ruger 77/22, 77/17, 77/44TM User Guide

INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

FOR

BLUED &

STAINLESS

STEEL

CALIBERS .17 HMR, .22 Long Rifle, .22 Magnum, .22 Hornet

& .44 Magnum

RUGER

MODEL 77/22®, MODEL 77/17,

& MODEL 77/44

BOLT-ACTION RIFLES

RIMFIRE & CENTERFIRE MODELS

Model 77/22 & 77/17

Model 77/44

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM

For Product Service on This Model Please Call:

(603) 865-2442 (See p. 30)

STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.

Southport, Connecticut 06490 U.S.A.

THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE TRANS-

FERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR PRE-

SENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.

KJ/5-02

State-By-State Warnings

Certain states require by law that their own specified warning notices in larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included by the manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer with firearms sold in that state. Sturm, Ruger sells its products in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Because our products may be sold in these states, we include the following:

California:

WARNING

“Children are attracted to and can operate firearms that can cause severe injuries or death. Prevent child access by always keeping guns locked away and unloaded when not in use. If you keep a loaded firearm where a child obtains and improperly uses it, you can be fined or sent to prison.”

ADVERTENCIA

“A los niños los atraen las armas de fuego y las pueden hacer funcionar. Ellos pueden causarses lesions graves y la muerte. Evite que los niños tengan accesso a las armas de fuego guardándolas siempre con llave y descargadas cuando no las esté utilizando. Si usted tiene un arma de fuego cargada en un lugar en que un niño tiene acceso a ella y la usa indebidamente, le pueden dar una multa o enviarlo a la carcel.”

Connecticut:

“UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE.”

Florida:

“IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT AND FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE OR TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND.”

Maine:

“ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SEPARATE. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP. USE TRIGGER LOCKS.”

Maryland:

“WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause death or serious injury. It is a crime to store or leave a loaded firearm in any location where an individual knew or should have known that an unsupervised minor would gain access to the firearm. Store your firearm responsibly!”

Massachusetts:

“WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL: This handgun is not equipped with a device that fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000 firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year in the United States. In addition, there are more than a thousand suicides each year by younger children and teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children sustain serious wounds, or inflict such wounds accidentally on others. In order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is imperative that you keep this weapon locked in a secure place and take other steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft or accident. Failure to take reasonable preventive steps may result in innocent lives being lost, and in some circumstances may result in your liability for these deaths.”

“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM, RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE UNLESS THAT WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A TAMPER-RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED OR KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.”

New Jersey:

“IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR.”

New Y

“THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE WEAPONS STORAGE. ALL WEAPONS SHOULD BE STORED UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AND ANY OTHER UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS.”

ork City:

North Carolina:

“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE TO A MINOR.”

Texas:

“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”

Wisconsin:

“IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD IMPROPERLY DISCHARGES, POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS THE FIREARM.”

***************** *****

Please check with your licensed retailer or state police for additional warnings which may be required by local law or regulation. Such regulations change constantly, and local authorities are in the best position to advise you on such legal matters.

WARNING – LOCKING DEVICES

This firearm was originally sold with a key-operated locking device. While it can help provide secure storage for your unloaded firearm, any locking device can fail. All guns are designed to fire if they are loaded and the trigger is pulled. Therefore, never install the

locking device inside the trigger guard or in any way that it can possibly pull the trigger! Do not

leave the keys in the lock.

DO NOT INSTALL

INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD

The ultimate responsibility for secure storage of any firearm must depend upon its owner and his or her individual circumstances.

Guns should be securely stored unloaded, in a secure location, separate from their ammunition.

See “Storage Warning”, page 27.

INSTALL LOCK

AS SHOWN HERE

NEVER INSTALL

LOCKING DEVICE

INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD

FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT

CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO

HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.

This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and care for your RUGER MODEL 77/22

77/44

Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can properly carry out its instructions should you practice loading, etc. with live ammunition.

If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or use a particular type of gun safely, then you should seek supervised instruction.

Such personalized instruction is often available from gun dealers, gun clubs or police departments. If none of these sources can help you, write to the National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-7406. They will assist you.

The person with a gun in their possession has a full-time job. You cannot guess; you cannot forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely. Do

not use any firearm without having a complete understanding of its particular characteristics and safe use.

Remember: There is no such thing as a foolproof gun.

rifles properly.

, MODEL 77/17 & MODEL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Operation of Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Ammunition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

To Load and Fire (With Magazine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

To Unload Rifle and Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

To Extract and Eject a Chambered Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

To Clear a Malfunction (“Jam”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

To Minimize Malfunctions (“Jams”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Basic Disassembly and Reassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Magazine Inspection and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Maintenance of Stainless Steel Rifles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Attaching Scope Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Sight Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Service and Parts Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Parts Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38, 39, 44 & 45

The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

“Ruger” and “77/22” are registered U.S. trademarks.

“77/17” & “77/44” are Sturm, Ruger trademarks.

WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:

Locking Devices 6 Handling 16 Alterations 8 Unloading 17 Manual Safety 10 Malfunctions 19 Lead Exposure 12 Disassembly 20 Ammunition 12 Lubrication 26 Loading 15 Storage 27 Firing 15 Parts Purchasers 31

OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR

THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL.

FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS–

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MAN-

UAL THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.

WARNING–ALTERATIONS

This product was designed to function properly in its original condition. Alterations can make it unsafe. Do not alter any part or add or substitute parts or accessories not made by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.

DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN

GENERAL INFORMATION

AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The RUGER MODEL 77/22®, MODEL 77/17 & MODEL 77/44 bolt-action, magazine fed, repeating rifles. The capacity of the rotary magazine is ten .22 Long Rifle cartridges, nine .22 WMR cartridges in the 77/22 nine .17 HMR cartridges in the 77/17, six cartridges in the 77/22 only, and four cartridges in the 77/44TMonly.

Other notable features of the RUGER MODEL 77/22

MODEL 77/44

into matching channels in the receiver, a fast lock-time trigger mechanism (nonadjustable), a flush positioned bolt stop (bolt release), an American walnut stock, hand checkered, with a polyurethane finish, nylon butt-plate and studs to which sling swivels can be attached.

rifles include: A three-position safety, two bolt lugs locking

MAGNUM and

HORNET

, MODEL 77/17 &

are

The receiver on all versions of the Model 77/22®, Model 77/17, and the 77/44 incorporates integral scope mount bases (see illustration below). The Model 77/22®, Model 77/17, and the 77/44

rifles come with a set of two Ruger 1” steel scope

rifle

rings. The R model does not have open sights. The 77/22®RS and 77/44TMRS come with open sights - a gold bead front sight and a folding leaf rear sight which is adjustable for elevation and windage. The corresponding 77/22® Hornet models are the 77/22

RH & the 77/22®RSH. The K77/22®RP & RSP All-Weather models come

in stainless steel and have synthetic stocks with integral trigger guard assemblies.

The 77/22® Varmint Rifle in .22 Long Rifle and .22 Rimfire Magnum calibers, feature a stainless-steel heavyweight varmint barrel and a laminated American hardwood stock.

Disassembly of the rifle to its major components is readily accomplished by removal of two screws. The bolt assembly can be quickly disassembled for cleaning.

All mechanical components are made of heat-treated chrome-molybdenum or stainless steel, with music wire coil springs throughout the mechanism.

NOMENCLATURE

Figure 1. Components frequently referred to are identified. In this illustration the cocking piece is shown cocked (protruding from the rear of the bolt sleeve) revealing the disassembly hole in the lower portion of the cocked piece. The bolt stop (on the left side of the receiver) permits the bolt to be withdrawn simply by pressing down lightly with the thumbnail. The safety selector (show in the “Fire” posi-

tion) should be in the “Load-Unload” position when the bolt is being removed or being installed.

OPERATION OF SAFETY

The RUGER MODEL 77/22® , MODEL 77/17 & MODEL 77/44 rifles have a three position safety. The safety selector is located at the right of the bolt sleeve.

The safety selector can be moved from the “Fire” position to its two other positions (“Load-Unload” and “Safe”) only when the firing pin is cocked. Fully raising the bolt handle cocks the firing pin.

The bolt handle can be raised and lowered only when the safety selector is in either the “Fire” or the “Load-Unload” position. When the safety selector is in the

“Safe” position, the bolt handle is locked in the closed (full down) position in

SAFE

LOADUNLOAD

FIRE

order to prevent inadvertent lifting of the bolt handle and to ensure that the rifle will be ready to fire when the safety is taken “off”.

Practice (with an unloaded rifle) moving the safety selector to the three positions until you know the position of the safety selector for the three modes– “Fire,” “Load-Unload,” and “Safe.” WARNING: When manipulating the safety selector,

DO NOT HAVE ANY FINGER INSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD! When the safety selector is in the “Fire” position and the trigger is pulled, the rifle will fire.

The safety selector should always be in the “Safe” position except when the gun user is actually firing or unloading the rifle. The safety selector should unfailingly be moved to the “Safe” position when the gun user ceases firing.

SAFETY POSITIONS

Figure 2. Safety selector in

“FIRE” (full forward) position.

The safety selector should be moved to this position only when the gun user is actually firing the rifle. When the safety is in

the fire position, it is referred to as being “off.” (When the safety is in the “SAFE” position, it is referred to as being “on.”)

WARNING – MANUAL SAFETY

Figure 3. Safety selector in

“LOAD-UNLOAD” (middle) posi-

tion. The safety selector should be

in this position when the bolt is being cycled to load a cartridge, or to unload a live round. As soon as

a cartridge is chambered, the safety selector should be moved to the “SAFE” position unless the rifle is to be fired immediately.

Keep the safety on unless actually firing. Always move the safety fully to its intended position and check it. The safety has three positions –“SAFE,” “LOAD-UNLOAD,” and “FIRE.” Never depend on a safety mechanism or any other mechanical device to justify careless handling or permitting the rifle to point in an unsafe direction. The only “safe” rifle is one in which the bolt is open and the chamber and magazine are empty.

KNOW HOW TO USE THE SAFETY

Figure 4. Safety selector in

“SAFE” (full rearward) position.

The safety selector is fully nested in the groove in the cocking piece. When the safety selector is in this position, the bolt handle cannot be raised. The curved arrow on the bolt sleeve indicates the direction and motion of the safety selector to bring it to the “SAFE” position.

Keep the safety in this position except when actually loading, unloading, or firing.

This safety selector is held in each of its positions by a plunger that is under

spring tension. Therefore, the gun user should frequently check the position of the safety selector to be certain it has not been inadvertently moved. If the safety does not function properly, or if the selector seems to move too easily, or if the safety selector does not seem firmly positioned in any of its three positions, the rifle should be discontinued from use and returned to the Newport Product Service Department for repair (see p. 30).

AMMUNITION

RUGER MODEL 77/22® rifles are chambered for many of the most popular

factory-loaded cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice. The particular caliber for each rifle is rollmarked on the barrel. Use car-

tridges only of the designated caliber that is marked on the barrel. Please see AMMUNITION WARNING, p. 12 and LOADING WARNING on p. 15.

The RUGER MODEL 77/22 function as a repeating rifle with the .22 caliber Long Rifle rimfire cartridge, standard, high velocity or hyper-velocity, manufactured to industry standards.

The .22 Short, .22 Long and .22 SHOT cartridges can be fired in the model

77/22

chamber. It should be noted that extensive use of the .22 Short cartridge can cause a ‘ring’ to be cut in the chamber which may interfere with the extraction of Long Rifle cartridges.

The RUGER MODEL 77/17 is chambered for the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire cartridge only. Do not use any other rimfire ammunition in this rifle!

The RUGER MODEL 77/22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridge only, both jacketed and hollow point. Do not use any other .22 caliber or any other rimfire ammunition in this rifle, as burst cases and the release of hot powder gases can result.

The RUGER MODEL 77/22 fire .22 Hornet cartridge. Do not attempt to use any .22 rimfire (short, long, long rifle, or magnum) ammunition nor any other centerfire .22 ammunition (.222, .223, etc.) in this model.

rifle, but such cartridges must be introduced by hand directly into the

is chambered for, and designed to properly

MAGNUM is chambered for the .22

HORNET is chambered only for the center-

WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LOAD .22 SHORT, .22 LONG, .22 SHOT OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF .22 CALIBER CARTRIDGE

(OTHER THAN THE .22 LONG RIFLE) INTO THE MAGAZINE OF THE 77/22® RIFLE. THE USE OF OTHER CARTRIDGES IN THE MAGAZINE CAN CAUSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS JAMS AND MALFUNCTIONS RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FIREARM AND INJURY TO THE SHOOTER AND OTHER PERSONS. TAKE CARE TO USE THE CORRECT CARTRIDGES. DO

NOT ATTEMPT TO LOAD ANY .22 RIMFIRE AMMUNITION INTO THE .22 HORNET MAGAZINE. DO NOT FIRE .17 HMR CARTRIDGES IN .22 MAGNUM RIFLES!

The RUGER MODEL 77/44TMis chambered only for the centerfire .44 Magnum cartridge and should not be used with any other .44 caliber ammunition. Most .44 Magnum ammunition factory loaded to U.S. industry specifications is suitable for use. However, “Medium Velocity” non-jacketed ammunition may not give optimum accuracy and is not recommended.

WARNING: SOME TYPES OF LONG RIFLE CARTRIDGES HAVE BLUNT-NOSE OR SHARP-SHOULDER BULLETS WHICH CAN

INTERFERE WITH SMOOTH AND RELIABLE FEEDING FROM MAGAZINE TO CHAMBER. SUCH CARTRIDGES SHOULD NOT BE USED BECAUSE THEY MAY DISCHARGE BEFORE BEING FULLY CHAMBERED AND THEREBY POSSIBLY INJURE THE SHOOTER AND THOSE NEARBY. THE SHOOTER MUST BE ALERT TO THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD AT ONCE DISCONTINUE THE USE OF ANY CARTRIDGE WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE CAUSE OF FEEDING PROBLEMS OR JAMMING.

WARNING – LEAD EXPOSURE

Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances known to the state of California to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.

SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS

MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD

WARNING – AMMUNITION

Death, serious injury, and damage can result from the use of wrong ammunition, bore obstructions, powder overloads, or incorrect cartridge components. Even the strongest gun can be blown up by excess pressure. Only use correct ammunition loaded to U.S. Industry Standards. Always wear shooting glasses and hearing protectors.

IMPROPER AMMUNITION

DESTROYS GUNS

AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE

WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE

OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR

AS A RESULT OF, THE USE IN ANY RUGER FIREARMS OF FAULTY,

OR NON-STANDARD, OR “REMANUFACTURED” OR HAND-LOADED

(RELOADED) AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN THOSE FOR

WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.

TO LOAD AND FIRE (WITH MAGAZINE)

Practice this important aspect of gun handling (with an unloaded rifle) until you can perform each of the steps – described below – with skill and confidence. But

before loading the rifle, please read completely through this manual, and be certain the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction. Do not load the rifle until you are ready to use it!

(The following procedure assumes a new rifle with the bolt out.)

1. Be certain the chamber is empty, the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction,

and keep your fingers off the trigger until you are actually ready to fire. (See Rule 2, p. 46).

2. Remove the magazine from the rifle (See Figure 5, below).

Figure 5. The safety should be in the “LoadUnload” position or the “Safe” position when the magazine is being removed or inserted. When the forward section of the magazine latch is pushed in (pivoted upward), the magazine is released. One way of removing the magazine is to cradle the rifle in the left hand with the palm under - but not against - the magazine. Use the right forefinger to fully depress the magazine latch and the magazine will drop free. Another way (illustrated) is to deepress

Removing Magazine (Keep Safety “On”)

the latch with the thumb and at the same time grasp the magazine between the thumb and forefinger and draw it out of the gun.

3. Position the safety selector in the “Load-Unload” position (see Figure 3, p. 10).

4. Make certain the bolt is ready to be inserted in the receiver. If there is any doubt, see numbered paragraph 7, p. 23 (To Assemble the Bolt) in the Reassembly section of this manual.

5. Depress the bolt-stop and insert the bolt into the receiver, closing the bolt handle fully down.

6. Move the safety selector fully rearward to the “Safe” position. This will also lock the bolt closed (see Figure 4, p. 10).

7. Load the magazine with the cartridges (see Figure 6, p. 14).

8. Insert magazine into the magazine well of the rifle with the bullet end of the cartridges in the direction of the barrel muzzle. (The magazine cannot be seated if it is reversed.)

9. Assuming the rifle is now to be fired, move the safety selector to the “LoadUnload” position.

10. Raise the bolt handle, draw the bolt fully to the rear, then smoothly push

the bolt forward so that a cartridge is stripped from the magazine and chambered. (Note: If the cartridge does not readily strip from the magazine, or if the cartridge tends to jam while being chambered, discontinue the loading procedure. Extract and eject the ‘problem’ cartridge and remove the loaded magazine from the rifle. Then, read the “Ammunition” and “Magazine Inspection and Care” sections of this manual) Now, lower the bolt handle.

Figure 6. To load the magazine, press the rim of the cartridge against the magazine rotor at the widest section of the magazine throat until the cartridge enters far enough to be pushed to the rear end of the magazine. With the first cartridge in place, each succeeding cartridge is pressed against the body of the top cartridge and slid to the rear of the magazine until a maximum of ten .22 LR cartridges (or nine .22 WMR or .17 HMR cartridges, or six .22 Hornet cartridges, or four .44 Magnum cartridges, depending upon the magazine being loaded) are in the magazine. The Ruger 77/22 & 77/44 rifles are designed to function properly only with the correct Ruger rotary magazine loaded with cartridges of the correct caliber and type.

The magazine must at all times be in good condition or malfunctions can occur. Please carefully read the sections in this manual on “Magazine Inspection and Care” and the section and warning on “Malfunctions”.

NOTE: The Ruger 10/22 magazine (BX-1) will fit in the model 77/22 rifle, but the bottom section of the 10/22 magazine will not be flush with the trigger guard assembly of the 77/22. The 9 shot Ruger 77/22 Magnum and .17 HMR magazine is not interchangeable with any other magazine, nor is the 6 shot 77/22 Hornet magazine. The .44 magnum magazines for the Ruger 96/44 lever action rifle and the Deerfield Carbine rifle will not fit into the Ruger 77/44 bolt action rifle due to dimensional differences. Do not attempt to use either of them in the Ruger 77/44.

Loading the Magazine

.22 Long Rifle Magazine Shown

WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE

ACTUALLY READY TO FIRE THE RIFLE.

11. The rifle is now fully loaded. Unless the rifle is to be immediately fired, move

the safety selector fully rearward to the “Safe” position.

12. To Fire the Rifle: Move the safety selector to the “Fire” position (see Figure 2, p. 10), and pull (squeeze) the trigger. A cartridge will be discharged.

Always be certain that you know where the bullet will strike when you fire the rifle. (See “Handling Warning”, p. 16) Never allow the thumb to touch

the cocking piece as it can be pinched when the striker moves forward.

13. After the chambered cartridge has been fired, the bolt handle is raised and the bolt is drawn to the rear in a firm, smooth stroke. This will extract and eject the fired cartridge case. To chamber another cartridge, repeat the procedure detailed directly above.

WARNING: REMEMBER THAT EACH TIME A CARTRIDGE IS

FIRED AND A NEW ONE IS CHAMBERED. THE SAFETY SELECTOR IS IN THE “FIRE” POSITION. THEREFORE, IF

THE RIFLE IS NOT GOING TO BE DISCHARGED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CARTRIDGE IS CHAMBERED, MOVE THE SAFETY SELECTOR FULLY BACK TO THE “SAFE” POSITION.

14. To Single Load: The rifle can be used as a single shot rifle in the absence of a magazine or for safety or training purposes. To do so, follow steps 1 - 3, p. 13. Then load a cartridge into the chamber, and follow steps 10 - 13, p. 14. See “Unloading Warning”, p. 17.

WARNING –LOADING

Know the caliber of your rifle you are loading and load cartridges of only that caliber into it!

Before loading, be certain the primer of each cartridge is seated flush with, or below, the surface of the cartridge case base. A cartridge discharged by the closing of the bolt can result in possible serious injury to the shooter and those nearby.

If a cartridge does not chamber readily, do not force it. Check the bore and chamber to be certain that each cartridge is the proper caliber and of correct dimensions. If you cannot determine why the cartridge will not fit, clear the rifle of all cartridges and write or call the factory.

The wrong ammunition can destroy your gun and result in serious injury.

BE SURE WHAT YOU LOAD

IS CORRECT

WARNING – FIRING

When firing the Model 77/22®, 77/17, or 77/44 be sure that bystanders are well clear of the shooter and standing a safe distance to the rear. Empty cartridge cases are hot and are normally ejected from the rifle to the right. They could cause injury to any person who is standing too closely alongside the shooter. Shooters who fire right-hand rifles from their left shoulder should be particularly cautious concerning ejected cartridge cases and the back of the bolt as it is drawn rearward.

EJECTED BRASS IS HOT

WARNING –HANDLING

Never carry the rifle loaded with the safety selector in the “FIRE” position. If

dropped or struck with the safety off, the rifle may fire. Such a discharge can occur with or without the trigger being directly struck or touched. Never rest a loaded

rifle against any object (wall, fence, vehicle, tree, etc.) because there is always the possibility that the rifle will be jarred or slide from its position and fall with sufficient force to discharge. Keep safety on unless actually firing.

Never lower (uncock) the firing pin with a loaded cartridge in the chamber. Under such circumstances the firing pin will be in direct contact with the primer of the loaded cartridge and a light accidental blow to the firing pin can readily cause the gun to discharge.

ANY GUN MAY FIRE IF

DROPPED

TO UNLOAD RIFLE AND MAGAZINE

(Rifle Must be Pointing in a Safe Direction)

UNLOAD THE RIFLE IMMEDIATELY WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED SHOOTING.

If it has been desired to discontinue shooting before all of the cartridges in the magazine and the chamber have been fired, proceed as follows (Keep your fingers

away from the trigger at all times during unloading):

1. Move the safety selector to the “Load-Unload” position.

2. Remove the magazine.

3. Open the bolt carefully so the extracted live cartridge is not ejected forcibly.

4. Inspect the chamber to be certain the cartridge has been extracted.

5. Close the bolt fully.

6. Move the safety selector to the “Fire” position and with the rifle pointed in a

safe direction, pull the trigger.

7. If necessary, cartridges can be removed from the magazine by simply pushing

them lightly downward and forward with the thumb or forefinger. But, a better and safer procedure is to place the rubber eraser end of a pencil against the rim of the top cartridge and press lightly downward while pushing forward.

WARNING: Do not use a loaded cartridge as a “tool” to strip cartridges from the magazine.

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