Ruger 77 7x57

[axman]

Picked up a 7x57 the other day from a friends estate.
I had a 77 in the same caliber years ago, but that was sold off without ever shooting it.

It’s a pre-warning tang safety gun.
Nice straight grain stock.
Nice trigger and had I think Redfield adapter bases on it.

The rear one has a backup flip up peep sight which with my cheek firmly on the stock lines up great. I hope it can stay that way when I start load development.

I like the 7x57 a lot as I have a real nice #1 RSI in the same caliber that I had all the parts case colored.

The 7 Mauser might be the newest fad but it’ll get the job done nicely. Shot a cow elk in Oregon in 07 with the RSI and it worked great.

Thanks

[bigbrowndog]

Good all purpose caliber, right there with 6.5x55 and 308win

Trapr

[jeffh]

Jan 29, 2022 11:03:10 GMT -5 bigbrowndog said:

Good all purpose caliber, right there with 6.5x55 and 308win

Trapr

That it IS!

Any of those three would be ideal for so many things a body couldn't be found wanting for much at all, except maybe to keep up with the Joneses.

I don't get too hung up on the "short action" being "better," and usually don't need a "Long action," having deferred to the Mausers, which fall in between.  Fits all the above marvelously.  I think part of why so many people miss out on the 7x57 and 6.5x55 is that they aren't ideally suited to "short actions," which is much overblown for the sake of general use in hunting or in the hands of 99% of us who shoot.  One of the many, many almost imperceptible "improvements" on accuracy which the vast majority of us could not possibly discern. 

At the same time, a "long action" is not TOO long for the 7x57 either, and the M77 platform has always also been a favorite too.  I have a M77 Ultra-light, rebarreled with a 24" tapered octagon Douglas barrel in 7x57... improved.  I dearly wish it were not the improved version, as it offered no significant improvement in velocity, especially at the expense of burning powder and primers for the sake of fire-forming cases.  That, and the drastic decrease in taper of the case caused the cases to get lodged in the right lug race upon extraction, being forced into it by the non-Mauser, 3/4 ton GMC truck axle/plunger ejector spring.

Marvelous cartridge (the original, not the AI) and marvelous rifle.

Sorry to be so wordy, but the 7x57-button doesn't get pushed much these days and it just all comes spilling out.

[potatojudge]

I just got my pop's M77 in 7 Mauser that dad and I shot our first deer with. Nice stock, nice bluing. Feeds slick. Tang safety is my preferred safety and made the gun workable for pop and us, who was a lefty. Not sure if it's the lightweight model, might be, but the barrel profile for sure is lighter than my M77 in 257 Roberts.

Mid-power 7mm rounds might be the most usable, versatile cartridges around. Mild recoil, great bullet selection, fairly efficient and economical. The 7x57 and 7-08 (and a step up, the 284) are at the top of the heap for hunting rounds in short and intermediate length actions.

Finding a modern glossy finish scope that looks at home on these rifles isn't the easiest. There is a seller on GB taking the new VX3HD with CDS dial and having them cerakoted in gloss black. Might be a pretty good option.

[Bagby]

I also have a tang safety 77 and an RSI No.1 in 7x57, wonderful rifles. Both were guns I grew up shooting. The 77 was my Fathers, and the No.1 was my Grandfathers. Lots of good memories associated with those rifles.


Also, I would love to see a picture of your case hardened No.1. I have had it in my head to send mine out and have the same done for years.


Thanks,
Jonathan.

[Bagby]

Posting pictures for axman. 

First is his 7x57 RSI No.1 he mentioned in his original post. 


Second is a 26 inch barreled 45-70 that was also done by Turnbull. 


Thanks
Jonathan.

[axman]

Thanks for the help.

[Bagby]

Axman,

Are those Warne scope rings? If so how do you like them?


Jonathan.

[axman]

Yes on the 7x57
I do like them but it takes a little to get them figured out when setting up.

[magnumwheelman]

It was finally my turn today… I just took a stainless “boat paddle” model 77 ( originally in 270 Winchester) to a semi local smith to get a stainless 7mm match grade barrel fit to it, chambered in 7 X 57… thinking it’ll be my middle range do all hunting rig… always have loved the 7X57… sold my original Mauser custom, but missed the cartridge so much, that I decided to do a semi custom in stainless…

I have stainless “boat paddle” in 243 for lighter use, and a Browning stainless stalker in 338 Win Mag for heavier use

[taffin]

My 7X 57 is a Winchester Featherweight which I found on the used gun shelf for an extraordinary low price. Once I shot it I couldn't figure out why anybody would let this gun go. At the same time I also got a Ruger 77 in 25-06 also at the same very low price scale with the same results. Both rifles shot close to 1/2" groups with the first loads I tried in them while sighting them in. At the same shop, which was Shapel's now long gone I also picked up Winchester 94AEs in both .356 and .375 Winchester again at exceptionally low prices because no one wanted them. Sure is hard to understand some shooters!

[jpw480]

i also have number 1 rsi in 7x57 and m77 rs tang safety 7x57, 77 shoots about any load decent, from what i have read and heard is rare have not got to shoot #1 enough. i like the case colored, i would like to find one of those 26" 45/70's

[georgegibbs505]

Pretty nice wood for Rugers!

[bradshaw]

I don't get too hung up on the "short action" being "better," and usually don't need a "Long action," having deferred to the Mausers, which fall in between.  Fits all the above marvelously.  I think part of why so many people miss out on the 7x57 and 6.5x55 is that they aren't ideally suited to "short actions," which is much overblown for the sake of general use in hunting or in the hands of 99% of us who shoot.  One of the many, many almost imperceptible "improvements" on accuracy which the vast majority of us could not possibly discern. 

At the same time, a "long action" is not TOO long for the 7x57 either, and the M77 platform has always also been a favorite too.  I have a M77 Ultra-light, rebarreled with a 24" tapered octagon Douglas barrel in 7x57... improved.  I dearly wish it were not the improved version, as it offered no significant improvement in velocity, especially at the expense of burning powder and primers for the sake of fire-forming cases.  That, and the drastic decrease in taper of the case caused the cases to get lodged in the right lug race upon extraction, being forced into it by the non-Mauser, 3/4 ton GMC truck axle/plunger ejector spring.

Marvelous cartridge (the original, not the AI) and marvelous rifle.

----jeffh

*****

Jeff.... bought two tang safety M-77 rifles in 7x57mm Mauser. Lead to do so by a great Ruger M-77 6mm Remington (6mmx57mm) and a wand of a European carbine Husqvarna Mauser 98 in 7x57mm. Before I could wring out the Rugers, two hunting buddies snatched them away. The original Ruger M-77 receiver matches the early Mauser length, which also made it ideal for the 6mm Remington. The 7x57 made its reputation against man and beast through low-key killing power independent of velocity.

To ease extraction of you 7x57 Improved, polish the sharp corner on the upper corner of the right locking lug abutment in th receiver ring. Clip or grind a coil or two off the EJECTOR SPRING. The shell should fall beside the rifle.

Bill Ruger, Jr., bought at auction a beautiful 7x57mm Mauser built by Griffin & Howe on the Model 70 Winchester. To compliment for the northwoods his tang safety M-77 Mannlicher carbine in .30-06 Springfield.
David Bradshaw

[Encore64]

The 7x57mm is one of the all time greats. It's even better if you handload.

It was Eleanor O'Connor's favorite and she used it extensively.

In the U.K. it is known as the 275 Rigby and was used by such famous African Hunters as Jim Corbett.

I don't own a 7x57mm, but do own a Ruger 77 and #1 in 275 Rigby.

Sounds like you have a rifle to be proud of.

Congratulations!!!