LGS has a very clean Ruger 77/22 Target Stainless in .22LR on consignment for $795. I was pretty close to pulling the proverbial trigger today but thought I'd ask here first.

Mfg date is unknown, comes with matching rings. Finish is target gray - kind of a dark matte stainless that is really appealing. Not sure if it has the box/papers. The walnut stock looked basically new.

I think it'd make an awesome small game rifle and general plinker, provided accuracy is up to par. Interchangeability of mags with the 10/22 is a plus. I can't find a similar one for sale online anywhere to get a price estimate.

What do we think? Buy it or let someone else grab it?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Killer Instincts,

I don't have any personal experience with the target model. Mine is just plain stainless, light weight barrel, synthetic stock.
Best bolt action .22 rimfire I have ever owned.
Seems a bit high on price, but they don't make them any more.

There is a drop in sear available for getting a match grade trigger pull on it. (aftermarket)

Don't cheap out on a scope...

Oh, try to get them to come down a bit, but get it. The 77/22 assuming it's actually chambered in .22 LR and not .22 Hornet is a fabulous rifle.

They are really holding their value. The last one I saw at the Orlando gun show was a regular stainless with walnut stock and the guy wanted $850.

Damn it, guys, I was afraid of that...

Edit: it was $735, not $795... I had them throw it in the back with my name on it. I'll try and get some pictures up tomorrow.

You can get a rough idea when it was made from the Ruger website. (with the serial number)

https://www.ruger.com/dataProcess/serialHistory/

quote:

Originally posted by cee_Kamp:
You can get a rough idea when it was made from the Ruger website. (with the serial number)

https://www.ruger.com/dataProcess/serialHistory/

Thank you, sir. May I ask who makes this drop in sear? I'm a stickler for a nice trigger on a .22.

I have a blued 77/22 I bought years ago. Came with a 4x Leupold scope and a beautiful stock. I love it. My nearby LGS did a trigger job on it a few years ago. Trigger's really nice on it, now.

Mine's blued as well and for $735 I'd have bought your new one too.

I have two 77/22 rifles and really like them. One configured as a trainer:




I installed an aftermarket trigger, a JARD as I recall.

Congrats, I always wanted a 77/22 with the factory iron sights and walnut stock.

The model with iron sights must not have been to popular as it seems that it was dropped fairly early.

HK Ag

Thank you all for reassuring me that I'm doing the right thing. I'll have it scoped up and shoot a few groups before sundown tomorrow, provided the weather isn't too shitty up at the ol' ranch. The weather at 8200 feet is unpredictable in January.

Sigfreund, I recall seeing that picture on here before. That's one sweet setup! Any tips for ammo preference?

quote:

Originally posted by Killer Instincts:
Any tips for ammo preference?

I have had decent results with SK ammunition (that's also sold as Wolf, or used to be). There are several different types, but I don't have any real experience except for the "Standard Plus."

https://www.creedmoorsports.co...1/rimfire-ammunition

I wanted a stainless synthetic model when we finalized the plan to move up to AK, I dragged my feet on it for awhile then Ruger stopped making them in 22lr, they seemed to dry up overnight (not dry up but there were fewer of them and the prices sky rocketed), I ended up settling on a blued synthetic version which I got new in the box for ~ 500 dollars. I put a leupold vx1 2-7x28 rimfire scope on it and that’s how it’s been ever since.

It’s been an excellent gun for me, in addition to providing tons of fun at the range, introducing new shooters including my wife to shooting and teaching a few kids to shoot it also was responsible for dozens upon dozens of spruce chickens, ptarmigans, snow shoe hares and even a beaver and several foxes.

I don’t even know how many rounds have gone down the barrel of that rifle but it’s been a nice accurate gun that dosent feel like a miniature toy.

My only complaint is the trigger, timney makes a sear kit which might be worth a look.

Pics - sorry if they're huge, I don't know how to resize them on Google photos. Rifle was produced in 2016. Scoped it with what I had sitting around, but I've ordered new rings to put a Leupold Mk4 LR/T on it for testing.

I've also ordered a Rifle Basix trigger for it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Killer Instincts,

I didn’t know rifle basic made a trigger for the 77/22....looks like my wallet is going to get a bit lighter.

quote:

Originally posted by newmexican:
I didn’t know rifle basic made a trigger for the 77/22....looks like my wallet is going to get a bit lighter.

I'll report back once I get mine. It's backordered a few weeks.

Should I be ashamed that I'm considering cutting 3" off the barrel and threading it for a suppressor? I almost don't even want to hunt with it, it's so clean.

Maybe I should just find an older one with a clamped in barrel (this one's threaded into the receiver) and rebarrel/restock it, rather than cutting this one up.

I wouldn't. Hell, I feel bad enough about having had a bit of the beautiful walnut stock on mine flattened on the butt to have a pad to increase the pull length fitted. (Stock was way too short for my long arms.)

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
I wouldn't. Hell, I feel bad enough about having had a bit of the beautiful walnut stock on mine flattened on the butt to have a pad to increase the pull length fitted. (Stock was way too short for my long arms.)

You must have a serious wingspan! I'm right at 6' with monkey arms and this thing fits me almost perfectly. I think you're right about not cutting this one up. With a 23" barrel it's not that much louder than a suppressed .22 anyway.

Now I need a well-used older example to play with. What have I done...

Holy crap! This thing shoots 1" groups at 100 yards with Federal bulk pack 36 gr HP ammo, of which I happen to have cases. I'll post some groups tomorrow if I remember.

I'd still advise you to try other brands and bullet weights/velocity. Its kind of rare for the first ammo you try will be teh best. Possible but unlikely. That woule be like a box of Remington rimfire all even firing! Yeah, that won't happen.

Way back in 1966 I bought an new rifle and set about to find a preferred ammo. When I found one that shot well for me and my gun, I then bought all of that lot I could find. It was my plan. I still have several boxes of it left, it still shoots good enough for me. It Remington HV hollow points, too. No, I don't recommend anyone even bother with it these days.

But it does make sense to waste a bunch of money trying. Then buy as much of it as you can swing and afford. Then later on, retest it. Against whatever new ammo you think will become your standard. This won't work if you shoot a lot.