Video

You may like the next 10ga load video then… 12 pellet 00 Buck at blistering speeds and capable of patterns viable for yotes and deer out to 60+/- yards.

Awesome, thanks for the input, Keith. I’m curious, do you notice any pattern disruption from the cork as the OS card? I usually don’t like to use OS cards if I can help it since I have seen them cause pattern disruption before, but I am always interested in the other 999 says to skin a cat…

@@GrayF0x3813 the last time I ordered shot from them it was about $22/lb with free shipping on orders over $100. Roto was about $17-18/lb with similar deal on shipping. If you want to order the shot from Boss you have to call them; they do not have it listed on their website.

BPI has value polished bismuth for around $12.85- $15.70 depending on hair size. Bigger is cheaper. It patterns well for me, but I also like Rotometals. It all works in the end.

Glad you liked it!

Bud, you've made practically the same exact comment on 3 of the 4 videos I have published on the M77. We get it, you got a bad one and you are not happy with it. I like the M77 a lot, but it is not without criticism. However, continuing to complain about your example and dogging the product overall isn't going to help you. I have replied in detail to you on some thoughts of how to start trouble-shooting grouping/accuracy issues in your example, maybe you didn't see it... I get you are frustrated with your experience, and I am sorry to hear that you did not get an example that performs correctly, but either try to fix it or get rid of it. Thanks for watching. - Drake

Yes, you can. The extractor will hold the cartridge at the proper position even though it will be “floating” and not head-spacing off of the cartridge mouth. I have fired 45 ACP in standard, +P, and +P+ in my 460 Rowland barrel without issue. Spring tension and fitment to the handgun will determine if the firearm will actually cycle with lower pressure loads than 460R, though. If I use the original action spring and guide rod, my 1911 will cycle 45 Ball loads reliably but it is incredibly soft due to the giant brake and heavier barrel.

@@iamoption11 yes. 3, actually. Hunt video is posted.

@@seewhy7761 yugo pattern.

@@williambraun616 my first shot at 200 I held about 14 - 16” high from the top of the plate, or about 1-1/2 targets high (10” plate was the target). I ended up only holding about one plate high from the too of target, or 15” from center of plate. The actual hold-over versus what you think you need is a little different, but this will change depending on the loading you use and your optic’s height over bore combined with your selected zero distance. My handloads are very reasonable drop out to 200 when zeroed at 50 yards. Once I found the hold, there was no trouble hitting the target.

@@talbyjustus6403 to the best of my knowledge, the twist on the M77 is around a 1:12, but I’ve also seen folks speculate it has a 1:10. I can’t say for certain. I have seen better accuracy from handloads using 150-168gr ammo. Group averages will not really be less than 1.5”-2”, but better than what you will find with run of the mill M80 ball ammunition.

@@AmericanArmsChannel thanks for your helpful information! I have several different 308 hunting rounds in various grain weights.. us folk that don’t reload have to just find one that works

Make sure that the drop and cast are set for you (when mounted you should see no rib, and the bead in the center of your vision). Make sure your mount is consistent and you are not placing the butt or comb differently as you shoot with a target focus. Closing your eyes on the mount and opening you should see the bead in the center of your peripheral vision and the gun pointed at the target. If after affirming that the gun is drop and cast for your body and that you are consistently mounting the gun it still if off, you can possibly adjust the vertical POI as I demonstrated in the video. There is not anything that really can be done from a user perspective at point to adjust the horizontal if most loads continue to pattern left. You would have to return it to Benelli USA for service.

@@AmericanArmsChannel Thank you for responding and clarifying the matter

The example I have was imported by Zastava USA in late 2022/early 2023 and purchased from my local gun store in late Feb/early March of 2023. To me, it is of "standard" imported AK quality and suffers from the same inherent issues of slight gas-block/trunion/sight-block cant and cast that many stamped receiver AK's can have. The rifle works and is very much usable, I just am not seeing the value of the rifle matching current prices should QA/QC not improve. Knowing that acceptable quality to very good G3/HK91 clones, FN FAL clones, or just a solid AR-10 (SR-25) pattern rifle can be had for the same or slightly more/less money diminishes the value of the rifle outside of simply wanting an AK-pattern rifle in 308/7.62. At $850-$1k I see it, but I can't say I would buy it again for $1,250-$1,500.00 regardless of what stock sets and accessories it is equipped with. I will note, and this will be in the final review, do not purchase a PAP M77-PS with the expectation of a .308/7.62 NATO version of the M76 - it is NOT. The M77 is really just an M70 chambered in .308/7.62 NATO with the piston and gas plug derived from the M76. When compared to a standard milled or stamped AK in x39, it is pretty darn close, unlike the M76 which many believe it to be so closely related. I would first and foremost look at the M77-PS as a utilitarian "battle rifle" or fun to have range and hunting toy; it is not a "DMR" and will most likely not consistently produce groups people have come to expect out of a quality AR with quality ammunition.

That sucks. Did you send it back? How was their customer service?

I am sorry to hear that. While I would not expect incredible groups and consistency out of the M77, it should be capable of repeating groupings that make it serviceable for the purposes of hunting, fighting, or general recreational shooting inside of 500 yards. I would have Zastava correct any deficiencies you can identify with the rifle, but can tell you that declaring to them "the rifle won't group less than 10"!" probably won't get you anywhere due to it being possibly attributable to so many factors... If you still have the rifle, I suggest you consider evaluating the following: 1) Are you a competent and capable marksman than can produce groups better than the rifle is capable of printing? I often have to note this with myself when evaluating a rifle's capabilities. While I certainly can shoot 1/2 to 3/4 MOA groups, and have shot 1/4 MOA before, I am not what I would classify myself as a world class marksmen... just slightly better than average. Making sure that you are objectively evaluating your skill can make a difference. Also, try handing the rifle and ammo selection to a different competent user and seeing what they can accomplish. 2) What ammunition are you feeding the rifle? Not all .308/7.62 is created equal. Some M80 ball or 150gr SP hunting ammunition will perform just fine, with others landing wild groupings out of the same rifle. If you are hand-loading it may take several attempts at finding the right powder and bullet combination to achieve reasonable and usable groups. "Match" ammunition does not indicate match performance. I have experienced "junk" performance out of high-dollar precision ammo, insane groups out of "junk" ammo, and everything in-between. I know my M77 will shoot Igman M80 and Winchester M80 ball in 2.5-3 MOA consistently, so that is what I buy. I also know that I can get 1.5-2 MOA averages out of my 165gr Sierra HPBT GameKing load using H4350 or Varget powder, so those are the components I buy. It can take a lot of trial and error to find the right load in any rifle. 3) Do you have the cleaning rod installed when grouping the rifle? I have found my rifle will not only not retain the rod, but it negatively impacts groups. 4) Is your muzzle device installed correctly? Have you tried a bare muzzle to see if fit or movement of the muzzle device is causing an inconsistency in the barrel? 5) What optics are you using? What Mount type? Are you using optics at all? Do you trust yourself to have installed any sighting system correctly and as square as possible to the axis of the bore? Your sighting system and the quality thereof can have enormous impacts on the group sizes. I have had a mount and an optic fail on my example of the M77 - neither was a fault of the rifle. Sometimes you have to consider that it is not the rifle or the shooter, but maybe another component in the equation... 6) How is the fit of the hand-guard? Is it too tight? Too loose? Have you changed anything? Sometimes the smallest tweak can make a difference. It did for me. These 6 points of questioning are a place to start. Sometimes frustration covers the real cause. But, sometimes you get a product that is truly a lemon. Thanks for watching and for your comments. - Drake

I still need to sight mine in with a scope hopefully yours was just a bad apple

I'm sorry to hear that. I responded to your comment on the Pt 4 video with notes of possible trouble shooting accuracy issues, if you are so inclined to consider and investigate further. Thanks for watching and the comments. - Drake

@@talbyjustus6403 yes, and I did hunt with it. Shot a nice buck with it last fall. I will upload that hunt video once I get my crashed external hard drive recovered

@@AmericanArmsChannel that’s awesome congrats on the successful hunt! How far of a shot and which bullets? Hoping to take mine out this year it’s been liking some 150 core lokts! but I have so many different bullet choices in 308 that I haven’t got to test

@@talbyjustus6403 about 60 yards was small. Below I used is the same handload I demoed in part 3 of series on the M77. It is a 165 gr Sierra HPBT gameking bullet. Velocity with 44 grains of Varget powder is right around 2650 FPS. 150gr soft points across the board are a great choice in the .308 win for 450 yards and less.

Yes, 250-255gr bullets can be pushed at 1,350 out of factory loads. Very good "bear" or heavy game loads. The 230gr Gold Dots I use as reference in the video are capable of 1500 FPS, but won't hold together. 185's in the 460R are well described as "disgusting".

@@hecker2104 I have fired 60 rounds loaded with BP substitute and not had any malfunctions. There is another video online of 45 auto loaded with true black powder and I believe he got to around 70-80 rounds before a hang-up. All depends on the components used and the tolerances of the specific firearm they are being shot in.

@@AmericanArmsChannel cool ! I dont think bp can use on auto load system before :,))) thank for the vid mate

@@AmericanArmsChannel it good to know that autoload system can work with bp. I just thinked it not have enough power to operate cycle

@@hecker2104 it won’t work very well with gas operated autos, but recoil operated systems it can work in. Pistol cartridges, mostly.

@@AmericanArmsChannel i just check some vid and found out that auto5 have long recoil and maxim short recoil work kind good (i guest)

I bought that TWS dog leg also. Very good purchase!

@@loyaljones8814 the image I included in the video of the 5 position is the one I was referencing. Looks like a good component, just a touch more money that I’m willing to put into it.

They are only available customer-direct through Boss's website or over the phone. You may be able to find someone selling them second-hand for a reasonable price, but unlikely. As of August 2024 they are $3.85 a round by the box of 20 and a little less by the case of 100. Other Bismuth 10ga offerings are $3.50 to $4 a round by the box of 25, but the payloads are 1-3/4oz rather than 2+ oz and they lack the copper plating. They still work, but they are not as good. If you are rolling your own, as I do with the "Devastator" loadings, you can save further with re-using hulls and reducing your overall cost on other components - Bismuth shot is still the cost driver on the loads. Thanks for watching and the question. - Drake

My brother in Christ, what are you even on?… I did in fact read your diatribe, several times, to try and understand what it is you are trying to get at. The best I can determine is that you have an emotional/egotistic investment in a specific rifle or pattern and thus internalize any criticism of it or contrast in opinion to your own thoughts on the matter as a personal attack. Don’t do that. 1) I don’t care what Zastava or any other manufacturer thinks when I am publishing my honest opinion of and experience with a product. 2) You watched and listened enough for me to comment on seeing as an increased number of gas settings being a benefit for the multitude of different loads available in 308/7.26 NATO and or suppressed use, but did not register that I did not once say that there was a operable issue with the rifle, only a desire to have the rifle not be over-gassed. 3) if you were correct in your assessment of the necessity of adjustable gas systems and their hampering of reliability, then answer me on why the M77, M76, M90 and others have all had the 3 position gas regulator? If the Kalashnikov pattern rifle is so perfect in every way, why would Zastava (who you obviously hold in high regard) ever place an adjustable regulator on a Kalashnikov pattern action? 4) you speak as though I have modified the operating system of the example of the M77 I have, when I have clearly stated I have not. All failures were referenced or demonstrated as they happened, and with full disclosure as to whether they were user induced or a fault of the rifle. I provide overview of all things pertinent to the use of the rifle, including compatible (or incompatible) accessories. If you spent any significant time with firearms and gear on the range, hunting, training, etc., you will inevitably find things that are good, bad, or broken. It happens. Learning from those experiences is key. That is what I am presenting here, personal experience, thoughts, and lessons that may help someone else in their enjoyment with a product. 4) You make a personal attack on my integrity and content of my character as though you know who I am or that you have any understanding of my intentions in producing and publishing the content I do. I have been wrong before, and I am always learning. I do not claim to ever be an expert. I comment on what I know and have experienced with thorough evaluation of the facts at hand. I do not do this to inflate ego or garner some form of reverence from people I do not and never will know. You are fine to and have the right to criticize my style, argue the information presented, or dissent in opinion; I take no exception to that. What I cannot abide by is an attack on my character and integrity by a stranger. I do not care what Zastava thinks or does. I do not care what others think or do with the information, experience, and opinions I present. But, do not conflate an incongruence of opinion with your own or potentially being factual wrong as dishonesty and hubris on my part.

​@@AmericanArmsChannel Well said. He does seem very emotionally invested.