Author Topic: Ruger Accuracy (Read 8304 times)

Spencer, Carey · « **Reply #30 on:** June 12, 2011, 06:02:04 AM »

How was that #3 Swampman? I want the .375 version badly. Do you mean to say that you never found an accurate Savage rifle either?

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #31 on:** June 13, 2011, 02:54:12 AM »

Ive owned exactly two savage rifles. A .223 fp and a 308fp. The 308 would shoot 3/4s of an inch at a 100 yards with loads it liked and the .223 would shoot groups so small they were hard to measure. If savage would redsign that ugly action they have id probably never buy another brand. I admitt that accuracy is the most important condideration when buying a gun but I can buy remintons and winchesters that are in that ball park too, cost no more and are much better looking. Should have kept that .223 though! It was the most accurate rifle ive ever owned.

keith44 · « **Reply #32 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:08:53 AM »

Between myself and my father-in-law we have or have had 15 Ruger M77 and Savage 110's, along with aprox. 20 Rem. 700's. The 700's are the easiest to get to shoot well, followed by the Savage 110's (with the old style adjustable triggers). With the Ruger 77's there is a "pad" on the fore-end about 2 to 3 inches from the end of the fore-stock. This "pad" causes inconsistent pressure on the barrel. In two cases the rifles shot best with the pad and barrel channel "glassed" and bedded. The rest shot best with the "pad" removed and the barrel free floated with the action glass bedded.

Each rifle (no matter the brand) is a law unto itself.

Spencer, Carey · « **Reply #33 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:32:43 AM »

Again, i'm right there with you Mr. Smale. We "HorseTrade" ALOT of guns and though we dont get to shoot as much as we like anymore, ALL of them are shot before they leave our hands. I dont believe that it would be an exaggeration to say that at least 100 savage rifles, from 99's, to 110's/111's, 93's and all manner of others have been tested. Especially when we were younger (My 2 brothers and I) and our deer rifles were the ones we saved up for by mowing grass/bailing hay/cotton in the spring and summertimes, and we needed a quality but affordable gun. They were a big improvement over the Roses/Woolworth military obsolete rifles (SMLE #1's and 4's, 1896 Sweedish Mausers, Nagants etc.) even when we could find the B-Square mounts for them. Those ugly headspacing lugs on the barrel at the reciever are'nt very pleasing to the eye, but the Savage rifle without fail is an accurate one. For reasons of cost, not quite as many Rugers have come our way, but our experience on the whole has been a very positive one. Between the three of us, there are still over 2 dozen Ruger rifles , and pistols in the hunting battery, and they wouldnt be there if they didnt work. I am familiar with the contact point at the foreend, and do generally remove that especially on the varmint Rugers that I have. My old tang safety heavy barrel .243 as an example that is a sub .5 m.o.a. rifle. I love my Kimber 84M in .338 federal too. It shoots great and has class but it is no better hunting tool than many of the "lesser" weapons on the rack. Same for my older brothers Ed Brown, and younger brothers Cooper. We appreciate fine things as much as the next guy, but wont knock something else just because ours might have four digit price tags instead of three!

Spencer, Carey · « **Reply #34 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:40:23 AM »

And in case anyone is wondering that's around 74 years of combined shooting experience that I am speaking from. That, and they didnt award me my expert ribbon for not hitting what I shoot at!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #35 on:** June 13, 2011, 08:08:21 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on June 11, 2011, 04:24:39 PM

I think of the Savages and Rugers the same way. Only accurate rifles are interesting.

I feel the same about people

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #36 on:** June 13, 2011, 10:56:43 AM »

LMAO

Quote from: SHOOTALL on June 13, 2011, 08:08:21 AM

Quote from: Swampman on June 11, 2011, 04:24:39 PM
I think of the Savages and Rugers the same way. Only accurate rifles are interesting.

I feel the same about people

yooper77 · « **Reply #37 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:27:45 PM »

I have a Ruger M77 MKII in 270 Winchester which wears a Leupold Vari-X II 3-9x40mm scope.

This rifle is completely and totally factory with nothing done to it. I can shoot consistent SUB MOA groups using only hand loads of IMR-4831 and 150 grain Hornady Interlock bullets.

yooper77

Swampman · « **Reply #38 on:** June 14, 2011, 01:10:14 AM »

How about factory loads?

Spencer, Carey · « **Reply #39 on:** June 14, 2011, 01:32:43 AM »

I dont reload, so factory stuff is all that has ever gone into my guns.

His lordship. · « **Reply #40 on:** June 14, 2011, 05:53:35 AM »

Out of all the Ruger guns I have owned the really good ones are the revolvers, and the MK. 2/3 .22 RF pistols. I tried the SR-9 and P-89 pistols, reliable, but found them crude, sold them off after a short ownership period . I have a Ruger factory fancy model 10/22 rifle that is nice.

I have owned other Ruger rifles, such as the new Mini-14, the 77/17 and the cheapie 10/22. I had issues with them and sold them off, however the Mini was very accurate after a one year break in period. The barrel on the 77/17 was so rough you could feel the cleaning patch grab as it was pushed down the bore for the first few years, accuracy was fine for hunting though. After reviewing my experience with their rifles I am nervous about buying a Model 77 Hawkeye. If I wanted something just for deer hunting inside 100 yards in a common caliber like 30-06 I think they would be fine, for precision bench shooting I would look at something else.

yooper77 · « **Reply #41 on:** June 14, 2011, 06:34:09 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on June 14, 2011, 01:10:14 AM

How about factory loads?

My hand loads give me stellar accuracy, so there is never a need for factory ammo in my centerfire rifles or pistols. Plus too me buying factory centerfire rifle or pistol ammo is a huge waste of money.

I mostly use proper head stamped brass for my 270 Winchester, but I have made some from civilian and military 30-06 Springfield.

I use civilian and military 308 Winchester brass for my 7mm-08 Remington and civilian 30-06 Springfield brass for my 338-06 A-Square which saves me lots of money not buying factory ammo.

yooper77

Swampman · « **Reply #42 on:** June 14, 2011, 07:07:44 AM »

Nothing like shooting one hole groups with $14.95 a box Core-Lokts at 100 yards. I enjoy forgiving firearms.

Ladobe · « **Reply #43 on:** June 15, 2011, 07:07:58 PM »

Never had any hunting pards who ever had problems with their early 77R's, but did hear a lot of complaints about the 77 Mark II's after they came out.

I bought a 270 Win 77R new in the early/mid 70's. I didn't have time to work up loads for it for that first years hunting, so just bought Federal Premium 130 gr ammo for mule deer and their 150 gr ammo for elk. Filled all my tags easily with this ammo despite some longish cross canyon shots, so never did bother to work up loads for it for several years. The rifle was a shooter right out of the box even with the store bought ammo, and took a lot of game for me in the 70's and 80's. I added a target trigger to it a few years ago and was going to put it back into action shooting long range varmints, but never did get around to it.

My mid 80's 77/22 was the same right out of the box, has seen a heck of a lot of use since without missing a beat and has killed uncountable small game and varmints. It now has a GM switch barrel in 17HM2 as well, that will make it even better IMO. I have three 17HM2's, but this one will be my go to if I can get out this year.

Only Ruger rifles that I've owned that I didn't care much for was their 10/22's. I've had 5 of them, the only one in the first 4 that was trouble free was a 10/22 International from the late 60's. Last one is a custom I put together with the best of everything, why I don't know. It saw about 50 rounds before it got relegated to the safe, and it still resides there. It's a purdy rifle but I'm not a fan of semi auto rifles at all, so I guess when it comes to semi auto rimfires I just can't get past my JC Higgins/High Standard 31 that I've had since the late 50's.

FWIW-YMMV

L.

rfletcher · « **Reply #44 on:** June 18, 2011, 02:30:47 PM »

I have two Ruger 77 MKII's, a 7mm Rem Mag and a 300 WSM. Both will shoot MOA or better. The 7mm does it with 150gr Rem Core-lokt's and the 300 WSM with 150grn and 165grn handloads. I've never shot factory rounds out of the 300 WSM because I can load for much cheaper. Both rifles are out-of-the-box. I have several centerfire rifles and these two are among my favorite. They are built like a tank and have decent wood for an off the shelf production rifle.

gr8ful · « **Reply #45 on:** June 18, 2011, 04:27:26 PM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on June 13, 2011, 08:08:21 AM

Quote from: Swampman on June 11, 2011, 04:24:39 PM
I think of the Savages and Rugers the same way. Only accurate rifles are interesting.

I feel the same about people

good one! you almost made me bust a gut!

alan in ga · « **Reply #46 on:** June 21, 2011, 02:37:08 AM »

I've owned several 77Rs and 77 Mark IIs. They were all very good for deer, but about 1 1/4" guns on target. My gunsmith friends and I joke around when discussing Ruger barrels. I say the factory barrel is there only to fill the space until a GOOD barrel can be fitted : )
I did have an accurate 77R in .270 Win that I purchased about 1977. It would do 1/2" at 100 yards. I guess out of about 10 or so [I forget how many I've had] 77s it was the most accurate, the rest being 'over 1" ' guns. My present Ruger 77 Mark II has a Shilen barrel I fitted myself in .250 Savage Ackley Improved. It is one of the most accurate rifles I've ever owned, shooting BETTER than I can [benchrest friends shot it for me also]. I can hold/see about 3/8" and that it will do easily at 100 yards with Nosler Ballistic Tips.
I've owned:
.22 Hornet 77/22 [doesn't count but included here]
.250 Savage [3 total - one 77UL, two 77Rs]
.250 Savage Ack Imp 77 Mark II [Shilen barrel]
.223 Rem 77UL Mark II
6mm Rem. 77 Mark II [removed factory barrel to rebarrel before I shot it]
.257 Robt. Ackley Imp. 77R [rechambered/setback factory barrel]
.270 Win 77R
.308 Win 77 Mark II
.300 Win Mag 77Mark II
.358 Win 77R [loved finding this one, owned and hunted w/it 12 years and then pasted it on]
.458 Win Mag 77 Tropical [fun gun for a while until got tired of carrying it in deer woods]
.458 American [.458x2] 77 Mark II [I found a Ruger #3 take off barrel in .45/70 and fitted it to the 6mm Rem 77, bolt face opened up]

Probably a couple others I'm forgettting. Now this: I LIKE Rugers and enjoy the 77s a lot. I don't EXPECT under MOA from a factory barrel as I'm a hunter mostly, and enjoy target shooting just to get the 'best' accuracy that I can. Most factory Ruger barrels will not 'amaze' target shooters!

rugerfan.64 · « **Reply #47 on:** June 21, 2011, 03:33:15 AM »

The UPS guy tried to deliver my M77 Hawkeye yesterday,so today I am waiting for it at the house. Hopefully within the week I will be able to say what I think of Rugers factory service. The proof will be on the paper.

Swampman · « **Reply #48 on:** June 21, 2011, 04:28:24 AM »

Quote

I don't EXPECT under MOA from a factory barrel as I'm a hunter mostly, and enjoy target shooting just to get the 'best' accuracy that I can. Most factory Ruger barrels will not 'amaze' target shooters!

Nor hunters who shoot beyond 100 yards......

Spencer, Carey · « **Reply #49 on:** June 21, 2011, 05:15:32 AM »

I bet that .358 was AWESOME! Always loved that caliber, and dont know why it never gained more fans.

alan in ga · « **Reply #50 on:** June 21, 2011, 06:06:26 AM »

Quote from: Spencer, Carey on June 21, 2011, 05:15:32 AM

I bet that .358 was AWESOME! Always loved that caliber, and dont know why it never gained more fans.

Been thinking about a custom barrel .358 Win on my 77 Mark II......still thinin' bout it!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #51 on:** June 22, 2011, 03:59:32 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on June 21, 2011, 04:28:24 AM

Quote
I don't EXPECT under MOA from a factory barrel as I'm a hunter mostly, and enjoy target shooting just to get the 'best' accuracy that I can. Most factory Ruger barrels will not 'amaze' target shooters!

Nor hunters who shoot beyond 100 yards......

Ya'll crack me up

Spencer, Carey · « **Reply #52 on:** June 22, 2011, 05:38:24 PM »

If you do it, please let me know how it turns out. I got a MKII in .308 also and that aint a bad idea........

Ladobe · « **Reply #53 on:** June 22, 2011, 06:16:41 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on June 21, 2011, 04:28:24 AM

Nor hunters who shoot beyond 100 yards......

A typical flat statement, but experience varies. I killed a heck of a lot of mule deer, elk and a few antelope with my 77R 270 Win, all well past 100 yards to some well past 300 yards and one past 400, not to mention all the Ruger #1's I used for varmint hunting to even longer ranges... and all of them wearing factory barrels. Sure the barrel is a factor when the ranges get longer and the target smaller, but so is the shooters ability with any barrel when it comes to hunting. I've owned a lot of Ruger firearms over the years for hunting, and all of them were good to go right out of the box - none were ever rebarreled.

alan in ga · « **Reply #54 on:** June 22, 2011, 06:18:32 PM »

After owning a .358 Win in a Ruger 77R for 12 years and handloading for it, I am also one of the small group of fans that believes it is one SUPER cartridge. I loaded everything from paper patched pistol bullets to 250 grain Speer jacketed bullets in it. Shot deer with it. I believe it is one very tame round in the 'muzzle blast' department as well. The large .35 bore does just not seem to CRACK so loud like many deer/elk rounds, even less that .308 and .243 rounds, or maybe it's just my optomistic feeling about the round. It IS a long range round if that is what it takes to make it interesting - and I do believe the description someone gave it long ago is what helped to 'kill' it from becoming a great popular round [good for 'short to mid range game'].
The Ruger 77R came with their standard sporter barrel and THAT does not give much steel around the .35" bore! It looked like a .410 shotgun barrel with rifling! Mine shot at best 1 1/2" at 100 but I did not try the Sierra and Nosler BTs that came out after I sold it, or at least I did not get around to trying the 225 Sierras that were available.
I think a 'medium sporter' or 'heavy sporter' in a high quality aftermarket barrel would be something of great interest. I've only seen ONE custom barrel .358 and it IS a shooter!!! [1/2"].

alan in ga · « **Reply #55 on:** June 22, 2011, 06:29:22 PM »

But as far as a Ruger 35 cal bolt rifle, check THIS out!
http://www.ruger.com/products/rotaryMagazine77357/specSheets/7405.html

sidewinder319 · « **Reply #56 on:** June 22, 2011, 08:13:30 PM »

Ruger firearms are sold because of price. I think you can expect to work on them. The 77 rifles can be very difficult to tune up. The newer Number Ones seem to be OK.

alan in ga · « **Reply #57 on:** June 23, 2011, 01:50:38 AM »

I think my first rebarrel projects were Ruger 77s, so easy! Winchester model 70 barrels [the non Mauser type extractors type with no barrel face recess cut] are easy to fit to Ruger actions, too. Just a smidge of shoulder and barrel face lathe cuts after lots of measureing!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #58 on:** June 23, 2011, 01:52:16 AM »

I don't expect to do anything but install a scope .

alan in ga · « **Reply #59 on:** June 23, 2011, 02:37:57 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on June 23, 2011, 01:52:16 AM

I don't expect to do anything but install a scope .

...and maybe clean the bore. That's all I did for my Rugers for most of my life. Then I fitted a Shilen barrel to a 77 Mark II and got accuracy I had always only 'read about'. Now it's not so easy to accept 1 1/2 to 2" accuracy with factory barrels. I've seen a few factory Ruger barrels that shot 1/2" but MOST are the 1 1/2" at best if not 2" @ 100 yards.
I'm 60 years old and have been shooting since I was about 7. I've been reloading since 1967. One thing I wish I had done earlier in life was to invest in a "very good" barrel. It would have enlightened me much earlier in life as to what a rifle could 'really do'. I think cost was THE factor as well as not really knowing anyone personally that had done it. My mental finance thoughts were flawed I think. I didn't want to spend several hundred dollars for a custom barrel, but I then purchased a BUNCH of rifles, new and used, spending far more than what a new barrel fitted to my action would have cost.
Everyone ought to experience a really accurate barrel! Congrats to you if you found a factory rifle that shot well, some do!