Mounting a Leupold VX-3L 56mm on a M77 MARK II

[RugerForMe]

I tried to do a search, But always get the same results "unavailable at this time".

Anyhoot. Anyone here every mount a Leupold VX-3L 56mm or 50mm on a M77 Mark II, mine happens to be the boat paddle stock in .30-06 version.

My Brother bought the scope on a whim last fall and didn't like it once he go it. And after messing around for 6 or 8 months lost his recite and can't return it. So he offered it to me at a great discount. (fool and his money)

I just wanted to know if that would fit without having to go to higher rings than was is comes stock with the rifle. Cause just about perfect eye alinement for me.

Any help would be awesome.

 

[rugerjunkie]

I will guess that you will need a set of high rings and with a 56mm maybe an extra high set. Once you get over a 42mm-44mm bell depending on the different scope makes , there isnt enough clearance. The one thing you have going for you is the standard barrel profile on a 30-06 will give a touch more room vs a heavier magnum contoured barrel so a high set may work.

A lot also depends on eye relief and how far back you like your scopes. The farther back you like them , the less room you have as the scope bell comes back over the chamber area on the barrel. Im long armed and like my scopes set ahead farther than most people which gets the scope bell out away from the chamber allowing for either a bit bigger bell , or my preference , a 40mm scope mounted lower to give a better cheek wield on the stock. Craning your head up to see through a scope does not make for consistency and hurts accuracy. There is always the option of an add on cheek peice too if the scope sits way too high...

 

[RugerForMe]

rugerjunkie I put a 50mm on a M77 tang safety back in the mid 80's had to go with the high rings just puts the scope to high for me to get a consistent sight picture.

I thought maybe someone here might have gone that route, and installed one of these scopes on there M77.

That neat little cut out in the bottom of the scope is supposed to eliminate the need for higher rings, But I know that is not always the case, this is why I ask.

 

[rugerjunkie]

It'll be interesting to see how it all works out. I don't have , or know anyone that does have any experience with that model of scope.

 

[mishtub]

I use the Offset Medium 4KO, 5K rings on my boat paddle .270 mounting a Leupold 3.5x10x50 VX-3L, you might have to go to the next higher set of rings depending on how far rearward you mount your optic. I'll have to check and see the clearance I have to be sure.

 

[rugerjunkie]

Took a few pictures...

1st two are a 2.5-10x50mm , standard height rings , but the rifle is a standard contour barreled 264 Win Mag. The scope barely fits and I was lucky that it fit with the meduim rings. If the scope tube had been any shorter , high rings would have been needed to clear the chamber area. A magnum contoured barrel would need a set of high rings with this scope.





This last picture shows a 6-20x40mm Weaver Grand Slam on a 25-06 which has the magnum contour barrel. Not a lot of room here either and some room is given up by Weavers rubber ring on the objective adjustment. Not all 40mm scopes would be this large in diameter.



I guess this just goes to show you that there are a lot of variables and differences between scopes also. You won't know until you try! Or luck out that someone put the exact same scope on! :)

I had to dig the 264 out from the back of the safe because I couldnt remember what the heck was on it for rings or the objective size of the scope. But now I'd bet that Leupold with the big ole' dent in the bottom of the bell would fit with the medium rings. :)

Throw a few pics up when you find out...

 

[mishtub]

I just checked and using the offset rings described above I can get a dollar bill between the objective lens and the barrel, but not a matchbook cover. By using the offset rings it pulls the objective rearwards enough to just barely clear the taper from receiver to the barrel contour. If you have the 50 mm VX-3L and use the standard rings 4 & 5 (mediums which come with the rifle), you should have no problems. I guessed you have the 56mm version and it probably will clear, with mediums, as long as it is mounted forward enough.
Please let us know how it works out for you.

 

[RugerForMe]

My biggest problem with trying to see how or it fits is. The scope is in NY and I'm in WI.

And my brother wants me to buy it, then if it doesn't fit I can resell it.

If I was getting the deal that he first offered I might take the chance, but after showing some interest his great discount is NOT a discount at all, and I'm NOT willing to take the loss if it doesn't fit.

 

[mishtub]

You might ask him to take it to a LGS or gunsmith and have them check and see if it will fit. Heck call Ruger and ask them, they might know which rings will work.
I just re-read your OP and wonder if the scope has the 50 or 56 mm objective, the 50 will definitely fit with medium rings which came standard with my 77.

 

[RugerForMe]

It's 56mm for sure, but now I'm wondering if it's 1" or 30mm tube myself.

 

[jjas]

It's 56mm for sure, but now I'm wondering if it's 1" or 30mm tube myself.

I think all of the tubes on that line of scopes (with the cut out bell) were/are 30mm*.

BTW, here's a link to a gunblast review of a Ruger rifle w/that scope mounted. It may prove helpful.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Hawkeye308.htm


*Oops...apparently they are offered in both 1" and 30mm.

 

[mishtub]

Mine is a 1" tube, 50 mm objective.

 

[martyj]

If you get the model # from him you can look it up and find out if its a 30mm tube.
I always thought one of these scopes would be great.
I have 50mm on my 300 mag and it took the high rings but it has the round front obj.

 

[RugerForMe]

He says it has the 30mm tube and he wants $1200 for it.

I don't think he really wants to sell it, cause I could get one cheaper on line NIB.

So much for brotherly love. :roll:

 

[rugerjunkie]

He says it has the 30mm tube and he wants $1200 for it.

I don't think he really wants to sell it, cause I could get one cheaper on line NIB.

So much for brotherly love. :roll:

Ohh well huh! Lol! If you have $1200 burning a hole in your pocket for a scope there are better than a leupold out there for that kind of cash anyway...

 

[mishtub]

I'd say he wants to keep it for that price.