Considering Ruger 77/44???
07-26-2011, 09:09 PM
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: West TN
Posts: 847
Considering Ruger 77/44???
Anyone have any experience with these lil bolt guns? I have 2 safes full of faster rifles (22/250, 243, 270-280-30/06, 7mag, 300Wby, Lazzeroni Warbird, 35 Rem and two 50cal MLs) but for "craps n giggles" I'm considering a new gun for my new farm that is mostly swamp/riverbottoms where most of my shooting is done under 100-150 yds. (The 35Rem I have was my grandads Marlin 336RC and while PERFECT for the job I don't want to beat and bang up this heirloom so it gets only occasional, fair weather use!)
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm of the assumption that this 77/44 (with Barnes' new 225grn XPB in their VorTx ammo line) will be very much if not a virtual twin in performance to my old Knight Wolverine muzzleloader 22" brl, 250grn XPB, 90grns/3tabs of Triple7? Would that be a fair assumption? (I "retired" the Knight with a smokeless Savage several years ago but took LOTS of game at up to 200yds with that ol Wolverine including a 368" 6x6 bull in the Gila of NM a number of years ago so I had COMPLETE confidence in that ol smokepole and rather enjoyed it's compactness and simplicity.)
I want something super light and super quick for ease of handling in my ladders and shooting houses. I'm leaning heavily on the Leupold FX2 4x scope for the little Ruger. Entire weight should barely scale a tick or two over 6#s.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm of the assumption that this 77/44 (with Barnes' new 225grn XPB in their VorTx ammo line) will be very much if not a virtual twin in performance to my old Knight Wolverine muzzleloader 22" brl, 250grn XPB, 90grns/3tabs of Triple7? Would that be a fair assumption? (I "retired" the Knight with a smokeless Savage several years ago but took LOTS of game at up to 200yds with that ol Wolverine including a 368" 6x6 bull in the Gila of NM a number of years ago so I had COMPLETE confidence in that ol smokepole and rather enjoyed it's compactness and simplicity.)
I want something super light and super quick for ease of handling in my ladders and shooting houses. I'm leaning heavily on the Leupold FX2 4x scope for the little Ruger. Entire weight should barely scale a tick or two over 6#s.
07-27-2011, 09:57 AM
#4
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: West TN
Posts: 847
I have a 336 in 35Rem (with a 2.5x8x33 VX3 on it) so I don't need the 30-30. I HATE iron sites but learned to use them properly MANY years ago on the ROTC rifle team, I just prefer and am alot quicker with a scope! (Keep both eyes open while mounting the gun.)
Dang, I'm getting indecisive now. I've asked around about the 77/44 and another reply I get alot of is "1894 Marlin".
I gotta admit, for "swamp gunnin" a lever action holds alot of interest for me and I enjoy the nostalgia of a levergun in the deerwoods. $ wise it's essentially the same as the 77 so no real difs there either. I have an old m77 in 7mag so I'm familiar with the quality and feel of the 77s. I was mainly drawn to the 77/44 for the size, weight and neatness of the package still in a bolt.
Hmmmmmmm now I'm REALLY considering the 1894. Bolt on a quality 4x and get in the woods.
Crap, I don't know.
RA
Dang, I'm getting indecisive now. I've asked around about the 77/44 and another reply I get alot of is "1894 Marlin".
I gotta admit, for "swamp gunnin" a lever action holds alot of interest for me and I enjoy the nostalgia of a levergun in the deerwoods. $ wise it's essentially the same as the 77 so no real difs there either. I have an old m77 in 7mag so I'm familiar with the quality and feel of the 77s. I was mainly drawn to the 77/44 for the size, weight and neatness of the package still in a bolt. Hmmmmmmm now I'm REALLY considering the 1894. Bolt on a quality 4x and get in the woods.
Crap, I don't know.
RA
07-27-2011, 10:58 AM
#5
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location:
Posts: 5,130
This is why I brought it up.
"(The 35Rem I have was my grandads Marlin 336RC and while PERFECT for the job I don't want to beat and bang up this heirloom so it gets only occasional, fair weather use!) "
Don't want a scope for these conditions;
"....mostly swamp/riverbottoms where most of my shooting is done under 100-150 yds."
BTW - Pround owner of a Marlin 336C in .35 Rem with iron sights, of course (that's what it's for).
Otherwise I use one of my scoped bolt guns !
"(The 35Rem I have was my grandads Marlin 336RC and while PERFECT for the job I don't want to beat and bang up this heirloom so it gets only occasional, fair weather use!) "
Don't want a scope for these conditions;
"....mostly swamp/riverbottoms where most of my shooting is done under 100-150 yds."
BTW - Pround owner of a Marlin 336C in .35 Rem with iron sights, of course (that's what it's for).
Otherwise I use one of my scoped bolt guns !
07-27-2011, 02:02 PM
#6
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
I never have warmed up to the idea of a different gun for different scenerio thing...I have a Ruger .243 that I've used since 1980...Our farms down east are between the Great Dismal Swamp and the Chowan river...I might be over a 500 acre bean field where shots run long or in a swamp where they can be in bow range...Doesn't matter, a good, light bolt action will do it all...
Now, my brother does have a Remington Model 7 which is a bolt action with a 20 inch barrel with a Leupold 3x9x40 in 7mm-08 that would be a great short bolt action...I might would even consider a 2x7 scope which would run just a tad shorter...
Now, my brother does have a Remington Model 7 which is a bolt action with a 20 inch barrel with a Leupold 3x9x40 in 7mm-08 that would be a great short bolt action...I might would even consider a 2x7 scope which would run just a tad shorter...
07-27-2011, 07:37 PM
#7
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: West TN
Posts: 847
Like I said, I already have alot of bolt guns from 22-35cal. My oldest son has a Model 7yth .243 with a 2x7 Monarch and it IS a great lil gun! I HAD a Model 7 Mountain Rifle in 7-08 back in the early 90s and wish like hell I would've kept it! 
I just enjoy rifles, truth is that's the only reason I gun hunt. I'd rather bow hunt than eat, but I enjoy being out there with a good rifle during season.
My FAVORITE reason for getting another gun is "just because",
RA
I just enjoy rifles, truth is that's the only reason I gun hunt. I'd rather bow hunt than eat, but I enjoy being out there with a good rifle during season.
My FAVORITE reason for getting another gun is "just because",
RA
07-28-2011, 07:46 PM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
Posts: 10,917
Have you seen the new Ruger 357MAG carbine? Looks like the perfect youth gun too.
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-M77-357.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-M77-357.htm
07-29-2011, 04:27 PM
#9
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: michigan
Posts: 107
Its a shreader
hey i have a 44 lever, DANG ITS NOT THE MOST ACCURATE RIFLE ON THE BLOCK , WHEN IT HITS ITS DOWN , i like the lever its reliable and its a killer fer sure out to a hundred no problems ,good luc on the pick 
07-29-2011, 07:50 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
That short Ruger action really is an appealing rifle for hunting. Only problem is they just don't shoot very accurately. I have tried several with no accuracy luck.
The rifle is very trim and handy for hunting. And the magazine is absolutely second to none. The trigger could use a little upgrading. The problem is the way they attach the barrel to the action. It needs to be threaded, and it is not.
I have had the 44 magnum, and a couple of 22 Hornet's , as well as the 22LR's, and two of their lever actions. They just would not shoot accurately, and I really tried.
However if you are wanting one for a woods rifle then the accuracy is acceptable for deer hunting. But my Marlin 1894's will outshoot any of the 77's I have ever seen or shot. Tom.
The rifle is very trim and handy for hunting. And the magazine is absolutely second to none. The trigger could use a little upgrading. The problem is the way they attach the barrel to the action. It needs to be threaded, and it is not.
I have had the 44 magnum, and a couple of 22 Hornet's , as well as the 22LR's, and two of their lever actions. They just would not shoot accurately, and I really tried.
However if you are wanting one for a woods rifle then the accuracy is acceptable for deer hunting. But my Marlin 1894's will outshoot any of the 77's I have ever seen or shot. Tom.
