Duane

Well I took my old Ruger 77/22 rifle to the range last weekend. I haven't shot it in many years, but thought that it was about time.

It's lived it the safe for a very long time, one of those "I'll take you along to the range soon" promises that just haven't been met.

It was still a nice shooter, but I didn't like the scope. It had a Tasco 4x32 on it, and was adjusted all the way back on the scope rings.

I had a difficult time getting my head into just the right position for the scope.

So, I asked myself, "Self, why is this scope mounted so far to the rear?"

It didn't take me long to figure out (and remember) why. The scope was all the way back because of the interference between the bolt handle and the scope's ocular ring.

When I was younger, my eyes could deal with that much better. Not so now.

If I was going to shoot it much again, I needed to find scope rings that would raise the scope enough so that I could move the scope forward to where it needed to be, for the proper eye relief.

I ordered some 6B # 90272 Extra High scope rings from shopruger.com

They're only 1/4" higher than what I have, but I think they'll take care of the situation.

But, while I was at it, I said to myself, "Self, if you're going to do THAT, then you might as well buy a little better scope."

I hate it when I start talking to SELF.

So SELF started looking for a little better scope, and here is what he decided on:

Nikon Hunting

A Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 Target EFR.

I'll let you know how SELF likes it.

Duane

Duane

Oh, while I was at it, I looked up my serial number. According to Ruger's information, it was delivered in 1987.

I bought it new, so I've had it for "about" 25 years. I shot it pretty regularly for about 10 years, but its been a safe queen for about the last 15 years.

So it's not that old after all.

Duane

bwinters

Time to take all 22s out this summer.

Dixiejack

One good thing about my SELF is that he seldom disagrees and has never won an argument with me. That Nikon scope you and your SELF agreed on seems to be a popular scope. I have seen them mentioned quite often.
Duane, I not trying to hijack you OP but I wonder how the Prostaff 2x7x32 would work on a Mini 14? I still have a few El Paso Weavers that date back into the '70s I could use but optics have improved so much and the last 40 years.
Always wanted a 77/22 magnum, but Ruger never saw the wisdom of offering some of their 77/22 models with a LH action.

Crusty Deary Old Coot

Dear "Self",

As I recall, a Leupold compact 2X7 has no bolt issues.

My current 3X9 Leupold EFR scope has no issues and is a great .22 scope!

I assume I have the lower rings, as they are the ones which came with my Clark Custom 77/22.

Some scopes, for example the low end Bushnells have very bad paralax issues.

The first 77/22 I had, was used and came with a low end Bushnell. BAD!!!!!!!!!!

The couple different 2x7 Leupods I tried, even though set for centerfire rifles, had no such problems, or is so it was so minor it never showed up.

With the 3X9 EFR, just adjust the Objective lens to sharp focus and the paralax becomes a non issue no matter what distance you are shooting.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

Duane

I mounted the Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 EFR scope with the Ruger 6B # 90272 Extra High scope rings yesterday.



From the side it looks high, but as you can see, it's a good fit. The bolt knob just clears the scope.





This has made it a new gun. SELF likes it.

It took me 8 shots to zero it at 25 yards. It's a tack driver at that range.

100 yards was "OK". I don't think it's the gun, but rather the shooter. I'll work on that.

Duane

Crusty Deary Old Coot

Tell Self to enjoy!!!!!!!!!

Ity might be time to buy up a bunch of different ammos, match and off the shelf, pick a nice calm dau and ring them out at 50 yds to see what ammo your rifle happens to like.

I have done so with my Clark/RUGER and it was great fun.

I don't shoot all that much pricey target/match ammo, as it can be really expensive. Some of it is in the 17 - 20 or more dollars per 50, but I do have my little stash that I dip into from time to time.

My rifle shoot plenty of the lower priced offerings very well. so I have plenty of bang'in fodder without breaking the bank.

CDOC

Duane

CDOC,

I hear ya'.

I tried about 25 rounds of Federal AutoMatch, about 25 rounds of Wolf MT, and about 25 rounds of CCI Mini-Mags in the 77/22 rifle.

Funny, the 77/22(rifle) likes the CCI.

But my SR-22 P (pistol) seems to like the Wolf better. That's good, because I have about 300 rounds of it on hand. Shoots good, but sure smells funny.

I had about half a box of Aguila 60 grain SSS to try in the rifle, but I'd left it at home. Next time.

Both seemed to like the Federal AutoMatch "OK."

It's too early to draw a conclusion.

Thanks,

Duane

Dixiejack

The scope does look high. I didn't realize that the 77/22 bolt handle had that much of an arc to it.

My S&W .22's love Wolfe .22.

2296mag

Nice work there, mines much the same had to get high rings to clear 50mm target scope from barrel and better the bolt nob.
Have you tweeked the trigger or barrel pressure as yet?

Crusty Deary Old Coot

The bolt/scope need not be an issue. You just need to pick the correct scope.

As I recall, the full sized 2X7 Leupold was very close, and the bolt could touch the scope if enought pressure was applied when opening or closing the bolt.

The 2X7 compact, again as I recall, had no issues.

I just checked my Clark Custom 77/22 which has a 3X9 EFR scope mounted, and there is about an 1/8" clearence between the bolt handle and the scope bell, all with a set of standard rings.

This is a very good and quality option for the 77/22 or any .22 for that matter.

Just an Ol'Coot's opinion, but it is a shame to mess up a very nice compact rifle with an over sized scope or a set of high rings when there are plenty of options which not only fit well, but look good to boot.

We are afterall, shooting a .22 here, and not something which needs big glass!!

Anyway, what ever floats your boat, enjoy those .22s!

CDOC

Duane

No, I have not. I haven't felt the need to, yet. This gun was made in 1987, and as I understand it, the factory triggers were smoother then.

The stock trigger seems fine to me for now. I may take it apart and polish things up a bit, but that'll probably be about it.

I'm not trying to turn this into a competition gun. It's just a fun gun for the 100 yard range.

I'm mostly a hand gun shooter anyway...

Duane

Duane

The scope is a LOT higher than it used to be. That's good and bad. At least I've got proper eye relief now.

With the original scope and rings, I had to scrunch down hard to find the sweet spot in the scope. That was sometimes very difficult to find.

With THIS scope and rings, I had the opposite problem.

Here's how I dealt with it...



That's a Beartooth comb raiser. Now, I can mount the rifle to my shoulder, with my eyes closed, and when I open my eyes, the scope is properly aligned. EVERY TIME.

Wow ! This is new to me! I finally understand what having a proper cheek weld really means.

It did take a while to find the right height, but it was well worth the time.

BTW, that's a combination of Beartooth's pads, and a cut up mouse pad to get it like I wanted it.

Duane