By Rick Jamison, Reloading/Rifles Editor, Shooting Times.
The new Model 77 was a compact package of quality and aesthetics at a price that most could afford. At the time other rifle manufacturers were leaning towards gloss finishes and Monte Carlo cheekpieces for popular firearms. Ruger, instead, introduced a rifle with a conservative, straight lined, handcheckered, walnut stock without a cheekpiece. The stock had an oil finish, and it was fitted with a brown rubber buttpad instead of one made from the usual black plastic.
Typical of Ruger’s advanced engineering, the Model 77’s receiver and bolt were investment cast, as were other major parts. Immediately apparent on the new rifle, aside from the tasteful lines, were the good-looking, functional, integral scope mount bases. Screws have been eliminated in Ruger’s scope mount bases; only the rings have screws.
The forward action screw enters the base of the recoil lug at a 60-degree angle so that tightening it pulls the receiver down and back into the stock, .
The original Model 77(I have 2 of them 22-250 and 270 win) had a tang safety that connected to the trigger mechanism by a slender steel rod. In 1989 Ruger introduced the Model 77 Mark II with a redesigned trigger and safety that I think is one of the most positive systems ever designed. The finger lever on the safety is a fore-and-aft side-pivoting affair much like a Model 70 Winchester’s. However, this is where the similarity ends. The Ruger safety and trigger are unique. The safety locks not only the trigger and striker, but it also locks the striker visibly at the rear of the action. The trigger blocking mechanism is large and positive. I can’t imagine it ever breaking.
When the safety is in the rearward position, the rifle is as safe as it can be made to be with a safety. A glance is all it takes to see that the striker’s movement is blocked by the interlocking safety lever. When the lever is in the center position or perpendicular to the action, the bolt can be opened but the trigger cannot be pulled. When the safety is in this position, a round can be ejected from the chamber with the safety engaged. The forward position of the safety lever is the “Fire” position.
Today, Ruger hammer forges its own barrels for Model 77 Mark II rifles, and the interior finish of these barrels is as good as I've seen on any production rifle. The bolt lugs are massive, and the receiver walls are thick. The bolt is one piece, including the operating handle. If you've ever had a bolt handle come off in your hand due to a spot of silver solder breaking loose, you will appreciate this feature. The Model 77’s time-proven Mauser claw extractor is as reliable as extractors get. The Ruger’s locking lug is not split, as on the Mauser Model 98. Both lugs on the Ruger retain all their integrity and strength, and the ejector contacts the cartridge head by way of a small slot in the underside of the bolt body.
The bolt body has a patented guide rib located midway along the bolt behind the left (action open) or top (action locked) locking lug. This guide rib is only an inch or so long and looks uncommonly good. Most shooters would never know it is a separate piece from the rest of the bolt body.
At the bottom of the bolt body when the action is locked are three large gas escape ports, allowing plenty of room to vent any high-pressure gas down into the magazine box in the event of a ruptured cartridge case. When the bolt is withdrawn from the action, the ports are located under the extractor alongside the bolt. Beside this is a healthy flange at the rear of the lug raceways to block gases from coming directly out the rear. The Model 77 has a very good gas-handling system.
The bolt release latch is located at the left side of the rear of the receiver, much like on a Mauser Model 98. The difference is that the latch does not also serve as the ejector as it does on the Mauser.
When the action is removed from the stock you can see that there is a large, flat bedding surface preferred by many shooters instead of a round one. After having rebarreled, stocked, and bedded 40 or 50 Model 77 Mark II rifles while working on my family of wildcat cartridges, I have developed a respect for the firearm and admiration for the design of each detail. When examined closely, it can be seen that every aspect of the Model 77 is a nearly perfect solution or mechanical application, and all these designs work together in an aesthetically pleasing whole.(I totally agree!)