I also posted this on the gun forum because I wasn' t sure which one was more appropriate. Sorry about the repeat...
Back in March I bought a Ruger M77 in .308 caliber. The first thing I did was take it to the gunsmith for a trigger job, barrel free float and glass bed the action. The factory trigger had no creap to it but the darn thing was about 7 pounds. Yuck. Anyway, I picked up some different brands of ammo to see what was going to shoot the best. I ended up with the following:
I hit the range and over a couple shooting sessions one thing became clear. The darn gun basically shot all of the rounds really well. All ammo grouped consistently at 2" or less with the best accuracy coming from the PMP ammo in both 150gr and 180 gr and the Winchester 168gr. The PMP ammo really surprised me for how consistent it was. My buddy and I both shot 1 inch groups at 5 shots per group with the stuff. I was amazed because I basically bought the stuff as an afterthought because it was $7.00 per box. Needless to say I was quite pleased.
But here is the kicker...There was no left/right variation on the point of impact for all of the rounds listed above. The only difference was up and down. I ended up sighting in 2" high at 100 yards with the 168gr Winchesters. That sight in allows me to use any of the ammo listed except the 150gr PMP, and have the point of impact remain from 2" high to dead on at 100 yards. Only a two inch variation on any of the ammo.
I was flabergasted...I never got that kind of performance from my Remington M700 in .280 caliber. What do you guy' s think? Did I just hit it lucky and got a good gun or is this pretty normal for a factory .308 with the above listed modifications? I' ve been shooting for a long time but never had a gun that is able to digest just about anything you run through it. What are your experiences? I never had a .308 before either so I suspect that has a good bit to do with it too? Sorry about the long post...Thanks...Jim
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Visibly shaken but never stirred...
I would say with the work you had done on this gun, it is shooting about as it should. The 308 is a pretty accurate rifle as a rule. With a good trigger and bedded action, groups of one inch or even less should be very doable.
I have the same rifle and caliber as you but without any custom work and have been real pleased with mine. I' ve had mine since aprox 1991. I normally hunt with Winchester Supremes in 150 grain and have had excellent results with this bullet. I don' t shoot it to often so I just stick with what' s working. This gun has never let me down. I wouldn' t mind getting a trigger job on it, but when I shoot it as well as I do it' s just not on the top of my list of things to do yet.
New .308 shoots everything Well!!!
