Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

I was checking out some current bolt action rugers and there was alot to like, but the trigger had to be 8 pounds. For those of you that use the M77, I would like to hear your thoughts on a replacement trigger or the scoop on getting it whittled down.

Thanks

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

Uff da meg is right, biscuit jake![:@] I used to own an M77 Mk II. The out-of-box trigger pull was probably in the 7-8 lb range. Rather than replace the trigger, I had my gunsmith rework it. It turned out great, one of the nicest, crispest triggers I ever had, right around 3.5 to 4 lbs. I read posts on the Ruger Forum later from guys who had Ruger do this for free, all they paid was shipping.

Unfortunately I could never get that rifle to group decently despite numerous tweaks and a lot of different handloads. I finally traded it away, and now hunt with a Remington 700 BDL. It doesn't have the Mauser features that the Ruger did, but at least I can hit with it. Too bad about that Ruger, it was a really nice rifle except for the accuracy problem. I may try another one someday because lots of folks report excellent accuracy with their Rugers and any manufacturer can turn out a lemon once in awhile.

By the way, you wouldn't be Norwegian, would you?:D

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

biscuit jake,
I don't own any Ruger rifles for just that reason. It irritates me no end to have such a fine rifle with such a garbage trigger. I simply refuse to buy a rifle that needs to be worked on before it can be shot.[:@] What really irks me is that Ruger has known what people say about their triggers for years and they have chosen to do absolutely nothing. They won't get my business. Which I'm sure makes them cry all the way to the bank.

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

I have had 6 or 7 Ruger rifles. Four of them were 10-15 years ago. Those rifles had pretty good triggers. They needed no trigger work to shoot pretty well. The last two Rugers that I have had, the triggers were lousy. 6-8 lbs. I had them reworked with good results. However I had the same problem as listed above, one of them just wouldn't shoot. I am talking about groups of well over two inches at best and more like 3-4 inches. The last one, my 25-06 shoots very well and the trigger is now real good. I hate the fact that you know that if you buy a ruger you are going to have to fix the trigger. Why can't that install a good adjustable trigger???[:@] I think I would replace any future ruger triggers before I left the store. Probably with a Timney.

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

Ruger triggers are definately one of Ruger's weak spots.A good friend has reworked most of mine getting great results.They break 3-3.5#'s. In fact I sent one to him last week to rework a trigger on a M-77.
Ruger has to know all the complaints about their triggers.We can all thank the Lawyers for that.Liability issues.

Ruger Redhawk

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

Thats partly true but the lawyers are not stopping the installation of a good adjustable trigger. If they can put them on their varmit model, why not the others? Don't big game hunters deserve the same when they buy a Ruger?

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

Funny, but half of the Rugers I have owned I have gotten trigger work done on. Currently I have a Ruger #1 in 45-70 that came with a dandy trigger. (And very acceptable accuracy for a biscuit shooter.) I also have their .44 mag RSBH that I put a trigger kit in that made it pretty easy to shoot. The reason I am looking at M77's right now is that frankly they have a wider variety of cartridges under .27 caliber. I don't have a flat shooter right now, and I am aware of the difficulty tuning the M77 to be accurate. But I may chance it... Remington seems to be going south and I have not had really good accuracy from Winchesters. I checked several CZ rifles today and the actions were rough. Tough shopping these days.

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

I keep hearing about the Remingtons going bad but I have not personally seen any of it. As far as accuaracy and function my new ones work as well as my old ones. I have also yet to see or own one that would not shoot inch groups with the right load right from the box. I have another new Remington 700 ADL on layaway now in 270. I have not picked it up yet but I would bet even now that it will function flawlessly and shoot one inch. or better from the Box. I would try Federal 130 grai Ballistic tips first. They will generally shoot under an inch in a new Remington. They have in the last 4 or 5 anyway. I Like the Rugers as well once the triggers sre fixed. With a 700 Remington, in ten minutes I will have the trigger tuned very well.

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

Between my group of friends, we have taken 6 Rugers to our gunsmith and had Timney's installed in all of them. Im really scratching my head on all the comments about having to do work on a new gun before it shoots?? I mean, ALL of our Rugers out of the box had like 5.5-6 lb triggers, and shot decent enough groups outta the box to kill deer. What more does a two week/ year hunter need. Except me and my other two friends that shoot like 3 weekends a month, most guys I know buy a box of Cor-lokts, shoot 2 shots, a week before opening day, and go hunting. Honestly guys like us who are "gun nuts" are in the minority, Ruger puts a trigger in their guns that is functional and safe for the majority, if you want better then that you spend $100 on a good trigger. Not that big of a deal to me.

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

James B you bring up a good point.It's hard to say the real reason why the Ruger triggers are so poor.It's a hit and miss. I've gotten some that were good out of the box where others were terrible.No consistency for sure.Ruger would probably sell more of these rifles if they would improve the triggers.The Ruger rifles have allot of good features.The integral scope rings for one.I'm not saying Ruger are the best rifles,on the other hand they are better then allot. They aren't a custom rifle or a Sako by any means. For the money they are hard to beat.Plus they are Made in the USA.Keeping our money and job here.

Ruger Redhawk

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

I agree. they are well built and American made and I may well buy another. My point is that the ones with bad triggers are so bad that they should never get out the door. If I had to put my name on something it would not pass inspection. The same goes with NEF. They will do a free trigger job on their bad triggers but they won't just do it right the first time. To me it is a big deal to have to re-do something new before its servicable. When I do buy a Ruger, it has to be worth about 80.00 more to me that the asking price because I know I am going to have to spend that much more to make it work. The good part is that they do have some bargin prices on Ruger so sometimes I buy them.:D

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

Very nasty trigger from factory..at the same time it is very rugged. There are 2 are areas that need to be stoned and you can get a decent trigger out of it. YOu still have no adjustment for overtravel. I have found the Timney replacement to be the best ..It replaces the trigger and sear as well and it is much crisper and adjusts for overtravel.. You can install the Timney yourself but bear in mind if you file down the bottom of the safety TOO far your safety will not work and you'll have to ship the gun to Ruger to put in a new SAfety. I bought a ruger from a guy that attempted it and after I got all the facts i made him drop the price on the gun even further. I believe with shipping and all it came out to 50 dollars to restore the trigger and safety to original. They will not sell the safety to you. Hope that helps.


Oh Incidentally all the really good Remington 700's must be in North DAkota and they sell the crap ones in their home state of North Carolina.:D

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

My buddy learned how to rework ruger triggers andit is amazing what can be done in 20 - 30 minutes, the end result is a sharp crisp break at the desired pull weight you prefer! HE got the directions of the internet i think.....he is also a memebr of HNI drop Gundigest a PM and I am sure he'll give ya the link.

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

I appreciate all the comments. I will be buyiing a rilfe at the local Scheel's today... it will be either a Ruger M77 or Rem 700 BDL; I am going after a .223 as I shot the barrel out of my old Rem 700 ADL in .222. There will be a dip in the local rabbit and Yote population next season.

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

good luck.....I know when Im getting ready to buy a new gun, it gives me that warm tingly feeling in my belly....I get the same feeling when Im with Bearklr's wife:D

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

Mossy, Yep. We ALL know whats thats like.;) The feeling about the new rifle that is.:D

RE: Ruger M77 trigger... Uff da!
 

I have noticed that Ruger 77 Mk II trigger vary from about 4 pounds to 7 pounds from the factory. The Ruger trigger and sear are very simple and easy to take out, after you take the stock off and remove the bolt one pin removes the trigger and one pin removes the sear. I bought an RCBS trigger pull scale from Cabelas for about $20 and I printed the directions off of the internet and did my own trigger job. It was very easy and it didn't take very long. I lowered my 300 WSM to 3lbs and a few of my friends rifles down to 3lbs also. It is not quite as good as a gunsmith job but it cost a lot less. I put a Timney trigger on my 77 Mk II .223, it cost me $75 at Cabelas and it was easy to install but it took some time to grind down the platform for the safety swing to work, that is why it says gunsmith installation suggested. But I did it myself and it turned out very nice and it is an awesome trigger.

My Ruger 77 Mk II 300 WSM and my brothers 77 .223 will shoot a .5" group at 100 yards and my .223 will shoot a 1" group at 100 yards, a few of my friends have 77s that will shoot under 1" also.