Ruger M77 MKII target rifle

brasshead

brasshead

New member
I am in the market for a new 223 bolt gun and have been looking around at different ones,and it seems like the Ruger has everything I want but just not alot of people talking about them. I am wanting a laminated stock, 1/9 or faster twist,and stainless would be nice. Right now it's between the Savage VLP and the Ruger. Has anyone owned or been around one of these rifles?

Thanks for the help

[img:center]http://www.ruger.com/products/m77MarkIITarget/models.html[/img]

[img:center]http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12VLPDBM[/img]
 
Last edited:
I like my Rugers, and most guys seem to have very positive experiences with the VT series of Rugers. Some do not like the stock configuration for field use, which is built for the bench shooting mostly - it's heavy with a wide forearm. The gun is a bit heavy if you're gonna carry it far, but Ruger's Predator series solves those issues. Other stocks are available of course. I have some wringing out to do an a 308 I own myself.

The Savage's are known shooters, and have the interchangeability of the barrels, bolt heads, and followers by the shooter if he wishes for more caliber options.
 
Last edited:
Heavy is good with me. I currently have a Remington 700 Varmint that I shoot and like but it is a 1/12 twist and I would like something a little faster for heavier bullets.
 
I'll never drop another dime on a Ruger, I had a 77 mkII in 243 that at best shot a 3 1/2" group at 100 yds. So I researched it and found a lot of other people were having the same problem and it didn't matter what variant or caliber.
Buying a Ruger is not even in my vocabulary these days.
I'd buy Savage or Tikka they are around the same price and maybe less and are just way better rifles.
I own 2 Tikkas one in 243 and the other in 270wsm both shoot sub MOA and I own a Savage predator in 243 it to is sub MOA and both these rifles have way better triggers.
The Tikka action is super smooth the smoothest I've ever used and the trigger it adjustable from 2-6 lbs with no creep at all, for a factory rifle too.
Savage also has the adjustable Accu-trigger that is good just not a good as the Tikka.
This is my Savage Predator...........
hunting359.jpg


My Tikka T-3 in 243.............
hunting064.jpg
 
I had the Ruger Mark II target rifle in a .22-250 and man was it a shooter! Great trigger and just a plain amazing gun...until I switched from shooting rock chucks to trying to predator hunt with it. After one attempt I sold it and bought a Bushmaster Predator. It was just to dang awkward and heavy for calling. To tell the truth, I'd love to have that one back, but I just couldn't afford a predator rig and a rock chuck rig at the same time at that point in my life...stupid responsible behavior
rolleyes.gif
. If you want to get something for calling, go with a lighter outfit such as the ones that have been mentioned above. Just try each rifle out for yourself and see what you think will work for best for you! Good luck and enjoy your pick!
 
Originally Posted By: rabiddogI'll never drop another dime on a Ruger, I had a 77 mkII in 243 that at best shot a 3 1/2" group at 100 yds. So I researched it and found a lot of other people were having the same problem and it didn't matter what variant or caliber.
Buying a Ruger is not even in my vocabulary these days.
I'd buy Savage or Tikka they are around the same price and maybe less and are just way better rifles.
I own 2 Tikkas one in 243 and the other in 270wsm both shoot sub MOA and I own a Savage predator in 243 it to is sub MOA and both these rifles have way better triggers.
The Tikka action is super smooth the smoothest I've ever used and the trigger it adjustable from 2-6 lbs with no creep at all, for a factory rifle too.
Savage also has the adjustable Accu-trigger that is good just not a good as the Tikka.
This is my Savage Predator...........
hunting359.jpg


My Tikka T-3 in 243.............
hunting064.jpg



I have a Tikka in 300 win and love how smooth it is and would love one in 223,but they don't import them anymore plus I would like something heavy and wood.
This will be more for targets and crows than a calling rifle
 
I have a friend who has a Ruger Varminter in 308 and he has always had pretty good luck with it, I have a few of there sporter weight rifles and I guess I got lucky because they are print well enough to get the job done, matter of fact my 250-3000 is very accurate.
 
Originally Posted By: brassheadOriginally Posted By: rabiddogI'll never drop another dime on a Ruger, I had a 77 mkII in 243 that at best shot a 3 1/2" group at 100 yds. So I researched it and found a lot of other people were having the same problem and it didn't matter what variant or caliber.
Buying a Ruger is not even in my vocabulary these days.
I'd buy Savage or Tikka they are around the same price and maybe less and are just way better rifles.
I own 2 Tikkas one in 243 and the other in 270wsm both shoot sub MOA and I own a Savage predator in 243 it to is sub MOA and both these rifles have way better triggers.
The Tikka action is super smooth the smoothest I've ever used and the trigger it adjustable from 2-6 lbs with no creep at all, for a factory rifle too.
Savage also has the adjustable Accu-trigger that is good just not a good as the Tikka.
This is my Savage Predator...........
hunting359.jpg


My Tikka T-3 in 243.............
hunting064.jpg



I have a Tikka in 300 win and love how smooth it is and would love one in 223,but they don't import them anymore plus I would like something heavy and wood.
This will be more for targets and crows than a calling rifle







What do you mean they don't import .223 tikkas anymore?


Only ruger I have ever had was 10/22 but their reports are hit or miss. Basically never read about tikka or savage that is not a tack driver...
 


I have a Mark II in a 220 swift and a Savage Mod 12 BVSS in a 223win. I like them both. I did change the Savage stock to a Boys Varmint stock. The Savage is like a 2x4. I had Fred put a 1# trigger in my Savage.
 
I have one I got about 10 yrs. ago in 223. Shoots in the 3's with 40 gr vmaxes or Nosler bt's. Got new and have never touched trigger or anything else on it. Trigger came at 2.5 lbs. and works great for me. Some people talk poorly about Rugers, but they seem to sell a lot of them. I have had 5 and they were all shooters, have 3 left. My wife has a Savage because of the left hand, and it shoots well, but is sure hard to look at. I have to back up to it just to clean.
 
I have three of them. 4 Ruger varmints all together but one is the older style. My 220 swift is my go-to coyote calling rifle it is extremely accurate and very reliable. I like the heavier rifles for coyote hunting because they are a lot steadier on shooting sticks for me and I am much more accurate. For me when I start complaining about carrying a heavy rifle it is time to hit the gym harder.

I also have one in 204 and it is scary accurate. I have 20 rifles and it is the tied for the most accurate gun I have. The other is a 223 in the early tactical model. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Don't be scared of the new Rugers.
 
Originally Posted By: brassheadOriginally Posted By: rabiddogI'll never drop another dime on a Ruger, I had a 77 mkII in 243 that at best shot a 3 1/2" group at 100 yds. So I researched it and found a lot of other people were having the same problem and it didn't matter what variant or caliber.
Buying a Ruger is not even in my vocabulary these days.
I'd buy Savage or Tikka they are around the same price and maybe less and are just way better rifles.
I own 2 Tikkas one in 243 and the other in 270wsm both shoot sub MOA and I own a Savage predator in 243 it to is sub MOA and both these rifles have way better triggers.
The Tikka action is super smooth the smoothest I've ever used and the trigger it adjustable from 2-6 lbs with no creep at all, for a factory rifle too.
Savage also has the adjustable Accu-trigger that is good just not a good as the Tikka.
This is my Savage Predator...........
hunting359.jpg


My Tikka T-3 in 243.............
hunting064.jpg



I have a Tikka in 300 win and love how smooth it is and would love one in 223,but they don't import them anymore plus I would like something heavy and wood.
This will be more for targets and crows than a calling rifle







Insert Tika where you have Ruger and insert Ruger where you have Tika. For me.

I feel just 100 % opposite as you do.

I say to each his own.
 
Thanks for all the input guys it really helps. I think I am leaning towards the Ruger. Everything just seems to be well made, being accurate is my only concern. I have a M77/44 that I deer hunt with and it is well made ,but had a horrible trigger. A quick call to Timney fixed that.
 
the Ruger varmint model has a MUCH better trigger than most of the other Rugers do. I had on in 22-250 that shot great! I wish I still had that one but I needed some quick money when I was getting my house finished and sold it:( It's one of the very few I regret selling another is my #1 25-06varmint.
 
I've got a savage predator now, and had a Ruger VT prior to it. The savage is better to carry and to shoot of sticks, but in terms of accuracy the Ruger was much better. Not even close.
 
The Ruger m77mkII target rifle is the only ruger centerfire I"ll buy from Ruger, they have all been very good shooters, 1/2 MOA or better with handloads at 100 yards.

I have had or played with several over the years, 223, 22-250, 220 swift, and couple of the 243s.

I must say I like heavy rifles and dont mind packing them. Heavy rifles typically shoot better and are steadier. May not be best for swinging or up close and what not but hey, everything has its ups and downs.

There accurate, trigger is crisp 2 stage at about 2-2.5# Dont really need to do much to them. Reload and go kill stuff in my experience.

I currently own a 223 and it will do 5 shot groups at 100 yards that will touch consistently with 40g vmax, 52g amax, and 55g nbts with benchmark, those usually equate to groups in the high .2s to low .4s
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top