ruger 77 tang safety opinions

[bigrich]

as the title implies , looking for opinions on the mk 1 ruger 77 with tang safety ? or should i go with a mauser 98 for my 338-06 build ? cheers

[Wapiti]

If it were me, I'd go for the Ruger 77 every day of the week. But I'd go for the MK2 with the bolt safety. Already the best design already installed. Then there's the integrated bases part of the action, no bodgy tiny screws and ugly Mauser bases.
Using the beautiful, strong and light steel Leupold "Ringmounts" made for the R77's integral bases, there's a huge plus for the Ruger.
Except for that hold-us-all-back sentimentality that I don't subscribe to.

[jovialjosie2002]

I've got a tang safety in 7x57mm, I'm very happy with it.

[bigrich]

i'm giving this topic a bump. i'm quite surprised at the lack of responses about the tang safety ruger . yanks seem to love them going by their forums .

[No1_49er]

i'm quite surprised at the lack of responses about the tang safety ruger . yanks seem to love them going by their forums .

Now, that is a strange response.

Your question was about opinions re' a tang safety for a rifle you propose building, which elicited two responses, one against and one for.
Maybe it's a case of others on the forum really don't give a s**t, hence only two replies?

What does it matter if the yanks love them, "going by their forums"? If that's all that matters to you, then go with their opinion.

Me? The fact that they are fitted in all sorts of iterations means nothing - personally, I hate the f^kin things. Never use them. Some of my rifles don't have them (by design) but if they do, they're an unused encumbrance.

A safe gun is an unloaded gun.

[womble]

Ditto hate the things.
Im looking for a new traditional style coach gun with rabbit ears. Like a good colt 1878 replica or close to it.
Nope they all have to be extra safe with a woke tang safety. Because yeah Wyatt Earp would have loved a tang safety.
I just want the real thing. Not the safe version. Is that too much to ask
I have the money too, but the boss wants a new air conditioner. Apparently she needs to breath woke conditioned air Decisions.

But the ruger 77 is a beautiful thing and yes if you actually use the rifle for hunting the safety on the tang probably is the best way to have it.
My vote goes to the ruger

[bigrich]

no1-49 ,
the post is titled "tang safety" ruger to differentiate between the original m77 ,mark 2 and hawkeye rugers . i'm not really concerned about the safety on the rifle , it's about the rifle itself .action function, fit, finish, flaws, ect. i should've been clearer about my enquiry for opinions on the early m77 ruger . my fault

as for my "strange response" , I thought given the age of these early rugers, there would've been more people with experience with this rifle than what responded . i guess they're not that common in oz compared to the USA , where there are lots of opinions . or maybe as you say , "people don't give a sh!t"

[saljer]

I have no problem with the tang safety on a first year made Ruger.

[Wapiti]

no1-49 ,
the post is titled "tang safety" ruger to differentiate between the original m77 ,mark 2 and hawkeye rugers . i'm not really concerned about the safety on the rifle , it's about the rifle itself .action function, fit, finish, flaws, ect. i should've been clearer about my enquiry for opinions on the early m77 ruger . my fault

as for my "strange response" , I thought given the age of these early rugers, there would've been more people with experience with this rifle than what responded . i guess they're not that common in oz compared to the USA , where there are lots of opinions . or maybe as you say , "people don't give a sh!t"

I didn't think you had to explain yourself mate.
I was messaged this "issue" by another forum member recently, well it's not really an issue because I couldn't give a sh*t but his point was how often he sees posts to all the inane BS but so often nothing to genuine questions or big efforts of posters resizing pics etc.
The experts have spoken, you do what floats your boat.
If you take advice from someone about something they say they "don't use anyway", you aren't getting advice.

[bigrich]

no1-49 ,
the post is titled "tang safety" ruger to differentiate between the original m77 ,mark 2 and hawkeye rugers . i'm not really concerned about the safety on the rifle , it's about the rifle itself .action function, fit, finish, flaws, ect. i should've been clearer about my enquiry for opinions on the early m77 ruger . my fault

as for my "strange response" , I thought given the age of these early rugers, there would've been more people with experience with this rifle than what responded . i guess they're not that common in oz compared to the USA , where there are lots of opinions . or maybe as you say , "people don't give a sh!t"

I didn't think you had to explain yourself mate.
I was messaged this "issue" by another forum member recently, well it's not really an issue because I couldn't give a sh*t but his point was how often he sees posts to all the inane BS but so often nothing to genuine questions or big efforts of posters resizing pics etc.
The experts have spoken, you do what floats your boat.
If you take advice from someone about something they say they "don't use anyway", you aren't getting advice.

yeah mate . i've got this old ruger coming , will thoroughly test her out for fit and function, feeding , ect , before having it rebarreled for my build . i thought i'd ask for any experiences with this particular rifle for any faults or shortcomings as a heads up to any faults that could be rectified when/if the smith reworks this rifle. i got a few responses, but i should've worded my original question better as the "tang safety" aspect was a little misunderstood i think . i like old school rifles , this one is going to be used for comp and the occasional hunting trip , as well as satisfying the "collector" in me . i have T3's for "working" rifles . but i did see a model 70 CRF for sale online the other day........

[bigrich]

nice surprise , PTA approved , 11 day turnaround . if i can workout how to post pics i'll do a review on this new toy

[wrenchman]

I don't think it matters I think its more of a personal choice and what will work for you I have used both.
the last few years I have been hunting with a Remington 700 in 270 and some time a henry big boy in 357 I do have other guns and actions

[bigrich]

I don't think it matters I think its more of a personal choice and what will work for you I have used both.
the last few years I have been hunting with a Remington 700 in 270 and some time a henry big boy in 357 I do have other guns and actions

in general terms your right . but due to my natural OCD , and years being a petrol head getting into the nitty gritty of technical aspects , i like to dig deeper .i've gained a lot of knowledge through this however . quite a few folks would think i'm overthinking things , but that's how i roll .
i've owned a lot of different guns over the years in different calibres . some have been good , some not so much . even the vaunted model 70 CRF can have issues . only ruger i've owned previously was a 308 gun site scout , which had the roughest action i've ever used . it was second hand and well worn in so it wasn't cause it was not "run in" .
this early model m77 ruger might prove interesting to me , as they're a bit different to other makes i've owned . the scope ring setup is unique and supposedly very rugged and reliable , something pointed out to me by wapati . i look forward to getting to know my new toy

[Wapiti]

Rich there is a paddle Ruger 77 Mk2 stainless in 300 WM at The Barn, at least it was on their "second hand Sunday" email out there.
Apart from every other feature on these rifles, the scope ring set-ups are streamlined and super secure... recoil cannot move them.
The original Ruger rings that attach to the machined action "bases" can be a bit rough - anyone who's lapped Ruger rings to straight will agree. The awesome lightweight steel Leupold ringmounts are great alternatives with a height option that can get your scope as low as possible.

Always wanted to make up a custom Mk2 as a project for the ultimate hunting rifle goal as a do-it-all myself project. With a super-pointing Rigby-style 4 inch pistol grip and awesome grained walnut stock.
For a point where your eyes are looking stock, the sharp downturn edge Hogue pistol grips are awful IMHO. Those streamlined hunting rifle open, gentle grips can't be beaten for portability and speed onto targets.

[bigrich]

Rich there is a paddle Ruger 77 Mk2 stainless in 300 WM at The Barn, at least it was on their "second hand Sunday" email out there.
Apart from every other feature on these rifles, the scope ring set-ups are streamlined and super secure... recoil cannot move them.
The original Ruger rings that attach to the machined action "bases" can be a bit rough - anyone who's lapped Ruger rings to straight will agree. The awesome lightweight steel Leupold ringmounts are great alternatives with a height option that can get your scope as low as possible.

Always wanted to make up a custom Mk2 as a project for the ultimate hunting rifle goal as a do-it-all myself project. With a super-pointing Rigby-style 4 inch pistol grip and awesome grained walnut stock.
For a point where your eyes are looking stock, the sharp downturn edge Hogue pistol grips are awful IMHO. Those streamlined hunting rifle open, gentle grips can't be beaten for portability and speed onto targets.

thanks for the heads up on the loopy rings . there's a nice ruger mk2 on used guns at the moment in 404 jeffery mate i've been told northern territory gun smith anthony george likes and recommends the mk2 ruger to build big game rifles on .

picked up my mk1 m77 ruger yesterday . the fore end is a nice full size that sits well in my hand , pistol grip is nice shape , but a little small for me . shouldering the rifle the standard ruger rings are perfect height for my eyes . the rifle is as the seller described , it looks new and unfired , the trigger has already been tweaked with a crisp release , no take up and is about a 2 1/2 pound pull weight . action is very slick and feeds and ejects dummy rounds as well as any mauser 98 i've had . the rifle itself seems light for what it is , probably just over 7 lbs with no scope . points well with a barrel that tapers to .550" at the muzzle . as a "deer rifle" i think mr ruger nailed it.
gunna fit up a 2-7 vx1 loopy and have a play with the new toy this weekend at the range . once zeroed on the bench , do a bit of offhand shooting to see how it fits and functions as this is more important to me than the size of groups of the bench . oh, and the tang safety is in a very convenient position with the rifle in a shouldered position

[Wapiti]

Ah the damn rifle range.
Muzzle brakes banned because they make gun noises, permission required to stroll past 100. No magazines!
Belmont, Rich? Do you have to book a spot, or is it still best to show up an hour before opening and defend a bench?

[Wapiti]

[
thanks for the heads up on the loopy rings . there's a nice ruger mk2 on used guns at the moment in 404 jeffery mate i've been told northern territory gun smith anthony george likes and recommends the mk2 ruger to build big game rifles on .

Wow Rich, that rifle would be an awesome thing to use! 404 Jeffrey... damn.
Life is about doing stuff that isn't just following marketing rubbish...
What a pleasurable thing that would be to own, in a market filled with pretend-AR 16" 223 HAMAS supporter-made button/pumps paper punchers.

You'll have to give me a hoy if you're ever coming past here during the week mate.

[Wapiti]

[
thanks for the heads up on the loopy rings . there's a nice ruger mk2 on used guns at the moment in 404 jeffery mate i've been told northern territory gun smith anthony george likes and recommends the mk2 ruger to build big game rifles on .

Wow Rich, that rifle would be an awesome thing to use! 404 Jeffrey... damn.
Life is about doing stuff that isn't just following marketing rubbish...
What a pleasurable thing that would be to own, in a market filled with pretend-AR 16" 223 HAMAS supporter-made button/pumps paper punchers.

You'll have to give me a hoy if you're ever coming past here during the week mate.

P.S. Just looked at the thing on Abused Guns... Awesome, looks like a beauty, made up with class just as I would like it! Personally, I reckon whoever made that up has class, if you compare a 77MK2 to a sloppy bolted, charger thumb notch compromised bastardised 98 abomination, FMD, no comparison.
Even cases and a die and bits in an advert below.

[bigrich]

Ah the damn rifle range.
Muzzle brakes banned because they make gun noises, permission required to stroll past 100. No magazines!
Belmont, Rich? Do you have to book a spot, or is it still best to show up an hour before opening and defend a bench?

Ripley is much better. You can load up your mag , no permissions or vest needed to go past 100. First in best dressed for benches. Booking a bench is better I reckon

[Wapiti]

Vest required?
Be hivis all over soon enough. Including the hat.

[bigrich]

Vest required?
Be hivis all over soon enough. Including the hat.

Nah, vest not required at Ripley. They gotta be anal at Belmont cause of all the city bound numpty’s with no common sense

[bigrich]

Ah the damn rifle range.
Muzzle brakes banned because they make gun noises, permission required to stroll past 100. No magazines!
Belmont, Rich? Do you have to book a spot, or is it still best to show up an hour before opening and defend a bench?

Muzzle brakes are fine on any bench at Ripley. However, IMHO the best thing about them is they keep the horse flies away. With a braked gun on either side of you it looks like you’ve hung your head out of the car window at 100k’s by the time you leave with ya hair all messed up. lol.
I keep thinking I’m gunna buy a 16” 30-06 Columbian Mauser to get payback on the muzzle break guys. lol

[No1_49er]

I keep thinking I’m gunna buy a 16” 30-06 Columbian Mauser to get payback on the muzzle break guys. lol

AND, put a brake on that one. Should please them no end.

[Wapiti]

Muzzle brakes are fine on any bench at Ripley. However, IMHO the best thing about them is they keep the horse flies away. With a braked gun on either side of you it looks like you’ve hung your head out of the car window at 100k’s by the time you leave with ya hair all messed up. lol.
I keep thinking I’m gunna buy a 16” 30-06 Columbian Mauser to get payback on the muzzle break guys. lol

I remember bringing my 338L and 300WM TRG's to Belmont on the invite of a mate and causing all sorts of issues there. I don't think there are many brakes bigger and noisier on factory rifles like those ones. Incredibly affective though. This was prior to men suddenly becoming woke and brown runny stuff being ejected vertically downwards when a rifle over 223 was fired near them.
I remember a bloke put a half drank iced chocolate (definately g*y) on his bench next to me and it blew off the bench from my 338. He didn't have the nuts to have a go at me directly, but slimed off to dob to the RO at the time.
Bernie the RO that used to bring us along to Thargo to the joint he managed used to tell the sooks to all go somewhere where firearms didn't scare them.
Imagine these girls in industry or on the land. FMD.

But I'm derailing the thread topic. Definately put a brake on the 16" 30-06. A big diameter 3-port monster. You will immediately sort out the men who stand to p*ss, and those who sit down.

[bigrich]

I keep thinking I’m gunna buy a 16” 30-06 Columbian Mauser to get payback on the muzzle break guys. lol

AND, put a brake on that one. Should please them no end.

mate the muzzle flash from one of those columbians flattens the grass in front of you and is a real risk of bushfires . if i fitted a brake on one the guys on benches next to me would have singed eyebrows especially if i loaded it with a real slow powder like 2213sc
years ago i had a obendorf made 8x57 "turk" mauser made into a lightweight carbine with 19" barrel. i was not popular at field rifle competitions

aren't firearms fun at times

[bigrich]

I remember a bloke put a half drank iced chocolate (definately g*y) on his bench next to me and it blew off the bench from my 338. He didn't have the nuts to have a go at me directly, but slimed off to dob to the RO at the time.

geez , i woulda seen the funny side to that . would've liked to have been a fly on the wall ,"Mr RO , that nasty man knocked over my chocolate milk with his big noisey gun ...." what did the RO do, shrug his shoulders ?

it's a more relaxed scene at ripley , more working class , but it has it's characters as well , including a tranny that bench shoots out there occasionally , believe it or not

gone a little off topic , but i like a chat

might float the barrel tomorrow arvo , give it a once over with action screw torque and the like, and fit up a scope . take it out sunday and see how it goes

[Wapiti]

Does the Mk1 have the rearward-seating front recoil lug like the Mk2?
On my old (nicknamed "never-fail" like a certain D5 bull we are marketing) SS Mk2 300 paddle, after I bedded it in the indestructible but ugly paddle stock, people said, these things are notoriously hard to bed and fiddly with screw torque. Really? To anyone thinking about it, it's not, it's just different. Just look at it, see hoe it needs to move and act accordingly.

Shouldn't have passed that rifle on to a mate. That rifle was the outcome of quite a few converts to both SS Rugers and the 300 cartridge. Fitted with the stilt height rings that came in the box and a simple super-clear and bash-proof VX2 3-9x40 scope it took the biggest boars back post-1996 for 10 years or so, running flat out, up the rear, in the head or mid chest, stone dead. I used the incredibly affective 150gn Taipans made by Malcolm Bone, and simple 2213 powder.
No matter how thick their shoulder sheilds were, they pushed through and wrecked everything inside and I'd often find them in the shield on the other side.
The rifle mocks me from his safe when I visit.

[bigrich]

Does the Mk1 have the rearward-seating front recoil lug like the Mk2?
On my old (nicknamed "never-fail" like a certain D5 bull we are marketing) SS Mk2 300 paddle, after I bedded it in the indestructible but ugly paddle stock, people said, these things are notoriously hard to bed and fiddly with screw torque. Really? To anyone thinking about it, it's not, it's just different. Just look at it, see hoe it needs to move and act accordingly.

Shouldn't have passed that rifle on to a mate. That rifle was the outcome of quite a few converts to both SS Rugers and the 300 cartridge. Fitted with the stilt height rings that came in the box and a simple super-clear and bash-proof VX2 3-9x40 scope it took the biggest boars back post-1996 for 10 years or so, running flat out, up the rear, in the head or mid chest, stone dead. I used the incredibly affective 150gn Taipans made by Malcolm Bone, and simple 2213 powder.
No matter how thick their shoulder sheilds were, they pushed through and wrecked everything inside and I'd often find them in the shield on the other side.
The rifle mocks me from his safe when I visit.

sorry i'm slow to reply to your last post mate . i've heard the paddle stock rugers, whilst not absorbing recoil well , are generally very accurate . 300 mag would really wreck any size boar i've no doubt .

bit of a update on my old "tanger" ruger . the fit and finish on this rifle is very good, has that slight purple look to the blueing on the receiver and the stock inletting was generally excellent , except one side of the barrel made contact halfway down the barrel channel . it's also quite light , just over 7lb with scope and rings , it shoulders and points very,very well for me .

thought i'd give it the once over yesterday, before taking it out to the range today. so i went to fit the 2-7 loopy scope and discovered the rings have been lapped . nice crisp trigger, my lyman digital pull gauge says 2 pound exactly . two less things to worry about . after a bit of reading on forums i decided to remove the pressure pad at the front of the barrel channel , and carefully relieved and floated the barrel so only the barrel knox is touching the stock . also relieved the contact points on the mag box so the action isn't torquing up over it when tightened down . checked everything twice, cleaned the barrel ,and man there was some copper in it . oiled the outside and put back in the safe till this mornings range session .

so after getting it on paper and roughly zeroed at 100, i decided to shoot some groups. using winchester 130gn "deer season " ammo , i shot a 1" triangle three shot group at 100 . quite impressed i was , as 270's i've owned previously ,L61 SAKO, weatherby vaguard stainless and sako 85, weren't shooting much better with handloads . anyway , thought i'd investigate the "pressure point" influence on the barrel . so i tore the end off the ammo box , doubled over the cardboard and stuffed it between the stock and barrel at the tip of the fore end . well you coulda knocked me over with a feather when it shot a three shot horizontal slot the measures 1/2" hole centre to centre ! it's a very rare thing for a old timber stocked rifle and factory ammo to shoot like that in my experience . probably shoulda left the pressure pad alone , but oh well , can put one back in with glue and a piece of credit card if desired . or bedding compound if i want a flash job . even with it's rock hard original red recoil pad , the straight stock design absorbed recoil very well . another tick to why i like this ruger . feeding and ejecting was "tikka" reliable and trouble free . for those that don't know, even though the m77 mk1 ruger has a massive mauser 98 looking extractor, it's a push feed with a ejector button in the bolt face . ruger went mauser style CRF with the m77 mk2's .

this old ruger was bought as a donor rifle for a build in 338-06 , but with it's light weight it's probably not the best candidate for that cal , so i'm rethinking things. i think this ruger would be excellent in 7x57 . i know i should just bed it and leave it alone, but 270win is not the best cal for the intended competition i intend to shoot . my musgrave 98 with it's weight at 8.5 lb would be a much better rifle for 338-06 rebarrel than the ruger i'm thinking . isn't it funny how you start playing with stuff and plans go out the window

[wrenchman]

I do know a couple of guys that had the old style Ruger 77s in 270 they were good shooters but never what I would call tac drivers I don't know if it was the rifle twist but the deer and pigs they killed never noticed.

[bigrich]

I do know a couple of guys that had the old style Ruger 77s in 270 they were good shooters but never what I would call tac drivers I don't know if it was the rifle twist but the deer and pigs they killed never noticed.

yeah, rifle accuracy is a subjective thing . for most hunters 1.5" is plenty for doing the job . as you say the pigs and deer won't complain , but i'm a bit OCD , and i like to deep dive into the technical side of things
knowing my rifles accuracy and trajectory has come in handy for the occasional long shot out bush at times , as well as for rifle comps .
i've read about spotty accuracy in mk1 m77 rugers , but how this old thing i've got shoots is freaky for a non bedded factory rifle with factory ammo , a pencil barrel and a bit of cardboard stuffed in the fore end . i reckon weather conditions would change point of impact with a pressure point in a timber stocked rifle but . it's probably why the paddle stock synthetic rugers have a good reputation for accuracy . POI wouldn't change with the synthetic stock.