My new M77 204 Ruger

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xtremebowz

New member
First I would like to say hello. (My first post here)

I went shopping this weekend for my first Coyote gun and came home with a new Ruger M77 (plain blued with wood stock) I believe they call it the Sportster ?? And to say the least am not real happy.

Well my troubles started once I got home. I noticed when you push the clip tray back in it rubs on the release button. This bugs me that it will lead to scratches. I decided I will eject all with the bolt.

Now the nail in the coffin.

I throw my 4-16x40mm Centerpoint scope on it. I use the Ruger rings that were included. So I get it all together and pull the gun up and it is 50 % black so I figure I'll get it bore sighted and it will be better....nope can't find the scope. My father uses the Identical scope on his Howa 22-250 and have absolutely no issues with it on his gun.

So we take the Ruger out to the range and the old man has been itching to shoot the 204 so I let him take the maiden shot. Then my turn to sight it in...only problem is I can't see. So we wrap a towel around the stock to raise me up because the rings are higher rings. And it helps.

Has anyone else had this issue with this model ?

Why supply the rifle with raised rings when the stock is not designed for them ?

I know my scope will not fit with lower mounts so my only choice is to throw an ugly cheek pad on the rifle. I am very disappointed with my purchase.

If any of ya have this model can you please tell me or post pics of your set-up and scope choice.

I do not know to throw the scope out, and get a 30mm with lower mounts so I can see or put a cheek pad on it and live with it. Or just see if I can return the gun or sell it.

I have never had this issue with a firearm. It is extremely fustrating and I do not enjoy shooting the gun at all. My father doesn't mind it. But you can tell it takes him a little while to find it as well.

Sorry so long, but I am at my wits end.
 
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I noticed when you push the clip tray back in it rubs on the release button. This bugs me that it will lead to scratches. I decided I will eject all with the bolt.



I currently own 5 Ruger rifles, and have never noticed any undue "wear" in the area you are referencing. I usually use two hands to close the floorplate, giuding the follower back into the rifle. Is this what you are referring to?

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Now the nail in the coffin.

I throw my 4-16x40mm Centerpoint scope on it. I use the Ruger rings that were included. So I get it all together and pull the gun up and it is 50 % black so I figure I'll get it bore sighted and it will be better....nope can't find the scope. My father uses the Identical scope on his Howa 22-250 and have absolutely no issues with it on his gun.



Ruger offers several (4...I think) different ring heights. They will quickly exchange them for no charge if you will contact them. But if I am reading you right, you already have the low rings? And the scope is still too high? I have either HIGH, or X-HIGH on all of my rifles, and have no problem getting a good sight picture when the rifle comes to shoulder. This one is something that I personally have never heard from a Ruger owner. Are you sure this is a height issue, and not an eye-relief problem?

Sorry you're having a problem.

And welcome to the boards!
 
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Does Ruger make Front/Rear rings or are they both the same height?



To my knowledge, Ruger rings are the same, no front/back variations. There might be some aftermarket options that fit Ruger bases that are different, but the factory rings are interchangable and the same heights.
 
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Does Ruger make Front/Rear rings or are they both the same height?



To my knowledge, Ruger rings are the same, no front/back variations. There might be some aftermarket options that fit Ruger bases that are different, but the factory rings are interchangable and the same heights.



Hidalgo...........You sure about that?????

My one and only Ruger 77 MKII had two different height Rings from the factory. I know this because I installed them backwards to start with. (If there's a way to screw something up, I can generally find it.)
I'll bet that's the problem with extremebow's Rifle.
Maybe not cause it seems like one would run out of elevation ajustment, but it's worth checking. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
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WOW !! re-pete i didn't know that /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gifi've only had two ruger's..i own one now..they were purchased used & the ring's were already installed..i'll have to remember that /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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Hidalgo...........You sure about that?????




RePete......are you doubting the resident Ruger expert? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

After inspection.....we're both right. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

My MKII Targets DO, in fact, have different height rings front & rear. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif (It's been a LONG time since I mounted them up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

BUT...both of my 77/22 Hornets have the same height rings front & rear. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

And here's the killer......My MKII lightweight has the same height rings front & rear. Now...maybe mine has a mixed set on it. It WAS bought used, and possibly could have an incorrect ring in one place or the other, but it seems like that would have shown up when I originally mounted & sighted in? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

As far as the original problem this fellow has, my VTs have the high ring in the rear. If he's having a problem with the scope being too high, then all 4 of mine must be on backwards. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
I can't comment on all the Ruger models but my VT 25-06 has has a specfic ring for the front and one of the back. If I recall the back ring was taller but it has been a while since I mounted the scope and it could be the other way around.
 
Thanks for the link. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

I just looked again, and my LtWt has exactly the same height rings front & rear. Either this particular model was different (wouldn't surprise me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif), or one of my rings is wrong (wouldn't surprise me there, either /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif). I know that there are at least 2 different sets of rings for Rugers. If I recall (and that's been iffy here lately /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) the #1 takes different rings than the MKII. They probably wouldn't fit because of the base differences, but if they will, maybe that's what I've got on my LtWt. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

Me thinks this is going to require a phone call to Ruger. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Thanks again for getting that info out there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

TARRY: You're right, all 4 of my VTs have a higher ring in the back than in the front.
 
Hidalgo........Look at the reciever on your 77 Light Wt. and see if the front is higher than the rear like the M77's are.
It should be pretty obvious, and if they're different height you probably have a mismatched set of rings. Or a set of 77/22 or #1 rings.
Best I can tell from the website, the #1's and 77/22's use the same equal height rings. The #1 Varmit use rings that are different height, and opposite the M77.
There's probably other ring combo's out there for Ruger since they make such a wide variety of actions and calibers.
They should focus on one and see if they could get it to shoot straight. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
That was aimed at you Hidalgo. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif And I'm sure I didn't miss, cause I shoot Remington's. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Just having some fun with ya Hidalgo. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif

Later
 
Wow...great responses

Yes on the 204 they did give 2 different heights for the rings. And yes they are on correctly.

I also have a M77 270 with the manlicher stock from 1992 and it was supplied with rings of the same height.

It fits me well however I do not have a large bell on that scope. Like on the 204

So I am guessing I will need to get rid of the scope and get a smaller mm lens so I can put lower mounts on it.

The Centerpoint does have eye relief adjustment but it does not help because the scope is up too far. I have even picked up the gun (eyes closed) rested my head in my normal position and open my eyes and I then have to search for the scope.

I have wrapped towels around the stock and tried a few other means to do test runs and it takes 1/2" to bring me up to see through the scope.
 
I was going to put a lower set of mounts on the gun but my scope will not clear with lower mounts.

For example the size difference in mounts is that the front mount (shorter one) on the 204 is the same size as the high one on the 270 . The rear mount on the 204 is 1/4-3/8" higher than the front one.

When I bought the gun it felt the same as my 270 so I figured everything was a okay but I wasn't figuring that the mounts would be so much higher.

How can I post a picture on here ?
 
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How can I post a picture on here ?



Go to the top of the "Photo Gallery" forum and the instructions to post a picture are there.

On my 77 Mark II, the rear ring mount is higher than the forward one.
 
Forgot to address the plate issue.


It is when you get the spring etc up inside the gun and just before it clips in place it rubs in the button. And it IS rubbing...

The 270 I have does not rub, but it does have the older design for the release button. The 204 has a newer design and it is rubbing. I would asy it is only by .0005"-.0015" but it is enough that is has scratched it. On the first closure. I will not use it again.

I bought the gun a Dicks Sporting goods because they had it on sale $300.00 off Plus the fellow at the counter gave me a coupon for another $10.00 off

But now I wonder if they are not selling seconds ?? But in Rugers defense, I doubt with their reputation that they would even release a faulty gun. However even with the tightest quality control something is bound to slip through once in a while.

As stated before I have owned Ruger Revolvers and rifles for the past 18 years. So I am not bashing their product, They are one of the last few quality firearms in my opinion. I am simply trying to find solutions to my fustrations with this model. And all because of the scope height. or lack of the cheek pad.
 
Another thought....

Would an adjustable recoil pad do the trick ? And if so is there any brands or styles better than others ? I just hate to put a cheek pad on the gun. I like the wood.

Thanks
 
Well...some news today. I was getting pretty fustrated as you can see above. So I figured I would tear the whole scope down remove rings and start ALL over.

Glad I did. I put pencil marks on the scope before I removed it so I could see the difference to where it ended up the second time.

I put the rings back on the gun laid the scope down and set it for my relief. I finished setup and snugged it all down.

I turn it over to look at the pencil marks and WOW I was 5/8" off. I have no idea what happened the first time.

It is a whole new gun now and fits like the ole 270

Sorry about the false alarm..... I am going to go enjoy the gun now. I'll be around for a while..lots of good info on this site. Next step is to find a nice Bipod.
 


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