Ruger M77 RL Ultralight Tang Safety .243 Win, 20 in Barrel, Blued/Walnut, 1986, with Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 Scope
This 1986 Ruger M77 RL Ultralight is an original tang-safety model in .243 Win with the lightweight 20-inch sporter barrel and no iron sights. It features Ruger’s integral scope mounting bases and comes equipped with a Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 riflescope, clamp-on rings, and a sling. The polished blued steel and checkered walnut stock present the classic first-generation M77 look in a compact, easy-carry package.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are several scuffs and dings on the walnut stock. The metal surfaces are in relatively good shape with normal handling marks.
What’s Included
- Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 riflescope with duplex crosshair reticle (installed)
- Clamp-on scope rings for Ruger integral bases (installed)
- Black nylon sling (installed)
The RL Ultralight variant pairs a 20-inch sporter-profile barrel with the original M77 tang safety, creating a trim, handy bolt-action rifle without iron sights. The receiver’s integral scope mounting bases provide a solid foundation for the included optic and rings.
This first-generation M77 uses a push-feed, two-lug bolt feeding from an internal 4-round box magazine with a hinged floorplate. Ruger’s angled front action screw design and investment-cast major components reflect the company’s signature engineering approach of the era.
The barreled action wears a polished blued finish, set into a walnut stock with checkering at the fore-end and pistol grip. Details include a black grip cap with Ruger medallion, a red rubber recoil pad with spacer, and a rear sling swivel stud with a clamp-on barrel-band front sling swivel.
Optics are ready to go with a Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 scope featuring a duplex reticle, mounted in clamp-on rings that interface directly with the Ruger integral bases. This setup offers a practical sight picture for field or range use.
Manufactured in 1986, this example falls within the original M77 production timeline and within Ruger’s 1968–1991 M77 overtravel adjustment screw advisory range.