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Ruger M-77

pikepole20
I have a Ruger M-77 that is in very good condition. Let's call it 95% condition, because it has been hunted with some. This is a very early Ruger with Serial number of 408. Is this early of a Seial number worth a premium? How much of one...or is she still just a shooter.
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • pikepole20
    Was the first model 77, with a wood stock, a free floated barrel? Is there a sequence to installing the stock screws?
    Thanks for any help.
    Dirtguy47.
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  • RCrosby
    Serial number in and of itself probably won't count for any noticable premium, but early 77's, at least in my neck of the woods, are commanding nice prices. I wouldn't call an early 77 in nice condition "just" a shooter, but if it were mine I'd shoot it lots, take good care of it, and treasure it as one of the nicer pieces in my collection.
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  • JIM STARK
    For some folks, a 3 digit serial #'d 77 is a collectable item...Ask over on the RUGER forum....
    JIM..............
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  • wpage
    Thats a good #. Be gentle with it as you use it. Someone will pay more for it.
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  • Ambrose
    You did not mention the chambering. Since the first M77's were short actions, I assume it's not .30/06. The less common chamberings are of more interest to collectors, also.
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  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by Ambrose
    You did not mention the chambering. Since the first M77's were short actions, I assume it's not .30/06. The less common chamberings are of more interest to collectors, also.


    I don't believe that is correct. We are talking about the Model 77, not the 77MK II. The model 77 had a tang safety, and the early ones did not have the integral scope mounts. They first were introduced in 1968, and ended production in 1992.

    Best
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  • Ambrose
    tsr1965: You are correct in that the first Ruger 77 was made in 1968 an that it had the tang safety. The first serial # for 1969 was 1912.

    Quoting from the book RUGER & HIS GUNS by R. L. Wilson, page 108, "Short Action (introduced 1968)....." followed by a list of chamberings. "Long Action (a.k.a. Magnum Action), (introduced in 1970, beginning with serial range no. 70-22198)...." followed by a list of chamberings including .30/06.

    Also on page 105 in the chapter entitled Creating the M77 Rifle: "The requirement for integral scope bases was important."

    On page 111 under Major Production Variations: "Early production rifles were of the Short Action,..." and had Ruger scope rings.

    So, pikepole20, it certainly appears that your rifle is a first year production. We are curious to know what the chambering is.?
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  • pikepole20
    The chambering is for .308 which is about as common as you can get. The original rings are mounted on it with a vintage Bausch and Lomb 4X Scope. Three of us bought rifles at the same time. Mine is the middle serial number. Theirs is one number higher and one number lower. All the others are .308 also.
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  • 2xbyu
    Are they vertical rings or the normal horizontal rings. Some early 77s were shipped with vertical, very rare on a 77, same as the rings in photo.

    75% of all short action non-prefix flatbolts are in the .243 or .308 caliber.

    About 95% of all calibers are M77R, no sights. If yours is a M77RS, with sights it is extremely rare.

    Three consecutive serial numbered early guns is definitely a premium to the right person.


    GA.jpg
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