Well its time to sell off some unused guns and buy something new.

I am really looking for 2 types of bolt action 223's and they MUST be stainless steel.

I want a small, easy to carry in the woods rifle like the Ruger M77 MK2 Compact for close in (150yds or less) coyotes, foxes etc.

I also want a heavy barrel like the Ruger M77 MK2 Target Rifle for use as a long range varmint rig.

Does anybody have experience with these two models? What type of accuracy could I expect (especially with the compact).

Any other advice or suggestions would be great.

I have quite a few other rugers that I have been happy with so I look forward to your thoughts on these.

Freind of mine has a MkII in .223 with a 24" bbl that sounds like the first rifle you described. I've seen him shoot sagerats at over 300 yards with it and it does shoot small groups with H335 and 55 grain Remington bullets.

Have the Ruger M77MkII V/T in stainless with a laminated stock, with a Burris 6x18 mounted on it.

Shoots sub-MOA with 52 gr Speer BTHP's, 26.0 gr Varget and a CCI BR4 primer.

The varmit weight rifles seem to have better triggers than the standard rifles. You can replace a Ruger 77 MKII for around $75.00 This is almost a must on the 77.

The varmit weight rifles seem to have better triggers than the standard rifles. You can replace a Ruger 77 MKII for around $75.00 This is almost a must on the 77.

Exactly! Only thing wrong with rugers.

The trigger on my V/T is a crisp 3# letoff - came out of the box that way.

Getting a bit tender on everyone knocking the Ruger triggers.

The trigger on my V/T is a crisp 3# letoff - came out of the box that way.

Getting a bit tender on everyone knocking the Ruger triggers.

kdub, the V/T trigger is a different trigger than that on the standard 77MKII, and it is OK. But the standard Ruger 77MKII trigger deserves all the flak it gets! The fellow at our local gun store took a trigger scale to all the rifles in the store, out of curiosity. The weights on the Rugers tended to be heavier than the rifles themselves - over 7 pounds! Granted, the Remingtons and Winnies were also heavy, but they are adjustable and the Ruger is not. That's why they take so much crap!

That said, the after market triggers are quite nice, and (locally, at least) a Ruger plus a trigger still costs less than a Remchester.

www.centerfirecentral.com has a gunsmithing topic which takes you to a Ruger trigger site. its easy to use if you are mechanically inclined. keep the proper angles and you'll have excellent triggers. i've done 3 with great results. good luck.

safetysheriff - It's true the angles on the Ruger trigger can be honed for better performance. However, I prefer the aftermarket trigger so that I can take it back out if I choose to sell the rifle (relieves reliability concerns), or if I have to return it to Ruger for repair. If you send in a reworked trigger, Ruger will replace it with the factory job.

ID'
i didn't know they had such a policy. i've done two of mine and one of a friend's. i guess i'd cross that bridge when i came to it. the blessings i've enjoyed thus far w/this hobby have precluded returning firearms. all the best to you, ss'