Opportunity for a ruger m77 300 win mag

[Voodooracer]

Hi everyone, I have an opportunity to get into a brand new ruger m77 hawkeye in 300 win mag. I have the choice between a blued wood stocked one and the stainless synthetic model. What are your recommendations and opinions on the choice? I'm leaning toward the wood model. It'll be used for plains game and maybe large North American game in the future. My apologies for such short notice but I'll be swinging by my dealer tonight to make my pick. I'll be posting pics and a range report ASAP.

Voodooracer

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Voodooracer,
My working rifle is exactly that model and caliber. I took the stainless, with synthetic stock for obvious reasons. You will need to float the barrel, and bed it, if you want to obtain any acceptable hunting accuracy from it. I have gone with the 180gr Barnes TSX in them, but have not had the time to check the groupings on that load yet.
I enjoy the action, safety and pretty much everything about it. The recoil has a nasty tendency to "kick" the rifle out of your shoulder. Something that the gunsmith will have to have a look at.
Otherwise, the .300Win is a beaut!

Let us know if you decided to taker it.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

 

[Voodooracer]

Thanks Marius! I was definitely planing on have it bedded and free floated as well as having a recoil pad installed. I do like the idea of the stainless in adverse weather conditions. I will definitely let you know what I decide

 

[Grady]

I am a fan of Ruger. My father has a M77 in 300 WM. and I have a 6.5 Creedmoor (Stainless Model). Based on originally hunting in areas that have wet weather, My Father took the wood stock of and replaced it with a composite stock. If you will be hunting in dry conditions or minimal weather conditions, I would go with the wood version (becasue I like the look better), but if you will be hunting where weather plays a big part (rain and snow), go with the stainless. Either way, as Marius suggests, float the barrel and bed it for better accuracy.

My fathers M77 has taken many animals with IMR 4831 pushing a Nosler 180gr Partition (Moose x2, Wildebeest X2, Warthog, Impala, Caribou X4, Elk and others).

 

[Grady]

Voodooracer,
I am a Ruger fan, and the M77 is a great rifle. I have a Hawkeye M77 in 6.5 Creedmoor (Stainless) and my father has an early model M77 that was wood with a blued barrel. Based on the weather conditions where were were hunting when he first bought the rifle (Alaska), he replace the wood stock with a composite. If I were in your position, I would base my decision on my primary hunting area. If you will be hunting in mostly wet conditions (snow and rain) I would go with the Stainless, if not I would go with wood (mainly becasue I like the look and feel of the wood stock). Either way, I would agree that bedding and floating the barrel with a new recoil pad is the way to go. I do not thing you will be disappointed with either model.

My father's M77 currently likes the 180gr Nosler Patition being pushed by 69.0 gr of IMR 4831 and also the 180 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip with the same powder charge.

 

[Voodooracer]

Thanks Grady, I do like the looks of the wood stocks but in my current area of the North Eastern U.S., rain and snow can be a factor so I think i will end up going with the stainless model just to be safe. I will probably end up putting around a 10-12x Leupold on it.
Voodooracer

 

[enysse]

Congrats either way, you are buying a Ruger...so you win automatically!

 

[Voodooracer]

Thanks Enysse! I ended up having my dealer order me a stainless steel m77, it should be here tuesday! He also gave me a great deal on a leupold vx-2 4-12x to go on top of it.

 

[Grady]

I think you will be very happy with that combination.

 

[Voodooracer]

Thanks! I can't wait to get it out to the range!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Anticipation is always part of the fun.

 

[Voodooracer]

Well i picked up the hawkeye from my ffl dealer and i have a scope on order that should be here saturday so with any luck ill be able to shoot it this weekend and get it sighted in!

 

[LiegeRiver]

I am also a Ruger fan. My first one was an M77 in 338 WM, and it was wonderfully accurate. Unfortunately, I heard the siren call of a Rem 700 Stainless Synthetic, and traded off my M77. I have regretted that move ever since. I have been shooting my father's Ruger #1S in 338 WM for a number of years, and it is a joy to shoot. As well, I just bought an M77 RS in .....338 WM (it's still in transit), and I can't wait to get it to the range. It will be the number two rifle when I go to Africa. The primary rifle will be a Zastava 98 in 9.3 x 62.