The New Ruger 77/357...thoughts on this?

[Heartland Patriot]

I saw today that Ruger has introduced a new 77 bolt rifle/carbine in .357 magnum. Five shot rotary mag, 18 inch barrel, iron sights with provision to mount scope, stainless steel construction in synthetic stock. I believe the MSRP is $739. I know a lot of folks like BIG calibers, but I kind of like .357 Magnum. I'm not a real big guy and .44 Mag and me just don't get along. From what I've been able to find, .357 should get somewhere in the neighborhood of 1800 fps in a 125 gr round coming out of that barrel. I'd like folks thoughts on this one...if you don't like this rifle, feel free to say so, but please don't rip my head off over it. I know that subjects like this one can get real touchy. Thanks in advance.

[AEA]

.357 mag is a fine caliber for Texas hunting.

[Reloader]

Fills a niche.

[Jumping Frog]

I've never been too impressed with the accuracy in Ruger rifles. Bill Ruger was never too noted for spending money on barrels, and whether you are talking a Mini-14, a Ruger #1, or a Ruger 77, none of them are particularly noted for accuracy -- more like "minute of milk jug" in some cases.

For the money, you'll get a much more accurate rifle if you buy a Savage with the Accu-trigger and Accu-stock. My opinion, worth what you paid for it.

[G.A. Heath]

Ahh, but Bill isn't there any more (he died in 2002). Look at what Sturm Ruger has become. It's now a company that sells small concealable handguns, they sell magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, and a newer mini-14 I had the chance to shoot really impressed me with its accuracy. The Ruger of today is not the same Ruger that we remember, and its because the newer management that runs the company wants to expand their market share. With that said I wouldn't buy the 77/357 personally, I would opt for the 77/44 as I own a few .44 mags and no .357 mags.

[74novaman]

Meh. I don't see that it offers any advantage over a good .357 lever gun. Solution looking for a problem in my mind. If you gave me a choice between a lever gun and bolt gun both in .357, I'd take the lever every time. It can do everything the bolt gun does, with a few advantages like higher capacity.

[AEA]

[G.A. Heath]

A lever gun with a tube magazine can also shoot .38sp where the rotary mag can't handle the shorter cartridge.

[mr surveyor]

for .357 mag, I would also agree with the lever gun. Much more versatile, as well as designed for rimmed cartridges. For a reduced recoil bolt gun in the Ruger 77, a .243 is ideal. I have a M77 MkII in .243 that is a tack driver. Most folks tend to blow off the Ruger 77's as "inaccurate", and they may well be if you don't understand the proper method of torqueing the action screws. Get the torque right and you can turn that reject into a fine rifle.

surv

[Munk]

Get the Henry .357. I have the .44 and love it!

[The Annoyed Man]

A lever gun with a tube magazine can also shoot .38sp where the rotary mag can't handle the shorter cartridge.

That was going to be my suggestion. We have a M77 MkIII in .308 in our safe. It is "acceptably" accurate for deer hunting out to probably 200 yards, but it wouldn't be my first choice if I really needed to be sure to hit the target exactly where I was aiming. I do like the controlled feed Mauser-type extractor.

But I think you would be happier overall with a decent lever rifle in .357 than with a bolt rifle in that caliber. It would be "handier" too.

[RECIT]

The rotary mags look like a neat design borrowed from their 10/22, but I think the suggestion of the lever gun is a good one. I agree with TAM that the lever gun would be handier with more capacity. I think the accuracy of either would be comparable. The bolt gun seems like a better stand/blind type hunting rifle were the lever gun is a better woods/brush type hunting rifle. I think maybe a box mag like the new scout rifle would help set this rifle apart from any comparison and be a really nice feature.

[speedsix]

A lever gun with a tube magazine can also shoot .38sp where the rotary mag can't handle the shorter cartridge.

...do you know that from experience and would the .44 mag be the same way? That's why I never bought their .44 rifles..kept hearing that bad news but never nailed it down...

[G.A. Heath]

I have been told by a real good friend who is the the owner of two 77/44s that .44 special is a bad idea in these guns, he says the rotary mag will not feed correctly among other things. I will say that the 77/44 is a blast to shoot. I am assuming the same applies the the 357 version as well. Typically a non-tube magazine will not properly feed cartridges with a significantly shorter OAL in most guns.

[speedsix]

...that's a shame, it'd really make it more fun for both calibers...oh, well...thanks for the info...