Ruger M77 Compact

[Rs3003]

I was looking at the Ruger M77 compact. I was thinking 7mm-08. Seems like a great gun for small frame/youth shooters. Light weight and easy to shoulder. Does anyone have experience with this gun? What distance are they accurate out too? How is the recoil? Any other calibers to consider in this fun? I have 2 boys that I hope to get into hunting that this seems like a great gun for them.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

My sister in law has one and likes it a lot. She’s killed deer out to around 250 yards with it.
Shoots about MOA with cheap Remington and Winchester ammo.

My personal opinion is that the rifle would be nicer with an 18 1/2 or 19 inch barrel. Slightly longer barrel would make it easier on the ears.

 

[micus]

I have one and I hunt with it frequently, very hand in the bush due to its size. Mine was originally a .243 but had it rebarreled to .308. The gun is quite accurate both when it was a .243 and now. Shoots fed blue box into just under an inch for 5 shot groups does .75 5 shot groups with hand loads.

I would consider you getting your boys into a .308, opens up some bullet choices and will allow them to hunt whatever they want in NA.

Last year I shot a Wild boar at 250yds with a 150gr SPBT and a 6'2" spring bear across a draw at 430yds with a 178eldx. Both 1 shot KO's

I love the little guy!

Mike.

 

[Rs3003]

I’m a little concerned about the noise. I don’t want to scare the boys. I know hearing protection should and will be worn.

 

[huntsman22]

The Ultralites have a 20" barrel and are considerably quieter. Will also fit into the compact stock, or LSS chassis for shorter/adjustable LOP

 

[Jimbob]

A rifle that fits a small frame is so important for a young shooter. My boy has been shooting a Ruger American compact in 7mm-08 for a few years and he really likes it. It has an 18" barrel and the sound has no effect (ear protection at the range of course). He shot a bear at 240 and a goat at 70 yds this year (10 years old), he said he cannot remember hearing the gun or feeling the kick. 7mm-08 or .308 are great calibers for young shooters. I reload reduced loads in both of those calibers for my son and nephews to practice.

That M77 looks so nice.

 

[Rs3003]

I appreciate all the responses. Yinz make it easy for me to spend my money. The M77 is a great looking gun.

 

[howl]

I really don't like short barrels for kids. The increased muzzle blast isn't the reason. If you make donning ear pro. part of the shot sequence they'll use it out of habit.

The reason is short barreled guns are more likely to be pointed at the shooter and bystanders. This is the same reason I don't let them shoot handguns. And the same reason I won't let a new adult shooter load more than one round at a time in a handgun until they demonstrate control of the weapon. Even experienced shooters have accidentally shot themselves.

My kids can't shoot any of their guns offhand. All shooting is done from a rested position. Part of our practice is moving the gun from rest position to rest position between different targets, putting careful one shot hits on target. These kids can hit at least as well and as quickly as the average adult deer hunter.

 

[Rs3003]

I really don't like short barrels for kids. The increased muzzle blast isn't the reason. If you make donning ear pro. part of the shot sequence they'll use it out of habit.

The reason is short barreled guns are more likely to be pointed at the shooter and bystanders. This is the same reason I don't let them shoot handguns. And the same reason I won't let a new adult shooter load more than one round at a time in a handgun until they demonstrate control of the weapon. Even experienced shooters have accidentally shot themselves.

My kids can't shoot any of their guns offhand. All shooting is done from a rested position. Part of our practice is moving the gun from rest position to rest position between different targets, putting careful one shot hits on target. These kids can hit at least as well and as quickly as the average adult deer hunter.

This is really good advice. Thank you.

 

[Evergreen]

They are nice rifles but I bought one for my wife in 7/08 and she hated the recoil. Sold it and I believe the guy put a brake on it for his daughter to cure the recoil problem.

 

[Karl86]

Another option that i didn't see spoke of above is the Ruger Gunsite Scout. Im ignorant of the current caliber offerings, but i have 2 in 308 and they are very accurate. Plus they are very adjustable to the user. Also, they are threaded, so adding a brake is very simple if desired.
They are heavier than the compact though, but not enough to not hunt with. Hope this helps, both are great rifles.

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[juan trueno]

I really love the 77 compact. I had a 77 mark 2 compact in 308 that was my go to rifle for everything for a longtime. Such a beautiful rifle and tons of mojo. But shooting 180 partitions it was a quite the toothrattler. A buddy of mine wanted to borrow a rifle and we took that and a vanguard stainless 300wsm to the range and he shot the ruger once and opted for the vanguard 300wsm. I was cracking up- it’s just a 308 man...

Anyway for an experienced shooter I’d say heck yeah. For kids I want 20” barrel or more. Kids will back up from that fireball out the muzzle even with ear and eye pro. Casual shooters will do the same.

It’s a Great rifle, but it’s not a “kids” rifle. I think it’d be great for the right youth, but that would be a kid with some triggertime and already established habits


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[Rs3003]

Thank you for all the replies.

 

[Cant hit em]

Thank you for all the replies.

Tikka compact 243 i bought my daughter 20” barrel adjustable Lop with spacers for the butt end , things a shooter