Ruger m77 mkii accuracy problem

I have played with col some, Colorado, but as this is a bolt gun, I would like to keep the cartridges short enough for the magazine. Of course it usually only takes one, but there have been a couple where a fella needs more.
 
About 10 years ago I glass bedded the action and the barrel free floated all the way.
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I did about the same thing with my new (then) M77 .243 in 1974 (holy cow - 42 years ago.) I glass bedded the action, the recoil lug (except the bottom surface) and the barrel under the chamber. The rest of the barrel was free floated. I never used factory ammo. The rifle shoots very accurately at 400 yards - I've never shot it at a longer range. When I did my part the rifle shot 1/2 - 3/4 inch 3-5 shot groups at 100 yards from the bench.
 
I have a ruger 77 stainless in 243 with a laminated stock, it is a tack driver. I do load my own and I am sure that helps. The only thing I have done to the rifle is add a Timney trigger. Never tried free floating the barrel since it shoots 1/2" groups all day long. I do believe that I read somewhere that Ruger rifles like the pressure point that is a inch or so back from the forend.
 
farmer1911

You say this rifle has a pencil thin barrel. Is it one of the ultra light Ruger M-77 rifles?

If it is, then you will be hard pressed to get an accurate group unless you let the barrel cool between shots. These rifles are great for the hunter who wants a light weight arm to carry about in the boonies. They were not designed as range rifles. They are great hunting rifles for the person who wants to keep the weight down.

If you want to see the true accuracy potential of the rifle, then shoot two or three shots and then let it cool off before shooting any more. You may be surprised how accurate the rifle really is.;)
 
I have a MK2 in .270, not a tack driver with anything but everything shoots in about 2". Best accuracy is with 130 Ballistic Tips, they shoot a bit under 2" on a good day. I read that the magazine box sometimes binds in these rifles, I haven't checked mine yet, the article said that you should be able to move it with finger pressure, if not, relieve it and it would help accuracy. I haven't hunted for the last several years so not a priority. Besides that, 2" groups are good enough for a hunting rifle.
 
I don't think it's one of the show light rugers. It is about 6.5-7lbs I suppose. I am used to my heavy barrels and such I would say it is a Sporter barrel. Also I have checked the mag box, it isn't binding either. I'm thinking it ha to do with the barrel or col. I just would like to keep col to fit in my mag. If i remember right, it is only .020 off the lands.
 
COL is a fairly cheap way to try to improve accuracy in bolt rifles. Sometimes seating 0.03--0.05 or even farther from the lands will surprise you with improved groups. It might be worth trying some different COL's. Then there is the occasional gun that just doesn't have the potential for "good" groups. There are many vaiables that can mess with accuracy, and it can difficult to know when you have coaxed the best out of your gun.
 
Well I was gifted a box of Remington core loct 130gr psp the other day. I run them through my rifle. I didn't change anything else and got very impressive results. I don't know what the deal is. I've tried federal, Winchester, hand loads, all of the above and it just didn't shoot. I guess I was going high shelf and should have looked into the lower end of ammo. Not knocking Remington at all.
 
the dot is approximately 1". This is a 4 shot group. I don't know wbat happened to the outsider, rifle recoiled something different than the rest, it was perhaps me.
 
Excellent 3-shot group. Nobody can tell the reason for the flyer, but my guess is you are solving the accuracy problem.
 
My MKII Varment/Target in .243 wouldn't do better than 2in. I tried everything thing. It's in the shop for a new barrel. A friend shoots a .270 with .5 moa. So it appears that the .270 will shoot straight. I've got an older 77 Ruger with a varmint barrel in 22-250 it won't hit a barn even if it's inside of it. Both of these rifle I bought used, so I guess I can't complain. My resolution - Brux Barrels and a heck of a good gunsmith. :D

I glad you found good ammo!
 
I worked hard on hand loads for my 7mm, best I got was 1.5 inches

Then I got the factory and 1.5 inches.

Easier at the time to just buy a box of 20 every third year.
 
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