Buy, Sell or Hold?

[Blkram]

Ruger M77 Hawkeye RSI International 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser New Old Stock Factory New Condition!

These came with 1:8” twist 18.5” barrels too.

What should I do with this rifle?
A) Keep it in unfired condition and hope it goes up in value.
B) Shoot it and then go hunting with it.
C) Sell it to someone else, and let them decide what to do with it?


View attachment 26683

B: Use it!!!

 

[Blkram]

I’ve read mixed reviews on how these particular rifles shoot?

The end cap is making contact with the barrel band, and the wood stock on both sides where the rear sight is attached to the barrel.

What’s odd is it came in a brand new box from Ruger stamped 01/29/25 and I looked up the manufacturer date too: 2025!

Yet on Ruger’s website they make no mention of even making them, or having them cataloged as a production rifle even when I searched for it on their website. No results.

I was told it came from Lipsey’s as a limited run in 2008, and they produced 285 of them in 6.5x55. Which is a fact that they did, the new box and manufacturer date has thrown me off from what I have?

If you call Lipsey's they will give you the correct information.
They have been good to talk to over the years.

 

[Blkram]

I mounted a Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 on my Lipsey's Edition Model 77 RSI in 250 Savage in the Ruger rings, when I had it.
It made a nice, light, and trim package with sufficient power for the cartridge.
It also shot very well. It would put 3 shots into 0.421" at 100 yards with the Hornady 100 gr ammo. And this was with no modifications to rifle. Hopefully yours will shoot as well with factory or handloads.
Your Trijicon 1-10x28 sounds like an interesting option that would be suitable for this rifle and cartridge.
While this is just me, I would stick to the factory rings, as they are very robust and work fine. The black Picatanny rail would just look wrong and out of place on this rifle. But again, this is just my two cents.

Depending on what you intend to hunt with it, I have liked various bullets ranging from the 120 gr Ballistic Tip up to the 140 gr AccuBond in my previous 6.5x55 Swedes in the past.
I have also liked the 129 gr Power Points, 130 gr AccuBonds, and 140 gr interlocks and X bullets. (Sorry, I have not tried the newer 140 gr TSXs in my newer 6.5 Swede rifles as yet.)

 

[longrangehunter]

@Blkram
Thank you for your recommendations, and I appreciate your response to my dilemma. I never expected to see a brand new box, or find a mfg date in 2025. But maybe that’s better!?! New barrel making equipment, I read that they are 5R type rifling.

My issue with the standard Ruger rings was having to buy them in 30mm and 34mm, and whether or not the setup worked well vs just mounting it up with what they are already in?

They are very good QD rings though. I used them when I went to Africa on a 30’06 Sprg. Hopefully this rifle will shoot as good or better than that rifle. It was a good shooter!

I’ll probably start with some SMK’s to break in the barrel and FF the Lapua brass. That said I had planned on trying out the 125, and 140 Partitions once I get started with finding a hunting round.

My last Ruger M77 MkII really liked the Norma Oryx bullets with RL22. It’s too bad that Company can’t get their act together. I have a bunch of Norma Powders. I might have good luck with Norma URP, 204, or 203-B? Won’t know until I try though and find a bullet this barrel likes.

Hopefully something really comes together that’s a one and done decision.

Thanks again for your help blkram.

 

[RL338]

Let the sound of music begin….
View attachment 26696

Ooh the good stuff

 

[Blkram]

It is a little more difficult to sometimes find the Ruger stainless rings in 30mm, but they are out there. I don't know about the 34 mm tings as I have never looked for them...but I have never been interested in a 34mm tubed scope as yet. I forgot that Trijicon makes some of their scopes in 34mm tubes.
I take it the 1-10 is a 34mm tube?

As for the 125 and 140 gr Partitions, they should both be great options in this rifle of yours.
I should have said my "rifle preferred" the other bullets, instead of "I liked"! The 125s shot decently as did the 140s, in my first bolt action 6.5 Swede, it was just that some of the other bullets shot just a little better. (Sub-MOA vs MOA or 1.5 MOA) And I prefer accuracy over velocity. This works for me, as over the past 38 years of hunting big game, in all types of terrain, my average shot distance is just 132 yards!

I have two Swedes now; a LH Steyr Mannlicher Model M Special Edition with a 20" barrel, and a Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall with a 24" barrel.
I am going to load 140 gr AccuBond bullets in the Winchester first, as this is my favourite bullet, and is usually the easiest to work up an accurate load with, for use on game in more open hunting areas. (I have settled on using the 130 gr AccuBond and Terminal Ascent bullets in my 6.5 Creedmoor's, just because of the slightly lesser case capacity, and they are shooting so well in my rifles.)
I am going to try the 129 gr Power Points and 125 gr Partitions first in the Steyr, as I think that these two traditional cup and core bullets would work best for the game in the thicker brush and timber, where shots can be a lot closer. We should be able to get close to 2800 fps with the 125 gr Partition out of the shorter barrels on these full stocked rifles.

The Speer Hot cor would be another I would try, but would need to pick some up, as I only have them on hand for the .338 and .358. (I have had great on-game performance with the 220 gr Hot Cor in the 358 Win over the years! Deer, moose, elk and grizzly, from 20 to 140 yards.)
Speer only makes the .264 Hot Cor in the 140 gr, and it has a BC of .498 and a SD of .287. (As a comparison, the 140 gr Partition has a BC of .490).
At about 2700 fps, this would make a great performer on moose and black bear in the thick timber!
Even if one was only getting 2650 fps at the muzzle, it would still have approx 1900 ft lbs of energy at 100 yards, and if given the opportunity at an unwary elk at that distance, where I could be sure of a double lung hit, I would likely take that shot.
Have to see what velocities my rifle is going to produce!

 

[longrangehunter]

It is a little more difficult to sometimes find the Ruger stainless rings in 30mm, but they are out there. I don't know about the 34 mm tings as I have never looked for them...but I have never been interested in a 34mm tubed scope as yet. I forgot that Trijicon makes some of their scopes in 34mm tubes.
I take it the 1-10 is a 34mm tube?

As for the 125 and 140 gr Partitions, they should both be great options in this rifle of yours.
I should have said my "rifle preferred" the other bullets, instead of "I liked"! The 125s shot decently as did the 140s, in my first bolt action 6.5 Swede, it was just that some of the other bullets shot just a little better. (Sub-MOA vs MOA or 1.5 MOA) And I prefer accuracy over velocity. This works for me, as over the past 38 years of hunting big game, in all types of terrain, my average shot distance is just 132 yards!

I have two Swedes now; a LH Steyr Mannlicher Model M Special Edition with a 20" barrel, and a Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall with a 24" barrel.
I am going to load 140 gr AccuBond bullets in the Winchester first, as this is my favourite bullet, and is usually the easiest to work up an accurate load with, for use on game in more open hunting areas. (I have settled on using the 130 gr AccuBond and Terminal Ascent bullets in my 6.5 Creedmoor's, just because of the slightly lesser case capacity, and they are shooting so well in my rifles.)
I am going to try the 129 gr Power Points and 125 gr Partitions first in the Steyr, as I think that these two traditional cup and core bullets would work best for the game in the thicker brush and timber, where shots can be a lot closer. We should be able to get close to 2800 fps with the 125 gr Partition out of the shorter barrels on these full stocked rifles.

The Speer Hot cor would be another I would try, but would need to pick some up, as I only have them on hand for the .338 and .358. (I have had great on-game performance with the 220 gr Hot Cor in the 358 Win over the years! Deer, moose, elk and grizzly, from 20 to 140 yards.)
Speer only makes the .264 Hot Cor in the 140 gr, and it has a BC of .498 and a SD of .287. (As a comparison, the 140 gr Partition has a BC of .490).
At about 2700 fps, this would make a great performer on moose and black bear in the thick timber!
Even if one was only getting 2650 fps at the muzzle, it would still have approx 1900 ft lbs of energy at 100 yards, and if given the opportunity at an unwary elk at that distance, where I could be sure of a double lung hit, I would likely take that shot.
Have to see what velocities my rifle is going to produce!

I have a few green boxed 140 GameKing’s too that in the past have been easy to make shoot well. I plan on using the cheapest bullets I have sitting around for the first 50-100 rounds, maybe 75, and then start getting down to business with it.

Hard to say. Twenty plus years ago I had a Ruger M77 .257 Robert’s that just wouldn’t shoot no matter what I did. I bedded it, I tried pressure bedding the barrel, free floated it, nothing worked. So I sold it off in Missoula at the local gun store where I bought it.

The Trijicon Credo is a 34mm scope. Ruger’s website had 30mm and 34mm in SS, but I didn’t want to deal with putting the scopes I have in another set of rings.

 

[Blkram]

Yes, some rifles are just that way!
I hope this rifle shoots for you!
I just love the RSI's; wish they made them in LH! (As much as I like the No.1, sometimes I just want a bolt action!)

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I have a few green boxed 140 GameKing’s too that in the past have been easy to make shoot well. I plan on using the cheapest bullets I have sitting around for the first 50-100 rounds, maybe 75, and then start getting down to business with it.

Hard to say. Twenty plus years ago I had a Ruger M77 .257 Robert’s that just wouldn’t shoot no matter what I did. I bedded it, I tried pressure bedding the barrel, free floated it, nothing worked. So I sold it off in Missoula at the local gun store where I bought it.

The Trijicon Credo is a 34mm scope. Ruger’s website had 30mm and 34mm in SS, but I didn’t want to deal with putting the scopes I have in another set of rings.

Like you I had a Mod 77 in 257 Roberts and the only thing I got to group somewhat decent was a 75gr HP. It has been the only rifle I gave up on.
Those 140gr Game Kings do wonders on deer in my 6.5x55 Mod 70.

 

[longrangehunter]

Like you I had a Mod 77 in 257 Roberts and the only thing I got to group somewhat decent was a 75gr HP. It has been the only rifle I gave up on.
Those 140gr Game Kings do wonders on deer in my 6.5x55 Mod 70.

Same here, it was a PITA! Well that at least makes me feel better!!

That’s cool that you have a model 70 chambered in a Swede, was that a factory caliber available?

How long is your bbl.? Curious about what you used to get it to come together?

I ran 10 rounds through it today. The one thing that really helped out was how fast the barrel cleaned up! Ten patches for three rounds fired, no sticky/tight spots. It’s as nice as the custom barrels that I have! Which totally surprised me!!

I used some vintage (10/24/2006) IMR 4350 I have that really worked well in a 8mm Mag with 200 gr Speer’s many moons ago.

I didn’t chronograph them, they were all the same charge weight, 42.0. I only changed the seating depths on these 10 rounds. Accuracy wasn’t bad for a light weight factory gun. Descent trigger, heavy but breaks clean. Took the first three at 40 yards, the next seven were at 100 yards. Hopefully the pick will load?

 

[Blkram]

When I had my first Rem 700 Classic in 6.5x55, it liked the max charges of IMR 4350 with both the 140 gr Nosler Partitions and the Barnes X bullets. The X bullet would put 5 rounds into less than an inch at 200 yards. The Partitions would go just over an inch. I didn't own, or have access to, a chrony back then.

I am going to try the following powders with the 140 gr AccuBonds in both the 20" barreled Steyr and the 24" barreled Winchester rifles I have now (velocities are with max charges at safe pressures in modern actions according to QuickLoad for these two rifles respectively):

• Re-26: 2901 and 3031 fps
• Re-17: 2822 and 2941 fps
• Re-16: 2821 and 2940 fps
• Hunter: 2797 and 2920 fps
• IMR4350: 2745 and 2864 fps

I'll be working up in half grain increments to be able to see what loads are actually proving safe in these rifles. While the velocity would be great, I will still be looking for accuracy first. And even if I do not get reach these velocities, even a 100 fps less would be a great performer, as I really liked the performance of the Norma and Hornady Euro Spec Light Magnum ammo that I used back in the late 90's, which was at 2780 fps with 140 gr Partitions and Interlocks, respectively.

Looks like I'll be seeing about a 30 fps increase in velocity for each additional inch of barrel length between these two rifles, if everything works out as per QuickLoad.

If I get a load with accuracy and velocities as may be be achievable, I may ponder whether or not I keep the 6.5 PRC, as these velocities are in its neck of the woods, while burning about 10% less powder!

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Same here, it was a PITA! Well that at least makes me feel better!!

That’s cool that you have a model 70 chambered in a Swede, was that a factory caliber available?

How long is your bbl.? Curious about what you used to get it to come together?

I ran 10 rounds through it today. The one thing that really helped out was how fast the barrel cleaned up! Ten patches for three rounds fired, no sticky/tight spots. It’s as nice as the custom barrels that I have! Which totally surprised me!!

I used some vintage (10/24/2006) IMR 4350 I have that really worked well in a 8mm Mag with 200 gr Speer’s many moons ago.

I didn’t chronograph them, they were all the same charge weight, 42.0. I only changed the seating depths on these 10 rounds. Accuracy wasn’t bad for a light weight factory gun. Descent trigger, heavy but breaks clean. Took the first three at 40 yards, the next seven were at 100 yards. Hopefully the pick will load?

Yes, it is factory, made in the 80s. Barrel is 22ins. IMR4350 with Nosler 120Bt,125Pt and Sierra 140GK. H4350 with Sierra 120Pro Hunter. H4831SC with Hornady 129SP. RL19 with Hornady 129SST, Nosler 120BT. RL22 with Sierra 140GK. This rifle seems to be powder specific to which bullet it likes. Have a Tikka that likes RL22,19. Winchester Stabal 6.5 does well in both.

 

[FOTIS]

IMO this rifle screams for a compact style scope.

 

[longrangehunter]

IMO this rifle screams for a compact style scope.

The smallest scope(s) I have available is the S&B 3-12x42 Klassik that is on it now.
A USO TPAL 1.8-10x37 but that’s on my Remington Mil-Spec .223.
I have a Trijicon Credo 1-10x28 Mrad I was thinking about putting on it since it’s a super scope setup for shooting with both eyes open.

The S&B has a Mil-Dot FFP that works quite well for hunting situations, but I’d still like to see a lower power scope on it.

Believe it or not the Schott glass in my US Optics has The best glass you’ll ever see in any scope out there!

 

[longrangehunter]

Yes, it is factory, made in the 80s. Barrel is 22ins. IMR4350 with Nosler 120Bt,125Pt and Sierra 140GK. H4350 with Sierra 120Pro Hunter. H4831SC with Hornady 129SP. RL19 with Hornady 129SST, Nosler 120BT. RL22 with Sierra 140GK. This rifle seems to be powder specific to which bullet it likes. Have a Tikka that likes RL22,19. Winchester Stabal 6.5 does well in both.

Twenty years ago I had various rifles that shot extremely well with RL22, and 19. I liked them so much I had every powder from RL15-33 in my possession. Now I only have RL15 that I use in my MK12, a single pound of RL16, and whatever is in a bottle of RL26 a friend gave me.

They never were great on really low ES/SD’s, but always gave top velocities and produced good groups. The older stuff was a little temp sensitive too. Now I just gave up on them after acquiring the last batch’s of Norma from Powder Valley four years ago, which I was holding out to use for something like this.

At the moment I need to make a decision what powder do I start with after the next 10 I’m going to shoot today.

 

[longrangehunter]

So evidently this rifle was in fact made just this year per my conversation with Ruger today.

This barrel cleans up super quickly! I hope to get back to testing it asap, we’ve had a lot of wind here the last two days.

I’m going to try a 120 Scenar with VV N160. Which is basically what I use in my 260. I’ll have 20 rounds down the barrel after that, or when I get back at it?

I’ll have to figure out how to mount my MagnetoSpeed to the rifle stock and see if it will work?

 

[JD338]

So evidently this rifle was in fact made just this year per my conversation with Ruger today.

This barrel cleans up super quickly! I hope to get back to testing it asap, we’ve had a lot of wind here the last two days.

I’m going to try a 120 Scenar with VV N160. Which is basically what I use in my 260. I’ll have 20 rounds down the barrel after that, or when I get back at it?

I’ll have to figure out how to mount my MagnetoSpeed to the rifle stock and see if it will work?

You need a Garmin Xero!

JD338

 

[longrangehunter]

You need a Garmin Xero!

JD338

I’ve needed one of those ever since my Ohler broke, and bought this to replace it a few months before the Garmin came out.

I bought Garmin’s stock when they brought it out, and it was flying off the shelves instead. I still own it, and why I’m giving away the MagnetoSpeed with my SAC 260 Remington rifle I’m selling. That @300WSM should buy….. He needs a rifle that can shoot better than he can. That way his Likes will blow up the server, and never regret owning a custom gun that will out shoot his 30-378 without the excessive recoil and copious amounts of gunpowder! Lol

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I’ll have to figure out how to mount my MagnetoSpeed to the rifle stock and see if it will work?

It's a stretch but you should be able to. I laced one onto my Sako Forrester full stock when I owned the Magneto. Own a Garmin now.

 

[longrangehunter]

It's a stretch but you should be able to. I laced one onto my Sako Forrester full stock when I owned the Magneto. Own a Garmin now.

It does have the ability to strap it to the end of the muzzle end, but I had to modify the mount to level the be bayonet to function properly with a business card folded up.

Not a lot of velocity with a 18 1/2 inch barrel. Most of the powders I’ve tested so far are in the 2600 to 2650 ft./s range with a 120 grain bullet. VVN160, H4350, IMR 4350. I think it needs a faster powder due to the short barrel, but then you run into low percentage fill ratios which sucks.