rifle is head spaced correctly. I tried to measure the chamber then............. problems.

I also had a Ruger M77 tang safety (75- sn) that had performance similar to what you describe (7x57 Mauser) I dicked with it for ten years, no improvement. The fix was to rebarrel (Lothar Walther) it to 7mm AI, it is a 100 yard, 5 shot, 1/4 minute rifle now, with 140gr Sierra/60.0 gr IMR 4831. Ruger barrels during that era were crap.

 

[peachhead]

If they gave me a good enough price I would trade it, but that's just me.