Bolt design change for Ruger?

[hunt127588]

I was recently comparing the bolts of two different Ruger rifles. One was a brand new Ruger Model 77 MK II stainless with the new stock and the other was an older Model 77 MK II stainless with the zytel skeleton stock. Both had the 3 position safety. The difference in the bolts was that the new Ruger rifle had a true mauser design that was controlled-round feeding (cutout in bottom of bolt face) and the older bolt being a Mauser copy that did not control the round when leaving the lips (hence no cutout in bottom of bolt face)....It did have the large Mauser extractor though.

Questions I have:

1) When did Ruger change to an actual controlled round feeding system?
2) What other differences are there other than Ruger making their own barrels in-house these days?
3) Also, what are the older M77 MK II Stainless rifles going for used provided someone wants to sell one?

[Dave in WV]

1. The first year of MK II production had a push feed set up. The second year or there abouts Ruger changed to CRF.

2. The stock change on the synthetic stocks is all I'm aware of other than fewer rifles are available with factory sights. The original "boat paddle" stock is ugly but very functional IMO.

3. I can't really say. I would suggest checking the online auctions and watch what they go for.