Trying to Identify Rarity of a Ruger 77 Flatbolt

[Herrmannator]

Any old time Ruger guys out there? Wondering if Ruger made any Custom Shop 77 Flat Bolts?????
I have this very odd/uinique tang safety Ruger 77 in the rare 284Win , 1971 Serial number, looks like a chromed or nickled flat bolt handle, high gloss blued bbl, very high grade figured walnut stock with rollover cheek piece, forearm and grip contrasting Rosewood caps with black/wht spacers, fleur de Lis checkering.
The most custom Ruger 77 I've ever seen.
Trying to determine rarity and possible value.

 

[Tommie]

Gorgeous gun.
I suspect that's an aftermarket stock. Bill Ruger was a strong believer is straight combs. Other than the chambering of 284 are there any other markings on the barrel?

 

[Ranger188]

You could go here. Lots of knowledge.
www.rugerforum.net
Or contact Ruger with the serial number. They should be able
to tell how it left the factory.

 

[Will Henry]

That's a restocked Ruger. I can't see any barrel markings. I'm not a real fan of the styling but the work looks pretty good. Given the poor pad fit, I'm guessing the stock has been refinished since it was made. The stock may have started out as a Bishop semi-inlet. WH

 

[a1712]

That's a restocked Ruger. I can't see any barrel markings. I'm not a real fan of the styling but the work looks pretty good. Given the poor pad fit, I'm guessing the stock has been refinished since it was made. The stock may have started out as a Bishop semi-inlet. WH

I'll guess Fajen Aristocrat.
Pad might have fit perfect at one point. Wood moving through the years can cause the ill fit. Brian.

 

[Bill K]

I would also say a Fajen, that was added to the rifle by a previous owner. Sure looks like the one model they had for sale.

 

[nmkid]

I don't care for Rugers but, that is a fine-looking rifle.

 

[Will Henry]

Could be a Fajen. I just thought the cheekpiece looked more Bishop. The rounding of the wood at the joint between the wood and pad is what made me think of the refinish. It just doesn't look quite right. BTW. I had a 284 flatbolt Ruger which I bought in 1972, from Buttery's supermarket in Lewiston, Idaho, as I recall. I traded it for a 30/06 later that year. I should have kept it. WH

 

[biggun2869]

I had (for a short time) a 22-250 HB a long time ago like a lot of them I regret selling it. I've often wondered if they wore worth a premium today. I have called ruger on an early No. 1 that I own to find out date of manufacture. Gary

 

[Herrmannator]

Gorgeous gun.
I suspect that's an aftermarket stock. Bill Ruger was a strong believer is straight combs. Other than the chambering of 284 are there any other markings on the barrel?

Good insight on the straight combs, every Ruger 77 I owned had them too.

 

[Herrmannator]

That's a restocked Ruger. I can't see any barrel markings. I'm not a real fan of the styling but the work looks pretty good. Given the poor pad fit, I'm guessing the stock has been refinished since it was made. The stock may have started out as a Bishop semi-inlet. WH

Not sure what you're seeing from pics but the fitup is actually very good

 

[Herrmannator]

I would also say a Fajen, that was added to the rifle by a previous owner. Sure looks like the one model they had for sale.

I think a custom stock also, usually Fajen adds their but pad with their logo. This gun has a Pachmayer Red pad similar to most Ruger's though.

 

[Herrmannator]

Could be a Fajen. I just thought the cheekpiece looked more Bishop. The rounding of the wood at the joint between the wood and pad is what made me think of the refinish. It just doesn't look quite right. BTW. I had a 284 flatbolt Ruger which I bought in 1972, from Buttery's supermarket in Lewiston, Idaho, as I recall. I traded it for a 30/06 later that year. I should have kept it. WH

I shoot what I own. Bought dies and 50 rounds of brass. Got her on paper today and on the bull. One load to start with 162 GR Hornady SPZBT over 51 gr RS Hunter. Little over Moa accuracy so far on initial try.
Got a bargain on this gun at my local FFL's shop. According to my serial number most likely 1971. A year after I graduated HS.

 

[Herrmannator]

I don't care for Rugers but, that is a fine-looking rifle.

I had a Ruger 77 tang safety in 338 WinMag---one of the few guns that ever gave me scope eye! LOL
I've has a few Number Ones but they can screw with your mind never shooting groups the same for me, and some darn good ones to keep you guessing.

 

[jxb]

+1 on www.rugerforum.net as well as checking with Ruger support, they can tell you the history for that SN.

you can look it up here, but the info is limited, support will have lots more and yes there were some one-off ones done, at least in No. 1's, hard to say about M77. Other than the stock that looks like a normal M77 to me.

Customer Service

ruger.com

 

[DocCoffee]

I might go with a Richards Microfit stock, only input I have on this one. Rugerforum.net used to be a pretty good bunch, not been around there in a while.

 

[ebb]

I have owned rugers since 1982 at one time I had 7, I am down to 3. I have never even seen one.

 

[Konrad.INc]

Flat bolts were only on the early guns, 1968-1971 inclusive. I’d have to see more of the markings on the barrel to tell you how much of that rifle matches. 284 was not made for very many years so they are on the rarer side of the spectrum. Not as rare as 350 rem mag, 458 win or 375 H&H in tang safety rifles but certainly rarer than 220 swift, 308, 6mm rem etc. The screw sticking down from the trigger looks aftermarket so it may net be original. It should be a short action in 284 as well. The stock is obviously aftermarket, they did some fancy wood options for select dealers and customers but they were all the same shape as a standard stock.

 

[Herrmannator]

Flat bolts were only on the early guns, 1968-1971 inclusive. I’d have to see more of the markings on the barrel to tell you how much of that rifle matches. 284 was not made for very many years so they are on the rarer side of the spectrum. Not as rare as 350 rem mag, 458 win or 375 H&H in tang safety rifles but certainly rarer than 220 swift, 308, 6mm rem etc. The screw sticking down from the trigger looks aftermarket so it may net be original. It should be a short action in 284 as well. The stock is obviously aftermarket, they did some fancy wood options for select dealers and customers but they were all the same shape as a standard stock.

Thanks for input. I like my triggers real light so adjusted the trigger weight pull spring way out. Barrel and action are definitely Ruger. Serial number puts it at 1971 mot likely.

 

[jds holler]

Thanks for input. I like my triggers real light so adjusted the trigger weight pull spring way out. Barrel and action are definitely Ruger. Serial number puts it at 1971 mot likely.

Good luck tuning that trigger with that screw. More likely to need reducing the spring by a coil or even two. And then a polish on the sear.-- verrrry carefully and conservative.
Buddy of mine got a 300 Win Mag M77 in around 1980, and out of the box the trigger was 15 pounds. jd