pmsmith2032
New member
I have a 1988 Ruger M77 with the tang safety and a factory laminate stock that I have some questions about (this is my first post so please be gentle):
1. I free floated the barrel a year or so ago but have noticed accuracy hasn't improved. Rather, it seems it has gotten worse. I haven't been able to shoot much since I did it (a couple of times), but I truly believe it is being affected adversely. When I was out shooting this past week I was getting a couple of shots that would group together and then a couple of shots would be 4 inches or so higher (left to right seemed fine). Then the next few would be lower again. I took a piece of cardboard and slid it between the forearm (at the end and the barrel) and barrel and accuaracy definitely seemed to increase. The cardboard was snug. Is this typical?
2. I am leaving for a deer hunting trip in 3 weeks....can I leave the cardboard "shim" in for my trip (not sure if it could affect accuracy if it gets wet and swells). How do I permanently fix this issue? Ideally I would like to shoot more before making any permanant changes just to be 100% sure it's not shooter error.
3. The trigger on the rifle is stock. After the season I would like to upgrade it. Is it best to to take it to a gunsmith and have them adjust it or buy a new trigger? If I buy a new trigger, what type/brand is best and do I need to have a gunsmith install it?
4. I am also thinking about bedding the action after the season. I've seen a "how to" on another site:
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3003214/1
Is this something I can do my self (I am pretty handy and have plenty of tools etc)?
5. I would like to add a better recoil bad...any suggestions on the best brand/type? I want something that fits well so I'm thinking a grind-to-fit. Maybe a limbsaver or pachmayr?
6. Any other suggestions on how to improve the rifle? It was a graduation gift so has a lot of sentimental value and I don't want to sell it.
Thanks!
1. I free floated the barrel a year or so ago but have noticed accuracy hasn't improved. Rather, it seems it has gotten worse. I haven't been able to shoot much since I did it (a couple of times), but I truly believe it is being affected adversely. When I was out shooting this past week I was getting a couple of shots that would group together and then a couple of shots would be 4 inches or so higher (left to right seemed fine). Then the next few would be lower again. I took a piece of cardboard and slid it between the forearm (at the end and the barrel) and barrel and accuaracy definitely seemed to increase. The cardboard was snug. Is this typical?
2. I am leaving for a deer hunting trip in 3 weeks....can I leave the cardboard "shim" in for my trip (not sure if it could affect accuracy if it gets wet and swells). How do I permanently fix this issue? Ideally I would like to shoot more before making any permanant changes just to be 100% sure it's not shooter error.
3. The trigger on the rifle is stock. After the season I would like to upgrade it. Is it best to to take it to a gunsmith and have them adjust it or buy a new trigger? If I buy a new trigger, what type/brand is best and do I need to have a gunsmith install it?
4. I am also thinking about bedding the action after the season. I've seen a "how to" on another site:
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3003214/1
Is this something I can do my self (I am pretty handy and have plenty of tools etc)?
5. I would like to add a better recoil bad...any suggestions on the best brand/type? I want something that fits well so I'm thinking a grind-to-fit. Maybe a limbsaver or pachmayr?
6. Any other suggestions on how to improve the rifle? It was a graduation gift so has a lot of sentimental value and I don't want to sell it.
Thanks!