Ruger M77 MKII Youth Build

[fasteddie911]

Hi,
I have a Ruger M77 MKII in .308 with the boat paddle stock. I bought it new in 1998 or so, and I haven't really done much work or hunting with it, no particular reason, just moved onto different guns and such. Last I remember I tried the 125gr BT and it had 1.5"-2" groups at about 2950fps out of 22" barrel with minimal load development. I have always wanted a youth sized rifle, something compact and easy to carry, something like the Model 7. So I'm thinking of chopping the barrel down 2", changing the stock and maybe even cutting the butt down, and doing some more load development. Now I am wondering if you guys think its worthwhile to do this work to the ruger, or should I go and pickup something like the Model 7(probably in 7mm-08 though)? I've always admired the model 7, but its a bit pricey and I already have the ruger and the necessary components to reload, do you think its worth it? I guess there's also a conflict with calibers too, between the .308 and 7mm-08. What do you guys suggest? Thanks!

 

[Guest]

I think you'd be fine to "youth-enize" your rifle. I'd probably start with working the stock over, and see how it balanced. Then, if it's not "perfect" you can cut down the barrel. I'd suggest going 1" at a time. It's more expensive, but the trick is, you can always cut more off, you can't add it back on if you cut too much. It shouldn't be too bad to get it cut and then get a feel for it at 21", if you didn't like it at 22", then if it's still not "right" you can have the smith cut it again, before he re-crowns it. That way you'll save what you can cost-wise, but get the best fit and feel from your rifle. You might check with Ruger about a youth sized stock (perhaps one from their ultralight series that comes with a 20" barrel, though I don't know if it's shorter in length of pull).

I don't think you'll find a nickel's worth of difference in the 308Win and 7mm-08Rem as youth rifle loads go. Either is going to be flexible and easy to manage with good handloads. Sounds like a nice idea to give it a youth-enizing treatment. Keep us posted on your results.

 

[JD338]

+1
I agree with dubyam's suggestions to youth-enizing the Ruger. Consider cutting the barrel down after you restock it and work up loads.

JD338

 

[fasteddie911]

Thanks for the suggestions and tips. I just love the compactness and feel of a youth sized rifle, especially since I'm on the smaller side. There's just something about the Model 7 that's always intrigued me for years, not sure if its the size/feel or the hype, but maybe building my ruger to a similar size/feel will satisfy my curiosity. I would love to hear others opinions as well. Thanks!

 

[Big Squeeze]

Fast Ed,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,As a suggestion, I would check the price difference between what you would like to do to your old Ruger vs just buying a new Ruger compact. Many NIB Ruger compacts are all over the place like on Gunbroker which can be had in the $500 range or so.

As a Ruger Frontier owner myself, which is identical in OAL to the new Ruger compacts and about 3/4 lb lighter than the Ruger Frontiers, you`re not going to beat the little Ruger compacts for handling, carrying, as a truck gun, or in any other dept expected out of a youth sized rifle. My best reloads give me moas and less. No bedding was ever done. Straight out of the box.

I`m 6'3" @ 240 lbs. So I`m no youth sized pip squeak squirt. Love my Frontier in the field. I just add my Limbsaver slip on pad should I need an additional LOP of 1" or leave it off as needed to the std 12.5".....

 

[fasteddie911]

According to my calculations, it does come out much cheaper, but I actually could make my ruger into a compact because they sell the compact stock for my model rifle apparently, and I just have to chop off a couple inches. Though I have considered picking up a compact in 7.62x39 for some plinking fun.

 

[1Shot]

I have a Rem 700SA in 308 Win. that many years ago a fellow built to use as a hunter class bench rest rifle. It has a varmint weight Heart barrel and to make weight he had to cut the barrel to 21 1/2". It is in an old Brown Precision glass composite pillar bedded stock. I have a 3-9X50 Leupold VXII scope on it. It makes a great short quick handling super accurate deer killing machine. THE LOAD, and I might add it shoots in about every 308 rifle I have ever seen, is 46 grs IMR 4895, WW case, CCI-BR2 primer, 125 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. I get right at 3000 fps average out of my rifle and it seems to have 1/3 less felt recoil as a 150 gr bullet and it just hammers deer out to a little over 300 yards which is as far as I have killed one with it. My buddy got one of the Ruger compact/youth rifles a while back for his girl friend. It was a SS rifle with the laminated wood stock and with the above load it was a tack driver and it killed a pile of deer also. I would also put the stock on that I wanted and mount the scope I was going to use before I went to chopping on the barrel to see how it balanced. One thing to the good side is you will not see much velocity loss with the 308 Win going from a 22" to a 20" barrel is you do decide to chop the barrel.