77MK11 Pressure Bedding

[CharlieBgood]

   I'm new so hello everyone.
The new 22-250 I just purchased is pressure bedded about 3/4 in. at the very front of the stock. I have heard different opinions on free floating barrels on the Rugers. Anyone floated one and if so what were the results?
Thanks Charlie

[CharlieBgood]

I can't believe there isn't  someone that has floated the barrel on a newer Ruger. Do they shoot that good? If so I guess I'm in for a pleasant suprise. :eek: . I'm going to the range tomorrow so wish me luck.
Charlie

[George Foster]

I have a 6MM Ruger MK II that I had the action glassbedded along with the chamber area of the barrel and then the rest of the barrel is free floated.  The rifle shoots excellent this way and I am waiting for a 243 and I will have that done the same way.

[Dave in WV]

My son has floated his barrel on his .280 stainless laminated MK II. He posts as High Brass so you might PM him and ask about his experience.

[Coyote Hunter]

I can't believe there isn't  someone that has floated the barrel on a newer Ruger. Do they shoot that good? If so I guess I'm in for a pleasant suprise. :eek: . I'm going to the range tomorrow so wish me luck.
Charlie

I have a 1981 M77 in 7mm Mag that I free floated after the first trip to the range.  It has always been a 0.5" shooter at 100 yards.  Last fall I found a load it likes a little better and put 3 shots into 0.266".  My M77 .275 Roberts is also free floated and is an MOA shooter (maybe better now that I have more than a 4x scope on it).  My buddy's M77 MKII in 7mm Mag is free floated and shots 0.4".  

The reason they are all free floated is the wood tended to expand as it heated and the pressure bedding at the tip would then push the barrels around.  Not a problem with first shot or cold barrels, but can be an issueif you let it warm up.

[CharlieBgood]

Thanks for the replys and info! I took the new Ruger to the range Fri. and was quite pleased with the results. The first 5 rounds had 4 touching, and I'm sure the 1 stray was the shooter. That was even with me cleaning every round during break in. I don't know if breakin is good or not. Kinda like the Ford Chevy question. I figured it couldn't hurt, so I did a little breakin but not as agressive as some of the recipes I read.
I did float the barrel and install a Rifle Basix trigger (sweet trigger) before I took it out. I was a little nervous because of the pressure bedding thing but removing it didn't seem to hurt. I think I'll bed the action and chamber and leave well enough alone.
The gun shoots the Winchester white box very well, but didn't do as well with 55gr. Rem. soft points. This gun will be used for yotes only and I would like to shoot a little heavier bullet. Does any one use the 45gr. Winchesters on coyotes? Ya gotta like the price, but do they get the job done?      Charlie

[Coyote Hunter]

...Does any one use the 45gr. Winchesters on coyotes? Ya gotta like the price, but do they get the job done?      Charlie

Have never used those bullets but I have handloaded a lot of Nosler 40g BT varmint bullets.  They are devastating on coyotes, even more so than the 52g Match BTHP's from Speer and Hornady that I shoot a lot of.  Am using up the 52's and will switch them to the 50g Hornady V-Max.  Did not care for the results with 55g FMJ's at all - two in a coyote and I ended up walking up to it and dispatching it with a .22LR from a handgun.

[CharlieBgood]

Coyote Hunter
Thanks for the info. I know the polymer tip bullets are very accurate and leathel. I'll try the Hornadys. I'm sure they will work but I'll have to order some. The closest town for me is Lewiston Id. and that's where CCI's factory is so the local shops cary CCI or Rem. amo, so it's wallyworld or order it. Oh well that's the price ya pay for retiring and moving to the middle of nowhere. :-)       Charlie