Update on 223 Ruger Ultra-Lite [6-20-01]

[MADISON]

I know others are following my progress on the rifle, with interest.

I started out with a 1 in 10 twist, according to Ruger. I was using a 55 grain bullet behind 26.5 grains of W-748. The group was 3 1/2 inches. Ran a brush through the barrel and found the twist to be 1 in 12.

A phone call to 2 bullet manufacturers told me try 25.0 grains of W-748 behind a 60 grain bullet. I did and the group shrank to 1 1/2 inches.

The only pleasure I got from the rifle was on our local indoor pistal range. I shot SQUIB LOADS [5.6 grains if UNIQUE], getting a 1/4 inch grooup at 25 yards.

Yesterday I took the rifle out and shot a 7/8 inch group with 21.5 grains of W-748. The velocity according too my Lee program was only 2620. Later I shot a 7/16th inch group with 18.0 grains of W-748. The barrel is very temperature sensative!
The first shot is 2 1/2 inches off from the other 3 rounds.

 

[Art Eatman]

You might try some tweaking with the bedding of the forearm of your pet. Is it free-floated? If so, try a shim (I use wax paper, 3/4" wide, folded back and forth until it's thick enough.) out at the front end of the forearm. No more than a five-pound pull to separate stock and barrel enough to insert the shim.

This does the same thing as the Browning BOSS, but cheaper. It dampens the vibrations, just like the shock absorbers on a car. makes them consistent from shot to shot.

I have found from time to time that some rifles will have the first shot from a cleaned barrel shoot to a different point of aim than the following shot. I always fire a fouling shot before trying for a group or taking the rifle on a hunt. You might try merely shooting two or three shots, let the rifle cool, and THEN try for a group.

FWIW,

Art