The Ruger Project

[Four22]

Thought I’d share a project.

I have a Ruger M77 in .25-06 that I purchased years ago used. It’s has “made in the 200th year of liberty” making it produced in 1976. Its had a great life and I have shot it quite a bit. Last year the 1/2” groups opened up to 1.5” consistently. Still good groups but not good enough for me.

I really like this rifle and decided that it was in nice enough shape to be rebarreled. I sent it off to ER Shaw for a rebarrel in 280 Ackley with a fluted barrel. If she’s a shooter I’m going to make a new walnut stock for it and make a really pretty rifle.

I’ll update and things progress. The newly barreled rifle should be shipping back to me next week and I’ll update pictures and come back with a range report.

Below are a few “before” pictures.

 

[deer_shooter]

Interested to hear how it turns out.

 

[Empire State]

Thought I’d share a project.

I have a Ruger M77 in .25-06 that I purchased years ago used. It’s has “made in the 200th year of liberty” making it produced in 1976. Its had a great life and I have shot it quite a bit. Last year the 1/2” groups opened up to 1.5” consistently. Still good groups but not good enough for me.

I really like this rifle and decided that it was in nice enough shape to be rebarreled. I sent it off to ER Shaw for a rebarrel in 280 Ackley with a fluted barrel. If she’s a shooter I’m going to make a new walnut stock for it and make a really pretty rifle.

I’ll update and things progress. The newly barreled rifle should be shipping back to me next week and I’ll update pictures and come back with a range report.

Below are a few “before” pictures.

Oh but that stock is a classic! I say that 'cause my 270's of that vintage. Eager to see how it turns out!

 

[6mm Remington]

I can't wait to see how it looks either. Having had a custom 280 AI built on a Model 70 action I think you will certainly like the 280 AI. It seems really easy to find a nice accurate load for that cartridge and it is an excellent performer. I'm using 140 gr. Accubonds or Partitions. I used ONE 140 gr. Accubond on my grizzly bear last fall!

Any idea what scope you might go with??? I sure like my Leupold 4.5-14x40mm with the B&C reticle. The 3.5-10x40mm with same reticle would also be fantastic. I like your idea of doing a nice wood stock for it. If so I would look at pillar and glass bedding the action. You might check the Boyds stocks just for fun. They make a Nutmeg color laminate stock that's very attractive on a classic style form. They will even do checkering in a pattern you prefer.

Build & Price Gunstock Configurator | Boyds Hardwood Gunstocks

Shop hardwood gunstocks for any make, model, and action with the Boyds Gunstock Configurator. Choose from several wood and finish options.

www.boydsgunstocks.com

Forgot to ask if you were going with a 24" barrel & what twist?? 1-9 ?

 

[std7mag]

So far i have 3 E.R. Shaw barrels.
Bluing is beautiful! And they are shooters!

Being somewhat local to me, i stop at their store every now and again. Looking at their Mark VII, i suspect you'll be happy!

While my Ruger 77 MKII in 280 Rem has a 22" barrel, if i were doing the AI, i would go 24".

 

[Rhino Hunter]

Nice!

I'm a big Ruger fan. Love the original M77's with the tang safety too. Sounds like a fun project. I'll be watching to see how it turns out for you. Should be awesome though.

 

[Four22]

Here’s a teaser. I haven’t had a chance to put it all back together yet

It’s going to be pretty!

 

[SgtTanner]

Dang cool project! I’ve been considering building a 280AI from a shot out M70 or M77. Watching to see how this goes.

 

[mtmuley]

I have two tang safety Rugers neither ready for a barrel but I am following this. mtmuley

 

[Four22]

Update. After a good deep cleaning it’s ready to do some woodwork before things get mated up.

The goal of a lighter rifle will be met. Barreled action comes in just under 5.5 pounds. That’s with a 26” tube on it too.

Going to strip and reshape the stock, touch up the checkering and put an oil finish on it.

More to come!

 

[Four22]

Stripping the old yellowed finish revealed a decent piece of walnut.

Lots of work to do. Swell out dents, light shaping, rechercking.... but it’s moving along nicely

 

[Four22]

Smoothed, checkering touches up and a couple small modification for personal preference. Coat 1 of oil. Cleaned up pretty well and looks pretty good

 

[6mm Remington]

Smoothed, checkering touches up and a couple small modification for personal preference. Coat 1 of oil. Cleaned up pretty well and looks pretty good

PTG Pillar Glass Bedding Columns Ruger 77, 77 Mark II

Columns have been precisely machined with the proper angles for a simple bedding job on the Ruger 77. Aluminum.Notes:Aluminum, front .600" long,...

www.midwayusa.com

If you should decide to pillar bed it Midway USA has pre-cut pillars with the correct angles for the Ruger 77 and 77 MKII. I ordered those and supplied them to my gunsmith for when he pillar bedded my son's Ruger MKII in 6mm Remington. Just a thought in case you are going that route in addition to glass bedding. Can't wait to see how it turns out. It's going to be a great rifle.

I cannot wait to see the stock when it's finished. It's going to sure look nice.

 

[Four22]

PTG Pillar Glass Bedding Columns Ruger 77, 77 Mark II

Columns have been precisely machined with the proper angles for a simple bedding job on the Ruger 77. Aluminum.Notes:Aluminum, front .600" long,...

www.midwayusa.com

If you should decide to pillar bed it Midway USA has pre-cut pillars with the correct angles for the Ruger 77 and 77 MKII. I ordered those and supplied them to my gunsmith for when he pillar bedded my son's Ruger MKII in 6mm Remington. Just a thought in case you are going that route in addition to glass bedding. Can't wait to see how it turns out. It's going to be a great rifle.

I cannot wait to see the stock when it's finished. It's going to sure look nice.

DEFINITELY good to know. Thanks for the info

 

[BuzzH]

Stripping the old yellowed finish revealed a decent piece of walnut.

Lots of work to do. Swell out dents, light shaping, rechercking.... but it’s moving along nicely

Yep, surprisingly decent wood...same thing I found when I reworked my m77 last year.

Looking forward to seeing the final product.

 

[Four22]

Complete and range ready. Now to get to hand loading for barrel break in!!

 

[p_ham]

That turned out very nice. What oil did you use on the stock?

 

[Foxtrot1]

Looks great! Good job. Looking forward to seeing how the new barrel shoots

 

[Four22]

That turned out very nice. What oil did you use on the stock?

Plain ole boiled linseed oil. I’ve used it for years and loved its finish.

When you get a scratch, a little scotchbrite and more oil and it’s all better

 

[Jc2020]

I really like how that turned out how did you strip the checkering on it