Is a 77/22 worth the extra cash? Any alternatives?

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stevekl

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I'm looking at a .22 bolt action rifle, but with a specification: I don't like 3/8" dovetail scope mounts. I want something with either integrated mounts like the 77/22, or something that is atleast drilled and tapped so I can add some Weaver mounts. I also don't want any iron sights on it.

The 77/22 was my first choice because I own many Rugers and have 100% trust in their reliability and performance. I know what to expect, in other words. But the 77/22's price tag throws me off. It's alot more than most .22s you see in the store, and I wonder if I can get by with something less expensive.

So, first of all, what are my alternatives? Some model Savage .22s fit the above criteria, and so does Remington's model 504, I think. I really like CZ's .22 but, sorry, I can't stand that 3/8" mount. Can anyone let me know if i'm missing another .22 bolt action with either integrated non-dovetail mount or the option to install some?

And second of all, what makes the 77/22 worth $400-500 compared to a Savage at less than half that price?

Thanks for any insight.
 
I know you said you don't like the CZ dovetail, but my recommendation is a CZ. You can potentially save upwards of $100-200 and get a rifle that is just as, if not more, reliable and accurate than the Ruger. For that price difference, the CZ dovetail is a petty complaint. I own a CZ 452 Varmint. It is built solid. The machining is second to none and accuracy right out of the box is phenominal. You will find very few, if any, dissatisfied CZ owners. I urge you to reconsider your view on the CZ.
 
Ignore the mount issues and get a CZ. Once you have the BKL rings on it www.cz452.com

you will wonder why you ever even thought about it.



If you can't get over the dovetail issues... get a savage with the accutrigger. The skinny barrel balances better and shoots just as well. The ruger isn;t worth the extra money for a shooter. The fit and finish is far superior to the savage, but the squirrel you are shooting won't notice.


Get the CZ.

edit: I am telling you this, and I am a fan of Ruger firearms. But the 77/22 is overpriced for what you get.
 
I have 2 77/22's, a .22lr target, and a .22Mag Sporter weight.

I really like them, and think that they are worth the extra money.

They need a better trigger installed (which costs about $150 more), but I think they are worth it.

I like the CZ also, but the little things like the 77/22 magazine, the intergral scope bases, and the 3 position safety are what keep me with the 77/22.
 
I have a 77/22 that my dad gave me for my 16th birthday. That was 20+ years ago, and I think Ruger had just introduced the 77/22. I know they were very hard to find at the time.

I have no idea what they're going for now, or how they compare to other .22LR bolt guns. I can say that my 77/22 is a beautiful little gun, and shoots very well. I'm quite pleased with it, and it will be with me until I decide to hand it down to one of my children or, God willing, grandchildren.
 
Thompson Center Classic or R55 Classic

My Classic was very accurate and tapped for mounts, the new R55 I have is showing a lot of promise also. Reliability has been an issue with the Classic which resulted in it being replaced by the R55.
 
I bought a Ruger 77/22 back in the late eighties. I still have it, (in the back of the gun safe) but I bought a CZ-452 Lux in the late nineties that is much more accurate, and a better fit.

I think that the 77/22 is a good well made gun. But that the CZ 452 is better, and at a lower price.
 
Buy the CZ and then go buy a set of Millet angle lock rings you will NOT have any problems. If you buy the $7 set of wally world rings expect problems. I've shot both and the CZ blows the 77/22 out of the water in the accuracy dpt. Think of the ruger 77 as a manually operated 10-22
 
If the ring style is a deal breaker why not just buy a CZ and have a gunsmith put a weaver base on it? It would still be cheaper than a 77/22. I had my gunsmith install a weaver base on my romanian 1969 and it cost about $60 looks like part of the gun too. If I can get some batteries i'll post some pictures of it.
 
I like the CZ 542 but I just can't shake this distaste I have for that mounting system. Sorry. If it came drilled and tapped, I would probably buy it.
 
I like the CZ 542 but I just can't shake this distaste I have for that mounting system. Sorry. If it came drilled and tapped, I would probably buy it.
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Well then you're just going to have to pay more for an inferior product.

Please enlighten us as to where and how you've been burnt by 3/8 dovetails in the past.
 
It's not the dovetail that keeps me from thinkiing about CZ 452, its that magazine protruding like a tumor or hernia or something else that just isn't right for crying out loud from the bottom of the rifle. Horrid, just horrid.

Not at all like a 77/22 that has proper lines for a bolt action .22 rifle. Plus, as you have already noted, the best scope mounting system on the planet and a three position safety that is the nuts. And as far as a trigger goes, a lighter spring and a bunch of rounds downrange is all I've done to either of mine and I'm happy with what I have. Others have sung the praises of a Jard trigger for the 77/22. They are something like $80 for the assembly. If you like your other Ruger rifles, you will love a 77/22. I think they are well worth the money.
 
Ol' Joe,

If you are talking about the BRNO mags fitting flush in a CZ 452, they do, I have several. They are the same mag (as CZs) they just have a metal bottom rather than plastic.

brnomann over at rimfire central is a good source of these. (just PM him at rimfire central, he will be back on the 20th I'm told.)
 
452 or 77/22 ain't Sophie's Choice. The right answer ain't Bill's choice, either.

Is there any chance the the guys having a problem with flush magazines on the 452 were looking at a .22 Mag? That could explain the protrusion there.
 
Well then you're just going to have to pay more for an inferior product.
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What hogwash.

The 77/22 is more $$, and largely due to the American labor that produced it. However, it's a wonderful action and an accurate, overbuilt rifle. It also has some advantages over the CZ. First, it takes 10/22 mags, you can put a 50 round coffin drum in it and shoot all day. Do that with a CZ? Didn't think so.

It also has a VERY easy barrel swapping mechanism, so caliber and barrel conversions are as easy as a 10/22. CZ do that? Nope, out of luck there too.

The Ruger isn't inferior, it's just different. For those of us who value what it does better than the CZ, it's a BETTER rifle. Mine will shoot 1 hole groups till I'm too blurry eyed to keep going. Don't see how much better it's supposed to be to match the CZ.
 
It also has a VERY easy barrel swapping mechanism, so caliber and barrel conversions are as easy as a 10/22. CZ do that? Nope, out of luck there too.
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I don't reguard a barrel being held in place with an allen screw and a wedge to be an advantage. How many other high "quality" rimfires use this system

If you bought the CZ you wouldn't have to worry about swapping out the factory barrel. And of course we all know it costs more labor to cast a reciever rather than machine one:barf: ..

They ARE more expensive and they aren't as accurate. That makes em inferior in my book a 77/22 is nothing but a glorified 10-22 an 3 times the price and the same poor accuracy.

In my local rimfire club there are NO 77-22's but 90% of the rifle on the rack are CZ's

Yes INFERIOR
 
The Ruger isn't inferior, it's just different. For those of us who value what it does better than the CZ, it's a BETTER rifle. Mine will shoot 1 hole groups till I'm too blurry eyed to keep going. Don't see how much better it's supposed to be to match the CZ.
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I think there is a lot of emotion in this response, and that's fine I'm glad you are enjoying your Ruger.

I do have to take exception with you as to accuracy. I'm sure YOUR 77/22 is a true tack driver. However on average I think you will half to agree that (out of the box) the CZ 452 is much more accurate than the Ruger 77/22.
 
I`ve both a CZ and a 77/22 and have to agree the CZ will out shoot the Ruger with as good fit and finish and at 1/2 the $$. The CZ I have though is a 17 HMR not a 22, although I`ve seen targets others have shot with CZ 22s that normally seem to be better then I get with my Ruger. I have had my 77/22 trigger touched up and the rifle is bedded, groups @ 50 yd run about .6"-.7" with ammo it likes and a 3x9 Bushnell. The CZ 22 LRs I`ve seen all want to shoot .5"-.6" with a lot of groups down around .3-.4". My 2x7 Weaver scoped CZ 452 17 HMR will run around .7"-1.0" @ 100 yds, I don`t think you find many Rugers matching that, 22 or 17, and this is the full stocked "FS" model at that, not a heavy BBL model.

I think the biggest problem with the Ruger from what I`ve been told is the two piece bolt. The bolt will flex and moves when under pressure from a rd being fired. Not the best for accuracy! Some shim them and claim that has improved accuracy, but I am not playing with mine any more. The rifle shoots fine for squirrel hunting and plinking and is comfortable to carry as is. I`m not spending more money on it to improve groups. If I need more accuracy I`ll go with a Anschutz, Cooper or other rifle better suited to target games.
 
Yes , I have a 77/22 magnum and love it.
I like the lines the bluing and it has open sights.
I have a scope on it and it shoots just fine. Thinking about putting a peep sight on it. I like the Safari Rifle looks of the gun, just like the hunters on the Dangerous Game tv show.
My rifle is very accurate, but it did cost me quite a bit.
Good Luck on your quest!
Longboard:)
 
Ol Joe said:
If I need more accuracy I`ll go with a Anschutz, Cooper or other rifle better suited to target games.
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That's how I feel about it. I have no idea how a 77/22 compares to a CZ, because I've never handled or shot a CZ. All I know is that my 77/22 is a beautifully made rifle that suits me fine. It looks and feels more like a "real" centerfire rifle than many other .22 bolt guns I've seen. It's also plenty accurate for my uses, which are squirrel hunting, non-competitive paper punching, plinking, and teaching new shooters.

When I was a kid, I had an Anschutz that I used for competition. I'm sure it was more accurate than the 77/22, but it was also a lot more expensive, a lot heavier (big ole bull barrel), and was only a single shot.

For an all around .22 bolt rifle, I think the 77/22 is a fine choice. Is it better or worse than the CZ? I have no idea, and I don't really care. Buy whichever floats your boat.
 
A few comments...

The 77/22 isn't THAT expensive. If you want something to throw lead, get a 60, 10/22, 597, etc. If you want something nicer, like a bolt action, it will cost more, no matter which brand you buy. You can buy a FAR more expensive .22 boltie than a Ruger, and you can buy a cheaper one. Get the one you like. If you want scope mounts that befit a good rifle, a gun that feels like a real one, etc., and you like the Ruger, get the Ruger. Dovetails are kinda sucky, it's true. They're fine for a low-end 10/22 plinker, but even those ship with Weaver bases now.

A Savage is a really good deal and a great gun, with the Accu-Trigger, despite the fact that its outward appearance is reminiscent of the junk guns we got at Sears as kids.

The cheapest CZ's, the training rifles, have long barrels that slow down a .22 LR, an ugly piece of wood, and sights you don't need. They are excellent rifles, but I don't want one; I'd rather apply the money towards a higher-end gun that I'll LOVE. That might be a CZ, but not that one. Prices do go up as you get into other models. The 452 Varmint feels like a real gun, and it's got a nice stock. The triggerguards on CZ rimfires are a tad on the tacky side, but otherwise aesthetics and "feel" are great. I have never talked to anyone who was disappointed with a CZ anything, ever.

Now, Ruger's customer service and support are A+ Excellent, and that's part of what you pay for when you buy one. If your gun ever has a problem it will be solved, quickly and for free, in my experience. And you are supporting American workers and an American company, while buying a good product.
 
Yes INFERIOR
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Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree. You say the CZ is a better gun, because, well, I guess you just feel it. You say they are more accurate, offer no empirical or statistical evidence to back such a claim, but hey you're a guy on the internet so who am I to question you? You feel the ingenious Ruger barrel attachment system is weak, like the 10/22's which are known to be highly innaccurate :rolleyes: and again, how could you be wrong?

And, you can't forsee ever changing your gun into something different like an HM2, or putting a threaded suppressed barrel on it, or just a shorter action, or a lighter weight carbon barrel, or a helical fluted one that strikes you fancy. Apparently, that CZ blued factory job is all you'll ever need, want or desire. Well, how can I argue with that?

You're a man of many feelings. I guess I respect that.
 
You say the CZ is a better gun, because, well, I guess you just feel it
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Have you shot both? I have:what:

like the 10/22's which are known to be highly innaccurate
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News flash 10-22 are known for being inaccurate even after spending mega $$


And, you can't forsee ever changing your gun into something different like an HM2
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For the price of a 77/22 and an aftermarket barrel you can buy 2 CZ's

You say they are more accurate, offer no empirical or statistical evidence to back such a claim, but hey you're a guy on the internet so who am I to question you?
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HPIM0864.gif

1 to 1/2 MOA from a bone stock gun with a sporter barrel. Where's your proof?
 
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