tune-up for a 77 RSI

[ardeekay]

Does any one have any suggestions for 'tweaking' a 77 RSI in 270?  My experience with them is that they are not the most accurate shooters.. Years ago, I had one in 243, and it was a 3" grouper, never could get any better with factory or handloads.  I have never messed around with bedding or barrel floating issues..any tips??  Bob

[jls]

Bob, the 77 I bought back in the '70's patterned rather than grouped. I floated the barrel and things improved, there were several places where the barrel was rubbing in the channel on both sides. I glassed the action to a point about an inch in front of the chamber and voila! I finally had a decent .308. One thing I did learn was to be consistent in the amount of torque I used on that angled beddding screw. Luckely I had a decent barrel on this one, as Ruger was known for being hot and cold in that dept. I've seen some that looked like they were bored with a post hole digger. just some ideas to kick around

[ardeekay]

I almost feel hauted or possesed or something... I was in a local shop yesterday, buying some odds and ends, found a can of 4064 powder, and when I was paying for it, happened to glance at the used rifle rack, and there sat a Ruger 77 RSI in 243 !!  An older tang safety job, in great shape, and priced nice.. So now, I have one in 270 and 243...  I tested both with a piece of paper, they are free-floated from just in front of the recoil lug.. to the muzzle, and they both get tight right by the end cap/crown whatever its called by the front sight.  I can see where a person can free-float that part too with a little tinkering, would you suggest it ??  ( I will test fire them first tho, so far I haven't fired either.. )  Bob

[jls]

yep, fire em first and see what they do, gun makers sometimes leave a pressure 'bump' in the channel a half to an inch back of the forearm tip. some wispy, thin barrels need that upward pressure, others don't. out of all the stocks I floated to the end only one needed a little put back and I did that with a business card folded in half. If they were mine and I had deeper pockets, I would buy 3 or 4 different brands of ammo and test each one to see if they had a preference over another. good luck!!

[ardeekay]

I got a chance to work with both of them today, and the 270 shows promise, best group was a half-incher with some Federal Fusions laying around !! they outshot my handloads, but not by much.  the 243 was all over the paper with exception of 4831 and nosler partion 100's, they were in the 1.37 to 1.5 inch range.  third shot with the 270, and the front barrel/stock fitting fell off along with the screw that held it on !!  Lucky for me I found both in the grass and reattached with no further problems.. must have been loose..Bob