200th Year Ruger M77 M-77 M 77 .220 Swift Scope Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1976
SOLD FOR: $1150
LSB#: 210911DJ49
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: M77 (200th Year)
Serial Number: 71-96082
Year of Manufacture: 1976 (RUGER Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .220 Swift
Action Type: Internal Magazine-Fed Bolt-Action Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “STURM, RUGER & CO. INC., SOUTHPORT, CONN U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN THE 200th YEAR OF AMERICAN LIBERTY”, “220 SWIFT” and a Ruger proof mark. The left side of the receiver is marked “71-96082”, and “RUGER M77®”. The bolt is serial matching, and hand-scribed “96082 / N”. The grip cap and buttpad are marked with a Ruger phoenix logo.
Barrel Length: 26” Heavy Barrel with Recessed Crown
Sights/Optics: There is no provision for a front sight on this rifle. The barrel is drilled, tapped, and filled. The receiver is cut for Ruger rings which have attached a Bushnell 6-18x scope. There are light handling marks, the glass is fairly clear and overall, the scope rates in Very Good condition.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is a one-piece walnut with checkered pistol grip and black-capped forend, fluted straight comb, and orange rubber Ruger buttpad. There are sling studs on the belly of the buttstock and the underside of the forend. The stock is largely free of wear or damage, but there are more notable marks on the right side of the buttstock and the left side of the forend. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp. The LOP is 13 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The buttpad has some minor staining with some scuff wear at the heel and toe along with scattered discoloration. Overall, the stock rates in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The barrel has a few nicks on the left side closer to the tip and a spot of minor finish loss on the right side. There is minor thinning at the muzzle, outside the crown. The action has light operational wear. The screws have light tool marks and strong slots, and all markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork and Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed scope as described above.
Our Assessment: The Ruger M77 is a robust Bolt-Action rifle designed in 1968 by L. James Sullivan during his short three-years of work with Ruger. Intended to be a modernized Mauser 98, and featured simplified ejector updates and a newly designed safety system. This rifle dates back to 1976, several years before the first major M77 re-tooling in 1991—the major indicator is the original grip tang safety. It retains a classic Ruger look. Most notably, this is what is colloquially known as a ‘Liberty’ gun, note the “200th Year of American Liberty” mark on the barrel. Most Ruger firearms made in 1976 are stamped as such. In Fine condition, this rifle is free of any major wear or damage, save for some notable marks on the stock and few less than noticeable nicks on the barrel. The bore is bright and the included scope is in decent shape—this firearm is quickly becoming a classic, don’t sleep on it, drop a bid. Good luck and happy bidding!