M77RL MKI .308 winchester

[memyselfni]

i have had this rifle for around 8 years now, it is my main deer rifle (Sika and Red Deer), it is mounted with a new Leupold VXIII 2.5-8X36 scope. What is everyones opinion of this combo for all round deer/big game hunting? what sort of accuracy should i expect from this rifle? it will group winchester powerpoint 150 gr into 30-40mm at 100 yards for five shots, but seems to be very ammo sensitive, core lokts and hornady 150 grainers group more like 3-4 inches for 3 shots, any suggestions as to a different factory load to try as the powerpoints can be hard to come by here in New Zealand,
Thanks in advance,

Gary

[Coyote Hunter]

Gary –

Since you don’t handload you will have to stick with the factory ammo it likes.  I would try Federal Trophy Bonded or TSX loads.  Or just stick with the Winchesters since they are plenty accurate for hunting purposes. 

All my Ruger rifles get the barrel floated and the trigger polished up. Don’t know how much , if any, you would gain if you stick with the Winchester ammo.

As an “all round deer/big game hunting” combination, I have been hunting Colroado elk for 25 years and have never taken a shot I could not have taken equally well with a .308. 

[memyselfni]

thanks il pick up a couple packets and give them a try, how well should i be able to get it shooting with a trigger job and freefloating if i was to take up handloading? my rifle was made in 1989 the last of the tang safety models, with a t inscribed on the bolt.

[ScoutMan]

Why don't you try a thorough cleaning using a good copper solvent and then try your loads again. You could try the shoot one clean one technique for a few rounds and see what that does for you.

Coyote Hunter seems to be the Ruger Guru on this forum. Try ordering a reduced power trigger return spring from Brownells and polish the sear contact points before installing it. If that doesn't do you can go the replacement Timney route. Plenty of info on this subject on this forum.

[3DTESTIFY]

Memyselfni, That's a great combo for your stated purpose. Accuracy will be adequate for hunting, but realize that the toothpick ultralite barrel contour is known for rapid heating, thus accuracy will taper off accordingly. This is much more a problem at the range than in the field. Like Coyote Hunter stated, a trigger job is the best accuracy enhancement you can perform to improve your rifle. Your rifle/scope combo sound ideal to me.

[Coyote Hunter]

thanks il pick up a couple packets and give them a try, how well should i be able to get it shooting with a trigger job and freefloating if i was to take up handloading? my rifle was made in 1989 the last of the tang safety models, with a t inscribed on the bolt.

All my bolt rifles are free-floated and have had the triggers polished up.   None are bedded.   The Rugers (M77 and M77 MKII) generally group under an inch for a 3-shot group and half-inch groups are common.