Are Rugers Really That Bad?

Keystone

New member
Never owned a Ruger rifle...but like them. Want a .243 maybe. Every post though seems to put them down. Terrible triggers, inaccurate, etc, etc.

Are they really that bad???
 
Keystone, I have owned a M77 in .300Mag for years, I have almost always been able to get groups of less than 1MOA with it if I do my part right. The trigger on these guns could definitely use some improvement though. I don't think you could go wrong with a Ruger but that is just my opinion. Some guys like Chevrolet, and some guys like Ford, it's one of those kind of things. They both make a decent product, but the Chevy is a tad better. See what I mean I'm a Chevy man. LOL
 
For many years, my one and only centerfire was an M-77 in .243. It did everything I ever asked of it and did it well. I've also owned two Mini-14's and a number of Ruger handguns. I currently own a GP-100, a 10/22 and 77/22 in .22 Mag.

Although I have since become very attached to my Remington Model Seven centerfires.....
I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to buy another Ruger M-77. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

me!
 
i have a m77 mk II, 22-250, and it will consistantly shoot .75-1 MOA w/ my handloads, maybe lookin into a timney trigger to go w/ it and you will be set...
 
I have a mixed review of them. Their rifles are hit & miss for accuracy. Really bad & acceptable. The triggers are not very good. As a whole they are very reliable and tough. The 10/22 is a fun gun and I wouldn't trade my .22 semi auto pistol for anything. An ATF agent toured the plant and asked an employee assembling pistols how they pay. The employee responded, "I get $1 per gun and if I make a mistake it gets fixed on my own time. So about 60+ guns per day is what I can do."
 
The Ruger 77 is probably one of the better looking centerfire rifles but thats where it stops. It depends on what is acceptable accuracy for you. The big problem with them is there are a WHOLE bunch of rifles that shoot better than they do. I don't even look at a Ruger 77 on the for sale rack.
 
One of my 'Gun Nut' buddies told me years ago that ruger bought up all the barrel "seconds" and used them on there production guns. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

With the hit or miss on accuracy, that always made sense to me, true or not! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

Oh Yea!
I do own three of these a 10/22, #1 and a #3
 
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I started shooting Ruger M77's back in about 1978 or so. I have had many over the years, both the original tang safety versions and the new MKII versions. I must be the luckiest guys in the world as I have never had a bad one, but have seen and shot friends that were not so good.

I too think they are one of the best looking Rifles available. Yes there triggers leave a lot to be desired, but then what new out of the box rifle now days does not need trigger work, either in the form of adjusting or stoning. I have probably reworked over 2 dozen Ruger M77 MKII triggers over the last several years. This is super easy to do, there are instructions posted on the net and if followed you can achieve a totally creep free, super crisp 2 pound trigger quite easily.

My current Stainless-Synthetic Ruger M77 in .243 Winchester shoots quite good. This fall I worked up a new Handload for Whitetails, and used 95gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with H-4350. 5 shot 100 yards groups with this ammo average 5/8" off the bench. The Federal Premium Factory Ammo with the 100gr. Sierra Spitzer Boat Tail I had previously used for Whitetails in this Rifle averaged right at 1" for 5 shots at 100 yards. The Federal Premiums with the 70gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips I use for Coyote Hunting in this Rifle average right at 3/4".

As per your question (or should I say the title to this post) "Are Rugers really that bad", in my opinion NO they are the first rifle I consider when looking at a new Rifle.

Larry
 
Between my dad and myself we have 4 of the M77s in our gun safe, and they all shoot very well. They all needed a little bit of trigger work just like everyone else has stated. One of the great things about Ruger is thier customer service, they have always been willing to help. They have never given myself or anyone I know the "run around".
 
I have owned several and never had a bad one my gun of choice is an old, ugly, beat up, dropped many times,ruger .243 ! it is awesomely accurate!
I don't care what brand of gun you shoot there is always a chance of getting a lemon!
it's kind of like the old chevy/ford debate! guys who drive fords love, them guys who drive chevy's hate them!Same with the gun whatever they may be! I own many rugers ,remingtons and NEF's they all shoot great.some a little better than others but they are all good!
 
Buying a Ruger is a coin toss in my opinion. Some folks get there feelings hurt when they hear negative comments about Rugers and I'm not saying this to step on anyone's toes. I don't think the people that are complaining about Rugers are making these bad experiences up. I know my experiences with Ruger centerfire rifles have been pretty negative. The rimfires I've had have been great. For the life of me I can't figure out why they can make such great rimfire rifles and pistols but can't get the hang of consistently making an accurate centerfire rifle. They look good, feel good in your hands, I love the safety, but I've never been more frustrated trying to get decent accuracy out of a rifle.

I sold a new .243 M77 last year that I tried everything but replacing the barrel and took the money straight to the gun shop and bought a Tikka. Best decision I've ever made. Came home, had the Tikka sighted in 4 shots and it drives tacks. Went calling that afternoon and killed coyotes with it. Until Ruger makes an effort at putting out a rifle that are consistently accurate to some degree, I will buy anything else. I'm just not into gambling and I don't have the time for shooting range frustration anymore. Every company puts out a lemon but so far my experience has been the chances are a lot less of getting one if I choose about any other rifle out there.

Having said that, maybe it is a problem with the stainless synthetic models. 4 of the five I've owned where the stainless synthetic. (This doesn't include all the mini 14s I've owned. That's a whole different can-o-worms. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) All 4 were an exercise in frustration to try and get what I consider acceptable accuracy. The other was a heavy barrel varmint with laminated stock and it shot ok but had a trigger that needed work. I can deal with the trigger though.

My intention is not to insult any Ruger fans. I'd really love to be one. I know many out there have some good shooters but the feedback does not lie. It just can't be that hard to do what the other rifle makers do. Hopefully they will make some changes someday that improves their reputation. I would like nothing more than to become a Ruger fan.

Good hunting
 
I have an Ruger M77 MKII in .223.
It handled various store bought ammo differently and that is to be expected. My handloads at 3000 around, give excellent accuracy. 5 shots at 100yds look like three touching in less than 1/2".
I did have the trigger worked on, and the barrel floated and may have bedded the action.
The rifle developed an intermitent firing problem. As I took the safty off and touched the bolt, it went off. It is in the shop now. If I can get it fixed, I may use it again, but I am looking for an AR of some type now.

Good luck,

Pack
 
my dad handed down his ruger M77 in .338 to me 12 years ago and never had a problem with it . it has put down alot of big game in its time . it also groups about 3/4" at 100 .i also have a 10/22 ruger and love it . ive put thousands of round through it and it still kills all the little critters i shoot at. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
My 25-06 shoots 1/2" groups at 100 yards with both factory and handloads. My dad has an old tang safety 7mm mag, and it is still one of his most accurate and reliable guns. Trigger job is a must, but other than that, they will be hard to beat.
 
guess,

"it's kind of like the old chevy/ford debate! guys who drive fords love, them guys who drive chevy's hate them!"

I like this. I will probably use it in the future.

Keystone,
Without getting into custom rifles, I think the Ruger is the best looking of them all (especially if you stay under $600). My .22-250 is plenty accurate with a great looking stock and blueing. However, I have a model 700 .22-250 that is probably a little more accurate but cost $150 less. Both have junk triggers so that kinda cancels out (except the 700 is supposed to be easier to adjust).

I have no complaints with the Ruger. You have to decide if the fit and finish of the Ruger is worth .25 MOA or less difference in accuracy and the extra $$$.
 
I currenlty own 4 M-77 mkII's, and have owned a total of 6 to date. In addition to mine, between my brothers and hunting buddies have about 15 more between them. I don't know of a single one that won't shoot moa. I think ruger had issues with their barrells years ago and the reputation has hung on. I wouldn't hesitate for a second in buying another, and I will. You can count on having the trigger done though. But this is no big deal, most any gunsmith can work over the factory trigger, or you can put in a timney.
 
Quote:
One of my 'Gun Nut' buddies told me years ago that ruger bought up all the barrel "seconds" and used them on there production guns. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

With the hit or miss on accuracy, that always made sense to me, true or not! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif



thats almost as bad as the guy on another forum stating the russians owned the v-v powder company and perfected their powders. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
If you can find one of the old 77V's (tang Safety) in 220 swift you will likely have a tack driver. There are some out there. A friend of mine rescently fond a flat bolt model in a pawn shop that is increibly accurate. I have owned three and all shot sub .5 inch groups with good handloads.
 


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