I have three M77's. One a 7MM mag was good enough take an elk at 425 yards with hand loads. One a 338 mag put the first 5 rounds of 210 federal ammo into 5/8" at 100 yards. Still have some of that ammo and
the 338 still shoots as good a ever. The third M77 is a 280. it has never been...
Sounds fishy to me, about 2 years ago, I sent my 300 Ultra mag back to
Remington to have the bolt checked, as it did not reseat the sear as I wanted.
Remington fixed it as I wanted and returned it within two weeks.
I did not start reloading until I was 40 and started with Lee loaders. I
am now 74. I still have the Lee loaders and the guns they were for
also. Now, I use RCBS equipment and Oehler 33 crony. I load for
15 different weapons now.