I am having my Ruger 77 MkII in 7.62x39 rebarreled to 6MM PPC. My smith will be using a Krieger bbl in stainless(the action is stainless). I have not used a Krieger so could anyone advise me on their reputation? I believe the bbl is their lt varmint contour. Thanks, Cobalt

As good as any other barrel made.

Among high power competitors they have a reputation as being the cream of the crop. I have on an AR15 service rifle that still holds sub moa at 600 yards after over 6000 rounds. They are know for being a bit "tight bored" so work up your loads.

Krieger, Hart, Shilen, Pac-nor, Lilja, Lothar Walther and probably some I have forgotten are all considered to be top quality barrel makers. It is pretty much luck of the draw, any particular barrel can be extra fine and every now and then they all make a bad one. As far as I know, they all stand behind their product 100%, assuming the problem lies in the barrel and not the gunsmithing. No barrel is going to shoot well, if the smith cuts an off centered chamber, which happens all too often with lesser known smiths.

Its one of the finest barrels on the market. Cut rifling and hand lapped. When you get it take a look down the bore and tell me you aren't impressed! It will foul less than most other barrels on the market too...

Cobalt

You got nothing to worry about the barrel, I would worry more about the action
Krieger barrels are well made and often shoots like a house on fire

I had one rifle built with krieger barrel, I regrett I sold the damn rifle

/ JOHAN

The Krieger barrel is cut-rifled and is an excellent choice. The problem with your project involves the choice of action. You are wasting your money on the barrel by having it fitted to a Ruger action; especially in that caliber.

Hello Cobalt,

I am a Ruger fan, but have never tried to build a competition rifle out of an M77 action. With proper gunsmithing, I do not know why they can not be made as accurate as (for example) a Rem M700 (I am aware that there are not as many aftermarket trigger choices). It would be nice for those who know to state why they won't work, rather than just saying that you're wasting your time and a good barrel blank.

One thing to consider before you get too far, though, is that the PPC case rim diameter is smaller than the 308/30-06 family of cartridges, so you may have bolt/extractor issues to resolve. The BR family has this common rim diameter, and should work with no mod if the bolt was from 308/30-06 family gun.

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

Bill

I'll try to put it in simple terms. It would be like putting a big-block chevy in a volkswagon "Thing". Not that it can't be done, but why waste your time and money. In other words, you ain't gonna get the kind of accuracy out of that action that that cartridge is capable of.

He didn't say anything about using this for competition, so I don't see the need to bash the ruger. He also said he's starting with a 7.62X39, which is the same parent case as the 6 PPC. If one is looking for a compact varmint rig, this should be a neat set up.

Just because most smith's don't use the M77 doesn't mean it isn't a decent action, or capable of good groups. I wouldn't build a BR gun on the action, but I also wouldn't use an M700 either.

Paul echoes my sentiments.

I've built multiple Ruger customs,never regretted it yet. They include 22K-Hornets,22-250,22-250AI and 7mm RemMag. Those on a MK I's and II's,blued and S/S both.

Please understand that I am an unabashed Remington 700 Slut,of the highest order. That being said,I can't cuss a massaged Ruger of good components,built by somebody in the know. Robar makes a pretty snazzy Tactical Rifle based on a Ruger MK II short action,for naysayers.

While I wouldn't expect to win the Super Shoot,with a 77 based 6PPC,I would have 100% confidence that it would shoot very,very well and that without a second's hesitation................

Paul,
You are correct in that I am not building a bench rest rifle. Just a toy since I do not have a sub .30 cal rifle(except rim fire). The only reason I am using a Krieger bbl is that my smith has one in 6mm (stainless) that I can have for $165 new. I guess I could tell him to order a Douglas bbl for the same cost because the Ruger action isn't worthy of a BR quality bbl The thing I dislike most about the Ruger is the trigger. I will have the smith either modify or replace the unit. Will keep the forum posted. Cobalt

If you take a Ruger action and square it up as necessary plus rework the trigger (or install an aftermarket), then install a fine barrel such as a Kreiger and bed the whole works properly, it'll likely shoot with superb accuracy. Heck, I've seen some out-of-box Ruger M-77 Mark IIs at our local rifle club that were superbly accurate with little or no special work whatsoever........

AD

Cobalt,

On my wifes 308 M77 Mk II, I polished all surfaces of the trigger, and installed an over travel screw for the trigger. It is one of my favorite triggers. You may need to put a lighter trigger return spring in to drop the weight, as Ruger has apperently gone to stiffer springs somewhere in the last 10 years.

I do have Ruger in 6.5 X 284 set up with a 29" Krieger barrel. Shoots tiny ones. The action certainly wasn't my first choice for accuracy, but it performs very well.

Cobalt, I had Krieger rework my 700 action, true the bolt and lugs, and install a 28" .338 Ultra Mag barrel with a Vias brake for me. When the jerk behind the trigger does his part I've gotten 3 shot groups in 3/8" at 100 yards. This is with a varitey of hunting bullets ( Partitions, Gamekings, Balistic tips). A couple of days ago I shot under 1 1/2" at 300 yards.

I would sure rather have a Ruger action than a Remington on a hunting rifle and a Ruger/Krieger combo should give you 1" groups or better...

I haven't checked the Krieger price list lately, but just from what I remember, that sounds like a killer price for that barrel. I predict you're gonna love it. Plus, 6PPC is so superior to 7.62x39 that you're going to see drastic improvements in both accuracy and range. Let us know how she shoots.