Re-barrel a Ruger M77

[Acopperdawg]

I have a Ruger M77 in 338 WM that I tried to sell, but had no takers. Is it possible to re-barrel this action and if so what safari calibers could I get into with it? I apologize for being so naive, I am sure I could spend days doing the research but I figured I would ask the brain trust and save myself some time.

 

[Shootist43]

Why bother?? Safari animals come in all sizes.

 

[RR 314]

Look at offerings with a .540 bolt face as they would require the least work. You may be able to find a takeoff barrel or have someone rebore to .375. I don’t know your barrel profile. .416 REM could be another option.

If you would still use the .338, and like the RSM, perhaps just buy a mate for it.

 

[Acopperdawg]

I live in Texas so hunting locally doesn't require a .338WM. I have been very happy taking my .300WM on both trips so far. it shoots 200 grain ELDX bullets extremely well and so far the results on game have been superb. The .338 doesn't really move the needle for me and other than it being a great deal I wouldn't have bought it. It came with 2 boxes of ammo and a Leopold scope. I paid $800 for the whole package.

 

[RR 314]

I live in Texas so hunting locally doesn't require a .338WM. I have been very happy taking my .300WM on both trips so far. it shoots 200 grain ELDX bullets extremely well and so far the results on game have been superb. The .338 doesn't really move the needle for me and other than it being a great deal I wouldn't have bought it. It came with 2 boxes of ammo and a Leopold scope. I paid $800 for the whole package.

Well, that was a banging deal. No matter what you do, you will come out ahead. For what it’s worth, I live in Texas as well, and my daughter shoots a .340 Weatherby at times and she just turned 14.


I know I saw a .375 takeoff barrel posted somewhere over the last several months. Not an RSM guy, and don’t know if they’re all the same profile etc. Look into JES reboring or your local smith for a new pipe.

 

[swashington]

Look at your bolt face diameter and action length. From the list below you can go from a 338 to any of the long action calibers on the list. You can't go to any of the maglong actions.
.540 +/-257 WeatherbyLong Action
.540 +/-26 NoslerLong Action
.540 +/-264 Win MagLong Action
.540 +/-270 Weatherby MagLong Action
.540 +/-7mm Rem MagLong Action
.540 +/-7mm Weatherby MagLong Action
.540 +/-7 STWLong Action
.540 +/-7mm PRCLong Action
.540 +/-28 NoslerLong Action
.540 +/-28 Sherman MagnumLong Action
.540 +/-7LRM (Long Range Magnum)Long Action
.540 +/-7mm Rem Ultra MagLong Action
.540 +/-300 H & HLong Action
.540 +/-300 Win MagLong Action
.540 +/-300 PRCLong Action
.540 +/-30 Sherman MagnumLong Action
.540 +/-300 Weatherby MagLong Action
.540 +/-300 RUMLong Action
.540 +/-303 BritLong Action
.540 +/-8mm Rem MagLong Action
.540 +/-338 Win MagLong Action
.540 +/-338 EDGELong Action
.540 +/-340 Weatherby MagLong Action
.540 +/-338 RUMLong Action
.540 +/-375 H & H MagLong Action
.540 +/-375 Weatherby MagLong Action
.540 +/-375 RUMLong Action
.540 +/-416 Rem MagLong Action
.540 +/-458 Win MagLong Action
.540 +/-458 LottLong Action

The M77 is a great platform for any dangerous game because of its ruggedness and CRF. If I were to choose I would stay away from the DG option and go for the 300PRC. Flat shooting, hard hitting, and capable of 100yd started shooting. 7mm PRC would be another great choice. Depends on what you want to do with the rifle.
If DG is your goal the 375 RUM would work but I don't know anything about that caliber so do your research.

 

[swashington]

Look at offerings with a .540 bolt face as they would require the least work. You may be able to find a takeoff barrel or have someone rebore to .375. I don’t know your barrel profile. .416 REM could be another option.

If you would still use the .338, and like the RSM, perhaps just buy a mate for it.

Both the 416 and the 375 Rem Mag and H & H require a magnum long action and won't work in the M77 action. Yes, the bolt diameter is the same; but action lengths are different.

 

[RR 314]

Both the 416 and the 375 Rem Mag and H & H require a magnum long action and won't work in the M77 action. Yes, the bolt diameter is the same; but action lengths are different.

Sounds like this is true. As stated, I am not a Ruger guy and didn't know if they went with a standard action size as some manufacturers. If this is accurate, which it sounds, I revise above. Take whatever profits you can get on the sale and find what you want.

 

[cajunchefray]

Both the 416 and the 375 Rem Mag and H & H require a magnum long action and won't work in the M77 action. Yes, the bolt diameter is the same; but action lengths are different.

This. The M77 338 Win Mag is a “standard “ length action, .532 diameter bolt face, not suitable for a long magnum cartridge I.e. 375 H&H , 458 Lott not withstanding an expensive gunsmith’s work.

I would consider.375 Ruger, .416 Taylor ( the 416 Ruger IF you can find ammo), and 458 Win Mag.

I’m really thinking I “need “ a .416 Taylor on a Ruger M77 Mk II.
I understand that Canyon Creek gunsmith will rebarrel a Ruger.

 

[Acopperdawg]

Both the 416 and the 375 Rem Mag and H & H require a magnum long action and won't work in the M77 action. Yes, the bolt diameter is the same; but action lengths are different.

So if I am reading your list correctly, I could go with a .458 Lott and a new barrel?

Thank you for the list by the way.

 

[Acopperdawg]

This. The M77 338 Win Mag is a “standard “ length action, .532 diameter bolt face, not suitable for a long magnum cartridge I.e. 375 H&H , 458 Lott not withstanding an expensive gunsmith’s work.

I would consider.375 Ruger, .416 Taylor ( the 416 Ruger IF you can find ammo), and 458 Win Mag.

I’m really thinking I “need “ a .416 Taylor on a Ruger M77 Mk II.
I understand that Canyon Creek gunsmith will rebarrel a Ruger.

I ll make you a great deal on a M77 action if your needing one.

 

[swashington]

So if I am reading your list correctly, I could go with a .458 Lott and a new barrel?

Thank you for the list by the way.

I think so, I just looked that round up and it said it is a standard long action.

 

[swashington]

I ll make you a great deal on a M77 action if your needing one.

LOL, it would have to be a left handed one for me.

 

[swashington]

This. The M77 338 Win Mag is a “standard “ length action, .532 diameter bolt face, not suitable for a long magnum cartridge I.e. 375 H&H , 458 Lott not withstanding an expensive gunsmith’s work.

I would consider.375 Ruger, .416 Taylor ( the 416 Ruger IF you can find ammo), and 458 Win Mag.

I’m really thinking I “need “ a .416 Taylor on a Ruger M77 Mk II.
I understand that Canyon Creek gunsmith will rebarrel a Ruger.

Sorry Cajun, the 338 win mag is a .540 not a .532. The case base diameter is .532. Also here are more with a bolt face of .540 that would work with a simple re-barrel.

.540+/-223 WSSMShort Action
.540+/-243 WSSMShort Action
.540+/-25 WSSMShort Action
.540+/-270 WSMShort Action
.540+/-6.5 x 300 WeatherbyShort Action
.540+/-6.5 PRCShort Action
.540+/-6.5mm GAP 4S (SAUM)Short Action*(See note below)
.540+/-7mm Rem saumShort Action
.540+/-7mm WSMShort Action
.540+/-300 Rem saumShort Action
.540+/-300 WSMShort Action
.540+/-325 WSMShort Action
.540+/-350 Rem MagShort Action

 

[swashington]

Out of this list I have a Tikka T3 in a 270 WSM that I am going to rebarrel to a 6.5 PRC and make a 1000yd+ rifle. Been looking at Hart Rifle Barrels for the work. They create the barrel and will install it, check headspace and deliver a ready to go action and barrel.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I built a 404J on a standard length 8mm Mauser action. In fact, that's how the first rifles were built  before magnum length actions were developed.

8mm = OAL 82mm
404J = OAL 89.66mm

And many longer and thicker 416 Rigby were also built on standard Mausers, including Harry Selby's gun.

I do not know the length of bolt or ejection port for "standard" Ruger 77 Mk II but if it can handle 338 WM @ OAL of 84.8mm, I suspect it could be similarly rebarreled to 404 with bolt face opened up. While opening the bolt face is not as hard as it sounds (with proper equipment), changing the bottom metal and feeding rails would be time consuming ... = $$$.

And finally, you're talking about changing a purely American designed rifle into something in a "classic" African caliber purely for resale purposes. Most people who desire classic calibers to hunt Africa also desire classic British/European guns to shoot the ammo. There are novelty exceptions (e.g. R8) but generally that's the way the market leans. You have an elk/moose gun. American big game for an American rifle/cartridge. I don't think it would sell better if rebarreled. Possibly it would be harder to sell.