Ruger77

[George Foster]

I bought a Ruger 77 MKII recently in 6mm. I mounted a 3-9x Elite 3200 and the rifle has been glassbedded and the barrel floated. I broke the barrel in by shooting five shells one shot and clean and then shoot 3 and clean the next 15. The trigger has been worked so it is a crisp 3lb pull with no creep and no overtravel.

What is happening even with the factory load I broke the barrel in with is this. I have used five different bullets and two different powders and worked up loads from 2-1/2grs under max up to max with each bullet shooting 3 shot groups. With each load whether it looks like a good load or not will have two shots in the group and one out. I may have two shots in 1/4" and the third one will make it say 1-1/8" or whatever, this is a constant thing. I let the barrel cool 1 full minute between shots and the temperature has been around 40 degrees. I have checked the action screws and scope ring and base screws and all are tight, the barrel is floating like it should and I have checked the bedding, no problems I can see.

I am suspecting even though the scope is brand new there might be a problem with it. I don't know where else to look and I wanted to ask if you would have any idea of what it might be that is causing the problem? I have a Trophy 4-12 that I know is good and I am thinking of mounting that but I wanted to get your opinion first.

Thank You in advance.
George

[gunnut69]

Do the groups always appear in the same sequence, I.E. 2 shots together then the one out?  Is the shot that's out a random thing.  Could a bum scope, bedding that's not totally dead, a loose scope mount.(or one slipping), and some other much less friendly possibilities.  Swap out the scope and test the bedding job.  To test the bedding, unscrew the front action screwwhile holding the fingers of the left hand at the receiver/stock junction.  We are trying to feel any motion.  One can also check the tip of the forearm while loosening the front screw.  Nothing should move.  Try the same test with the rear screw, watching for movement of the tang..  With a floated barrel, nothing should move as the screw tension is released.  If I were shooting I would suspect the shooter clinching at the thought of finally producing a nice group!  Shoot 3 shots in fairly rapid succesion and test the barrel to be certain it is still not touching the barrel channel.  I had 1 M77 that did something very similar.  Finally figured out the problem, one of the rings would tighten before it clamped solidly to the receiver.  Just one!  The result could not be felt but I applied a tiny drop of nail polish to the ring/receiver gap as well as the scope/ring gap.  It cracked when the rifle was fired.  fix the ring and the problem was gone...