Ruger 77/50 Instruction Manual

							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.Carefullyelevate the
muzzle and dump the
powder out of the rear of
the barrel into a container.
(See Fig. 16)
7. Place some lubricating oil into
the barrel. Now place the ramrod
into the muzzle of the barrel,
taking care not to damage it.
Gently tap the end of the rod
until the ball comes out the rear
of the barrel and receiver.
(See Fig. 17)
RAMROD
REMOVE
PROJECTILE
REMOVE
POWDER
16
17
21
UNSCREW BREECH PLUG
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
15a
REMOVE
BREECH
PLUG
15b
UNSCREW BREECH PLUG
REMOVE BREECH PLUG
REMOVE POWDER
TAP OUT PROJECTILE 
						

							Never clean, lubricate, disassemble
or work on a rifle while it is loaded
or capped.Never install or remove
a capped nipple. A capped nipple
can discharge the rifle if struck.
Always unload any firearm before
cleaning, lubrication, disassembly,
or assembly. Read instructions
before disassembling gun.
UNLOAD BEFORE CLEANING
OR DISASSEMBLING
22
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. Never uncock the striker
onto a percussion cap! (See “Handling Warning”, p. 17).
12. Once you know the rifle is completely unloaded and reassembled, run the
ramrod fully into the barrel and note how much of it protrudes from the
muzzle. If any more of the ramrod ever protrudes from the muzzle at any
time you run the ramrod fully into the barrel, you must assume that the rifle
is loaded -- be careful!
BASIC DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY
The user of a RUGER® 77/50should carefully read all disassembly directions
and study all the illustrations and the Parts List in this manual before attempting
to take the gun apart. Know the names and location of the parts before removing
any of them. Although the rifle mechanism is composed of only a few parts, it is
essential that the disassembly and reassembly operations be carried out with
knowledge and care.
Only a few tools are required: A screwdriver or two to remove the trigger guard
screws and to remove the barrel band screw, and the supplied breech plug
wrench to unscrew the breech plug.
The tip of the screwdriver blade should perfectly fit the screw slots. A tip too
large will scrape away metal, while too small a tip will damage the screw slots.
!WARNING–DISASSEMBLY
LOADED 
						

							23
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. Such a covering not only reduces the chances of the rifle slipping and
being scratched, but it serves also to trap pins, plungers and springs that may
otherwise get lost. It is advisable to have a container – such as a shoebox – in
which each part can be placed as it is removed from the gun.
Before attempting to disassemble the rifle for the first time,  study the parts
drawing and parts list so as to be familiar with the relative position, appearance
and name of each part. Carry out the disassembly slowly, and carefully note the
position of the part in the gun before starting to remove it. If a part is under
spring tension (such as, the Safety Selector, Bolt Stop, Trigger) remove it
cautiously and anticipate the direction the spring and plunger are most likely to
“jump.”
WARNING: If a spring or plunger become lost, do not use a substitute. Springs of
correct tension are vital to the safe and reliable performance of firearms. See
“Ordering Parts”, p. 39. Before starting disassembly, remove the sling, scope and
rings and place the rear sight blade in its down flat position.
DISASSEMBLY(Rifle Must Be Unloaded Prior To Disassembly)
1.Keep the rifle pointed in a safe direction! Put the safety in the “load-unload”
position.
2.OPEN THE BOLT AND CHECK TO BE CERTAIN THAT THE RIFLE IS
UNCAPPED AND UNLOADED. Run the ramrod completely down the barrel to
make sure the rifle has no bullet or powder in the barrel.
3.TO REMOVE BOLT:Lift the bolt handle up. Depress the bolt stop on the left
side of the receiver. Remove the bolt from the rifle. (Before starting bolt
disassembly, study Figure 21).
4.TO DISASSEMBLE THE BOLT:
a. While holding the bolt, rotate the bolt sleeve clockwise (as viewed from
the rear of the rifle) to position shown in Figure 18, p. 24. The bolt sleeve
should be in the same position it is in when taken out of the receiver, but
the bolt sleeve may need to be rotated clockwise until the disassembly hole
is fully exposed. 
						

							c. Unscrew the bolt sleeve
counterclockwise (Figure 20).
d. Remove the bolt
sleeve assembly. (Figure
21).
24
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. Note that if you use
the breech plug handle as the bolt disassembly pin, you will be unable to use
the breech plug wrench to remove the breech plug until you reassemble the
bolt.
CAUTION:The bolt sleeve assembly is intended to be a permanent
assembly and should not be disassembled. The parts are under great
spring pressure and if disassembled could fly apart with sufficient force to
cause serious injury. Also, special tools are required to correctly
reassemble this part.!
SAFE
21
SAFE
20
UNSCREW BOLT SLEEVE
REMOVE BOLT SLEEVE/STRIKER ASSEMBLY
1819
ROTATE BOLT SLEEVEINSERT PIN 
						

							25
5.TO REMOVE THE 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.
AUNSCREW BREECH PLUG
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
BREECH PLUG WRENCH
22a
REMOVE
BREECH
PLUG
B
22b
UNSCREW BREECH PLUG 
REMOVE BREECH PLUG 
						

							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)
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.
c. VERY CAREFULLY lift the barrel/receiver assembly from the stock. (See
Fig. 25)
A
C
B
UNSCREWUNSCREW
REMOVE GUARD
24
A
B
CREMOVE RODREMOVE
BAND
UNSCREW
BAND
23
STOCK BARREL/RECEIVER ASSEMBLY25
26
REMOVE RAMROD AND BARREL BAND
REMOVE TRIGGER GUARD
SEPARATE BARREL/RECEIVER FROM STOCK 
						

							27
CARE AND CLEANING
BLACK POWDER FOULING
The chemical compounds formed by Black Powder and Pyrodex residue and
certain percussion caps are extremely corrosive; rusting will begin within a very
few hours after firing, if the rifle is left uncleaned under some conditions of
humidity. Fouling will also slow down or “bind up” moving parts, possibly
resulting in misfires (failure to fire), and “hangfires” (firing delayed up to a few
seconds). It is, therefore, important that your RUGER
®MODEL 77/50be
cleaned thoroughly and without delay after each use. Furthermore, Black Powder
fouling promptly hardens with the passage of time making disassembly difficult,
and this fouling is extremely corrosive, even to stainless steel.
A firearm must be free of rust, dirt, grease and firing residues to function safely
and reliably. Periodic maintenance, which includes inspection of components to
determine if they are in proper working order, is absolutely essential.  
WARNING: ALWAYS BE CERTAIN THE RIFLE IS
COMPLETELY UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING.
REMOVE CAP, POWDER, AND
PROJECTILE.!
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 ONL
YWHEN 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.
(Caution: Trigger is spring loaded and under tension --- be careful!).
b. Remove the trigger and trigger/sear spring.
2.To remove the bolt stop and sear:
a. Press out the sear/bolt stop pivot pin.
b. Remove the bolt stop and bolt stop spring.
c.  Turn receiver upside down and slide sear forward. Sear will drop out of
the top slot in the receiver.
3.To remove safety assembly:
a. Rotate the safety selector so that the upper section is positioned fully
over the center of the receiver tang.
b.  While holding the safety selector in place with thumb and forefinger,
slide the retainer up out of receiver. (Caution: Safety Selector is under
spring tension from a spring and plunger acting against the lower section of
the safety selector. The spring and plunger will jump out if not contained).
c. Lift out the safety selector.
d. Remove the safety selector detent and safety selector detent spring.
See page 30 for “Reassembly” instructions. 
						

							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.
Basic cleaning equipment includes: A correct size cleaning rod equipped with
bore brushes (fiber and brass) and a tip in which a cloth patch can be inserted,
patches, powder solvent, lubricant, small lint-free cloths and a toothbrush. Use
correct size patches and brushes. Larger sizes will bind in the bore and can be
very difficult to remove! 
Timely attention to the simple procedures which follow will help ensure that
your rifle remains in top condition for years of use:
1.Be sure rifle is unloaded!
2. Remove bolt from receiver. (See p. 20)
It is not necessary to remove the stock
for cleaning, but removal may help
prevent damage to the stock from the
breech plug wrench handle, etc.
Removal also makes it easier to clean
the trigger and safety mechanism.
3. Disassemble bolt according to
instructions on pp. 23 & 24.  Then,
place bolt components (except for
mainspring which should not be gotten
wet) in pan filled with very hot water
and soap solution to soak.
4. Unscrew and remove breech plug from
inside receiver. It may be necessary to
tap the breech plug wrench handle
with a soft mallet to loosen the breech
plug, especially after repeated firing.
Screw in cleaning tube to prevent
cleaning solution from entering receiver and stock of rifle.
(See Figure 26)
5. With muzzle pointed down so that water cannot enter the trigger
mechanism, flush the barrel with warm water, until water runs clear
from the muzzle. A cleaning patch wetted with hot, soapy water or an
ammonia-based window cleaner will also work.
6. Using a bristle or brass brush wetted with soap and water solution,
thoroughly scrub bore to remove all traces of fouling. Then, flush bore
again with very hot water. Do not permit water to enter the trigger
mechanism. Remove cleaning tube and carefully scrub receiver breech
plug threads clean. Clean the trigger mechanism thoroughly with a
brush wetted with a commercial black powder solvent. Dry bore and
receiver assembly thoroughly with clean cloth and set aside.
28
A
B
INSERT
CLEANING TUBE
THREAD FULLY
INTO RECEIVER
26
INSERTING
CLEANING TUBE 
						

							Firing a rifle with oil, grease, a bullet, or any
other material even partially obstructing the bore
may result in damage to the rifle and serious
injury to the shooter and those nearby. Do not
spray or apply lubricants directly on black
powder. If the powder charge is affected by the
lubricant, it may not be ignited, but the energy
from the percussion cap may be sufficient to push
the bullet into the bore where it may become
lodged. Firing the obstructed bore may damage
the rifle and cause serious injury or death to the
shooter and those nearby. In the event of a
misfire, always reseat the bullet fully onto the
powder charge before re-capping. Use lubricants
properly. You are responsible for the proper care
and maintenance of your firearm.
IMPROPER LUBRICATION
DESTROYS GUNS
29
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. Inspect all parts (including bolt, barrel, receiver, trigger, etc.) to be sure
that these are clean and dry. Pay particular attention to the breech plug
threads inside the barrel.
10. Oil the bore and all parts thoroughly with a good quality gun oil, then re-
assemble. However, avoid lubricating the striker, striker spring, or the
inside of the bolt, to avoid oil spattering when firing or sluggish ignition in
cold weather. Remember to lubricate the breech plug/nipple assembly
threads with a good quality black powder gun grease prior to reassembly
(See page 30).
11. The outside (exposed) metal parts should be wiped down and lightly oiled
to remove fouling and prevent rusting.
NOTE: Several firms offer Black Powder solvents and these may be used in place of
the soap and hot water solution. However, not all smokeless powder solvents will
render the fouling left by Black Powder non-corrosive. Be sure you use a solvent
specifically intended for black powder fouling,hot, soapy water, or an ammonia-
based window cleaner, followed by a good gun oil.
Sometimes, lead build-up can occur in the barrel throat at the muzzle of the barrel,
and in the bore. If ‘leading’ is noted in your rifle, clean it out before it builds up and
interferes with reliable functioning and accuracy. A special ‘lead removing’ cleaning
tool (for bore and chamber) is available from gun stores.
!WARNING–LUBRICATION
OIL 
						

							30
Never place or store any firearm in such a
manner that it may be dislodged. Firearms
should always be stored securely and
unloaded, away from children and careless
adults.
STORE SECURELY & UNLOADED
!WARNING–STORAGE
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.Never store a loaded gun!
REASSEMBLY
(Again, Be Sure Rifle Is Unloaded)
1.To replace the safety assembly:
a. Place the safety selector detent and safety selector detent spring into the
hole in the receiver.
b. Set the safety selector in place with its upper section positioned over the
center of the receiver tang.
c. While holding the safety selector in place with thumb and forefinger,
slide the safety selector retainer into dovetail from the top. Align the notch
in the safety selector retainer with the sear pivot pin hole.
2.To replace the bolt stop and sear:
a. Replace the bolt stop and bolt stop spring. Partially insert sear/bolt stop
pin through bolt stop, spring and receiver (flush with sear slot).
b. Place the rear end (the end with the hole in it) of the sear into the slot
from the top of the receiver. Swing the rear end of the sear up and slide the
sear into position until the hole in the sear is aligned with the mating holes
in the receiver.
c. Press in sear/bolt stop pin until head of pin stops against bolt stop.