Traded for a 77/357 Blue Model

[Hunter6657]

Well I did a trade this evening for a 77/357 blue rifle from a friend/swapping buddy. He has 2 of the stainless models and loves them. I had to trade a GP100 3" stainless for it but I got the GP for $300 on a local deer hunting forum so figured I came out great on the rifle. I'll be getting another GP100 in a 4" with adj. sights later anyways.
Looking forward to taking it out shooting after I put a scope on it. I'll do a comparison on it with my Marlin 1894C and my NEF .357 single shot. The NEF will probably beat both of them as it will make ragged one hole groups at 75yds with my Hornady 158gr XTP/H110 handloads.
How did it everybody else do for last year's hunting season with the 77/357?

 

[Rumrunner]

Looking forward to a range report. One of these days I will get me on of those.

 

[Big Old Boy]

Mine did not go hunting but I do enjoy the gun I have a 2x7 Redfield on mine it looks good and works great. I usually hunt with a #1 the 77 is my rain gun and all around fun gun.

 

[Hunter6657]

I'll be using my Ruger American 308 as my rain gun. I mostly hunt with lever actions with my Marlin 308MX as my favorite deer slayer.
I'll be doing some pistol hunting with my T/C Contender 30-30AI that I traded some Glock Tupperware for. Got back into the Contender thing after a 15 year hiatus.
Its an tremely accurate pistol with a Nikon 2.5x8X scope on it. Preliminary groups are right at 1" at 100 yards. I also have a 35 Rem barrel for it and have a 223 barrel coming in.
I'll be putting a 2-7X scope on the 77/357 or a 3x9x scope. I always been wanting one but the cheapness factor didn't allow me to pay $600 for this rifle when I have the Marlin and NEF rifles.

 

[rugnelli]

My 11 year old daughter shot a nice doe with a 77/357 at a distance of approximately 45 yards. One shot through the lungs did the trick. There is a posting of it with a picture.

Great little guns.

 

[Hunter6657]

Lots of deer killed with 357 rifles. If you go to marlinowners forums under the 1894 section there are lots of stories of deer killed with the 357 Mag. If you look in the archives under Jerry Lester, he has shot many many deer with 357 rifles and handguns. He found that the Remington 158 JSP to be one of the best performance bullets on deer. You can duplicate the original 30-30 load when it first came out which was a 160gr bullet at 1900fps. I think its good out to 150 yards but after that it drops like a rock. I doubt I'd ever use it past 100 yards or maybe 125yds. Most deer I have shot have been 15yds to 80yds.

 

[Hunter6657]

I tried some different loads in the 77/357.
Seems to like H110 and 2400 powder the best. Not so great with Little Gun. I was shooting Hornady 158gr and Speer Half Jacket SC 158gr.
It shot Federal 158 SP. the best with .65" groups at 75 yards with 3 shots.

 

[jjas]

I tried some different loads in the 77/357.
Seems to like H110 and 2400 powder the best. Not so great with Little Gun. I was shooting Hornady 158gr and Speer Half Jacket SC 158gr.
It shot Federal 158 SP. the best with .65" groups at 75 yards with 3 shots.

Sounds like you're getting it dialed in. I've wanted a 77/357 for deer hunting in Indiana for the last few years....I'm just too cheap to let go of $700.00 to make it happen.

 

[Hunter6657]

Yes I wouldn't have rolled 700 for one either.
I can shoot better groups with my TC Contender in 30-30AI at 100yds.

 

[jjas]

I wish Ruger would offer a .357 and/or .44 magnum in their American line. At $350.00-$400.00 I'd buy one today.

 

[horseshoe]

I shoot the 180 grain xtphp pistol bullet from Hornady in my 35 Rem as a handload and deer don't like it. Maybe a little faster than a 357 mag but the same principle. Looks as if you made a good score on the 77/357.

 

[DaveShooter]

Congrats to ya on a very fine rifle-May it bring you a lot of enjoyment!!!!

 

[JustsayMo]

I have yet to see one of these in person but I have been very intrigued by it since its introduction. It looks like a handy general purpose rifle.

How well does it cycle various bullet profiles? My Marlin is pretty much limited to RN, RF and most JSP's in 357 cases. SWC and 38 special is mostly a no go in the Marlin. I've also found the Marlin to be rather finicky about what it likes. 2400 and 158 gr bullets seem to perform the best. I haven't been able to match the accuracy of my 44 and 45 Colt versions.

Thanks for the reports.

 

[John S]

I have a 77/357 and it well shoot most bullets ok , but mine doesn't like SWC in358 Dia. at all. 355, 356 , or 357 Dia. is ok. I can't get the 358 SWC in 358 Dia. to shoot good in 38' s or 357.

 

[JustsayMo]

Interesting John. Is it just SWC or all cast bullets sized 358 and bigger?

 

[Hunter6657]

Well I have since traded it for a like new GP100 6" revolver but it was shooting and feeding XTPs and SWCs just fine. I was getting 1.5-2" groups 50 yards. It really liked the Federal 158grSP the best with 1" groups at 75 yards.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Well I have since traded it for a like new GP100 6" revolver but it was shooting and feeding XTPs and SWCs just fine. I was getting 1.5-2" groups 50 yards. It really liked the Federal 158grSP the best with 1" groups at 75 yards.

So you traded a 3" GP-100 for a 77/357 rifle, shot that rifle a bunch, and then traded again for a 6" GP-100. Interesting. Let us know how you like the 6".

 

[Hunter6657]

I've had one before along with the 4" barrel. I mainly want to keep a 357 around and also have a H&R Handirifle in 357 Mag.. I'm a consummate gun trader and have actually owned several GP's over the years along with Security Six's and Redhawk's.
I have a 5.5" Redhawk 44 mag right now. I also mainly wanted to get another one with adjustable sights. At least I'm keeping it in the family (Ruger)!
I also just won a new Mini 14 Ranch stainless on gunbroker.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I also just won a new Mini 14 Ranch stainless on gunbroker.

I like that, "won". Makes it sound like they were giving it away. Congrats on another rifle.