Michael: tell us why we should care about the new Ruger 77/357!

[MrAnderson]

I've been wanting a lever-action .357 to go with my 686.  Now I don't know if I should want the 77/357, instead?  Help me understand why this rifle is significant and if I should consider getting one.

BTW, I think Ruger is doing an excellent job of marketing!  They are keeping the company name in the faces of shooters by regularly introducing new products.  It's got me excited about their products and anticipating each new announcement.

Thanks,
Dave

[Ulmus]

I don't know about Michael, but my wife was looking at the 77 rifles from Ruger and really liked them....  Until she saw the 30-06 round that went into the one she picked.   She's a bit caliber shy.

Now when I showed her this rifle, she love it!  She feels comfortable with this caliber rifle.

I already have a lever in this caliber and a SAA revolver, so we don't even have to worry about adding another caliber to our inventory.

As to which is better, lever or bolt, (or why this Ruger over a lever action) the biggest question I have for you is:

How much do you shoot in the prone position?  The Ruger is way easier to work in that position.

My other question:  Will the Ruger 77/357 also accept 38 Special rounds?  If not, will Ruger be bringing out a modified rotary magazine so it will in the near future?

[Michael Bane]

Ruger is doing a great job...it's kind of a toughie, though, on the .357 bolt gun. Read my blogbost today:

http://michaelbane.blogspot.com/2011/06/rumbling-to-start.html

I gotta say I am a huge HUGE fan of .357 lever guns...the little Marlin is one heck of a self-defense tool. A .357 bolt gun does give you some options not available with a lever gun, which tends to be sensitive to OAL, and except for the Marlin I wouldn't want to run one hot (and even with the Marlin I wouldn't push it like I might do with a bolt or a single shot. I think if I was going to hot up a .357 for hunting larger game (maybe Buffalo Bore's 180-gr screamers), I'd definitely want a bolt gun. Ditto if I wanted honest-to-goodness gilt-edged accuracy, 'cause the bolt's always going to have it over the lever. Plus the Ruger rotary magazine is a snap to reload, and given its reasonable price you have some excellent options on ammo choices.

Besides, wouldn't it be a hoot to shoot?

Michael B

[seeker_two]

Some more advantages....

1. Shooting from prone or sandbags is a lot easier with a bolt gun than a levergun....

2. It'll shoot .38SPL as well....a fantastic, yet quiet, small-game/varmint round....

3. Great understudy for a bolt-action hunting gun with affordable ammo....and still more substantial than a .22lr.....

[seeker_two]

Just thought of one more....(only took me 3 1/2 months...  )

4. Easier to clean & maintain a bolt-action than a levergun (if that matters to you)....

[Sponsor]