Gimlet Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 Following on from an earlier thread, I'm after a new .308 to replace my old PH. I want a heavy barrel varminter because I like them, and preferably a laminate stock, because I like them too. Can't afford a Sako, the obvious choice. Last time I posted on this subject after some useful imput it came down to a Howa 1500 laminate varminter, a CZ550 varminter or a Remington 700 VLS. I most liked the look of the Remy but I'm put off by reports of them being rough round the edges. I don't want a project gun for a grand, I want the finished article. I went into a local dealer today (not SGC) and they had a Ruger M77 in laminate varminter. It had a floated 26" heavy barrel, quite a pretty nutmeg laminate stock and stainless finish. They offered it for £900, on a par with the Remy, not much more than the CZ or the Howa. I have to say it looked nicer than any of them, with a high quality finish and fine machining- no rough edges. I didn't know Ruger did long barrel models, I thought they were all 22". I'm seriously tempted now. Anyone got one or tried one? If so what do you think? How do they shoot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 If it is the VT model it should shoot, my nephew has one in .223 that is like a drill, one hole inside another. Ruger has a pretty good rep here as far as their firearms are concerned, they don't cut corners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted May 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 If it is the VT model it should shoot, my nephew has one in .223 that is like a drill, one hole inside another. Ruger has a pretty good rep here as far as their firearms are concerned, they don't cut corners. Thanks. I guess its a VT. Definitely fully floated 26" heavy barrel. I must admit, when I picked it up I was struck by how tidy the engineering was for a gun of that price. I do usually prefer European style stocks with roll-over cheek pieces etc, but what the hell, I can get used to that. I think I can feel an order coming on. I wonder why they're not more popular here? Maybe poeple are too fond of moderators and shooting out of car windows in this country, and so we get swamped with 22" lightweights, which is not a format that gets the best from a .308 in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 Hi, Not the reason for posting, but you could, just out of interest, have a look at Gun Trader, Gun Search, Rifle, Falling Block, 308 - there is only one. Sat beside me doing nothing are two sets of Ruger steel mounts, one 1" and the other 30mm both having a c14mm height. If you jump, you're welcome to one or the other - postage only or collect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 There's a big difference here in what is tolerable concerning vehicles and shooting. I once had a CPO (conservation police officer) politely tell me if he ever caught someone shooting from a vehicle he would confiscate vehicle and firearm, the latter would become state property, the former would be returned in a few weeks and the fine would be substantial. He was so sincere I was pretty sure he meant it and have never had the minerals to try it as I am somewhat attached to my guns. I don't think the Ruger will disapoint you, the single shot Wimberely mentioned is probably a Ruger #1 falling block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 There's a big difference here in what is tolerable concerning vehicles and shooting. I once had a CPO (conservation police officer) politely tell me if he ever caught someone shooting from a vehicle he would confiscate vehicle and firearm, the latter would become state property, the former would be returned in a few weeks and the fine would be substantial. He was so sincere I was pretty sure he meant it and have never had the minerals to try it as I am somewhat attached to my guns. I don't think the Ruger will disapoint you, the single shot Wimberely mentioned is probably a Ruger #1 falling block. Yep, and I also spotted the same in 22 Hornet. If I hadn't just........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 They are elegant guns although(and I am being direct) some have had some accuracy issues. Some shoot the lights out and some are pretty poor. Perhaps it has to do with the lack of rigidity in the stock? I have not owned one as I usually need more than one shot LOL., but have had some shooting buds that owned them. (past tense) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 Buy a Sako 75 heavy barrel. That Ruger in 1 year will be difficult to shift for £500 where as Sako will not be far off what you paid for one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 They are elegant guns although(and I am being direct) some have had some accuracy issues. Some shoot the lights out and some are pretty poor. Perhaps it has to do with the lack of rigidity in the stock? I have not owned one as I usually need more than one shot LOL., but have had some shooting buds that owned them. (past tense) Yep, concur. Took a bit of a risk but it paid off. Close to 1/2 MoA at worst and 450ft/lbs+ at 225 yards which is my max, and purely for fox from a stable bipod stance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted May 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 Hi, Not the reason for posting, but you could, just out of interest, have a look at Gun Trader, Gun Search, Rifle, Falling Block, 308 - there is only one. Sat beside me doing nothing are two sets of Ruger steel mounts, one 1" and the other 30mm both having a c14mm height. If you jump, you're welcome to one or the other - postage only or collect. Thanks for the offer. I take it the mounts are for the falling block Ruger? The rifle I'm looking at is a VT with blocks machined on to the receiver, which give me a lot more confidence that they'll be correctly aligned than the four dinky little screws on top of the Remy. I was hoping to stick on a pair of 30mm Warnes and my Duralyt and job done. Buy a Sako 75 heavy barrel. That Ruger in 1 year will be difficult to shift for £500 where as Sako will not be far off what you paid for one. I'd love a Sako. The dealer is offering the Ruger for £950. I'm surely not going to get a Sako of the same spec for that money. I know they hold their money but I don't chop and change my rifles that much and there's no all round deer calibre I'd have over a .308 so I'm after a keeper. Another thing, which I hadn't expected, the trigger on the Ruger is an absolute peach. A short travel two stage (the best sort), I would estimate 2 - 2.5 pound and crisp as a starched sheet. I would say its equal to if not better than the triggers on my Weihrauch rimfires, and that's saying something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 No, these are standard Ruger rings, but naturally would also fit a #1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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