In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Ruger 77 7.62x39 questions

TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited April 2008 in Ask the Experts
I own a Ruger 77 in 7.62x39 caliber. It is blued with a synthetic stock. What is the bore size? Does the correct ammo have a bullet .308 or .311 in diameter? Is it ok to shoot cheap surplus ammo? Any idea how many of these were made or why they were discontinued? Thanks for any information.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think Ruger uses .308 barrels on both these and the mini30. I would be concerned about the wear factor of shooting steel jacketed bullets of .310-.311 diameter, too. I have a Colt 7.62x39 upper but haven't got a firm answer on the bore diameter on it yet so I'm not using the steel jacket stuff.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ruger made them with a .308 diameter barrel but they say it is fine to shoot the .311 ammo...at least that is what they told me. My Mini 30 shot the surplus .311 stuff the best...1 inch at 50 years with iron sights...never could get even my .308 reloads to shoot that good. Only one reason they still don't make it, it didn't sell that well.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DONDALINGERDONDALINGER Member Posts: 1,541 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I own one of these and had the same concerns. According to Ruger, it is OK to shoot the .310 and .311 bullets. The steel cased ammo usually uses a soft alloy jacketed bullet that has some copper in it. You may suffer a little faster wear on the barrel, but it is minimal. I get very good accuracy with the Wolf ammo. My son and I both have taken deer with it. Not a long range gun by any means, but capable within 150-175 yards easy. If I am correct, these rifles were sold exclusively through Davidsons. The interesting thing about mine is that it has an incredible blueing that I have not seen on any other Ruger rifle.

    Regards, Don
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the replies and information. This one came from Davidsons as well. Their paperwork is still in the box along with all packing materials, hangtags etc. I bought it yesterday and it is a new gun. The box is a 50th anniversary box properly marked with serial number and caliber. The store owner told me he bought five several years ago and mine was the last he had to sell. The bluing is very nice and the rifle seems lighter than my .223 M77 in stainless. I will probably mount a compact Burris or Leupold 4x scope on it. I wonder if handloading 150-170 grain 30/30 silvertip bullets would make a good 100 yard deer load or maybe 130 grain spitzer softpoints would be better?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A couple of guys I talked with said the Nosler 125 ballistic tip was a real winner in the 7.62. I loaded some for a Rossi single shot that worked well enough and gave good penetration and expansion at 100 yards.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 150 -170 gr is too heavy...best to stick with the 125 gr SP...Speer or Hornad...the .311 works best for me. They are more accurate in my Ruger.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iwannausernameiwannausername Member Posts: 7,131
    edited November -1
    IIRC - and I'm positive about the mini 30 - both the -30 and the 77 yse a tapered barrel - 311 at chamber end, 308 at bore. Read it in a G&A when they first came out many moons ago...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steve45steve45 Member Posts: 2,940 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mobuck, I have a Colt 7.62x39 upper and it has either 310 or 311 stamped right into the barrel.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.