Dear friends I just asked assistance in another "brother site" regarding the disappointing performances I am having from my new Ruger 77/22 Hornet. I used the IMR4227, Winchester 296 and Vihtavuory N110 that are what I can have here in Italy following the charges from Sierra Manual using a 45 gr Speer SP and a Fiocchi SR. I some time get a good group close to a inch while the next one(every thing beeing equal) enlargers to the double or more. I tried different cartridge lenghs and I pay attention to the wind blowing. Since it is 15 years that I reload with a fairly good satisfaction I feel really frustrated to don't be able to have this small cartridge working properly.

I suspect that the barrel have to be free floated but I really don't know if it is the definitive cure.
I beging to be scared that the rifle may have some fault.

Is this Hornet famous as a not costant load you are aware of?.

Thanks for any help

Enrico

There are fellows on this forum that have a lot more experience with the Hornet than I, but my Ruger did the same thing yours is doing until I bedded the action in AcraGlass and floated the barrel.

It became a consistent MOA shooter after that with a variety of loads. My rifle did especially well with the 46gr Winchester Hollow Point and 11.0gr WW296 in WW cases, WSR primers and OAL at 1.72". This is a moderate load and will be safe in any good Hornet. It averaged around 3/4" in my rifle.

Don't give up yet! Once you get her shooting you'll be well rewarded.

Tim

The Ruger 77/22H is famous for accuracy problems. There is an entire treatise on a web site (I've lost the address now) that details accurizing steps with this troublesome little gun.

I have a Ruger 77/22H which the previous owner rebarreled to .22K-Hornet, put on a new trigger, and rebedded which now shoots wonderfully. But it was expensive and a lot of work!