Ruger 77 MK II 300 Win Mag

[dannyfro]

Hello all I just picked up a Ruger 77 MK II Stainless synthetic with the Zytel stock in 300 Win Mag with a Leupold Vari-X II 3-9x40 in stainless and the asking price was $500 I countered with $450 and faired well I believe. The first rifle I ever owned was the very same platform but in 308 win. That rifle killed deer but it was one of the poorest shooters I have ever owned. It couldn't even hold a 2" group no matter what you did it would get two touching and then have a flyer up to four inches to the right. I heard it had something to do with out of house barreling and while that was a concern I took a chance on this rifle. I went straight to the range after picking it up today and only had a few reloads 180 grain nosler solid base with 71 grains IMR 4831 and 165 grain nosler boat tails with 72 grains IMR 4831. Out of 4 three shot strings I averaged 1.4 inches with both loads. Although not impressive It was a far cry better than my previous Ruger. I have high hopes of finding a good load but was wondering if any of you had any tips to improve accuracy. Any information would be much appreciated.

Dan

[Bigeasy]

Dan
 
I'd say you did good.  Just the scope is about $300, new.  Hear say a while back Ruger started making their barrels in house, and quality has improved.  My 77 Compact in 7mm/08 will shoot just over an inch with loads it likes.  Don't have any secret loads for the 300 mag., but have found experimenting with powder charges and seating depth with two or three different makes of bullet usually results in an accurate keeper load.  Using a dial indicator to check for bullet run-out (bullets not seated straight in the case), and segregating those with excessive run out can also make a noticeable difference in accuracy.
 
Larry

[dannyfro]

Thanks for the advice Larry much appreciated I will be loading like a fool here shortly. The rifle will kill  as it sits but I have always found great pleasure in loading my own loads and tuning a gun to be above expectations. I Have a Ruger 77 ultra light tang safety in 30-06 that will shoot around 3/4" With factory Blue box federal soft points that I have found to be rather exceptional also got a smoking deal on that one at only $300 Just couldn't pass it up....some say I have a problem. Though that one took a little work from ruger as the bases weren't squared so its point of impact was off and you could not adjust for center. I will say Rugers customer service was great and they even reblued my gun free of charge turned out looking nicer then when i sent it. To bad I was foolish enough to let my Nephew borrow it kids are so dam ruff on stuff. 

Dan

[Joe Vaquero]

Hi, you got a great deal. Usually I see these rifles for around $500 for just the rifle without a scope. I have the same rifle in 25-06. From what I've been able to find regarding accuracy there seems to be a couple of things that will cause issues. One, these for the most part do not shoot well with the barrel free-floated, but need a little pressure on the barrel at the tip of the fore end. Second, they are sensitive to how the action screws are tightened. The angled screw should be VERY tight, and the one by the trigger just snug.
Also, the outsourced barrels were on the tang safety M77's. All the MKII's were built in house by Ruger.

[dannyfro]

Thanks for the info. Though I have heard both sides of this debate and for whatever reason some people say free floating there rugers made them outstanding shooters and my local gun dealer told me that they outsourced barrels from 1990-2000. Long after the tang safety era and My tang safety ruger shoots excellent. My dad has an old tang safety in 358 win that shoots alright but its new to him so it hasn't had many loads tried through it yet.

Dan

[SHOOTALL]

A store here got out of the sporting gun business and some how I got blue box federal 180 gr loads for a very cheap price $10.00 or under . I got 6 boxes and they shoot great in my ruger . That rifle and load made the longest shot I ever took on a deer around 300 yards or so. Most shots are under 75 yards here maybe under 50.

[nomosendero]

You did a good deal, anytime you could sell a gun fairly fast at a profit, it's a good deal. You could make that profit fast & it is far more sound than the stock market & a better return than savings acct, etc.
 
As to a load, every rifle is different, but the following works in most 300WM rifles very well:
75 gr. RL22 & 180BT
 
Good luck

[dannyfro]

Thanks I'll have to give that one a try I plan to do some reloading today.

Dan

[nomosendero]

Good deal!
It goes without saying to work your way up, always good but even more so in hot areas.
 
Alliant shows 77gr. as max. You will normally get 3000 and change with the 75gr. load.
 
Good luck

[dannyfro]

Thanks for all the replies I have gotten it to start shooting some impressive groups and I am very pleased. My best was three shots touching at 100yds in one ragged hole with a 180 grain Sierra BT game king and 72 grains of 4831 if I remember correctly but I'll have to double check the target.

Dan

[Lloyd Smale]

my go to load for accuracy with the 300 win is a 165 ballistic tip pushed by re19 and capped with a fed match mag primer. Your on your own to find the exact charge your gun will like though.