In this video I take an in depth look at the Ruger M77 Mark II Zytel, skelton, boat paddle stock or whatever it's called? And I look at both the M77 and how it evolved along and the stock that makes this rifle unique.
Just bought my first rifle and decided to go with a 1987 M77. Drove 10 hrs through the night to pick it up, just getting out to the woods and it’s pouring rain! I LOVE IT !!! Couldn’t have asked for a better first day to get to know my new old lady !
I have one in .270, it's been my go to rifle for the past 30 years, from Florida to Alaska, Connecticut to Colorado, the thing has never let me down. I have all the faith in the world in it to get the job done every time.
Mr. Tom, I bought my first M77 Boat Paddle .22-Magnum in 1991. Since then, I own several in different caliber’s. Personally, my experience living on the coast of Alaska (Salt Breeze) Conditions. The rifle is basically indestructible with average care, extremely accurate in all conditions. I have some amazing shot stories, to many to tell. In conclusion, I rate that rifle my Go-To-Rifle in all conditions. New Subscriber, learned a lot, excellent job…
I have the same 77/22 in 22 mag and it is a real shooter... Check GunBroker and see what the current value is for a Boat Paddle .22 mag... you will be shocked at asking $$
Really appreciate your presentation style and the honesty and integrity that you deliver in your analysis mate !! Terrific work from a 30 year Ruger fan who’s always respected the genius of Bill himself Thank you for your efforts Subscribed and looking forward to seeing your further reviews ...........so genuine and refreshing and truthful from a bloke with deep hunting roots and heritage Best to you from sunny Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺
I have one in .270 with a stainless scope! I've had it over 25 years and have harvested a variety of big game with it! Love my Ruger..still use to this day!
I bought my 30.06 new when Ruger came out with the M77 Mk11 boat paddle stock. In order to shoot accurately I did replace the trigger with a Timney trigger, bedded the action and free floated the stock. I also use Barnes TTX 165 gr bullet with RL19 powder using Barnes recommenced max load. Since this rifle kicks like a mule and I'm approaching 70, I am installing a removable muzzle brake. I also mounted a good quality Vortex scope. I love this gun as well as my kids and grand kids. Shoots sub MOA and extremely accurate out to 300 yards (need that in New Mexico. If you ever want to sell your gun let me know, i will not hesitate taking it off you hands.
My dad and I have hunted with these in 300 win mag for 20 years. Unfortunately my dads was stolen out of his truck 2 days ago. They're fantastic but good lord that light narrow stock lets it buck. Also, I have had one or two of these in MKII with wood grain inserts. That's not to say someone didn't put the wood grain on a newer rifle. At one point we had around 20 of these in calibers from .22 LR to .338.
Enjoyed your video. Learned some things that I did not know about the history of the rifle. I bought one of these new back in the early 1990s in 300. Win. I think it was featured in Gun Digest that year. Been using it ever since. It is absolutely indestructible. Any large scratches can be sanded out of the stock and some fine steel wool or polishing cloth touches up the barrel. The only two things I didnt like about the rifle were the ribbed butt pad and the rattle of the integral sling brackets. I replaced the butt pad with a smooth recoil pad that does not catch on your clothes. Mine has proven very accurate with hand loads. Have used it much more than some of my “prettier” guns!
I'm glad you enjoyed it. And I have to say the more I use mine the more I like it. It's quickly becoming my go to rifle. The accuracy right now is 1 MOA with hand loads and I've only tried 2 loads in it so far. It handles great and like you said it's indestructible. And I suspect I'll be taking it with me this afternoon on a kayak access hunt just because I know it can take the abuse. BTW, that was a good idea changing the recoil pad. I'm ok with the recoil pad on mine. I haven't had any issues with it catching on my cloths or with recoil because its in .270 but I suspect a good recoil pad makes these so much nicer to shoot in heavy recoiling cartridges like yours? I would probably want to change the pad like you did even for a 30/06.
Thanks for this video. It's nice to see an appreciation for the older models. I have one in 270 with the wood inserts. I have always been drawn to this model. Thanks again.
I remember the day my dad bought this brand new. 1989. Black with green inserts. Scoped and zeroed it in when I got home from army training. It’s dead on and I’ve got to say when he passed I pulled that out of the safe a cried. We shot a lot of varmints with it. It looks brand new today. He knew quality when he saw it. Best $250 bucks he ever spent.
This is my first time seeing one of your review videos, and i will be a return customer for sure! Great review! This has been one of my bucketlist rifles for a long time. Just picked one up that was MFG in 1998 and chambered in .270. Can't wait to take it out in the PA deer woods this upcoming season!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! And I'll be load testing mine this weekend. I want to see just how accurate can this rifle be. Of course it's already minute of deer and I can't wait to take mine to the woods either.
Loved the tone of this video. I never thought of this rifle as inaccurate. I have this same rifle in 7mm. I've never changed a thing on it. I shoot Winchester Silvertip 150gr (a discontinued round) . It shoots sub moa. My son owns the blued M77 Mkll, it does not like that round. We just started trying other factory rounds until we found one that shoots moa.I took mine to a gunsmith to put a muzzle break, he told me not to change anything on the rifle, it was shooting as tight as some of his best rifles. Go figure. P.S., I bought this at Walmart.
As a white water canoer. This was the best thing after sliced bread. Through rapids, soaked, over and over. Love it when its called the boat paddle. Perfect rifle for harsh environments. You can beat on it and only feel bad about defeat. On the range it has to be allowed to cool down. It gets into drift when hot. Not a problem in one shot one kill cases. They do drift after about 7 rounds without time between. Usually low and to the right for me. Milage may vary. The only other go to for hunting in my Handi Rifle. No longer made. Add a 3X9 variable quality scope. You are in business. Mine is passed from my brother to me in .30-06. He passed. But, his soul remains on all hunts.
I have this rifle in .270 and 7mm08, both with zytel stocks. Both extremely accurate. I’ve watched your video on this several times. Great job and I’ll probably watch it several more times. Thank you sir
I happened upon my M77 many years ago used in a gun shop. I wasn’t familiar with the model but bought it because it was chambered in 7.62 x39, and I had a couple of cases that I bought for nothing! Roger must have only made a few in 7.62x39 because since then I have never heard of anyone owning one. I consistently get sub MOA groups at 100 yards with cheap Russian ammo. Love it!
From my understanding the 7.62x39 was only offered as a distributor exclusive, not a cataloged item. But, I could be wrong. I know I've looked for one for a long time and have yet to find one. At least at a reasonable price.
Evan, I have two of these rifles in 30-06. There’s an outfit called Grizzly Gunworks up in Canada that makes some really good clamp-on brakes that tame this rifle to the point that even I can enjoy shooting it. They’re not cheap, but they work.
Hornday #81066 30-06 Springfield 125 grain SST custom lite ammo . It shoots sub MOA and is much more manageable with recoil . The ammo has gotten to be expensive and hard to get .
I had this rifle in 91in 338. Win mag. This particular version is one of the best guns ever made. I bought this ruger m77 mk ll for less than 400 dollars new. I prefer wood furniture but on this particular rifle that solid zytel stock was solid and weather proof. As far as the accuracy, it is as accurate as you are. This rifle in 30.06 is a 1000 yard gun.
The boat paddle/skeleton stock rifles are great rifles. They are not bench-rest accurate, but they are well built, rugged, and minute-of-deer accurate. I own two, both in blued finish : 7.62x39 and 257 Roberts. They have become fairly desirable collectibles-particularly in unusual configurations, finish, and chambering. Thanks for posting.
Yes, those are 2 extremely collectable rifles you have. Nice! And to be honest I'm a little envious of your 257 Roberts. That's one of my absolute favorite cartridges.
Hi Tom, I'm a Utah boy. Was brought up on nice wood and blue'd steel. Always thought the boat paddle and stainless was ugly as heck. My best friend loved them. Needless to say was not to happy with my oldest boy when e came home from the pawn shop with 9ne in 223. It was shot.out or else the barrel was not good to start with, thus the pain shop. We tried several different brands of ammo with out any results. Even loaded many different combinations with no results. Finally sent it back to Ruger with a letter telling all that we had done excluding the fact that it was purchased from a pawn shop. Ruger replaced the barrel with a new one at no charge, even sent it back for free. Good shooter now. Lots of respect for Ruger. Still like nice wood and blues steel!!!
I wanted a Ruger FTW rifle but refused to spend the 1200$ they were selling for. One day I saw them for 500$ online because Ruger discontinued them in certain cartridges. I picked up a 7 mag and love it. It will definitely last me a lifetime. Awesome video!
I bought a used one in .243 about 10 year ago. Have used it extensively here in Australia in the mountains, in all weather on goats, pigs, deer and even some rabbits. I've fallen on it several times, dropped it etc. It's been the most reliable, dependable, and fun gun I've used. Friends who use it are surprised at its weight and dependabiity. I will never sell this gun and will continue using for the rest of my days.
I did a 243 video with a good friend of mine and he's of the same opinion as yourself. His 243 is the same as yours, and I have been really impressed with how accurate his is.
... have a Ruger M77 MKII All Weather with Zytel stock in 300 win mag ... I get 1-1.5 MOA 2-shot groups (100 yds) off sand bags with the Win 180 grain Power Max ammo ... the barrel is NOT floated so the group will start to open up after 2 shots as stress develops between the expanding barrel and the stock ... but if the animal is not dead on the ground after 2 shots with a 300 win mag it's time to wave it goodbye ... more than 2 shot accuracy is irrelevant to hunting
I've got one , borrowed from a friend. He called it a boat paddle stock which was new to me then I saw your video and there's boat paddle again. This is a Ruger All weather 77 / 22 made in 93. What type rings or mount is needed to adapt to this rifle for scope? I was able to get rings but bolt handle has so much throw it hits scope and can't be pulled back to open.
I have watched a lot of rifle reviews, but mate you put this across so well and informatively that I was blown away, great detailed explanation of the important aspects, no bull just plain and to the point in a really well presented manner, thank you been searching for ages for a bit of history on this and in 30 minutes you covered what others have taken many segments and not even gotten close, well done Champ.
I own a M77 chambered in 30-06 and I learned that if you don't grip the front of the stock but just lay the front of the stock in between your thumb and your forefinger reduces recoil and rifle will bounce up and return. Minimal recoil. Don't try to manhandled this weapon, just relax and enjoy it.
People nowadays complain about weight on the rifles my Ruger Mark II where is the same thing as my LR-RIFLE People want those four to five pound rifles. 🤔🧐 Mini actions.
I want one of these river M77 skeleton rifles in either 25/06 or 7mm-08 or both. I fell in l8ve with them in 1994 or 95. When a friend of mines son showed up at the deer lease with one. It was in 25/06.
Tom, Bought my M77 (tang safety), 30-06 on sale in 1992 for $324 (list price was $359). Accuracy was very good from the jump, sub MOA. Later had the action professionally bedded, the barrel free floated and the trigger lightened to 1 1/2 pounds. Have shot some stupid crazy groups using Sierra 168 match bullets and it shoots Ballistic Tips under 1/2 MOA. I'll never part with this thing. Absolutely love it. Thanks for the video.
Hi Brad from the UK I am an owner of this rifles in two different calibers 22lr and the 22-250 I have a bit of a problem my bolt has gone missing do you have any idea if it would be possible to get a bolt for these rifles anymore as I know they stopped manufacturing in 1991 or if maybe any other similar rifle bolts would fit the rifles, thankyou
These rifles are half moa rifles if u can hold the rifle still in these zytel stocks. I have shot identical 270s both stainless one with zytel one with laminate! The laminate shoots half moa all day comfortably without any kick! The zytel kicks like a mule in 270 and if u dont have a stable rest can shoot bad cause it rares the front end! If u keep the rifle from moving it shoots as well. So in an actual shooting shoulder standing position with hunting coat on that tames the recoil they shoot as well. But these stocks are light compared to the laminate or wood stocks. They are solid and light! The shoot like a number 1 instead of a 77 mkii but its only the shooter cause the weight not really the rifle!
I like tikkas but i never shot a t3. The m55 an 65 are excellent rifles. The 65 long action has 2 front lugs like a mauser an how the mauser has a rear safety lug the tikka had one on the right like mauser an extra one on left also! Strong action just push feed but with large sako style extractor
I always thought they where ugly, i remember when they came out always said I would never buy one. With that said found a used one so cheap I couldn’t pass it up decided I would play with it a little before I would sell it, well the first load I made shot excellent touching bullets. Love that gun is my go to deer rifle and has been a very long time!
My first rifle was a ruger m77 in 30-06. I sold it the following year after I killed my first deer with it. I just couldn’t fall in love with it. They are very dependable rifles though, but I prefer Winchester model 70’s If I’m getting a control round feed. Ended up with a tikka in 30-06 and will say I like that rifle better. Weatherby Mark V’s and Remington 700’s are my favorite though! I love a good lever action as well. Browning blrs, Henry Long Rangers, and Marlin 45-70’s are always a fantastic option for deer hunting. I know I’m wondering off on a different road now! Hope you’re well Tom!
I have always been drawn to these, a buddy has one in .243 and was just a phenomenal hunting rifle. My dad got one in .270 and I killed everything with it, elk, deer, coyotes, etc. I just bought one for myself chambered in 7mm and am excited to utilize one truly great rifle. Thanks for the history and great information.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. And I can't wait to put this one to use this year! The more i shoot it the more I'm liking it. And my buddy has one in .243 that will absolutely shoot!
I found myself reaching for mine more and more this season. It's just that good in the field. Just be ready for a little thump when you pull the trigger on yours!
Love mine ... '91 Ruger m77 mark II all weather in 7mm Rem Mag with a Harris bipod, Alaskan magnum stretch sling that holds 4 rounds and an old Tasco 6-24 Range Finding scope .... with an extra heavy duty ICC aluminum case the whole pkg in 1991 was just $1k ... she shoots Sub MOA with the "Underwood loaded" SST 154g or "underwood loaded" AccuBond 160g .... Definitely a tool to be handed down for generations to come ...
I have a M77 Mark II 7mm RemMag All Weather Stainless with a Ultra-Brake Muzzle Brake(looks like a thimble or BeeHive with holes in it) It kicks Less than a 270 and is more accurate than I can shoot Cold.... when it heats up 5-6 shots it opens up to about 10" at 1000yds........ and it loves Cheap Green box Fed Ammo...... I just have a TASCO WorldClass Plus 3x-9x 44mm(Max Diameter for the stock rings) Stainless Scope on it... Floated the barrel(easy with Synthetic stocks)....The Stock cleans up a whole seasons light scratches and white dusty looking oxidation real nice with Armor-All tire cleaner..... Makes it look brand new..... Only Neg about it is with the Brake it is "Loud" for anyone with you..Love it.. Dealers Refer it to the "Boat Paddle rifle" (cause of the Black Synthetic-Stock).. I sight in for 2" high at 100yrds (gives me 0-400yrs X marks the spot) Dropped Elk on the Run at 465yards..... Old timers that would not take shot said "You Damm Kid's and your SPACEGUNS!!!!"....... Bought it With Muzzle brake mounted and a fresh trigger Job Gov Seized auction gun for $325.00 (That was in 1995/1996) Dude just had work done to it got to put 1 box of shells through it and got busted for dealing .....One rifle that if They come for it, they will have to "Pry It From My Cold Dead Hands"......
I have found this rifle locally for $500 in. 30-06. The stock is fairly scratched but the bore and action is very clean. At first I didn’t think it was worth the money but now I do. Have a bushnel elite scope that is decent enough
I had wanted one of these since they came out but just never did get one. Well a couple of years of ago I decided to finally get one. Now keep in mind you could get these rifles used at a really low price way back when. Well we'll just say I had sticker shock when I saw how much these had gone up in value over the years. But they went up in value because they are such a great rifle. Unlike most rifles today these old Zytel stocks are going to keep holding their value if not continuing to go up. And I think you got a great deal on yours for $500!
I have in the last 4 weeks purchased 2 a 270 and 243 love the look and feel. joined a group on fb to get more info apparently the 222 was only released in New Zealand and Australia . Small group but amazing collections of m77,. skeleton stock ruger owners if interested.
Hunted with the mk 2 skeleton since 1990. Killed a Georgia buck all but 2 seasons since. Plus a few Oklahoma bucks, A muley,and an Elk. Mostly hunt powerlines and fence lines. If I can see it,I can kill it, up to 600 yds with a simple leoupold vx 2 of the same year. I've since acquired many stainless Ruger M77mk 2s and RSIs,even 22s. I lost count a few years ago at 16 different calibers and configurations. And added more. But that 3006 is always my hunting companion. It's like a glove,or a good fitting pair of jeans. It just fits. M77 mk 2s and the single Sixes are my favorite firearms. And Ruger Firearms are my gunmakers,as far as my working,guns.
I have 2 of these, 1 in .243 and the other in .300 win mag. I think these are beautiful rifles as well as great hunting guns. My .243 will shoot .75 in groups with Hornady 95gr. SST and the .300 shoots 1 inch groups which I’m still looking right ammo combo so with the right ammo they are shooters. Wish I would have bought one in .308 so if I find one I’m buying it. Thanks for making this video and showing what a fantastic rifle this is.
This was a great and honest review. I've loved the look of this rifle for over 20 yrs. Now I'm finally going to pick one up because of your review. Thank you!
I don't think you'll regret it. The more I shoot mine the more I like it. And I haven't quite nailed down the load for it but I'm getting one inch groups with 140gr Accubonds right now and I'm convinced it'll shoot even better than that? A good friend of mine is shooting 3/4" groups in his skeleton stock .243 Mark II. It seems the accuracy potential of these rifles is a lot better than what I was expecting. And I will be taking it to the woods this year.
whoa just straight forward common sense to the damn point info, no crying over trigger pull or sub moa nonsense. anyway late nineties i had a work meeting prior to my shift and i had a few minutes so i ran over to a gun shop and they had one in 7mmRM in the used rack for $428 in mint condition, so glad i bought it absolutely one of my favorites.
I wouldn't want to find out. But I have to admit this .270 shots a lot better than I expected it would. And a friend of mine just picked up one in 30/06 and I'm curious as to how that one is going to shoot?
I have the M77 Mark II magnum calibers and none seem that bad to me. Of course, I'm used to shooting slugs and 00B in my 12g and that doesn't bother me either :)
Very nicely done, Tom....great video. I do like your laidback approach...what a refreshing change! My .308 Mark II will be 30 this year...I agree with some, with the composite stock and stainless hardware it was never a thing of beauty - and those three decades of hard use certainly haven't helped - but it is and always has been reliable, tough and more than accurate for our local mulies and black bear, and it has never failed me. I did change out the 'package' Ruger scope for a Nikon a number of years back, but the rifle itself is as it was from day one....I've got a couple other much newer rifles, but nothing feels as good in my hands as I'm climbing around the Coquihalla Summit every fall.....if anyone has a chance to buy one of these, I'd say go for it.... Thanks again for posting
Great job ( as usual ) of presenting this Ruger rifle and showing us the finer aspects as well as the historical aspects which to me sets your videos apart from most others. I have this same rifle in 270 Win that's never been fired as I bought it new and have had it in my safe all these yrs . This is simply bc I quit hunting so long ago . At the same time I bought this model I also purchased the Ruger Mini 14 stainless Ranch model as well as the stainless model 10/22 and to date none of them have ever been fired except I assume the test firing at the factory . I love them all, especially as I learn more and more about them . Thanks again for your videos Tom , take care and stay safe.
It's the historical aspects to me that make firearms interesting and that's why I like sharing that information with others. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I have to say you have really good taste in firearms!
Thanks for the video on this rifle. I picked up a lighty used 338 m77 mark II a few years ago, absolutely love it. I am looking for a 270 and 300 in this model.
I will add that all I've ever shot out of my 3006 is 180 gr Remington core lokt soft point. My gun does shoot to the right and low,at about 4:00 at ranges past 300 yds with this ammo. But knowing that makes it deadly,and my rifle
Great video. I enjoy your presentations, and explanations. A lot of folks can learn from you if they watch. As I said, I enjoy all of your videos, because I love hunting rifles.
I've always thought that rifle in .22 WMR would just be a really fun rifle to have. I might find out one day but for now I'm just going to have to live vicariously through you.
You hit every point! Mauser action, 3 way safety off the tang, low cheek, and absolutely indestructable. Mine's a 30-06, and ive dropped deer at 400 yards in the open, and 30 yards through heavy brush. And easy to carry at the ready while driving or posting at the transitions. All these reasons are why I chose this for whitetail hunting up in Northern Wisconsin in starting in 1991 . When conditions in deer camp swing from 45 degrees and sleeting to 10 below zero, to blinding whiteout snowstorms this rifle simply WILL NOT fail you! Ive used it every year since and continue to do so to this day. Mr. River, I am in awe of how well you covered the attributes of this indestructible workhorse of a rifle. Absolutely brilliant work-Kudos!
Bought one back in the 90's thought it was the best looking rifle around, bed the action and free float the barrel and epoxy fill the voids in the fore end to stiffen the stock (that's what I did with mine) and you have sub MOA all day long. I have the 223.
@@redwinger4281 Oh, and 76 was a great year for Ruger. I loved what they added for the bicentennial. My No1 was also made in the 200th year of liberty and that might just be my favorite rifle?
Dear Sir, I pin this under my wife's name, it is her pad ,I own 4 mark II Ruger rifles of witch 2 are the boat ore 1 a 300 win mag,that I love! The other in 270win I bought in the mid 90s slapped a125 dollar scope on it bore it to 2in high at 100yds I have not touched it to this day!!! If I were to have to choose only one rifle, and I have a few! This would be the ONE!!!
I have a 270win mark II. Bought from Walmart on clearance in 97 for $320. With the terrible 12pound stock trigger was 1” rifle. Installed a timney trigger and it is 3/8” all day. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Mine is a .22-250 and shots well with most anything I have fed it . When it was new Winchester offered the White Box 40 round box of cheap 45 grain Varmint loads for it right around $20 a box at Walmart . My rifle would shoot those into one hole at 100 yards that would easily hide under a dime . Not target accurate ? Not sure what you call target accurate but it will outshoot my 40X BR in .22-250 all day long . Shoots 52 and 53 grain bullets under 1" and shoots 64 grain Power Points into not much over 1" at 100 . Maybe you found this out for yourself after you worked with your rifle a bit more .
Hey Tom, I'm really interested in forged receivers and the older models that have them. Is a forged receiver stronger than the M77 lost wax receivers or basically the same strength? What makes have seem of the best forged receivers? Early model Savages look very well made, BSA had very strong steels? Anything you want to share would be fantastic...
All of the rifles before the late 40's had either forged receivers or receivers completely machined from a solid steel billet. I think the pre 64 Winchesters model 70's were machined from a solid billet and one of the cost savings in 64 was to go to a forged receiver? I need to verify that though. And the Model 94 had a forged receiver that was changed to basically cast in 64. So it varied from rifle to rifle. I think they all used forged bolts as well until Remington came out with the 721 and 722 in the late 40's then their bolt handle was brazed on. During WWI everyone made rifles for the war and they either made 1903 Springfields or 1917 Eddystone (P14 Enfield) which were both variations of the Mauser. Because of that the major manufactures had all of the tooling and parts leftover and their sporter hunting rifles between WWI and WWII were just refined versions of those. Remington had the model 30 which was a refined 1917 and Winchester had the model 54 which was a refined 1903. I forget the Savage model but I know Savage made 1917's like Remington so their rifle was probably a version of that as well? All where made exceptionally well and required a lot of machining. After WWII all of the manufactures eventually had to modernize to cut cost and that's when they got away from all of the machining and forging as much as possible. As for Ruger, I have friend that is a really sharp mechanical engineer and a gun nut that swears Ruger cast steel is actually stronger than forged. I'm not completely sold on that but I also have no doubt that Ruger cast steel is more than strong enough to make a quality receiver. Hope that helps!
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving Tom your input is very helpful indeed. I basically became completely obsessed with the Mark II All Wethers after watching your video among others and finally got one. I've got two now and I'm still looking for more. I'm convinced that the stainless they used is such a cut above everything else it's almost like there's no comparison. The only stainless I've seen that compares is stainless used by custom barrel makers. I've seen an old remington that had a stainless barrel, it had to be one of the pre-mid 60's models it was one that had the triple patent number on the barrel, but like I said it was stainless and looked like high grade stainless. That being said everything else made today is almost not even stainless in my opinion. It's so easy to inox coat a chromoly barrel to look stainless. I realized this looking at a Sabatti that looked stainless but was called inox and then it hit me it's so similar in appearance that even Tikka and Browning could be using crap stainless steel and just making it look nice by coating it with inox or any type of finish that resembles stainless. It's just sos easy to fool people, nobody is going to check. Good stainless has very little nickel and is has a high brilliance to it. Once you actually see it it's hard to mistake it, and that's far from what modern stainless rifles look like. I would love to know what your buddy has to say about stainless quality of the Mark II's vs everything else. also thanks for all the info on castings vs forgings, fascinating stuff. I think they use a lot of cold rolled steel today, not sure if that's right terminology. I definitely think the rifles of years gone by have something that's missing today, especially when it comes to the steels used.
Great video Tom and very informative on the old Ruger M77 boat paddle stock rifle. Picked one up in .243 Win in the early 2000's for my wife and she just loves it. She has taken a few antelope and tons of deer with it and couldn't ask for more. Funny how when I first starting hunting in the late 70's, if I could shoot a one inch group at a 100 yards I was excited. Today, most rifle hunters would view this as horrible accuracy, but it was more than accurate enough for deer hunting. I imagine most deer that I have ever taken were all taken less than 200 yards, and a few I can count on one hand that were over that. Love the look of these rifles, wish I would of bought a few more of these in the day. Keep up the great videos, very refreshing to listen to a real rifleman and hunter. God Bless and take care.
What scope do you have mounted on yours Tom? Burris?Are your scope rings different heights? I recently purchased one of these in 270 and would like to change the optics on it.
I have a mkII 30-06 with zytel stock, My wife got me for Christmas in 1990 ,it would shoot clover leaf groups every day with 165 gr federal fusion ammo....great gun still have it.
