I just got a Ruger M77 Mark II, synthetic stock and stainless steel. It's chambered in 30-06, and so far I've tried shooting premium ammo (Winchester Supreme 168 gr, and Federal Premium 165 gr.), as well as Remington core lokt in 165 grain bullets. But I'm not happy with the size of the groups. The tightest I can get are around 1 1/2" and sometimes larger, off the bench at 100yds. Now I know this gun can do a lot better than that. What other ammo can I try that might shoot better in this baby. I don't handload, but should I try it? By the way the barrell appears to be free-floating, cuz I ran a $1 bill through...:-)

Thanks for any imput...

One thing that many people overlook that you might want to try is loosen all of the action and lug screws and tighten them all to an even and snug pressure. If the screws are tightend too much they can sometimes create a little torque on the action and you could get less than good accuracy. This may or may not help but it's worth a try. Also make sure that there are no little points of wood that are touching the barrel down the barrel chanel.

I second that. You might try leaving the bedding screw under the magazine plate a 1/2 turn tighter or looser. It sometimes will make a difference.

The gun may or may not be capable of better shooting. That's not bad shooting for a sporter weight rifle. It could also be your bench technique. Check out the other posting about group size of a sporter weight rifle.

One thing you could try is a premium 150 grain and 180 grain load. Some 30-06's seem to prefer the lighter or heavier bullets.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Now I know this gun can do a lot better than that. What other ammo can I try that might shoot better in this baby.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote> The gun might do better, but how do you know that it will?? If you've actually gotten better performance, why not continue to use the ammo that did it?? Yes, handloading has the potential to give you the performance you want, bu this cannot be predicted in advance, any more so than someone can tell you in advance that a certain commercial load will be better than others, either!! ALL RIFLES are individuals, and the only way you know what one will do is by shooting it! Same story with brands and types of ammo (even lot numbers within the exact same brand, weight and type of load!!!) m If you find a load that shoots the way you want, buy enough of that exact lot number so you won't have to go searching for a load all the time!!

Keep yore powder dry!!

Thanks guys,

I'll be searching for that perfect load. I think I'll stick with the commercials for now.

By the way, I tried fiddling with the action screws...

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions...

How much triger pull have you got on the Ruger?I am guessing from 5 to 8 lbs.In my years of hunting and shooting I have found that the trigger pull is the worst culpert of getting tighter groups.
I have a ruger mk11 and it came with a 7 1/2 lb triger,and a 77/50 with a 8lb trigger.After I worked the triggers and got them down to my likin both guns shoot very well.the mk11 will shoot less than 1 in groups after that.
this year my brother got a winchester in 30/06 and couldn't get a good group at 50 yds.I let him try some of my hand loads,still wouldn't get less than a 4in group at 50 yds,so I asked him to let me shoot it,the trigger pull was so hard I really had to struggle to hold the gun still while pulling the trigger.I checked it with my trigger guage and it had all most 9 lbs of trigger pull,I adjusted it too 3 lbs and he started getting less than 1 in groups at 50 yds.

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...ght&encore.jpg

start reloading it may not give you better accuracy (id be surprised if it didnt) and with the money you save per box shoot more and use the same amount of money

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

Get your trigger lightened. My ruger m77 markII's trigger was very heavy and my groups weren't to impressive. I brought it to a gunsmith and had it worked on. My groups with cheap core lokts are alot tighter.

Wow, Herman and LAHUNTER,

You guys are absolutely right... This thing has almost 7 lbs pull weight. A real eye opener. I've looked at everything else (from scope to lug screws), but for some reason forgot the trigger weight (cuz it was in my face all this time). Thanks guys...