You've obviously had experience with the M77 '06 already. I would never part with mine. It's my "go-to" gun in a big way! I had the trigger done way back when to a nice 2.5# pull. I also installed a Hogue Overmolded, full bed stock and it shoots the Federal Premium 165gr Sierra Game King at a consistant 1/2", 3 shot group off the bench. My tightest was .46"!
I'm with you on the shine thing though! Mine has sported a piece of camo cloth tape for several years along the barrel. It finally fraying so much that I have decided to do what you did and that's blast it. What grade of sand did you use?
I'm currently eyeballing another M77 MkII in 300 Win Mag. It is identical to how my '06 started out being stainless and having the laminated stock. I just can't bear the thought of taking my drop-dead gorgeous Colt-Sauer 300 Win Mag into the field.
Other than being a Gunsafe Jewel, I'm not sure why I bought it! The Ruger's been on my dealers shelf for a few months now sporting a cheezy and cheap Bushnell scope and it's traditional shiny stainless finish. I'm looking to do the exact mod's to it as my '06 and hope it shoots half as well after I top it with a nice VX-III.
Get some Pics posted of that finish work, I'm really dieing to see it before I do mine!
