Ruger 77/357 and 77/44 bolt action rifles?

[357magnum]

Does anybody own one of these rifles, or fired one.
Whats your views on them, likes and dislikes.
What about optics, scope or peep sights.
Thanks for your input.

[Gryff]

No 77/357, but I do have the Ruger No.1 in .357 Mag (CHP Commemorative from the 80s).

[oso grande]

I have a 77/44. I like it. Small,light...hard hitting. Everyone should have one. My only dislike is that it's too nice to take hunting.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=876642

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[mnh2obuff]

I have the 77/357 to go along with my .357 handguns. It has been 100% reliable and accurate with my handloads. I have a Redfield 3-7X scope which seems to work fine for the distance I usually shoot, 50 yards.

[dfletcher]

I had a 77/44. Tried quite a bit but couldn't get the thing to shoot well. Wandering groups at 50 yds and was never really sure if it was my reloads, the two piece bolt or a bedding issue. Finally got rid of it.

[A'sDad]

I have the 77/357. I like it a lot. Light, fast action. Shoots 38sp and 357mag with no issues. I do have 3 mags and one is a little finicky, and I will send it back to Ruger. Iron sights and they are as good as my eyes are.

[smittty]

I have the 77/357 and love it and I don't own a revolver.

My first one had to go back to Ruger and they sent me a replacement that I had to redros. The 2nd one is great, accurate, reliable, smooth bolt, just a really nice gun.

I like things that are efficient and this gun is just that. The caliber is awesome, the gun is light weight & fairly compact, it's fun to shoot and I don't feel guilty shooting 357 mag because it's reasonable affordable and easy to reload.

I'm surprised there aren't more bolt action rifles in this caliber.

[cwilliams]

I have the 77/357 and love it and I don't own a revolver.

My first one had to go back to Ruger and they sent me a replacement that I had to redros. The 2nd one is great, accurate, reliable, smooth bolt, just a really nice gun.

I like things that are efficient and this gun is just that. The caliber is awesome, the gun is light weight & fairly compact, it's fun to shoot and I don't feel guilty shooting 357 mag because it's reasonable affordable and easy to reload.

I'm surprised there aren't more bolt action rifles in this caliber.

357 out of a rifle is something I think everyone should experience. The round already has some good power and weight behind it, and a long rifle barrel gives it a significant boost. You can also shoot it all day without getting beat up.

[smittty]

I just got my stuff ready to take shooting today

[smittty]

Back from shooting I'm trying to decide if I like it better with the scope or without. I've been taking the scope off and on for a while now and it's holding "minute of clay pigeon" just fine.

It weighs 5.5 lbs yet the recoil with 158 gr ammo feels even milder than shooting an 8 lb bolt action in 223. It's a very pleasant rifle to shoot.

[cwilliams]

Run some .38 spcl in it and it will feel about like a .22.

I had a reloader suggest trying some 180 gr bullets in my brother's lever action to see how it does.

[smittty]

I have shot 180 gr hard cast buffalo bore thru mine and it shoots about the same as 158 gr. I haven't been fussy about finding the most accurate load as I've just been having fun with it. If I get a better scope I might but I'm liking the the open sights.

I installed a fiber optic front sight which works really well for shots out to 100 yds or a bit farther. My AR and this 77/357 are my favorite rifles.

[cwilliams]

I have shot 180 gr hard cast buffalo bore thru mine and it shoots about the same as 158 gr. I haven't been fussy about finding the most accurate load as I've just been having fun with it. If I get a better scope I might but I'm liking the the open sights.

I installed a fiber optic front sight which works really well for shots out to 100 yds or a bit farther. My AR and this 77/357 are my favorite rifles.

Good to know! At least on my brother's gun, we've never had a problem running factory 158 gr ammo. Darn thing is one really accurate shooter for not being a dedicated target rifle (Puma M92). I'd love to have a bolt action though since it is something quite unique.

[smittty]

I shot it yesterday along with a kimber varmint gun in 223. The kimber is very nice but there is something very satisfying about working the bolt on the 77/357. It requires about the same throw or lift but the length that it takes to eject and load feels about 1/2 that needed on the kimber.

The kimber can hit the eye of a groundhog at 300 yds where the 77/357 is more of a sub 150 yard gun that you don't mind carrying. It seems that shooting from the bench or standing unsupported I can hit the clay pigeons just the same.

I'm planning a pig hunt in the next couple months and this is the gun I going to use.

[357magnum]

I shot it yesterday along with a kimber varmint gun in 223. The kimber is very nice but there is something very satisfying about working the bolt on the 77/357. It requires about the same throw or lift but the length that it takes to eject and load feels about 1/2 that needed on the kimber.

The kimber can hit the eye of a groundhog at 300 yds where the 77/357 is more of a sub 150 yard gun that you don't mind carrying. It seems that shooting from the bench or standing unsupported I can hit the clay pigeons just the same.

I'm planning a pig hunt in the next couple months and this is the gun I going to use.

I agree with your view on the 77/357, nice handling rifle.
I own both the 77/357 and the 77/44 rifles, and they are just fun to shoot.
I have a peep sight with fiber optic front on the 77/357 and a scope on the 77/44.
Thanks for all the feedback everybody and Happy Shooting.
One more thing, where are you going pig hunting?