INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR BLUED & STAINLESS STEEL CALIBER .50 Round or Conical Ball BLACK POWDER OR PYRODEX ONLY RUGER® MODEL 77/50 TM INLINE MUZZLELOADING BLACK POWDER PERCUSSION RIFLE ! READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM For Product Service on This Model Please Call: (603) 863-3300 (See p. 38) STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc. Southport, Connecticut 06490 U.S.A.
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 77/50TM muzzleloading rifle properly. 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.
! WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES: Alterations Manual Safety Lead Exposure Ammunition Black Powder Percussion Caps Loading Handling 3 7 7 8 9 11 13 17 Firing Reloading Mishandling Disassembly Lubrication Storage Malfunctions Parts Purchasers 17 18 19 22 29 30 35 39 OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL. FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS – MUZZLELOADING BLACK POWDER FIREARMS REQUIRE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS.
The RUGER® MODEL 77/50 is a muzzleloading, percussion rifle intended for use with black powder, percussion caps, soft lead and jacketed “saboted” projectiles. It has a precision rifled barrel with a 1-in-28” rifling twist. It does not fire conventional cartridges, but is instead loaded from the muzzle of the barrel. It is of bolt-action operation, and must be cocked and capped by opening the bolt, placing a cap on the nipple, and then closing the bolt before normally firing the rifle by pulling the trigger.
NOMENCLATURE Barrel Recoil Pad Stock Barrel Band Front Sling Swivel Muzzle Front Sight Ramrod Thimble Ramrod Rear Sling Swivel Ramrod Tip Safety (Shown “ON”) Scope Mount Bases Rear Sight Nipple Bolt Handle Receiver Bolt Sleeve Bolt Striker/Cocking Piece Disassembly Hole Trigger Guard Trigger Bolt Stop Figure 1. Components frequently referred to are identified.
OPERATION OF SAFETY The RUGER® MODEL 77/50 rifle has 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 striker is cocked. Fully raising the bolt handle cocks the striker. The bolt handle can be raised and lowered only when the safety selector is in either the full forward “Fire” or the middle “Load-Unload” position.
! WARNING – MANUAL SAFETY 3 FIRE 2 LOADUNLOAD 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.
Black Powder is usually classified by powder grain size, with “Fg” being the largest granulation and “FFFFg” being the smallest granulation normally available. Use only “FFg” (sometimes called “2F”) grain size black powder in the RUGER® MODEL 77/50 rifle. Replica Black Powder such as Pyrodex RS may be used, so long as suggested loading data is strictly adhered to. Note that Pyrodex RS is less dense than FFg black powder and must only be used as a measure-for-measure substitute for FFg black powder.
! WARNING–BLACK POWDER Black Powder is an extremely sensitive propellant and is readily ignited by heat, spark, static electricity, friction, pressure, impact, etc. Unlike smokeless powder, Black Powder will ignite with great violence and rapidity even when unconfined. Black Powder should be handled only in very small quantities.
responsibility to select the proper lead ball/patch combination of a lubricated conical lead bullet that fits securely in the bore, yet is not excessively difficult to load, particularly after a shot or two of black powder fouling has built up in the bore. Never load multiple projectiles into the barrel. The rearmost projectile slamming into the other projectiles when fired could cause a burst barrel and severe personal injury. Use only one bullet at a time.
! WARNING–PERCUSSION CAPS Percussion caps are designed to fire as the result of a blow (“percussion”). A capped rifle loaded with powder and ball is fully loaded and will fire if the cap is struck. DON'T STRIKE CAP! Never clean, lubricate, disassemble, or work on a rifle while it is capped or loaded. Never install, remove, or carry a capped nipple or breech plug. Always remove the percussion cap before unloading the barrel or disassembling the rifle.
INSERTING THE BOLT 1. Be certain the barrel is empty by pointing the muzzle upward towards a light source and glancing through the rear of the action at the rear end of the nipple. You should see light through the hole in the nipple, indicating that the barrel is empty. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and keep your fingers off the trigger throughout the assembly and loading process until you are actually ready to fire. (See Rule 2, p. 43). 2.
! WARNING –LOADING ? ? Know the bore diameter of your rifle you are loading and load projectiles of only correct diameter into it! Either a too tight or too loose projectile can cause a burst barrel, resulting in serious injury to the shooter or bystanders. This rifle is designed to use a .500” projectile (or a .490” projectile with a .010 - .015” thick patch), a #11 percussion cap, and up to a maximum of 120 grains of FFg black powder (or equivalent volume of Pyrodex RS) only.
C. Using a dipper or other single-charge measure, pour the desired amount of powder into the front opening (muzzle) of the barrel. (See Fig. 6) Never exceed the powder charge recommended for the projectile you have selected from a reputable black powder loading manual. Do not pour powder directly from the flask or other powder container (See “Black Powder Warning”, p. 9) BLACK POWDER OR PYRODEX ONLY! 6 LOADING POWDER D.
F. Remove the ramrod from under the barrel by pulling it downward out of its recess in the barrel and then forward (upward) out of the stock and ramrod thimble. Grasp the ramrod around its side and, with a firm even stroke, seat the bullet firmly on the powder charge. Do not push down on the ramrod tip with the palm of your hand, in the event that the powder charge ignites while you are loading! (See Fig. 10) For maximum accuracy, the powder charge should be very lightly compressed by the bullet.
4. CAPPING THE NIPPLE: Remember that the safest way to carry any loaded muzzleloading rifle is uncapped. Cap it only just before you are immediately ready to fire. See “Handling Warning”, p. 17. SAFETY IN "LOAD/UNLOAD" POSITION NIPPLE CAP Safety 11 CAPPING THE NIPPLE Be sure you use only #11 percussion caps of good quality and correct size. With the bolt open, carefully place a #11 cap on to the nipple. An inline capper, sold commercially, is preferred by some shooters.
! SAFETY "OFF" WARNING – HANDLING CAP NOT VISIBLE Never cap the nipple until you are ready to shoot the rifle. When capping, be sure that the safety is in the “load-unload” position. After capping, immediately place the safety in the full-rearward “safe” position and keep it there until you are actually aiming at a target or game. Only when you are immediately going to shoot should you move the safety fully forward to the “fire” position.
Remember - Never lower the striker fully down onto a percussion cap or loaded rifle! See “Handling Warning”, p 17. WARNING: REMEMBER THAT EACH TIME A SHOT IS FIRED, THE SAFETY SELECTOR IS IN THE “FIRE” POSITION. WHEN YOU OPEN THE BOLT, MOVE THE SAFETY SELECTOR TO THE “LOAD-UNLOAD” POSITION BEFORE CLOSING THE ACTION. ONCE THE ACTION IS CLOSED, MOVE THE SAFETY FULLY BACK TO THE “SAFE” POSITION.
Best results are obtained by cleaning the bore after each shot, before reloading. Soak a patch in black powder solvent or bore lubricant, place it over the front end of the ramrod, push it completely into the bore, and pull it completely out of the muzzle. If it is difficult to remove, push the patch back down and then up until it can be removed. This “swabbing” after each shot makes reloading much easier.
TO UNLOAD (Keep rifle pointed in a safe direction) Completely unload the rifle immediately when you are finished shooting (by removing cap, powder and ball), or fire it into a safe backstop. It is much easier and safer to fire any muzzleloading firearm rather than attempt to unload it. However, if this is impossible, or if you are uncertain that correct components have been safely loaded, the rifle should be unloaded in accordance with the following steps. 1.
5. Using the breech plug wrench supplied, carefully unscrew the breech plug from the chamber. Keep it in the breech plug wrench and remove it out the rear of the receiver. (See Figs. 15a & 15b) 6. Carefully elevate the muzzle and dump the powder out of the rear of the barrel into a container. (See Fig. 16) UNSCREW BREECH PLUG COUNTERCLOCKWISE 15a UNSCREW BREECH PLUG REMOVE BREECH PLUG 7. Place some lubricating oil into the barrel.
8. Reinsert the breech plug using the wrench. 9. Inspect the chamber to be certain the bore is completely empty of powder and ball, and that no cap or priming compound remains on the nipple. 10. Reinsert the bolt. 11. Move the safety selector to the “Fire” position and with the rifle pointed in a safe direction, pull the trigger as you close the bolt and ease the bolt handle downward. This uncocks the striker. “Dry Firing” is not advisable in the RUGER® 77/50 due to possible nipple damage.
Before taking the gun apart, set up to do it properly. Cover the work surface with a soft cloth so that the gun finish (and sights) will not be damaged, and provide a tray into which the parts can be put as they are removed from the gun. It is preferable to carry out these procedures on a workbench or table which has a covered top. A piece of shallow nap rug or an old, coarse blanket is an ideal covering.
b. Insert the small end of breech plug wrench handle (or suitable nail) into the “disassembly hole” in the striker/cocking piece assembly to hold it in the rear position (Figure 19). NOTE: The pin should be as close as possible in size to the hole diameter, and at least 2 inches long so that it can be used to ‘lever’ the cocking piece to the rear when reassembling the bolt stop assembly into the bolt. Do not use a soft paper clip, etc.
5. TO REMOVE THE BREECH PLUG: A UNSCREW BREECH PLUG COUNTERCLOCKWISE BREECH PLUG WRENCH 22a UNSCREW BREECH PLUG a. Using the supplied breech plug wrench and handle, carefully unscrew (counter-clockwise) and remove the breech plug/nipple assembly from the rear end of the barrel. (See Figures 22a & 22b) It is easier to remove the breech plug from the receiver if you keep it in the breech plug wrench as shown.
6. TO REMOVE THE STOCK: (Be certain the bolt has been removed from the rifle.) a. Remove ramrod from stock. Unscrew barrel band screw and remove barrel band forward off the stock and barrel. (See Fig. 23) A REMOVE ROD C REMOVE BAND B UNSCREW BAND 23 REMOVE RAMROD AND BARREL BAND b. Unscrew and remove the two screws in the trigger guard counterclockwise and carefully remove trigger guard. (See Fig. 24) Note that the longer screw goes in the rear hole of the trigger guard.
THIS IS AS FAR AS YOU NEED TO DISASSEMBLE THE RIFLE FOR ROUTINE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE. SEE P. 30 FOR “REASSEMBLY” INSTRUCTIONS. DETAILED DISASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOW FOR FURTHER DISASSEMBLY ONLY WHEN REQUIRED IN CASES OF HEAVY FOULING, IMMERSION IN SALT WATER, ETC. DETAILED DISASSEMBLY 1. To remove the trigger: (Safety Selector should be in the “Fire” position). a. While holding the trigger in place, press out the trigger pivot pin.
Firing deposits particles of bullet lubricant and powder in the bore, chamber, bolt, receiver, and other parts of the rifle. There is no fixed rule as to how frequently the cleaning should be carried out, but the alert gun owner soon learns that any firearm functions most reliably and accurately when it is free of accumulations of grease and other firing residues.
7. Thoroughly scrub bolt component parts in pan, flush with very hot water, or ammonia-based window cleaner, rinse and then wipe dry. Scrub the front of the bolt face with a toothbrush to remove all traces of powder and cap fouling. 8. Soak the breech plug in very hot, soapy water or an ammonia-based window cleaner. Scrub its threads with a toothbrush. Thoroughly dry the breech plug, making sure the flash hole through the nipple is clean and dry. 9.
The rifle’s internal mechanism can be lubricated without disassembly. A very few drops of light oil recommended as suitable for firearms, applied periodically about the various frame openings, will work its way into the mechanism parts. The exterior of the rifle should be cleaned with a solvent and then wiped with an oily cloth. Do not keep a rifle in a leather, fabric or canvas case or scabbard when it is stored. These materials attract moisture, even though they may appear to be dry. 12.
3. To replace the trigger: a. Rotate safety to “fire” position. b. Place the trigger/sear spring over the dimple in the trigger. c. Assemble the trigger while aligning the spring with the dimple on the sear. d. While holding the trigger in position, replace the trigger pivot pin. 4. To replace the breech plug: a. Lubricate the breech plug/nipple assembly threads thoroughly with a good quality black powder gun grease. (See Figure 27) Do not lubricate the back or nipple portions of the breech plug.
5. To replace the barrel/receiver assembly into the stock: (Caution: Be certain that the pivot pins are not protruding from either side of the receiver.) a. Carefully install the barrel/receiver assembly into the stock, making sure the barrel/receiver assembly is in the most rearward position. (See Figure 29) 29 INSERT BARRELLED ACTION INTO STOCK b. Install the trigger guard and screws (shorter screw in front).
c. Slide barrel band over barrel and rearward onto the stock forend. Tighten band screw when in place. Replace ramrod in stock through thimble under barrel. (See Figures 31a, 31b, & 31c) Ramrod head should rest in barrel cut beneath muzzle. Ramrod will not enter stock easily if band screw is tightened excessively. 31a REINSTALL BAND TURN SCREW CLOCKWISE 31b TIGHTEN BARREL BAND SCREW THIMBLE HEAD IN NOTCH 31c REINSTALL RAMROD 6. To assemble the bolt: a.
c. Carefully rotate counterclockwise until cocking piece snaps into small notch and no further! Only when the bolt is correctly assembled should it be inserted into the receiver. (See Fig. 34) A B SLOWLY ROTATE COUNTERCLOCKWISE STOP! AT SMALL NOTCH 34 FINAL BOLT ASSEMBLY B d. With safety in “load/unload” (middle) position, insert the bolt into the receiver. (See Fig.
If everything is tight, the bore is clean, the sights are properly aligned and secure but the accuracy problem persists, DO NOT alter the stock bedding in any way. Do not scrape away wood, and do not bed with “glass,” plastic, epoxy, etc. Once a rifle stock has been altered, it cannot be reworked by our Product Service Department.
MAINTENANCE OF STAINLESS STEEL COMPONENTS Firearms and components made of stainless steel are relatively more resistant to corrosion than those of blued steel. However, in the interest of proper operation and long life of a stainless steel firearm, inspect it frequently and clean, lubricate and apply an appropriate rust preventative. Sometimes surface discoloration occurs from perspiration or from contact with some types of gun cases.
7. The bottom finish of a telescopic sight mounted over the action may be damaged by hot gasses and cap fragments exiting the breech area when firing. This should not affect the scope’s performance. Carefully clean all scope lenses of fouling when you clean your rifle. PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME STATES RESTRICT TELESCOPIC SIGHTS ON MUZZLELOADERS USED FOR HUNTING -- CHECK YOUR LOCAL GAME LAWS. SIGHT ADJUSTMENT The folding leaf rear sight is adjustable for elevation.
SERVICE AND PARTS POLICY If you have any question with regard to the performance of your RUGER® MODEL 77/50 rifle please write or call (603-863-3300) our Product Service Department, 411 Sunapee Street, Newport, New Hampshire 03773, fully describing all circumstances and conditions involved.
! WARNING –PARTS PURCHASERS It is the purchaser’s responsibility to be absolutely certain that any parts ordered from the factory are correctly fitted and installed. Firearms are complicated mechanisms and IMPROPER FITTING OF PARTS MAY RESULT IN A DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION, DAMAGE TO THE FIREARM, AND SERIOUS INJURY TO THE SHOOTER AND OTHER PERSONS. The purchaser and installer of parts must accept full responsibility for the correct adjustment and functioning of the firearm after such installation.
PARTS LIST AND SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICES Design, prices and specifications subject to change without notice.
* * 41 * ✝ ✝ * Receiver Receiver Filler Screws, 2 Req’d, Not Illustrated Receiver Filler Screws, 2 Req’d, Not Illustrated Recoil Pad Recoil Pad Screw, 2 Req’d. Safety Selector Safety Selector Safety Selector Detent Safety Selector Detent Spring Safety Selector Retainer Safety Selector Retainer Scope Ring Clamp Scope Ring Nut Scope Ring Screws, 8 Req’d.
RUGER® 77/50 PERCUSSION RIFLE EXPLODED VIEW 42
THE BASIC RULES OF SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING We believe that Americans have a right to purchase and use firearms for lawful purposes. The private ownership of firearms in America is traditional, but that ownership imposes the responsibility on the gun owner to use his firearms in a way which will ensure his own safety and that of others. When firearms are used in a safe and responsible manner, they are a great source of pleasure and satisfaction, and represent a fundamental part of our personal liberty.
A safe direction must take into account the fact that a bullet may penetrate a wall, ceiling, floor, window, etc., and strike a person or damage property. Make it a habit to know exactly where the muzzle of your gun is pointing whenever you handle it, and be sure that you are always in control of the direction in which the muzzle is pointing, even if you fall or stumble. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. 3. FIREARMS SHOULD BE UNLOADED WHEN NOT IN USE.
5. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET BEFORE YOU SHOOT. Don’t shoot unless you know exactly where your bullet is going to strike. Be sure of the bullet stop behind your target, even when dry-firing with an unloaded gun. If you are in the field hunting, do not fire at a movement or noise. Take the time to be absolutely certain of your target before you pull the trigger. 6. WEAR SHOOTING GLASSES AND HEARING PROTECTORS WHEN YOU SHOOT.
8. DON’T SHOOT AT A HARD SURFACE, OR AT WATER. Bullets can glance off many surfaces like rocks or the surface of water and travel in unpredictable directions with considerable velocity. 9. NEVER TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM. Firearms should always be unloaded before being placed in a vehicle. A suitable carrying case or scabbard should be used to carry an unloaded firearm to and from the shooting area.
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT: RUGER FIREARMS One of the few American firearms manufacturers whose management has remained unchanged since starting in business, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc., had its beginning in a small machine shop occupying a rented frame building in Southport, Connecticut. In January, 1949, with an initial investment of only $50,000 and an idea, William B. Ruger and Alexander M. Sturm started production of a .
WHY NO WARRANTY CARD HAS BEEN PACKED WITH THIS NEW RUGER FIREARM The Magnuson-Moss Act (Public Law 93-637) does not require any seller or manufacturer of a consumer product to give a written warranty. It does provide that if a written warranty is given, it must be designated as “limited” or as “full” and sets minimum standards for a “full” warranty. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
