A Little Bit of Left...A Little Bit of Down | First Shots from the Ruger M77 in 7x57mm Mauser

A quick look at the "sighting-in" shots - 25 Yards at Johnson's Mosquito Ranch.
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1976 "Liberty Model" Ruger Tang Safety M77R chambered in 7x57
Federal Brass (Annealed)
Full Length Sized with a LEE Sizing Die (Expander Removed)
Self-Made .282" Expander in a Sinclair Expander Die
Very Light Case Mouth Flare with LEE Universal Expanding Die
Remington 9 1/2 Large Rifle Primer
47.6 Grains IMR 4831
3.0" COAL
Estimated 2,557 FPS (Actual Average 2,511; Extreme Spread 31.5)

[@castbulletshooter3486]

Nice rifle. Great group as well.

[@WilliamCChapin]

Thanks! I’ve been intending to get that one out again! 🙂

[@s.p.ltd.3886]

I have a number of old tang safety M77 Rugers (my favorite) of all the bolt action Rugers, however I do not have a 7x57 and I admit I to a bit of envy! Great rifle and I look forward to future videos.

[@WilliamCChapin]

Thanks, S.P. Ltd.! I’m still keeping my eyes open for a 6.5x55!

[@user-yx9bs8zo5q]

Picked one of these up from a family member. Initial reloads show its a shooter as well. Nice rifle

[@WilliamCChapin]

Thanks! I need to get back at that project. One of my other M77’s will make a special appearance in a video or two soon. 🙂

[@beestoe993]

Speer 145 gn. That has been my favorite deer bullet for decades. Try some H-414 or W-760. It really wakes up the 7X57. Mine gives 2750 fs with the same bullet. Shoots great too.

[@WilliamCChapin]

There’s several boxes of them on the bullet shelves! 🙂

[@grahamkirk5974]

I had one of these rifles, many years ago tang safety in 7x57. Bought it brand new over here in blighty. It was quite fussy ammo wise, it didn't like boat tailed bullets at all. I didn't try everything but I found that it really liked the speer 130gr spitzer bullets. Enjoy using it, wish I still had mine.

[@WilliamCChapin]

Thanks for the note. I've read similar accounts to what you are saying. I haven't spent enough time with this one to explore what may or may not work. I need to pull it back out again!🙂

[@marklomax7452]

nothing wrong with THAT accuracy,

[@WilliamCChapin]

Thanks! I need to get back on that project. I appreciate the note. 🙂

[@andy79z28]

Love my Ruger M77 in 30-06 shoots great only tested it to 500 yards 4" group - happy with it

[@WilliamCChapin]

I have one of those in the collection too, Andy - it appeared in at least one video. I'm on the lookout for a tang safety 6.5x55! Thanks for the note!

[@russellkeeling4387]

You should be very happy with that group.

[@mikeg4247]

wow 4 inch group at 500 yards, Write that up in believe it or not

[@andy79z28]

Well let's see. Do you load your own ammo so that you can work up a load for the distance you are shooting? Have you done things to you rifle to make it more accurate? There are many many things you can do to get better accuracy.@@mikeg4247

[@singleshot2218]

Very nice! 🎚🙏🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

[@WilliamCChapin]

Thanks, Single Shot!

[@easttexan2933]

nothing wrong with that rifle's accuracy !! What a treasure you have there. What a pleasure to shoot 154gr at 2500fps. I've been shooting a customized M96 6.5x55 Swede with a receiver date of 1912 for about 20 years. It will duplicate that group you just shot, but at 100yds with advertised velocity of 2650fps. It really likes the Nosler 140gr Accubonds. You might try them. Great accurate deadly bullet.

[@WilliamCChapin]

Thanks, EastTexan! It’s on the list of things to get busy on… 🙂

[@easttexan2933]

@@WilliamCChapin I gave my Interarms Mark X 7x57 to my grandson last year upon graduating from HS and getting a baseball scholarship to Sam Houston State University as a gift. I dearly love the 7x57 round. I mean, what's not to like about it.

[@WilliamCChapin]

@@easttexan2933 That’s an *awesome* graduation gift!

[@easttexan2933]

@@WilliamCChapin it was an easy gift to give.....he and his older brother had just lost their dad. the older brother graduates from University of Lafayette this May. I taught them both to shoot through the years. I had given each one a Marlin Mod 60 with the squirrel carvings on the stock when each turned 18 for Christmas gifts. I have a 30-06 JC Higgins Mod 51 I'm giving the older one when I pass and he's ok with waiting for it.

[@unclejohn1053]

Nice.. thanks!

[@WilliamCChapin]

You're welcome, Uncle John! I'm looking over the fired brass, and getting ready for the next batch!

[@ol1guy994]

Looking good to me

[@WilliamCChapin]

Thanks OL1GUY! The fire-formed brass is on the bench, I have measuring to do!

[@TechstudentMT]

Nice shooter for sure! Does it also shoot the heavier bullets (175 grain) well?

[@WilliamCChapin]

Thanks! I still need to get back on this rifle - I’ve been spending time shooting other things and haven’t evaluated other loads. Thanks for the note. 🙂

[@cw2a]

Hello Will!

[@WilliamCChapin]

Good evening, CW!

[@mckwilly]

howdy guys 👍

[@WilliamCChapin]

Hello there, MarCK! 🙂

[@russellkeeling4387]

Those loads for the 145 grain bullets are pretty slow. You should be able to reach 2700+ with a slightly faster powder , say imr or h 4350. My current load for one of my 7x57's is a 154 grain bullet averaging 2757 fps. Not overloaded and no signs of over pressure.

[@WilliamCChapin]

They were starting loads. 🙂

[@rationalmind6362]

@@WilliamCChapin I'm looking forward to more load testing. I have the exact 1976 m77 7x57 unfired waiting for me at my ffl. I've heard the same concerns about accuracy but like you this particular rifle is one I've wanted for some time and I will not be discouraged. 👍. Even though you were testing for chronograph and function at short range it appears it was grouping well with the 145 grain Spitzer.

[@WilliamCChapin]

@@rationalmind6362 Thanks for the note. I’ll try to get back on this one again! 🙂

[@rationalmind6362]

@@WilliamCChapin Thank you so much.

[@brokeloader]

Did you figure out why the left side was acting up?

[@WilliamCChapin]

I need to take a look at the follower, spring, and magazine box. I noticed some sagging in the rear, that may have come with age. 🤭

[@rationalmind6362]

William C Chapin I purchased the same rifle unfired. Finally got it to the range yesterday. It is grouping fine with the S&B 140 grain soft point. However, I'm having the same issue. The rounds on the left are not picking up. I'm seeing the same issue with the follower sitting lower in the rear. What would be the correct remedy for that ? Have you addressed that situation on yours ? I absolutely love the rifle and hopefully I can get this issue resolved. Thank you so much.

[@jamespollard1670]

It's not a bad shooter .

[@WilliamCChapin]

I think it’s going do nicely, Mr. Pollard. I’ll get more ammo together - I have a lot of those 145 Hot-Cor Spitzers!

[@brendansansom6238]

How did you come up with that load mate looks like you don’t need anymore load development that’s a cracka

[@WilliamCChapin]

Thanks, Brendan. Those were just the first five, fired only at 25 yards - I'll stretch it out a bit and see how it looks at further distance! I started with the Speer Hot-Cor 145 Spitzer because I have plenty of them.

[@mikeh5908]

why only 25 yrds sir..

[@WilliamCChapin]

That was the first handful of shots to get it printing on paper.

[@mikeh5908]

@@WilliamCChapin oh I see. Beautiful rifle

[@WilliamCChapin]

@@mikeh5908 Thank you! I have a fondness for the M77, particularly the tang safety and flat bolt models. 🙂

[@mikeh5908]

@@WilliamCChapin ive been looking for one. i did however get my hands on ruger no1v. 24 inch barrel..in 25/06. i think im in love.lol

[@DavidLee-io1wi]

The computer says lmao .

[@WilliamCChapin]

Good morning, David Lee!