Target Gray Synthetic 7mm-08 MKII M77?

[Al James]

Just came into a sweet M77 MKII that I saw while I was in Reno. I drooled over it for an hour at Scheels. When I finally made up my mind that I needed to have it I was told that I would have to have it shipped to my FFL in OR. So I left it there-depressed.

Well here it is a week later and I have kicked myself for not grabbing it so I called them and they still have it! Sold I said! They are charging me $25 for shipping. But....I didnt have to pay their states sales tax or $25 background. So it actually saved me money in the end[pure luck, no skill on that one]

Now that I bought the gun I have been trying to find the details of the gun and cant find anything on the model. Does anyone know which distributor had these and a catalog number, etc? Thanks!

 

[rugerjunkie]

Is it the Whitetail Special model with the deer engraved on the floorplate? Those are the only target grey/symthetics I know of in 7mm-08. There was another 7mm-08 in the 20" ultralight model minus the engraved floor plate.

 

[Rocdoc]

http://www.taloinc.com/images/RugerWhitetail_Big.jpg

 

[Al James]

There was another 7mm-08 in the 20" ultralight model minus the engraved floor plate.

Yes I believe it is an ultralight configuration without the engraving. If I missed a horned animal engraved on the floorplate then it must have been the crown/cokes catching up to me. The rifle did seem light and short.

 

[Al James]

So can I assume that the one without the engraving was a Talo also? Thanks for the help guys!

Now I need to figure what scope I think best matches the Target Gray. Any thoughts or input on that as this is my first Target Gray rifle.

 

[valkrider8]

Congrats on a nice rifle and caliber. On my ultralight rifle's I always put 2x7x32, anything bigger goes against the slim and trim scheme. I think matte back looks good on stainless and target grey guns, good contrast. A lot of the silver scopes I have seen don't match neither. JMO. Sweet rifle, good luck with it, the 7mm-08 is my favorite caliber.

 

[WAYNO]

That is a very nice combination. Such so that many of us hoped it would be a regularly catalogued item.

WAYNO.

 

[Al James]

That is a very nice combination. Such so that many of us hoped it would be a regularly catalogued item.

WAYNO.

I liked it as soon as I saw it and also realized that it was a distributor exclusive of some type due to the finish.

I have always wanted a 7mm-08 SS MKII but had never seen one in person. I have usually stayed away from the Target Grey guns but I did not want to pass this one up due to the rare configuration.

I cant believe that they still had it. I just knew when I was calling that they would say "just sold it 10 minutes ago" so when he said they still had it I was stoked. Unfortunately they did not have a box/paperwork for it.

I'm excited to get dies, brass, bullets etc. I pretty much sold all of my 7mm bullets when I sold my 7mm mag so I will have to start from scratch.

 

[mike7mm08]

Great gun in a great caliber. As fort he Scope I would look into a 3x9 ultralight leupold. As for matching the finish just go with a matte black. Any silver scope is not gonna come close to matching.

If you are set on a matching scope you can order a custom shop leupold. There smoke grey is a almost a deadon match for the target grey. Leupold offered the scout scope in this finish as a stock item when the frontiers were finished in target grey. Seen a couple and you could barely tell a difference in the color.

As for bullets try the 140 grain ballistic tips. Over a max or slightly over max load of H414. I am getting about 2800 fps out of a 18" barrel on my model 7. Will shoot raged holes for groups. I sight in about 2 inches high at a 100. Minute of deer out to about 350 yards as long as I hold upper third. Longest shot I have connected was 320. Deer only went about 80 yards and was dead on it's feet. Closer ranges deer go straight down. You will really like the cartridge. I have taken coyotes to bison with mine.

 

[dfletcher]

So can I assume that the one without the engraving was a Talo also? Thanks for the help guys!

Now I need to figure what scope I think best matches the Target Gray. Any thoughts or input on that as this is my first Target Gray rifle.

As mentioned I would go with black - the obvious difference & contrast is I think better than an "almost matches". This is a compact rifle, yes? A good 2 to 7X or 3 to 9X is always a good choice, how about something different - the Burris Timberline in 4.5 to 14X? It's a very compact scope with an AO, I have a few on T/C Encores and Contenders. The usual Burris quality in an entry level scope costing about $210.00

 

[Al James]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Its a little larger than the compact rifles Dfletcher. Standard LOP [I hope] with a 20" light contour barrel. I'm thinking a Matte 3-9x40 VXII or VXIII 3.5-10x40. Cant wait to get it in. Fingers crossed that it survives its short trip from Reno!

 

[Vic]

Interesting rifle for sure. I've checked Talo, Ruger websites and no one has this listed under "exclusive rifles".

Where is this rifle actually listed ?

Thanks, Vic

 

[Al James]

Interesting rifle for sure. I've checked Talo, Ruger websites and no one has this listed under "exclusive rifles".

Where is this rifle actually listed ?

Thanks, Vic

Scroll up to RocDoc's post and there is a link.

 

[Bitman]

I have the Whitetail Special model, but hate the plastic stock.
Mounted it in a Hawkeye Ultra Light wood stock, with the black forearm tip.
Put a Leupold VX3, 2.5-8x36 scope on it.
Shoots 3/4" groups with both 120 and 140 Nosler BT's.

 

[Al James]

I have the Whitetail Special model, but hate the plastic stock.
Mounted it in a Hawkeye Ultra Light wood stock, with the black forearm tip.
Put a Leupold VX3, 2.5-8x36 scope on it.
Shoots 3/4" groups with both 120 and 140 Nosler BT's.

Pics possible?

 

[mattsbox99]

I have a similar rifle, mine is the NRA Hawkeye. Its got a very nice Black Walnut stock & high polish bluing. I'm pretty sure its got a 22" barrel, but with the slimmer Hawkeye stock it still carries great.

Its a sub MOA shooter, it puts the 140 grain Ballistic Tip and Accubonds into less than 3/4". I put a Leupold VXIII 2.5-8x36 on it. I really enjoy this rifle.

 

[Bitman]

Pics possible?[/quote]

 

[Al James]

Nice! I like the look of wood and SS together. That's a sweet setup.

 

[Al James]

Yes I believe it is an ultralight configuration without the engraving. If I missed a horned animal engraved on the floorplate then it must have been the crown/cokes catching up to me.

Well, I picked up the rifle yesterday and according to the engraved deer on the floorplate- I had to much fun in Reno! Classic really.

Its a beautiful gun! Cant wait to get set up for reloading this caliber and trying it out. Thanks for everyone's input. Anyone know what the catalog number these are?