Need help with 30-06 M77.

[JimG]

I bought a barely used Ruger M77 all weather 30-06 a couple weeks ago. At first I was happy with my purchase. However I did notice that I had to really use the windage adjustment on the scope. I have since tried another scope and not only had to really use the heck out of the windage but also the elevation too (like 3 to 3.5 full turns of the turret). This concerns me a little. I'm starting to think that the mounts or the receiver is somehow crooked. I know the taller of the two Ruger mounts goes on the rear and they only go on one way so it seems as though there is no way to 'screw it up'. They are the 'medium' mounts and I have tried a Swift 665M (standard, not premium) 1.5 x 4.5 x 21mm and a Bushnell Trophy 6 x 18 x 50 AO. I know that the Bushnell seemed like an odd choice but I wanted to try a 6 power scope on the gun as I am thinking about buying a 6 power K series Weaver to put on it. I did'nt feel as though the Swift would last on a 30-06 otherwise I'd leave it. How can I figure out if it's the mounts or the reciever or otherwise? Is this a common problem with M77's? I'd like to buy a set of 'low' mounts and the Weaver but don't want to waste money on a potential lemon. :grin:

[Lawdog]

JimG,

They are the 'medium' mounts and I have tried a Swift 665M (standard, not premium) 1.5 x 4.5 x 21mm and a Bushnell Trophy 6 x 18 x 50 AO.

The following is right from Ruger.

LOW scope rings generally will accept up to a 32mm or smaller scope objective diameter
MEDIUM scope rings generally will accept up to a 42mm or smaller scope objective diameter
HIGH scope rings generally will accept up to a 52mm or smaller scope objective diameter

Your 50mm AO bell on that Bushnell must have been touching he barrel if you are using medium rings.  I have had problems with 42mm AO bells touching using medium rings on my Rugers.  Not saying that there isn't a problem with the rings you have but I would write Ruger and see what they say.  Lawdog
 

[Iowegan]

You rarely find a production gun in any brand where the mounts are perfectly centered.  As long as the scope sights in with a few clicks to spare, you're good to go.

If you want to go for perfection, place the scope in a set of "Y" sticks or a roller device used to test arrows for straightness. Rotate the scope slowly and adjust the reticle until it is perfectly centered. Mount the scope on the Ruger. Hold the cross hairs dead on target at 100 yards and fire one shot. Measure the distance from the hole you shot to the bullseye to reveal how far the mounts are off.  

Note: The reason scope companies make the cross hairs adjustable is to compensate for off center mounts. Some scope companies give the adjustment range (in inches at 100 yds) for their cross hairs.

[wild willy]

a lot of times Ruger rings need to be lapped if someone switched the front top with the rear top could be stressing the scope  an alignment and lapping kit is cheap insurance compared to the price of a scope

[Buckfever]

I had a 30 yr old 7mm Mag in a M-77 one of the most accurate guns I have ever owned.  Sold it to my brother, he needed another deer rifle.  His son was suppose to get his 30-06.  The son took the 7mm mag out for a day hunt and shot a nice deer at 225 yards.  Dad hasn't seen the 7mm Mag. since!   Buckfever

[JimG]

Lawdog, there was about a 1/8" gap between the AO and the barrel. I'm going back to the range today and will see if I can figure out what's wrong.

[safetysheriff]

I wonder if the barrel'd action/etc  is properly set down and tightened into the stock.    I'd take the barrel'd action out of the stock and check to see what goes on with it.  

It can be tough with a Ruger M 77 Mk II to get the action and the magazine to properly fit into the stock, and to get the hinged floorplate to also properly go back together with the receiver.    I know I had to work with my '06 in the All-Weather model to get it all to go back together properly when I did the trigger work on it.  (trigger work at www.centerfirecentral.com).    But, by carefully putting my pieces/parts together I got one good shooter out of that Ruger.  

Your barely used Ruger may be a good rifle that just needs proper assembly after someone 'played' with it.....

Good luck,

ss'

[JimG]

I asked about mounts today at the dealer where I bought it. He claims he's never seen a set of Ruger brand mounts that were "straight and true". He also claims for $12.50 he will "adjust" the mounts, laser sight and mount any scope of my choosing. Seems fishy to me. These mounts are not adjustable so I have no idea what he means. And the $12.50 seems like a weird number to boot.

[WW1]

I bought a new #1 back in the 70's...it was in 06 and I used the Ruger rings with a Leupold VxII-2x7 scope..when it finally hit the center of the target I had no windage adjustment left..no mater what I tried, it was always the same...rtook it to a gun smith and his remedy was to tap and drill for a one piece Leupold mount.it fixed the problem and I used it for some time, then decided to try a different pair of rings..it worked as it should, so to my way of thinking it must have been the original rings...I still have them someplace and maybe I should send them to Ruger to have them checked...just my thoughts.WW1