ruger accuracy

[jl1966]

I recently aquired a M77 in .22-250, it is stainless with a synthetic stock. Group size with a couple of different types of ammo is not all that impressive. Average group size is 3-4 inches, well centered, but not what I am looking for in a varmint gun. I am a ruger fan and have two other M77 rifles that I love, and yes I have heard the " Rugers are junk" line so please spare me that. I have read different theories about the method of tightening the two trigger guard screws and the bedding screw on this rifle and am going to try this first. Does any one here have any input on this or anything else I could try, short of major work like glass bedding and such. a rifle that wont shoot is a rifle that wont shoot, and I am not going to throw good money at it, not with plenty of other good rifles out there.
Thanks,
J.L.

[Jack]

The way I tighten Ruger 77 actions screws (or any 3 screw action, for that matter) is: tighten the front action screw fairly firmly, the rear screw less tightly, and the middle screw 1/4 turn past dead loose.
That usually gives me the best results.
Is this a new rifle or a used one?

[skb2706]

In my very limited experience I believe that most rifle 'problems' can be fixed with only minor tweaking. A modern bolt rifle chambered in 22-250 that shoots average 3 inch groups has issues. I would check to make sure you have no side contact of barrel to stock in the barrel channel, find a proven consistent accurate load, check all my scope attachement points, check barrel crown and give it another go. One other point.......glass bedding a rifle is hardly a "major project" and very often solves accuracy problems.

[Rustywreck]

what is "glass bedding a rifle?"

[Catfish]

Glass bedding is when you take the barreled action out of the stock and then cut some extra wood from the area of the action. You then put glass bedding matteral in that area and put the barreled action back in. The glass will harden back around the action and mke it more solid. ( very short version.)

[jl1966]

It is a used rifle, the guy I got it from says he got better groups than that. I have only messed with it a little, due to work taking up time, along with screwy weather. Ruger says tighten front action screw, then alternate on the trigger guard screws, tightening them equally.

[squirrelman]

The problem with Ruger is once in a while they farm out their barrel production to some other firms. I have had a .243,257.44mag lever and a 270 that were the same situation that you have. Terrible accuracy. I have a 44 mag deerfield and a mod 77 in 308 that are outstanding. The is a definate difference between how these two groups, barrels are inside. The first group had chatter marks on the inside of their barrels. The second group did not. I hope you find a solution to your problem.

[George Foster]

If it were me I would also check the crown.

[scalerman]

My Ruger #1 shot all over the place until I took care of the fact that the barrel was touching the stock on one side. As soon as I addressed that issue it became the tack driver I knew it could be.

[rainydays]

I have two Rugers. Neither one was very accurate out of the box.
My fix was to; get an acceptable trigger pull,2-3 lbs., free float the barrel, and really concentrate on removing the copper fouling. Mine fouled very badly. With these items, both are very good shooters now, less than 1/2 moa. Developing a good load could also be very important. Good luck with yours.

[moneychanger]

i've got a # and a m77. both 270 both pretty accurate.
i take from your post you are using factory ammo. maybe that gun don't like what you fed it so far. try one more brand ,if still the same scattered results contact ruger.

one last question , did you check your scope ring and mounts make sure everything is snugged down?

good luck ,dan.