cjb,
I said I'd get back to you, so here I am.
I just got back from a very enjoyable range session with my new All Weather 77/44, and I have a good report.
I first topped the rifle off with a $40 Simmons 4x32 silver-finished scope. I then decided to zero the scope and rifle at 50 yards, as I don't expect to be doing anything further than that with this rifle. When I got to shooting, it only took 6 shots to zero (and that's without using a bore-sight... not bad).
My best overall group was four shots (the capacity of the magazine) into 1.5 inches. Here's the kicker, though: Three of the shots created one ragged hole 3/4 of an inch across from edge to edge. A flyer increased the size of the group by 1.25 inches giving the total group its measurement of 1.5 inches center-to-center.
Groups widened up a little bit as the barrel heated up but that's to be expected. In addition, I've been up for approximately 22 hours now, so I probably wasn't performing to my fullest potential.
The ammo I used was PMC 180 Gr. JHP.
I don't think we have anything to worry about as far as accuracy goes.
I think that I may have found a new favorite rifle - It handles well, is well-balanced, and has a nice, short, smooth action. I had no problems whatsoever. Feeding was absolutely smooth and reliable, as was extraction. Also, the recoil pad really tamed the .44 Mag recoil (compared to my Winchester 94), so I don't think that it would be uncomfortable to shoot for extended periods.
I'm not a big bolt-action fan, but I think I'm in love with this rifle! The first time I picked up a friend's standard 77/44, I knew that I had to have one.
Good luck!
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Bulldawg: NRA, GOA, TSRA, Shiner Bock Connoisseur.
Bulldawg's Firearms Page
[This message has been edited by Bulldog (edited February 19, 2000).]