Question Regarding Ruger M77 Tang safety

[skylar957]

Hi guys, I don't know if this is the right spot for this topic so if it isn't I apologize.My father has an older Ruger m77 22-250 which he has had since I can remember (at least 35 years old). This gun has always been a tack driver with regular 55 gr Remington cor lokt Factory ammo. Last year  we could not get the darn thing to group 3 rounds at all. Now this is coming from three of us off of bench rests, Vices, and bags. First thing we did is replace the Scope with a Brand new Nikon Buckmaster. At the same time we also changed the ammo to 55 gr Hornady factory ammo. We were able to get 2" groups at 100 yards with the new change. That lasted for approximately 45 rounds total through the gun (not all at one sitting either). This year Before Deer season we attempted to sight this gun in again and we couldn't even get any kind of group at all.(using Hornady Factory Ammo again). The scope is Brand New, The ammo, while not being handloads, should still give us some kind of grouping,right? My Question is, Is it Possible that this Barrel is "Shot Out"? Is there any way to test for something like that? Can I Rechamber this Caliber to Something else? This Ruger, While not worth a whole lot monetary wise, Is Worth more to me than any of my "Thousand Dollar Guns". I would hate for my Dad to have to give up on his "Old Faithful" But I don' know what to do. Thanks For any Help regarding this Old Ruger, Steve

[dud]

check action screws,clean barrel,check crown,try seating bullets out further,the throat usually goes before riflingdoes if thats the case it could be set back and rechambered.

[Nobade]

Brand new scope could be broken. Check it and how it's mounted.

[crash87]

Shot out barrel, It would depend on how many shots were fired through the gun. If thousands after 35 years of rat shooting, yes it could be. If used for Deer hunting where 100's I doubt it. My question would be, How many rounds Have been shot in the 35 years and what cleaning methods do you use and how often. I have a Ruger M77 tang in 243. Bought it about 25 years ago. Ruger it has been claimed, bought there barrels from outside vendors back then, causing mixed quality issues. My barrel shoots VEEeerrrry accuratley until it reaches a point where it drops off. A good scrubbing with shooters choice to get out powder fouling/residue, then J.B. bore cleaner for the copper fouling, (patch wrapped very, let me say that again VERY) tightly around a worn out bronze brush, a 100 strokes for and aft is not out of the question. I then check a with a patch of Sweets, if it comes out blue I work it until clean. I've had Friends whom are not that well versed in the cleaning of firearms, (but love to shoot&shoot&shoot) complain that there rifle is shot out, until I clean it for them and its back to normal. (or maybe they just don't like cleaning guns and found an idiot who will). Crash87

[skylar957]

To be honest, Dad is not very good at cleaning his Firearms. (This is one trait that I am glad I didn't inherit). I do recall Cleaning it though but I will Do exactly as you say and see what happens. Thanks for all the Help, Steve