I bought a new Ruger M77 MkII in 2001, .30-06. I've taken game with it, but it's accuracy is terribly inconsistent. I've tried floating the barrel (disaster), then bedding the barrel channel (better), trigger job, copper fouling removal, endless experiments with ALL aspects of handloads and it just won't love me back. Honest to goodness, last week at the range I tried some different loads out. I shot two consecutive five shot groups using identical components, charge weights, seating depths, etc. The first group was 3.5", the second was 7/8 of an inch. These two sets of five were in the middle of several other sets, so it had nothing to do with cold barrel, hot barrel, etc. I took the targets to my gunsmiths and they couldn't figure it out. I had sets stringing vertically, then other sets stringing horizontally, then sets travelling in huge circles, all from the same trip to the range.

For comparison, I also showed them targets from my new CZ550 in 6.5x55, shot at the same time. All were nice 5 shot groups at or under one inch at 100yds, so I KNOW it isn't the nut on the trigger.

This darned Ruger drove me so crazy that I bought a Remington 700 BDL in .30-06 to hunt with; the Ruger is now my science project. I'm gonna find out why the darned thing won't shoot no matter HOW many years I spend at it.

Would I buy another Ruger? Maybe... but I'd sure rather have a CZ550, Winchester Model 70 Classic or a Remington 700 instead.

Just one man's experience with just one Ruger rifle...