Nothing is ever wrong with purchasing an M77.

I had a 6mm that was a beautiful gun. But it had long chamber and shot like crapola. My dad played with around with it and found the long throat, made up some reloads that shot a dime. You were never going to find ammo on the shelf for that gun.

I bought the gun around 1990, used. So it was a product of the 80's. I know Ruger is a different company now that Bill is gone.

I found a used M77 in 30-06 last year at my LGS for about the same price with an old Bushnell Sportview 3-9 on it.  I couldn't resist the wood stock with great bluing on the metal.  Shoots great, too, until the barrel heats up.

I have the same gun only in 7 Mauser. It is a nail driver. Better then the mkii. For that price you did good.

The only thing that matches my 7 Mauser is my Hawkeye in 30-06. Same ' feel' as the seven. Both guns have a natural swing when brought to the shoulder.

The mkii I had never had that feel and shot like a bad old shotgun.

I would say you came out on the Plus side of the transaction.

I prefer the mkll but thats a great deal on a tang saftey one.

The 100 plus grain bullets are fir big game, the lighter for varmits.

I think its hornady that makes a 117 grain btsp interlock that usually shoots great from what ive read with great performance up to elk.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

I would say you did very well, hell the ammo alone would cost you close to $75 around here if not more.

I'd say you made out well on the package, and your buddy gave you a good deal.  $400 (or more) for the rifle alone would have been possible, if the seller was willing to go online or wait around.  Tang safety models can be very desireable to some folks who like the older M77 rifles.  I handled a pretty nice M77 with tang safety in .30-06 a few years ago at a gun show.  Seller wanted $500 for the bare rifle.  I was willing to $400 but he wouldn't budge.  

Considering you got some ammo and a Leupold scope, that sweetens the deal in my mind.  Even the cheapest factory .25-06 from Prvi is going for $15 per 20, and American made hunting rounds are $1 a round.  

Leupold is great to have in a used scope because of the lifetime warranty.  If you take it out to the range tomorrow and something goes wrong with it, just send it back to Leupold for repair or replacement.  What version of Leupold is it?  I'm assuming it's a Rifleman or VX-1, which would make sense for the package.  If it's a higher end Leupold, then the deal is even better.

Those scopes are in the $300 range I do believe, heck of a deal, being as though I wouldn't mind having a 06 myself I am very jealous.

If it was a good friend I would have offered an extra $100.

I gave him 20 more than he wanted AND had to force him to take it. He insisted it was only worth 380.

 

I had a feeling it was more valuable, but like I said at first, I'm no bolt gun expert.



I really appreciate everyone's insight.

A gun store probably would only give him 250 and offer to take to ammo out of the goodness of their heart