[critterman]

Picked up a 2002 model 77/22Lr today. Wanted one for ever just couldn't find a good clean one to buy. Had to drive over 60 miles one way but it was worth it. Wanted one with iron sites but apparently those are not readily available. Had a extra nikon p-22 2x7 sitting in the safe so mounted it up hopefully can get it zeroed in tomorrow. Is it true ruger no longer produces this rifle? What ammo do they seem to like?

 

[rhanks]

Ruger no longer produces this rifle. Mine likes Eley sub-sonic hp 40 grain, which unfortunately is no longer produced. It also likes Eley Target. I have not shot any higher priced ammo in my 77-22.

 

[timeltel]

Congratulations on your acquisition, your 77/22 is built to last for generations. A rifle manufactured in 2002 will have a slip fit or "switch barrel" receiver. As remembered (someone will correct me if wrong) Ruger contracted with Wilson Barrels up to some point, Wilson supplied barrels of various quality depending on the specifications of contract, Hand lapped, Cooper is (was?) one such purchaser. If your rifle doesn't shoot to your satisfaction CPC or Clarke will fine tune your rifle. As another option it's an easy swap to one from Lothar Walther, Shillen, or Lilja. With the exchange of barrel, trigger guard and magazine, your rifle can be adapted to .17hm2, .17hmr or .22mag. Your rifle is built for the long haul but if needed parts are relatively reasonably priced from Midway or Natchez. If you think it an improvement an easy exchange of trigger spring will give it a pull you can live with or love.
Enjoy your new rifle!

 

[rjferber]

critterman - Congratulations on the 77/22 find - They are great-looking rifles. I always liked the configuration with the laminated stock, matte finish stainless steel action, and barrel. I bit on the heavy side if I recall but I believe that particular configuration had a longer, heavier barrel. The main thing that kept me from buying one was the price at that time and all the pre-owned models today still bring a hefty price. One doesn't see any 77/2's on the shelf very often in our area at least.

 

[Rosscoe]

Congrats. under 1 inch at 50 yards is good with the sporter barrels. Buy some quality ammo.

 

[Toomany22s]

My 77/22 is a very pleasing gun. i hope yours is too👍

 

[roddy]

Congrats. They're beautiful little rifles. My LR is a later build, with the threaded-in barrel and no sights..

 

[Rosscoe]

Congrats. They're beautiful little rifles. My LR is a later build, with the threaded-in barrel and no sights..

View attachment 338058

What barrel on yours? I have a couple with Shilens!

 

[roddy]

What barrel on yours? I have a couple with Shilens!

This one still has the original barrel, and it is a good shooter, too. My WMR is a slip fit, and I have been considering a Shilen for that one...I'm hoping their 'standard' taper will fit the Ruger stock without opening the barrel channel.

 

[skywag]

I hope this is not hijacking your thread.......but this is mine

 

[M2HB]

My walnut stock version is an early model with the open sights. I run it with a scope and it is a decent shooter.

Enjoy your new rifle.

 

[VA-outlaw]

Prices on those Ruger's doubled since covid ..... 2019 maybe 550 now 950 and up ... Wish I would have picked a couple up over the years....

 

[BFJ]

Critterman
I have had my 77/22 since 1992, it now wears a Nikon Target EFR 3-9x40 AO. Great looking, well made rifles. Your 60 mile trip will be well worth it. Enjoy.

 

[Rosscoe]

Sixty miles ain't too bad. It's 50 miles to my gooder LGS stores!

 

[critterman]

Well I love it, I did change to a nikon 3 9x40 rimfire scope, shot way to good for just 7x on hi end. It's holding under .850 at 65 yards with Remington golden ammo that's dead squirrel all day. Now I want one in .22mag

 

[TXRam]

Really??? I found a newer SS/Synthetic version (with the threaded in barrel) in like new condition and thought the price was too high but maybe not…

 

[critterman]

I got some more range time in this morning before the weather hit Texas, gun shoots great fired 6 different ammo brands 40gr seem to hold abit tighter then the 36gr but both hold under. 975 at 65yards so one more frost in my aera and it's fried squirrel for lunch. Don't know why I wait on second frost other then that's what my grandfather always did?

 

[papatrout65]

I was always told to wait for the second frost for worms back than.

 

[flyrod444]

The frost make the wolves or wolf larva leave the squirrels that have them. Never could bring my self to clean and eat a squirrel that had them.

 

[Gary O’Neal]

I’ve had several of these and really liked them, although I never had one shoot better than “good”.