Hey everyone,

I have the chance to pick up a NIB Ruger M77 in .257 Roberts. It was shipped in 1972 so it has the tang safety and not the 3 position. I actually like a tang safety since i shoot mostly A-bolts. Anyway, I have a few questions. What do you think about accuracy as i've heard they can be hit and miss. What do you think of the model overall? Also since the gun is from the 70's would it be safe to shoot the +P ammunition in it like the stuff Hornady offers? And feel free to weigh in on the 257 Roberts...i've always personally liked the nostalgia of the cartridge myself.

Thanks in advance,

J

Since I've got an almost full vault of Rugers, would have to say they are nice firearms!

The Ruger action is one of the strongest ever built and you will be able to safely shoot the +P ammo in it.

Lots of folks disparage the Ruger, but I chalk that up to envy or ignorance.

From the MkII .22 semi-auto to the 3-screw .41 Mag Blackhawk to the 10/22 rimfire to the 7mm Dakota customized M77 tang safety centerfire, I've yet to get a bad one. Like ANY other mass produced firearm, there will be a stinker in the mix on occasion - I've heard of them but never saw one.

The tang safety M77 is a push feed action with a claw extractor. The newer MkII's are true controlled feed actions. Can't tell the difference between the two with those I own, but guess some folks have strong opinions on that.

The .257 Roberts is a fine cartridge and you will be well served with it. At one time, I had a Ruger Ultralight that was chambered for .257 Robt's AI. One of the best far reaching coyote rifles I've ever owned. A fellow shooter thought the world of it and managed to talk me out of it (for the right price!).

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I have that same rifle and it's accounted for a bunch of deer and hogs. No trouble whatsoever.

Luck, perhaps, but both of the tang-safety Rugers I have are quite accurate.

The Roberts works very well with ordinary 100gr. .25 cal bullets

Good luck to you.

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MikeG

I had the MKII version in .257 Roberts. It had some feeding issues and a very short throat, considering it was on a long action. Despite those minor complaints, it shot well and I really like the cartridge. I'd say go for it!

I have owned a couple of 257 Roberts rifles, and have killed deer with one of them. It can be a very accurate, and versatile caliber. I've shot lots of 257312 cast bullets in the ones I've had. Any Ruger chambered in the 257 Roberts is fine for +P loads, and then some. It is older military rechambered guns, and early wildcat rifles that are suspect. Actually, I may pick up another one today...... :-) I'm headed to pick up some shooting supplies, and thought I would see if I could find a "Bob". The one you are looking at probably has the heavier 24" barrel. I am undecided between an Ultra Light (RL) or a Hawkeye in that caliber myself. I'd like another Remington 722 like the one I foolishly sold!

I like Rugers I have four and they all shoot great. I like my .257 Roberts best.
But be aware that in ’72 Ruger was outsourcing their barrels and sometimes accuracy was hit or miss. Also you may want to get a trigger job.

I own a bunch of Rugers too, including 4 MkIIs and one original M77. 2 are .25-06, one .270, one .350 Rem Mag, and one .280.

Like Kdub, I've never been let down by any Ruger. They are very well made firearms.

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All right, point made.
But I still don't like Rugers!

Just to stir up the pot a little more i have also found an Ultra light model in the same caliber. However im curious...what would i lose in velocity or anything else with the 20" barrel instead of a 22"? How would this affect me out to say 250-300 yards?

thanks.
J

That's why mine was rechambered to AI configuration. The extra 4 or 5 percent increase in case capacity/velocity negated the loss from the shorter barrel.

The buddy I was talking about accompanied me on 'yote hunts were we cruised to spot the critters out past 250 yds - usually 300 to 400. The 95 gr Hornady's did a fine job to that range. Only had a 3x9 scope mounted, too.

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"Firearms only have two enemies - rust and politicans" author unknown

I am a huge Ruger fan. I currently have a Ruger 77 Mark II in .257 Roberts, and it is a great shooter. Extremely well built, tough, and very sweet handling. Accurate, too. In the past I have had a Ruger 77/17 in .17 HMR (deadly accurate) and a Ruger 10/22 (my first rifle). I have just received, but not scoped up yet, a new Ruger Hawkeye in .223. So, to answer your question yes, the M77 can handle +P easily. IMHO, Ruger makes the strongest action of any rifle ever built. I have never had a Ruger that wasn't extremely accurate out of the box. Also, I love the .257 Roberts. I am not a fan of recoil for recoil's sake, and the .257 is very easy on the shoulder, yet plenty big enough for deer and antelope. It is also a dream to reload if you want to go that route. --Mykal

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Mykal

In 1972 there is at least a good chance that the Ruger had a Douglas barrel. Does the gun have the old style bolt handle?

I've used an Ultra Light in .257 Roberts. I don't know about the velocity loss, but I doubt it's bad given the weight of the powder charges used. I'm really sorry that I don't still have mine! I used it for deer, and also with the Lyman 257312 cast bullet for a "walkabout" gun, and enjoyed it. I do wish that they would use the short action though. The rounds feed through my 308 Ruger like corn through a goose.

I've never heard of Ruger using Douglas barrels. What is the source of your information?

If they used Douglas, I wonder why they ever switched? Cost?

I have never heard of Ruger using Douglas as their barrel source. I believe they used to use Wilson, before Wilson upgraded their processes and produced a much more consistent product.
I have an older Ruger in .308, and its accuracy has always been fine for hunting. I never tried to drive tacks with it, just deer, and it delivered all of the time.

actually it was the early #1's that had the douglas barrels. wilson was the contractor for the 77's.

Trust me, Ruger did use Douglas barrels on early No.1's, and M77's. I was there.

77's too? that's cool! i was under the impression that the early #1's were the only rugers with the douglas bbls. learn something new everyday.

Thanks for all the replies...I still havent decided between the tang safety or the ultra light yet. I'll keep you posted.

J

Big Dan, would I know you? I worked at Ruger for 36 years.