Ruger 77/22 accurate CCI Quiet plinker

[North Country Gal]

Bought this early vintage (first year) Ruger 77/22 last fall and like Rugers sometimes are, this one has developed into a project gun. Went with a Rifles Basic trigger and then had to do some tuning on the bedding, file off some burrs on the Ruger rings and then struggled to find a scope and ... just how it goes, sometimes. Very tight lock up, though, so at least I didn't have to work on the bolt as I've had to do on some 77/22s.



Finally got it sighted in for some backyard shooting with the CCI Quiet's this week and pleased to discover that all that tuning seems to have been worth it. Shot this group and other than the one I pulled, this is one of the most accurate and consistent groups I've gotten with this ammo.



The scope is an old Tasco 4-16 AO, but not the best, optically. Just one I had in the old scope drawer, but good enough for backyard accuracy testing for now. Once I find a better scope, I'll take this Ruger to the club range and test it at 50 yards with premium ammo. Looks promising.

[BigAl52]

Nice shooting NCG. I have a 77/22 with a 3x9 leupold scope on it. I don’t shoot it much and Im not sure what yr it was made. But Ive had it a while. Are those CCI quiets louder that a 22 cal springer

[Sir Henry]

Nice tight group. Can’t wait for the 50 yard day.

[Hatchdog]

Those 77/22’s have such classic lines. Nice shooting and nice job tuning that classic!

[North Country Gal]

Thanks, guys.

Al, I would rate CCI Quiets out of a 24" barrel to be in the same ballpark as an 850 fps springer as far as loudness and maybe a bit louder out of a 20" barrel, but the springers do have the advantage of not sounding like a 22. It's a different sound, more of a thumping noise that a lot of non-shooters don't recognize as a gun shot.

Of course, springers are harder to shoot with accuracy and have a learning curve to get that done. You can't just pick up a springer and shoot it like a 22 and expect great accuracy. The accuracy is there, though, once you learn the technique. In fact, I get better overall accuracy shooting my springers in the backyard than shooting my 22s with CCI Quiets. The above 77/22 seems to be closing that gap, though. That's why I'm so pleased with it.

Here's what I can do with one of my springers. Shot it just last week, in fact. I've been shooting these things for many years, though.

[Vaquero]

Good lookin rifle for sure, I've never seen one in the wild around here.

RP

[North Country Gal]

Thanks. The 77/22 series was introduced in 1984 (mine is an '84, first year gun) and was always an expensive gun. The concept was to provide a premium adult rimfire version of the 77 centerfire series, walnut stock and all. Ruger still makes this in the 22 Hornet version (which I've also owned), but again, pricey.

When CZ started to go big on importing their bolt guns to the U.S. late 90s, I think 77/22 sales took a big hit. You could buy the best CZ rimfire for less and get a gun that was every bit as accurate and even more reliable, right out of the box, very little if any tuning required. I know, because I've also owned many CZ 22s and still own a few. Definitely a better gun for the dollar.

Still, the 77/22 has always had a small, but loyal following. I like the rifle because it handles like a carbine and once you get one set up and shooting, well, they are a fun rifle. Great daily plinking rifle.

[Hatchdog]

After reading about NCG’s 77/22 I remembered a picture of me with mine my wife took years ago. After some searching on her computer I found it. This pic was taken in 2009 (yikes, I looked old 16 years ago). I remember getting the Ruger new at a local gun show making a trade with a dealer from Coeur d’alene ID who was displaying at the show. This was in the mid 80’s so probably shortly after the 77/22 was introduced. I put a Simmons 4x rimfire scope on it and I recall it being very accurate right out of the box. I probably sighted it in at 50 yards and I remember shooting many ground squirrels with it. Wish I had a better picture of the rifle itself. Looks like a bipod foot towards the muzzle end.

This pic was taken at our property shortly after we took possession of it from my wife’s uncle.

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[BigAl52]

As I mentioned I do have one and just went a took a pic of it. It doesnt get shot much but it does shoot very well.

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[North Country Gal]

Very nice, Al. Thanks for sharing. The early 77/22s do have a rep for good accuracy. Really nice wood on that one.