I bought a Ruger 77 MKII recently in 6mm. I mounted a 3-9x Elite 3200 and the rifle has been glassbedded and the barrel floated. I broke the barrel in by shooting five shells one shot and clean and then shoot 3 and clean the next 15. The trigger has been worked so it is a crisp 3lb pull with no creep and no overtravel.

What is happening even with the factory load I broke the barrel in with is this. I have used five different bullets and two different powders and worked up loads from 2-1/2grs under max up to max with each bullet shooting 3 shot groups. With each load whether it looks like a good load or not will have two shots in the group and one out. I may have two shots in 1/4" and the third one will make it say 1-1/8" or whatever, this is a constant thing. I let the barrel cool 1 full minute between shots and the temperature has been around 40 degrees. I have checked the action screws and scope ring and base screws and all are tight, the barrel is floating like it should and I have checked the bedding, no problems I can see.

I am suspecting even though the scope is brand new there might be a problem with it. I don't know where else to look and I wanted to ask if any or you would have any idea of what it might be that is causing the problem? I have a Trophy 4-12 that I know is good and I am thinking of mounting that but I wanted to get your guys opinion first. Also would you feel it could be a problem with the crown?

Thank You in advance.
George

You didn't mention the caliber, but if it's anything other than a heavy-barreled varmint rifle I think I would be very happy with 11/8" groups from a factory hunting rifle! It sounds like the rifle may have the potential to do better (if its always the first two shots in 1/4") but despite what many would have you think, 11/8" is very good accuracy. I wouldn't give up trying to improve on this, but I think I would view it as improving on an already very accurate rifle IMO. If it's a varmint rifle I will agree that 11/8" doesn't cut it!

2351,
Try a longer cooling period, your barrel needs to return to air temperature for each shot.

Be mindfull of your benchrest technique, sometimes very small changes can make a difference. For instance, the sling swivel recoiling over the front bag can throw off the shot.

Finally, put a little shim in the tip of the bedding channel so the forearm exerts a slight upward pressure on the barrel. Some barrels don't like to float free.

Good luck.

2354,
My Son has a 77 Ruger, tang safety model that shoots .3"(and this ain't the varmint barrel) groups. Like yours, his is glassed and floated. First off make sure the barrel is free of all copper and then try this load, courtesy of Steve Riciardelli, 43.8gr.IMR 4350, 85gr Sierra HPBT,Remington cases,CCI BR primers,bullets seated .010" from the lands. This is a conservative load. My Son's rifle went from half dollar size groups to .3 with it. The above mentioned bullet works well on deer too.
Stepchild

stepchild2,

Yes I have tried the IMR4350 with the 85HPBT bullet and it gave me some of the best groups so far. I also know it is a very good bullet for deer, that is why I have been working with the bullet. My other 6mm and my 243 prefer IMR4831 with this bullet. I have the rifle at the gunsmiths right now as he is putting a target crown on for me to see if that is the problem.

As a note I use Win cases and Fed210M for all my guns and loads.

Thank you for your reply, I will let everyone know if the recrowning solves the problem.

I have a Ruger 77R in 250-3000 that does the same thing. It will put 2 almost touching then the 3rd shot will open to 1.5". It does this consistantly. I just traded for this rifle and haven't got around to exploring the possibilities yet. It is as it came from the factory ( unaltered). I would be interested in any solution that you find. Rojelio

I have a .270 in a Rem 700 mountain rifle that does the same thing; two shots almost touching, then the third (and more)will be an inch out of the group. Dduring the last deer season,got a brainstorm and waited 20 min. between shots. 130 SST's and 140 Accubonds both shot three into just under 1/2". The mountain rifle has a barrel even smaller than the R77, and my guess is that the light barrel is the problem, but who cares as long as the first shot is dead on?

jmbn

Even though it was cold and the wind was blowing at 10 to 15mph this morning I went to the range to test my Ruger. My gunsmith put a target crown on it Friday for me. I loaded the same series of loads that I last shot through the gun. IMR4350 from 44.5gr to 47.0gr in 1/2gr increments, the two loads it shot with the best shot better today and the loads it didn't like shot the same or a little worse. Thursday it shot 45.0gr into 1-3/8" with two in 1/4" and 47.0gr into 1-3/16" with two into 7/16". Today it shot 45.0gr into 3/8" and it shot the 47.0gr load into 1/2". As far as I can see the gun is fixed and I hope this information will help someone else.

Thank you all for your help!!

I had the exact same problem with my 77MkII in 270. Floated the barrel, bedded the action and 2" in front of recoil lug, Timney trigger, adjusted tension of action screws(I've had afew 77's, so I know what works!) developed loads in .2g increments from 5% below max to .5 g above max. Found that my rifle doesn't like Nosler Ballistic tips. Changed bullet, powder, primer, a little bit better, but not great. I trim all my brass each time I use it. As far as I could see, total consistency in prep and construction of loads, barrel cleaned, etc., etc. Frustrating! Over a period of time, however, I noticed the groups getting tighter. I've probably put about 300 shots through this rifle, and it now shoots .5" 5 shot groups at 100yds with 110g and 130g bullets, and two brands of bullet in 130g. And I don't wait for the barrel to cool between shots!! If I'm hunting pigs, I can need to get off 5 shots very quickly (yes I know the mag holds 4, but put one up the spout when you're ready to shoot and you have 5). I do, however, wait for the barrel to cool down so that it's cool enough to hold without hurting between groups. Sometimes I don't even wait that long - I get bored at the range, and this is a hunting rifle. It will also place these groups with a clean or dirty barrel - consistently. Dirty to me means about 50 shots have been fired - over that, it tends to open up a bit, but is still OK for field work. I know from experience that 1" is fine for this type of rifle, but I like the confidence that accuracy brings - and I LOVE being able to pick something off at a decent range when my mates tell me that Rugers aren't accurate! Maybe the rifle just needed to settle in?