Ruger M77 barrel?

[5spd]

Who would/can make a barrel for the Ruger M77V in 6.5x284 cal.
A pal is wanting to have this done on his shot out .243AI.
I know nothing about doing those actions as I only work on Savage rigs.
I told him Id ask on here.
Thanks

 

[BuddyT]

McGowen has short chamber barrels for M-77and will do rebarrel work, Pac-nor will rebarrel M-77 also. Both have gunsmithing services, ie lap the lugs. just check their websites.

 

[watercam]

Easily done by any competent gunsmith. Nothing special about the 77 vs. most any other bolt gun. Since it was a .243 originally it will be a short action if it is a MKII (not sure about the original 77). If he is loading from a magazine it will need to be the original 6.5/284 as opposed to the Norma version which seats the bullet longer for more case capacity (and thus too long for short action magazine loading).

 

[stacy]

I 2ND WATERCAM WELL SAID !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[5spd]

Thanks all, passed the info onto him.

 

[Shynloco]

Easily done by any competent gunsmith. Nothing special about the 77 vs. most any other bolt gun. Since it was a .243 originally it will be a short action if it is a MKII (not sure about the original 77). If he is loading from a magazine it will need to be the original 6.5/284 as opposed to the Norma version which seats the bullet longer for more case capacity (and thus too long for short action magazine loading).

+1. Had a Krieger 1:10 Match put on my M77V (to replace the original factory "heavy barrel") that I bought new in 1983 and turned into a Benchrest .308 about two years ago. Shoots fantastic groups and is still fun to shoot. My Gunsmith did the work and she turned out perfect.

Alex

 

[P72]

I would not advise re-barreling a short action M77 MKII Ruger to any version of the 6.5-.284. I am assuming the existing .243 AI is a short action. Getting everything into the magazine would be marginal except with all but the shortest bullets and 6.5 mm cartridges are intended to be used with long bullets up to 140 grains. 6.5-.284 brass length is 2.170, .260 brass length is 2.035 for a difference of .135 inches, almost 1/8 inches. Bullets would be needed to be seated deeply.

Best to re-barrel it to a .260 Remington or 6.5 Creedmore. Should you want to squeeze a few fps more a .260 improved might be considered but dies would cost more and fire forming would be required ($).

One consideration of the M77 MKII or M77V controlled feed rifles is that a over length loaded round can be fed into the chamber from the top of magazine but should the round need to be removed unfired, the blade type ejector will attempt to flip out the round at about 1-2 oclock (right handed) but the nose of the bullet will catch on the side of the receiver ring thus halting the extraction/ejection process. The bolt cannot be removed because the fixed ejector in the receiver will hit the base of the brass case stopping the bolt from being removed. The remedies are to (1) push round back into magazine if you can, (2) cut off the bullet nose or (3) manually push down the spring loaded blade ejector with a thin rod or object or grab ejector from underside and pull back bolt and pick out round.

The M77 MKII's are designed as civilian or non military rifles.

Continuing on with more positive note McGowen does a superb job at reasonable costs - get a 1-8 twist.

 

[5spd]

P72 those were my thoughts when he was asking me about a re barrel job and I did say go .260 Rem
The 6.5x 284case is longer & he wont be able to mage feed it since that mag is right at 2.905" max and the bullets he wants to use are seated to over 3".
I think he is going to look at other base cartridges now that will work better.
Thanks