Hi,

Been considering a new rifle, and the Ruger has received good reviews. Also having handled it, it feels solid and mounts nicely.

My question is about .30-06 and larger cals.
When chambered for .30-06, how well does the gun generally shoot heavier bullets, i.e. heavier than 180grs?
I know that with 180grs it can be simply staggeringly accurate.
Also, it seems some bullets the gun dislikes very strongly, indeed. Has anyone tried re-bedding it, and if so, did it help in getting more consistent groups with a variety of bullets?

Second question is about conversion to larger calibers, especially .338-06 or 9,3x62.
Has anyone tried this? What were your experiences?
I suppose that if yes, then it's via barrel change. Do you know if Ruger supplies custom calibers, I presume they do.
(And for those liking the .35 Whelen: so do I, but in Europe the 9,3 is a far more viable option. Bullets for the .35 would be available but cases need to be ordered or made.)

I have a plain Jane Ruger 77 Mk II in '06. Can't say I've shot heavier then 180s as my backup elk load is the 180 Barnes TTSX which it shoots very accurately. I had the lawyer trigger worked on and had the hockey puck pad replaced with a Pachmeyer. Those are the only mods to the gun. All I can say is it always feeds and always is accurate. I'll take that.

Can't say much on rechambering because mine will remain an '06 as long as I own it. When I want more boom I shoot my 338-378 Wby so I'm covered from PDs up through anything that can leagally be hunted with a 338 cal bullet.

Ken....

Never heard of Ruger offering custom rifles. However having a new 9.3 or .338 barrel put on your action is no big deal. And thats the only thing that would need to be changed on that rifle. Ruger IS offering the Hawkeye in 35 Whelen according to their website, however. I'd suggest that for the "different" factor for you. Kind of like the guys here in the states that chose the 9.3x62 over the Whelen lol. Cases (for either the 338 or 35) are very simple to make from 30-06 brass. You can get brass for either, as the 338-06 was standardized by A-Square and Weatherby. It might be a bit of an investment, but, buy 100 pieces of brass and dies, and you should be set for years to come.

Here is a group I shot from a ruger all weather 350 rem mag. It was the first handload I put through the rifle. I did nothing to the bedding or heavy factory trigger.



For the $, I don't think you can buy a better hunting rifle. Very tough, reasonably accurate and the triggers are well designed for hunting, they just come rough and too heavy. Have a gunsmith polish up the trigger and fit a lighter spring and you are good to go.

I had one for only a short while and shot some Federal 180gr partitions...about 1 1/4" groups everytime. I liked the factory trigger just fine ..

For a good , solid, dependable rifle, I think they are hard to beat..for the price anyway..

my gun was a 30-06

i have a mk2 chambered in 30-06 and i shoot 180gr partition handloads for deer, hogs, and elk. it shoots at moa if i do my part. i had the action bedded, free floated the barrel, and had the trigger adjusted to 3 lbs. rugers are outstanding rifles imo. i have never found the need to shoot bullets heavier than 180. imo, a 180gr partition will do anything one wants from a 30-06. you might consider a larger caliber (33 or 35) if you want to shoot those 230's and up, but it seems to me the 180's would handle anything in finland. whatever you decide, i wish you good luck.

I bought a newer Ruger MK2 Stainless Steel Left Hand Laminate 30-06 and it shoots very well.
Here are examples all shot at 100 yards.
165 Nosler BT 3 @ .426"
" 3@ 1.054
168 Barnes TSX 3 @ 2.11"
165 Nosler P 3 2.6"
" 3@1.4"
200 Gr Speer 3@.61"

165 NP 3@2" 2@.8"
180 Speer Mag Tip3@1.5"
180 Speer 3@1.5"
I also have a LH Ruger 77 in .35 Whelen with a custom barrel and it is an extremly accurate rifle.