Ruger M77 Mark II 223 target rifle

smee78 · September 22, 2012, 04:55 PM

What is the going rate for one of these used? I found one at a local shop yesterday and they wanted $499 for it with a scope on it. I did not get the scope make but it was a 6-24x40 and had stoney point target turrets on it. The rifle was made in 1994 and was the brown laminate with target gray finish. Thanks,

Scorch · September 22, 2012, 05:54 PM

Sounds like a decent deal. They typically sell for $450-$550ish used depending on condition. If it has just about any scope on it, it is worth it. And the Stoney Point turrets are pretty good.

chipchip · September 22, 2012, 06:13 PM

I had one and with Hornady 50gr Vmax was able to get 1/2'' at 100 yrds. Wish I never sold it. Had Leupold VXll 4x12 AO

BIG P · September 23, 2012, 01:10 AM

Would'nt take 500 for my VT 243 thats just me

smee78 · September 23, 2012, 03:36 PM

Thanks everyone for the info so far, I am going back to look at it again tomorrow.

goredsox · September 27, 2012, 09:46 PM

get it... it's a nice rifle... I've been looking for a used one since reading this Sniper Central review several years ago -- http://www.snipercentral.com/mk2vle.htm

45YearsShooting · September 28, 2012, 07:52 PM

Those are nice guns, but you may have to experiment with different bullets to get really good groups. Three of my friends bought that rifle, two of them in .223 and one of them in 22-250. All three of them did not group that well with most bullets. It was difficult to get them to shoot under an inch at 100 yards. For me, I need 1/2-inch at 100 yards to be happy. The fact that it is a used gun can also mean that the original owner was not happy with the groups.

coyota1 · September 28, 2012, 08:34 PM

One of my shooting friends has a 77 223 target, same as the one you described. It has a nice smooth action, and a two stage trigger. Shoots very tight. I would say halfinchish with good handloads, or premium ammo. Nice rig for the price.

smee78 · September 29, 2012, 08:31 AM

Thanks for the info and imput everyone, I think I'm going to give this one a try, I know most of the reviews say you have one that will shoot or it will not but I think with a little time at the reloading bench I may be able to find something it will like. Worst case I can always have it rebarreled for that new fangled 300BLK round and give that a try.

"The fact that it is a used gun can also mean that the original owner was not happy with the groups."

45, I agree it could mean that,,,,,It could also be that it is hunting season and the seller needed a rifle for deer season instead of wabit season,,,,,or it could also mean the economy is still in the ****ter and the person needed money for bills?

coyota1 · September 29, 2012, 08:55 AM

I knew a guy that traded a nice pre 64 30 30 for a lousy cross bow. Lots of reasons for people getting rid of used guns.

45YearsShooting · September 29, 2012, 11:55 PM

Sure, there are a thousand good reasons for someone selling a great gun. The problem is, you don't know the reason, so there's a bit more risk than buying a new gun. Personally, I just don't like buying a used gun from someone I don't know or trust. Just my preference.

There is risk in buying a new gun also, especially if you require the kind of accuracy I do. I try to minimize that risk by reading forums like this to get a consensus on the typical accuracy of a certain gun model. This has worked well for me. That is why I currently own Tikkas, Sakos, Savages, CZs, and Anschutz rifles. I have not been impressed with the accuracy of Ruger rifles in general, although the rifle you are considering may be their most accurate. Only an accurate rifle is interesting to me. Not having to work hard to find an accurate load make me like a rifle a LOT more. My favorite guns shoot just about everything well.

I've had experience with three of the exact same model rifle you are considering, so thought I'd share that experience. Me and my three friends where all considering buying that Ruger at the same time. I researched it to death on the forums and with the Varmint Hunters Association and concluded that I could not expect the accuracy I wanted out of it, and that the heavy-barreled Savage varmint rifles were more accurate. Three of my friends ended up buying it anyway. I ended up buying the Savage 112 BVSS instead. Our results mirrored that of the other owners on the forums. My Savage was the most accurate; their Rugers had a nicer shaped stock, were less club-like, prettier and nicer to handle. To me trying to hit a prairie dog at 300 yards, accuracy was everything, and it resulted in me missing less shots than my friends. The difference between 3 inch groups at 300 yards and 1-1/2-inch groups at 300 yards is huge when trying to hit a 4-inch wide prairie dog.

With varmint rifles, you also have to wonder if the barrel is shot out after 15 or 20 years. With a .223 like the gun you are considering, this is usually not too much of an issue. With a 22-250 or .220 Swift, I would be concerned. I put more than 30,000 rounds through that Savage .223 in 15 years before I sold it recently. I'm not sure I'd want a .220 Swift with that many rounds through it, especially since when shooting prairie dogs, you can shoot more than 100 rounds per hour, and even thick barrels get WAY too hot to touch, even in .223. I also didn't want to stop to clean it in the middle of a 500-round day. If the original owner lived in Wyoming, I'd be more worried than if he lived in Connecticut.

However, if you like the gun, take the chance. That's a good price, and you can do much worse.

coyota1 · September 30, 2012, 01:23 AM

It's easy to pull the bolt and look at the throat for wear. This area will go before the rest of the barrel.

45YearsShooting · September 30, 2012, 02:56 PM

Coyota: That's interesting. Never thought of that. However, I wouldn't know the difference between a worn throat and a new one if it were staring me in the face. I guess you need some experience viewing worn throats before it would be easy.

coyota1 · September 30, 2012, 03:27 PM

Try looking down a new clean bore and compare it to the 77. I would describe throat erosion as alligator texture in the throat area. If it looks smooth, then you are probably gonna be good to go. I wouldn't consider a 77 as possibly being a lemon.

mdd · September 30, 2012, 05:37 PM

I have two v/t model rugers and am happy with both of them. The 22-250 is my most accurate rifle.

smee78 · October 1, 2012, 06:13 PM

Thanks again everyone for your imput. If you got picks please put them up.

warbirdlover · October 4, 2012, 06:19 PM

I've got a M77 Mk II all-weather stainless .300 Win Mag (built in that same time frame) that I put a Boyds laminated stock on. It was a tackhammer before with their "paddle" stock but now (after pillar & glass bedding it and free floating the barrel by a gunsmith) it's almost one hole when I'm holding well. And that's any kind of factory ammo I feed it. After I found it shot so well with anything factory I sold all my reloading stuff (and I had a beautiful reloading setup worth $$$$).

September 22, 2012, 04:55 PM	#1
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Ruger M77 Mark II 223 target rifle What is the going rate for one of these used? I found one at a local shop yesterday and they wanted $499 for it with a scope on it. I did not get the scope make but it was a 6-24x40 and had stoney point target turrets on it. The rifle was made in 1994 and was the brown laminate with target gray finish. Thanks, __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

September 22, 2012, 05:54 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Sounds like a decent deal. They typically sell for $450-$550ish used depending on condition. If it has just about any scope on it, it is worth it. And the Stoney Point turrets are pretty good. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 23, 2012, 03:36 PM	#5
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Thanks everyone for the info so far, I am going back to look at it again tomorrow. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

September 29, 2012, 08:31 AM	#9
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Thanks for the info and imput everyone, I think I'm going to give this one a try, I know most of the reviews say you have one that will shoot or it will not but I think with a little time at the reloading bench I may be able to find something it will like. Worst case I can always have it rebarreled for that new fangled 300BLK round and give that a try. "The fact that it is a used gun can also mean that the original owner was not happy with the groups." 45, I agree it could mean that,,,,,It could also be that it is hunting season and the seller needed a rifle for deer season instead of wabit season,,,,,or it could also mean the economy is still in the ***ter and the person needed money for bills? __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are Last edited by smee78; September 29, 2012 at 08:39 AM.*

September 30, 2012, 05:37 PM	#15
mdd Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Posts: 626	I have two v/t model rugers and am happy with both of them. The 22-250 is my most accurate rifle. __________________ So many coyotes....so little time....

September 22, 2012, 06:13 PM	#3
chipchip Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Posts: 247	I had one and with Hornady 50gr Vmax was able to get 1/2'' at 100 yrds. Wish I never sold it. Had Leupold VXll 4x12 AO

September 23, 2012, 01:10 AM	#4
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	Would'nt take 500 for my VT 243 thats just me

September 27, 2012, 09:46 PM	#6
goredsox Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 24	get it... it's a nice rifle... I've been looking for a used one since reading this Sniper Central review several years ago -- http://www.snipercentral.com/mk2vle.htm

September 28, 2012, 07:52 PM	#7
45YearsShooting Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 105	Those are nice guns, but you may have to experiment with different bullets to get really good groups. Three of my friends bought that rifle, two of them in .223 and one of them in 22-250. All three of them did not group that well with most bullets. It was difficult to get them to shoot under an inch at 100 yards. For me, I need 1/2-inch at 100 yards to be happy. The fact that it is a used gun can also mean that the original owner was not happy with the groups.

September 28, 2012, 08:34 PM	#8
coyota1 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 663	One of my shooting friends has a 77 223 target, same as the one you described. It has a nice smooth action, and a two stage trigger. Shoots very tight. I would say halfinchish with good handloads, or premium ammo. Nice rig for the price.

September 29, 2012, 08:55 AM	#10
coyota1 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 663	I knew a guy that traded a nice pre 64 30 30 for a lousy cross bow. Lots of reasons for people getting rid of used guns.

September 29, 2012, 11:55 PM	#11
45YearsShooting Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 105	Sure, there are a thousand good reasons for someone selling a great gun. The problem is, you don't know the reason, so there's a bit more risk than buying a new gun. Personally, I just don't like buying a used gun from someone I don't know or trust. Just my preference. There is risk in buying a new gun also, especially if you require the kind of accuracy I do. I try to minimize that risk by reading forums like this to get a consensus on the typical accuracy of a certain gun model. This has worked well for me. That is why I currently own Tikkas, Sakos, Savages, CZs, and Anschutz rifles. I have not been impressed with the accuracy of Ruger rifles in general, although the rifle you are considering may be their most accurate. Only an accurate rifle is interesting to me. Not having to work hard to find an accurate load make me like a rifle a LOT more. My favorite guns shoot just about everything well. I've had experience with three of the exact same model rifle you are considering, so thought I'd share that experience. Me and my three friends where all considering buying that Ruger at the same time. I researched it to death on the forums and with the Varmint Hunters Association and concluded that I could not expect the accuracy I wanted out of it, and that the heavy-barreled Savage varmint rifles were more accurate. Three of my friends ended up buying it anyway. I ended up buying the Savage 112 BVSS instead. Our results mirrored that of the other owners on the forums. My Savage was the most accurate; their Rugers had a nicer shaped stock, were less club-like, prettier and nicer to handle. To me trying to hit a prairie dog at 300 yards, accuracy was everything, and it resulted in me missing less shots than my friends. The difference between 3 inch groups at 300 yards and 1-1/2-inch groups at 300 yards is huge when trying to hit a 4-inch wide prairie dog. With varmint rifles, you also have to wonder if the barrel is shot out after 15 or 20 years. With a .223 like the gun you are considering, this is usually not too much of an issue. With a 22-250 or .220 Swift, I would be concerned. I put more than 30,000 rounds through that Savage .223 in 15 years before I sold it recently. I'm not sure I'd want a .220 Swift with that many rounds through it, especially since when shooting prairie dogs, you can shoot more than 100 rounds per hour, and even thick barrels get WAY too hot to touch, even in .223. I also didn't want to stop to clean it in the middle of a 500-round day. If the original owner lived in Wyoming, I'd be more worried than if he lived in Connecticut. However, if you like the gun, take the chance. That's a good price, and you can do much worse.

September 30, 2012, 01:23 AM	#12
coyota1 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 663	It's easy to pull the bolt and look at the throat for wear. This area will go before the rest of the barrel.

September 30, 2012, 02:56 PM	#13
45YearsShooting Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 105	Coyota: That's interesting. Never thought of that. However, I wouldn't know the difference between a worn throat and a new one if it were staring me in the face. I guess you need some experience viewing worn throats before it would be easy.

September 30, 2012, 03:27 PM	#14
coyota1 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 663	Try looking down a new clean bore and compare it to the 77. I would describe throat erosion as alligator texture in the throat area. If it looks smooth, then you are probably gonna be good to go. I wouldn't consider a 77 as possibly being a lemon.

October 1, 2012, 06:13 PM	#16
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Thanks again everyone for your imput. If you got picks please put them up. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

October 4, 2012, 06:19 PM	#17
warbirdlover Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2009 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 2,324	I've got a M77 Mk II all-weather stainless .300 Win Mag (built in that same time frame) that I put a Boyds laminated stock on. It was a tackhammer before with their "paddle" stock but now (after pillar & glass bedding it and free floating the barrel by a gunsmith) it's almost one hole when I'm holding well. And that's any kind of factory ammo I feed it. After I found it shot so well with anything factory I sold all my reloading stuff (and I had a beautiful reloading setup worth $$$$).