Two months ago I purchased a Ruger M77 in a .308 caliber and mounted a Bushnell Elite 3200 4x12 scope on it. This past weekend I got to shoot it for the first time. At 100 yards the first shot was within 1 inch of dead center, and this was with a cross wind of 10-15 MPH. Not bad for just having bore sighted the gun. I consider myself only an average shot. I was using a plastic picnic table for a shooting bench and Hughes bench buddy for a rest.
My hand loads consisted of 110gr SP loaded with 52 grains of 380 at an average speed of 2846 FPS; 130 gr SP with 45.5 grains of 4064 at an average speed of 2738 FPS; and 168 gr BTHP over 42.5 grains of 4064 at an average speed of 2472 FPS. Overall my groups were about 2 inches using these loads. I did find that the 168-grain bullet hit about 1.5 inches lower then the lighter bullets.
I am very happy with the accuracy of what I would consider an inexpensive gun. I know as the gun gets broken in that accuracy will improve. I feel this gun is much better then my shooting abilities. Another blessing was my new F1 Chrony survived the outing! I am confident that if I get the chance to use this gun for deer out to 150 yards I could put meat in the freezer. I know my sister doesnt want to see ground hogs on her farm with her horses, but with a steady rest I feel I could make a ground hog very uncomfortable at anything less then 100 yards.
