With a look influenced by Mannlicher styled rifles from Griffin & Howe, the Ruger International model made its first appearance during the 1968 – 1993 M77 MK I production run. The current generation was introduced in 1993 as part of the M77 MK II product line. The change to the MK II platform brought along several changes: a three position safety, a newly design floorplate latch and a blade type ejector. The MK II also featured a non-adjustable trigger in deference to a growing threat of product liability litigation*. All and all – nice gun.
On November 7, 2006, The Ruger M77 Mark II became the M77 Hawkeye with the implementation of numerous refinements: Ruger LC6™ trigger, red rubber recoil pad, Ruger logo on the hinged steel floorplate, wrap around checkering, slimmed stock with more rounded contours, and matte blued metal parts. Since that time, the Model 77 Hawkeye International has been in and out of production as both Ruger and Ruger distributor special runs. In general, they have the appearance of the rifle, pictured left.
| Model | M77 International |
| Manufacturer | Ruger, New Hampshire |
| Chamber | .243 Winchester |
| Capacity | 4 |
| Stock | Walnut |
| Hardware | Matte Blued |
| Barrel Length | 18½” |
| Twist | 1:9″ |
| Sights | Adjustable Metallic |
| Trigger | L6 Non-Adjustable |
| Overall Length | 38½” |
| Pull Length | 13½” |
| Weight | 6 lbs 13oz |
| MSRP | $967 |
Highlights
The Ruger is twin lug with a 90º bolt lift and a dog leg bolt handle that provides extra scope ocular lens clearance for lower mounting. The Ruger M77 is a control feed system with non-rotating Mauser type extractor; a round is under mechanical control from the time it is stripped out of the magazine, through to the time it is ejected.
A three position safety provides the options of block firing pin, locked bolt, safe but bolt can be cycled to empty the rifle’s magazine or in the ready or fire position. The horizontal wing construction makes it easy to quietly thumb operate with the right hand in the shooting position around the grip.
I really can remember a time when metallic sights were the primary and scopes were an accessory for special circumstances involving multi football field distances, which brings me to one of the things I like about the International model. The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation and it flips down, forward, to get out of the way of a scope’s objective lens. The ramped front sight is fixed with a flat brass bead.
For most Maine and other New England hunting, that should about take care of sight needs. For folks who anticipate longer shots or just like using a scope as an enhancement, the International incorporates the Ruger proprietary ring system. Supplied with 1″ medium height rings. 30mm diameter and various heights are available.
The wood work is clean, neat. The wrap around checkering looks good and it is functional. The front sling mount is a traditional type. I would have preferred a swivel stud, as installed on the buttstock, but functionally this works as well.
Generally, the M77 International is a straight forward, traditional collection of assemblies, but with a long forearm and end cap that holds the stock to the front sight assembly. The bottom barrel channel floats to within 2″ of the forend where a pressure pad begins, however, barrel contact is made along the sides of the channel. The stock finish must provide adequate sealing because I’ve not noticed a shift in point of impact on the coldest winter days to the tropical like Maine summer humidity. The bottom metal is all steel and its latching mechanism locks up and releases in a positive fashion.
All and all, the Ruger M77 has a smooth action, it cycles cleanly and the LC6 trigger is very good. I have two aftermarket adjustable triggers in the tool box, but I’ve not seen the need to install either.
The Plan
I have lots and lots of handload data for the 243 Winchester, accumulated over 50 years of shooting and hunting with the 243 Winchester. That said, bullets change, powers change and rifle combinations change and handloading is one of the more enjoyable aspects of firearm related activities.
| Bullet | Weight Grains |
Length | Max COL |
| Sierra BlitzKing 1502 | 55 | 0.750″ | 2.620 |
| Remington AccuTip 2431 | 75 | 0.938 | 2.670 |
| Speer SPBT 1220 | 100 | 1.060 | 2.700 |
| Berger Hunting VLD 24528 | 105 | 1.230 | 2.800 |
Three of the four bullets have been used before in this rifle with excellent results. This time around, the Berger 105 grain VLD was added along with a different assortment of smokeless powders. The Ruger has a 9″ twist, which is relatively tight. Winchester rifles have a 10″ twist, Savage 9 1/4″, Remington 9 1/8″. Berger recommends an 8″ twist or tighter, because of the exceptional length of VLD bullet. That said, sometimes the best think to do is load some, shoot and see how they work. Sometimes the problem of stability doesn’t show up for 500 yards and, with an 18 1/2″ barrel, that isn’t part of the plan.
I’ll be back with Part II in a few days with some data and results.
The 243 Winchester and the Short Barrel Rifle Part 1
The 243 Winchester and the Short Barrel Rifle Part 2
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