I just got back from the range today with my son. He was sighting in a new Ruger 77 MKII in 6.5 Swede. Box stock rifle with Leupold 3x9 VX III scope. As about a common or yeoman type deer,boar, and maybe blackbear rifle as one can find.

As is common with factory Ruger sporter rifles the first 2 shots will touch at 100 yrds and the third will open up to 1 to 1 1/2 inches, every time. But the first 2 shots were always there. I was getting pissed and my son looked at me and said " Dad, when have we ever shot more than twice at anything ? "

I thought about this for a minute, now Josh has been hunting for 10 years, including 2 safaris to Africa, and he was exactly right !

I had worked hard to get my 338 Federal down to its potential, and had put alot of time in other rifles to get that small 3 or 5 shot group on a hunting rifle.

Josh feels confident if he can get 2 140gn NP"s into anything in the right place its down. He wasn't worried one bit.

Maybe we all could take something from the youngin's mindset as we go into the woods this fall. Put the first one where it needs to be and you don't have to worry about a 3 or 5 shot group......................................JJ

I had one hunter tell me " You always kill on a cold barrel ". This helped me sight in my .338 to its full potential, with 45-60 minutes inbetween each shot

Good advice... I also get caught up trying to milk the smallest 3 shot or 10 shot group out of every rifle that I own. However even the worst factory rifle with junk ammo will usually shoot much better than any of us can in field comditions.

Just like the "kill with a cold barell" we should remember that there arent many shooting benches in the deer woods.

I put all three in a 2" black bullseye in the wind and rain a few weeks ago.Since it consistantly shoots into 3/4",i called it good.

jjmiller

i like your son's way of thinking. when i'm getting my rifles ready to hunt with, about all i shoot are two shot groups. and BTW, his choice of cartridges ain't bad either. my son and i will both be shooting 6.5x55's this year.

good luck in the upcoming season

The small groups are good for confidence. I shoot almost all mine offhand only for the last couple of weeks before a hunting season. They are kept sighted in all year, I shoot at least once a week, so I already know what they'll do. Let the barrel cool, and that third shot may well fall in the group too. The Rugers have a pretty lighy barrel profile, so they heat up pretty quick.

I too shoot my rifles year round and then a little more intently before the season opens.
This year I'd worked all summer on shooting all the bugs out of my 9.3x62 and planned on using it on Elk this fall. Everything was a go until I shot it 2 nights before elk season and suddenly it is shooting 4" high instead of 2" high at 100 yards, no big deal I think so I adjust it down 8 clicks and shoot 2 shots touching but they are 2" right of the bull and 2" high, I'm shaken but not off my game so I adjust it 8 clicks left and now it is shooting 4" high at 12 o'clock again( a very nice 5 shot group I might add but not where it should be).
Well at this point I've lost confidence in the scope and pull the 3-9x40 Nikon Monarch off and replace with a spare 3-9x40 Leupold VX-1 I have on hand. Suddenly life is good and I'm ready the night before the elk opener!
That is a very rare occurance for me but when equipment fails it is never at a convenient time, usually I am done fiddling, loading and tweaking by about mid August for October and November Deer and Elk seasons. Thank god I had a spare Leupold to replace the Nikon at the last minute.
My sons rifle as usual was ready for action months ago and shoots 5 shots in 1.25-1.5" centered at 2" high at 100 yards. His is an old Ruger flatbolt in .284 Win. When he really pays attention and shoots a 3 shot group it is capable of .5 to .75".
The 9.3 is shooting very well with 2 shots nearly always touching and a third very close to turn in .75" groups very reliably.
All of this was for not as elk season ended today for us and we never fired a shot, saw several small bulls but no opportunities to close the deal, my son may be able to get a leftover cow tag for a later season for some more elk hunting.
Good luck to you all.

If we all take JJ's sons advice...bullet and ammo prices would come down too. We could help with the "shortage" of component metals. Just think of all the wasted ammo trying to eek the last little bit out of our loads. I need JJ's son to look into my finances, then maybe I would be able to get that DR.

The first one has to be perfect, the second better be darn close and the third ought to be some where in the neighborhood. I like the way your son thinks!

I have a very boring Rem 700 SS in 7Mag with a 6x42 Leupold on it. It shoots every bullet ever loaded into less than 1.5", and most under an inch. I haven't had to tweak a thing on it for 6 years.

Sighted it in again at the range this year before hunting season, just because, and got a personal best 1.95" 300 yard group with Barnes TSX's, off a concrete bench.

I probably would consider serious offers for the wife, before I'd sell this gun.

bone stock steyr light tactical. 4.5-14x44 ziess conquest 20" carbine BBl. 3 deer already. 1 behind the shoulder from way aways and another to put him down on the run through the neck. second deer up the nose and came to rest at the back of the head under the hide. 3rd was behind the ear at the base of the skull in and out.
rifle is a dream.
killed more deer than AMTRAK