New Hawkeye not free-floated

[Mint Hill Mule]

I'm a little disappointed that this new rifle is not free-floated. It is .223 for Coyote hunting which doesn't require super accuracy. I have shot a few groups less than 1" @ 100 yards, handloads. I would like to get the full potential out of the rifle.

What accuracy tips would anyone recommend?  Sanding the barrel channel to free float the barrel, glass bed the action, any thoughts?

[SuperstitionCoues]

I have a Hawkeye in 7mm-08.  I was surprised too.  I'm planning on gently sanding the barrel channel, and maybe bedding it.  It has a habit shifting POI when the barrel gets hot, so I am hoping that will cure it.  My Mk II 25-06 will get the same on general principle, if the 7mm works out.  No bedding, etc. in that one either.

[shilo]

Don't mean to sound rude, but if it's already shooting less than 1" groups - what's wrong?

[PA-Joe]

Some guns need that pressure pad to wrok correctly. If it ai't broke!

[BlkHawk73]

  It's a hunting rifle not a long range silhouette gun so I'd say 1" is darn acceptable for a stock hunting rifle.   If anything, play with different loads/bullets/bullet weights/powders.  Can't simply expect  bullt "A" and "X" grains of powder "B" to be the best load.  It takes trial and error to get the preferred load for each bbl.
   As a hunting rifle it only needs to be MOG ("minute-of-game") not minute of angle like so many think. 

[SDS-GEN]

If you want more accuracy try different loads first, different bullets will probably perform better or worse.  It will save you a lot of work.   I have a hawkeye in 338 federal, it is, hands down the most accurate gun I have ever owned, I certainly didn't expect this from a factory Ruger.  The trigger did have to be polished up and lightened, also the bolt needed some smoothing.  After those minor jobs were done, I was getting consistent one hole groups at 100yds with factory 185gr triple shocks.  Not just one hole groups but tiny one hole groups.  However the 210gr nosler partitions are more like 2.5-3" groups from the same rifle.  My opinion is that any varmint gun that shoots 1moa or better is fine for hunting, actually just about any new factory gun should produce this size group out of the box with some type of ammo.

[Mint Hill Mule]

Thanks folks for the replies. Yes it is a hunting rifle, but I would like it to shoot to full potential. My understanding is that a free-floated barrel will always out shoot one that is not, everything else being equal. Whether it is used for target or hunting, wouldn't you want it to be as accurate as possible?

[Coyote Hunter]

All of my Ruger rifles are free floated but the only one that came that way from the factory was the VT model. I've never found a need to bed a Ruger.

[Beers]

I don't have much experience with Ruger rifles, but I know that alot of rifles have a pressure point somewhere along the barrel channel, and their owners are often dissapointed that the barrel isn't completely free floated... despite MOA accuracy. I've heard a few tales of guys sanding out the pressure point to find that the rifle's accuracy has suffered for it. That pressure point might be there for a reason.

Coues, as to your POI shifting when the barrel heats up, many many rifles do that, free floated or otherwise. It shouldn't be a problem anyway really... that barrel might get pretty hot at the range, but how hot is it likely to get while you're out in the field?

As was said above, "If it ain't broke..."

[kudzu]

I've had good luck with rugers. Most of them I shim the front lug to float the barrel to see if it helps. If so then I sand the channel. With a little more work the triggers can be made very well. All can be made very crisp and pull weight to a very workable level.

DM

ps- Mint Hill Mule. Is that Mint Hill NC? If so I'm just down Hwy. 218 from ya.

[BlkHawk73]

Thanks folks for the replies. Yes it is a hunting rifle, but I would like it to shoot to full potential. My understanding is that a free-floated barrel will always out shoot one that is not, everything else being equal.

  Not neccessarily.  I free floated a rifle earlier this year and found accurcacy was lost. I went back and added a pressure pad and accuracy improved.  It's all dependant on the individual gun.  Some benefit from it, others just the opposite. 
  I gotta ask though how you'll know when you have it shooting at it's full potential?

[Swampman]

Rugers, and many other rifles shoot better if they are not free-floated.

[Ahab]

I have a Hawkeye in 7mm-08.  I was surprised too.  I'm planning on gently sanding the barrel channel, and maybe bedding it.  It has a habit shifting POI when the barrel gets hot, so I am hoping that will cure it.  My Mk II 25-06 will get the same on general principle, if the 7mm works out.  No bedding, etc. in that one either.

I have the same rifle and will not mess with the barrel channel. Shoots great as it is. Yes the group will wander as it gets hot but what can you expect from that pencil thin barrel?

[SuperstitionCoues]

Coues, as to your POI shifting when the barrel heats up, many many rifles do that, free floated or otherwise. It shouldn't be a problem anyway really... that barrel might get pretty hot at the range, but how hot is it likely to get while you're out in the field?

As was said above, "If it ain't broke..."

The more I have thought about it, you and Ahab are probably right.  Chasing "perfection" on this and my Mk II would be counter-productive.  The 7mm is one of the most accurate rifles I have ever owned.  One or two rounds at a deer won't heat it up to shift the POI.  If I change anything on either gun I will regret it.   

[Davemuzz]

If this is a hunting rifle, then when you go to the range, take that gun along with at least one other.....and maybe a 22LR. Shoot 2 shots from the Ruger and then put it aside. Then plink with your other guns and shoot a brick of 22LR. Then when the Ruger is nice 'n cool, shoot 2 more rounds.

If your getting "MOD" (Minute Of Dead) from the 4 to 6 rounds....or 8 if your at the range for quite awhile.....then I would agree with the other posters, It's a fine hunting gun.....go hunt with it.

I have my first rifle that I ever bot....a Winchester Model 88 in .308 caliber. After 3 shots the rounds start to spray. I load a 150 grain Hornady over Varget for the gun. However, the first 2 shots will be 3" at 150 yards. I've always dropped every whitetail I've squeazed the trigger at with this gun. (Don't ask me about the times I should have squeazed and didn't.....those are stories for late nights with crown 'n ginger ale). I'm willing to bet that I can get it to shoot better if I float the barrel.......but then.....why? It's a great gun and the first 2 to 3 shots are there. I'm just not gonna touch it.

MHO

Dave