Suspected Ruger M77VT .. Can you confirm?

FrankenMauser · November 11, 2008, 09:22 PM

I have a Ruger M77 I'm try to nail down. I'm 90% certain it's a VT (Varmint/Target), but can't find any information on it.

Can anyone here verify the model with this information? A production year wouldn't hurt, either.

Left side of receiver:
"Ruger M77"

Serial Number:
"78-51xxx"

Ejection port length:
2.735"

26" Bull barrel

.220 Swift

Original adjustable trigger

Tang safety, bolt is locked with safety on.

My thoughts...
The serial number series of "78-" on the receiver indicates it was a special model, but Ruger has no information on it.

The adjustable trigger seems to be a different design than standard tang-safety M77s. From what I understand, only the LE and VT rifles had a different trigger.

If there's any other information that would help, feel free to ask.

FrankenMauser · November 14, 2008, 04:09 AM

Anyone... Anyone?

redwing 40 · November 14, 2008, 09:12 AM

It does sound like the Varmint model? I was not aware that the 78 number indicated that it was a limited run. I do know I bought one of the first run of these rifles. The first ones did not have Adj. triggers. To make things worse when the Adj. trigger came out they would not replace the old crap triggers with there up-dated triggers.

The one I had did not shoot that well. I traded it for a Winchester Mdl. 70 Heavy Varmint which I still have. I think this was around 1993 not real sure.

November 11, 2008, 09:22 PM	#1
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Suspected Ruger M77VT .. Can you confirm? I have a Ruger M77 I'm try to nail down. I'm 90% certain it's a VT (Varmint/Target), but can't find any information on it. Can anyone here verify the model with this information? A production year wouldn't hurt, either. Left side of receiver: "Ruger M77" Serial Number: "78-51xxx" Ejection port length: 2.735" 26" Bull barrel .220 Swift Original adjustable trigger Tang safety, bolt is locked with safety on. My thoughts... The serial number series of "78-" on the receiver indicates it was a special model, but Ruger has no information on it. The adjustable trigger seems to be a different design than standard tang-safety M77s. From what I understand, only the LE and VT rifles had a different trigger. If there's any other information that would help, feel free to ask. Last edited by FrankenMauser; November 11, 2008 at 10:05 PM. Reason: Typo...

November 14, 2008, 04:09 AM	#2
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Anyone... Anyone?

November 14, 2008, 09:12 AM	#3
redwing 40 Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Posts: 73	It does sound like the Varmint model? I was not aware that the 78 number indicated that it was a limited run. I do know I bought one of the first run of these rifles. The first ones did not have Adj. triggers. To make things worse when the Adj. trigger came out they would not replace the old crap triggers with there up-dated triggers. The one I had did not shoot that well. I traded it for a Winchester Mdl. 70 Heavy Varmint which I still have. I think this was around 1993 not real sure.