Ruger 77/22 .22LR v CZ452 .22LR varmint

[peter pounds]

Having got in January an All weather Ruger 77/22 .22LR after many months looking at various other make guns, to compliment my CZ 452 Varmint .22LR, I thought you may be interested in the following appraisal. On the Ruger I have fitted a Simmons 1.5X20 WTC scope. The CZ has fitted an 8X45 Pecar scope.

The fit and engineering on the Ruger is first class. I love the synthetic stock but know many dont. The trigger is too heavy on the Ruger and is left behind with the CZ factory trigger that on my gun is superb. I have not changed it yet as I hit what I aim at, although I have fitted a stainless trigger shoe from Target Sports. I should add that I only hunt and do not target shoot. Both guns hit a ten pence piece at 65 yards. The Ruger is much lighter at under 6lbs. I like the easy barrell removal on the Ruger, not an option on the CZ. The 10 rounds in the Ruger with a flush magazine really makes a difference, noticably when I take out the CZ. The Ruger bolt is more sloppy than the CZ, although it works very well. The Ruger case ejection is much more positive than the CZ although I have had no problems in this area. The Ruger just throws them further. I like the solid rubber butt pad on the Ruger. the CZ is too soft and wears when standing up against a tree etc. One must bear in mind though that the Ruger is twice the price of the CZ.
I love both guns for what they are and would never sell either. Below are the reasons that I went for the Ruger, apart from it being stainless steel which I wanted.

SAKO FINNFIRE: Barrell to long, plastic triger guard. Not keen on ejection spring. QUAD: Not keen on this at all especially the stock. The Ruger stock leaves it behind in my opinion. I only want to shoot .22LR anyway.

ANCHUTZ: Just do not like the look of them, especially the bolt. To much like my CZ but probably not as good.

MARLIN: They do stainless steel, but the finish is just not in the same league as the Ruger. The bolt looks like a pipe within a pipe. To be fair not in the price range of the Ruger either.

SAVAGE: I have not actually seen one and heard mixed reports, they do I believe do a stainless, but I think I would have gone Marlin rather than them if price had been a consideration.

There are others, Kimber etc, but I really did want a stainless gun. If I was buying over again I would get the same two guns. I think they are both superb, and both beautiful to look at - which to me is most important.

[Spanner.]

You got lucky with the Ruger, I have had an M77 MK2 in 243 and a 10/22 both a pile off.

[Mousemann]

I had a dilemma over the Ruger 77. I was totally sold on its classic lines and was looking forward to getting one.

However, so many people slagged off the Ruger and warned me off going for pretty looks alone, that I reluctantly decided to get something else and was eventually talked into trying an Anschutz. Like Peter Pounds I initially didn't go for the look of it, with its outsize bolt knob and utilitarian "Olympic" look, but I was lucky enough to get to try before I bought, and have to say I'm glad I did.

If I lived in the States, I think I'd probably still try the Ruger. I'd like to see if the finish and accuracy are as variable as everyone says. :)

[Chris St. MH]

Besides a lot of stuff on here and Rimfire Central, what really put me off the Ruger, handling one in the flesh, was the horribly sloppy bolt action. It had me wondering whether they had the right bolt in the rifle.

[dead ive]

Why have you got two .22lrs :confused: .............The Sako Finnfire would've been my choice :rolleyes:

[peter pounds]

I have two .22LR as I like only them. If I was given a .17 I would not want it or fire it - too noisy. My .22LR subsonics are even more silent than the airguns I was using for 20 years. Apparently I am lucky to have been granted two in same calibre acoording to my FLO although I did request two. I am sure that there are a lot of .17's in gun cabinets due to noise. Would not consider Sako for reasons already stated.

[TEXASPROUD]

One thing you have to remember about American guns is they are made Attorney - Proof. You will not see general issue .22's with light triggers because this is a litigation rich society, unfortunately. However, there are drop in sears and triggers that can make the difference between night and day. I took my 77/22, added a Basix trigger, drove down to Ennis, Texas stopped off at Shilen and got a new barrel. I now have a Ruger that gives my Anschutz some real competition.

[TEXASPROUD]

Why have you got two .22lrs :confused: .............The Sako Finnfire would've been my choice :rolleyes:Why do you only have two, I've got a dozen.:D

[dead ive]

Why do you only have two, I've got a dozen.:D
We have to give justification to the Police for the calibres we intend to use ........Sure ,I could have 2 ,.22 Lrs one in hunting format and the other in target format .........I'd be pushing my luck to try and get 3 on my Cert .

Another thing as well ........when ammo is purchased it is logged on the back of your cert ............Come the 5 year renewal time if there is'nt alot of ammo been used then the Police might not grant your renewal for that calibre as in their eyes your deemed not to require it ........Only a possibility though Tex :cool:

[Spanner.]

If you put in for a variation you return your ticket for replacement so all the ammo you have bought on the original is wiped. I don't think this is feasible, if you stalk you may only fire a box a year if you are lucky, if you use a 223 or similar soley for foxing you may run to a couple of boxes.

[Chris St. MH]

One thing you have to remember about American guns is they are made Attorney - Proof. You will not see general issue .22's with light triggers because this is a litigation rich society, unfortunately. However, there are drop in sears and triggers that can make the difference between night and day. I took my 77/22, added a Basix trigger, drove down to Ennis, Texas stopped off at Shilen and got a new barrel. I now have a Ruger that gives my Anschutz some real competition.

Rather than waste good time and money fettling a naff piece of mass produced crap, I'd just have bought another Anschutz. In fact I just did. :)

[baz]

Ive got about thirty .22lr, theres two I have on my own ticket and thats CZ452 Varmint and BSA Supersport five, I have used all the other readily available and these two are the best tools I have found, they both have shortened barrels the CZ 14 inch and the BSA 13 inch both are as accurate as any .22lr I have used including Anschutz 54s! And the BSA even has a nice two stage trigger, not what you might expect on a gun costing from £5 to £50

The Ruger is supposed to have sloppy bolt as its Mauser based action, ok to chuck in the mud:D

Baz

[Chris St. MH]

Baz, I've had a BSA and shot CZs and concur they're very accurate. All the BSAs I've shot actually had single-stage triggers however. Very nice triggers though! I'm not sure how you could say the Ruger 7722 RF bolt action is based on the Mauser - the 77 CF perhaps, but not the RF.

[inquisitiveyank]

Texas proud is spot on about about the ruger trigger. I shoot in small bore NRA sillouette matches and the volquartsen target sear was all I needed. It's about 39.00 us and takes 45 minutes if you're as slow as I am. It comes with a lower power trigger return spring and takes the trigger down to a crisp 2.5 lbs.
Since sillouette is fired only from standing and out to 100 meters it's imperative that you have a target grade trigger.He's also correct about american guns being liability proof(idiot proof). since our laws don't preclude anyone and everyone from buying a firearm, stock models must be sold in such a way that even the most careless user couldn't accidently discharge it.
Ruger does offer a varmint version of the 7722 with a .920 dia. barrel, but if yours is a standard taper, it's simple enough to change.
The CZ and Anshutz are mighty fine rifles, but their designs are conventional and preclude much customization by other than a qualified gunsmith.
MidwayUSA has one of the largest selections of 7722 and 1022 after market
parts. One other thing about Ruger products, here in the states they are really considered the most reliable and bullet proof designs. Their revolvers will shoot loads all day that would destroy a colt or a smith.

[lucky trigger]

I have two .22LR as I like only them. If I was given a .17 I would not want it or fire it - too noisy. My .22LR subsonics are even more silent than the airguns I was using for 20 years. Apparently I am lucky to have been granted two in same calibre acoording to my FLO although I did request two. I am sure that there are a lot of .17's in gun cabinets due to noise. Would not consider Sako for reasons already stated.

I certainly agree with you on the noise 'front'. Went shooting with my mate saturday just gone. Me with my cz sillouette 22lr fitted with a sako mod. My mate with a 12ft lb Falcon Prairie pf18 (think thats right:rolleyes: ) fitted with a falcon mod. My rimmy was definatley less noisy... I also admit to using my 22lr more than the 17 hmr but thats mainly due to the cost of the ammo:eek:

[Eagleman]

I certainly agree with you on the noise 'front'. Went shooting with my mate saturday just gone. Me with my cz sillouette 22lr fitted with a sako mod. My mate with a 12ft lb Falcon Prairie pf18 (think thats right:rolleyes: ) fitted with a falcon mod. My rimmy was definatley less noisy... I also admit to using my 22lr more than the 17 hmr but thats mainly due to the cost of the ammo:eek:

That is pretty good lucky. I have owned a Falcon Prairie and although not as good as the HW100 silencer they are not at all bad. If your rimfire is as good as that it is indeed quiet! :)

[Haje]

Another thing as well ........when ammo is purchased it is logged on the back of your cert ............Come the 5 year renewal time if there is'nt alot of ammo been used then the Police might not grant your renewal for that calibre as in their eyes your deemed not to require it ........Only a possibility though Tex :cool:

If you where to check my FAC you would find that I have never bought any .375H&H or 45/70 rounds, yet I normally have several hundred of each in my cabinet at any one time………

Because I load my own :D

However the details of my rifles are logged each time they are used at the firing range so it is possible to check that they are in regular use.

[shepp]

Why do you only have two, I've got a dozen.:D

don't rub it in now

[HmrHunter]

I most say the 17hmr has put a lot of 22lr back in the closet to stay. As for the noise its not bad at all unless your 5 years old........:eek:

[shootist]

Why do you only have two, I've got a dozen.:D

How many have sound moderators fitted? :p :D

[Enthusiast]

I bought a second hand 452 yesterday and spent a happy hour or so down at the club. To say I'm impressed is an understatement. It has had the trigger mod (I tried it a while back before this was done and was ... a bit concerned) and it is a sweet as a nut.

Accuracy was same hole stuff at 25 yards, I would have been disappointed if it hadn't mind. I hope to try it out at longer ranges, 75 or even 100 yards in the near future.

For the money (indeed for more) it is amazing.

Just had to share that with someone!

Richard

[rpbill56]

The Ruger bolt may seem loose. But it's not loose when the bolt was closed. I have owned 5 Ruger 77/22's and they have all shot great. I wish I still had at least one of them.
Bill

[baz]

I know the 77 MKIIs Laminate stainless in HMR need the forend sorting out! They have a sort of very poor quality pressure bedding "bump" which allows the barrel to sit one side or the other giving two POI, once removed, glass bedded and trigger job they shoot very well indeed, as good as the CZ 452 does out the box and half the price:D

But I must admit the Ruger stainless laminate is certainly nicer looking

The only Ruger I would own is the Number 1, now thats a good rifle!

baz

[rpbill56]

I couldn't stand the looks of the magazine in my CZ HMR. So I cut mine off. It took a good bit of work, but it still functions with 5 rounds. It looks a whole lot better in my opinion.
Bill
Short CZ HMR Magazine (http://http://www.hunt101.com/img/385340.JPG)