Been shooting the M77 Mark II in .300WM for a few years now with satisfactory results. But last season into this year my groups have become more and more erratic. By this I mean one hole will be touching the 10 ring, the next might be in the 7, and third could be wherever. They sort of wander. I haven't changed my shootong style at all. I zero at 200. I haven't changed ammo. I'm not sure what's happening but the gun has become "unpredictable". It's within' close for some guys, but I like the 10 ring at 200 and haven't been getting it at the range. So it's no longer trustworthy.
What could have happened?
I hear and read stories about how Rugers are not the gun they used to be since the son took over and the quality has gone down. I've had this rifle for several years and the accuracy I could once depend on seems to have wandered off.
Any ideas?
New barrel?
Scrap it for a new gun?
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I want to leave this world like my Grandpa . . .
Happy and asleep.
Not kicking and screaming like everyone else in the car!
I had two Ruger M77 with the tange safety that the stock swelled on them. When that happened I was shooting all over the place. Firts on was a 338win mag. Had it glass bedded and problem was solved. The other one a 7mm mag. I traded for a Remington model 700BDL.
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Nothing like a Remington model 700xcr
I'll bet the gun is ok, I have a tang Ruger and my brother does as well, nothing wrong with a Ruger...
The nice thing about Rugers is that you can get to each scope mounting screw to check it...That's the easiest thing to eliminate...As mentioned, remove the bolt and clean the barrel, I would also check the screws that hold the barrel to the stock, the front screw should be tightened first and the tighest, the rear screw should just be snug...
I have also seen rifles that quit grouping their "favorite" ammo, I'd try a few more brands...
Finally, check the scope, either replace with another that you know works or try shootinng a square to see if your scope is holding zero.
If all this checks out, let someone else try shooting it.
clean the barrel, clean it again, then check the scope, bedding in that order.
RR
Agreed. I would clean itthoroughly with mynormal solvent of choice then hit it with a dedicated copper removing solvent like: sweets 7.62, Barnes CR10, etc.
I would follow the process shown above as well. This was happening to my Dad's 300Wby, which ultimately required a new barrel. He was never good at keeping his guns clean...
Butch's bore shine. Clean several times. Make sure you get the chamber/throat. Try again, and you might try different ammo. The barrel might've broken in and doesn't like the old ammo. If things don't improve, things will start to get interesting You might glass bed, recrown, or rebarrel.
years back when i wanted a 300 win mag one of the things i saw in a review is that the barrels can get burned out after something likem1000 rounds. dont know if its true.i would check the bedding-scope - and mounts. use copper cleaner and a good bore light. after that get a gunsmiths opinion.
Don't be afraid to havea 'smith at least LOOK at it. I had a similar problem with my 7 mag a year ago. I mean, it was shooting EVERYWHERE but where I aimed. I would be fortunate to keep 3 shots on a sheet of notebook paper at 100 yards. Went through a bunch of of the 'usual suspects' as far as trying to figure out the problem. Finally took it to a gunsmith who figured out there was a tiny 'bulge' near the end of the barrel. Must have had a bit of dirt/ice/snow/whatever in it at some point when it was fired, which created the bulge. The 'smith cut off the last 1.5" or so of the barrel, recrowned it, and $55 later I was back to shooting MOA with factory ammo.
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"When I found the skull in the woods, the first thing I did was call the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns." --- Jack Handy
Good stuff everyone. Thanks. I am religious about cleaning guns after shooting, or even taking them for long walks. It has a synthetic stock (all weather model) and piller bedding (on any Ruger) looks like it would be a nightmare! The scope gets checked regularly. And it's a Nikon Monarch, good quality.
I just noticed that I can not slide a dollar bill between the barrel and forend of the stock! A neighbor suggested it. Could that cause irradic shot placement?
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I want to leave this world like my Grandpa . . .
Happy and asleep.
Not kicking and screaming like everyone else in the car!
I don't trust my Ruger . . .
You might glass bed, recrown, or rebarrel.
thats what im tryin to say...
