Old Gun Likes New Bullets

I posted previously about a like-new 1975 Remington 40XBR 222 I just acquired, yesterday I shot 5 shot groups with 1970’s vintage Sierra 52g hpbt and Sierra 53g flat base bullets, both were marked “ benchrest “. I also shot a group with 52g Berger Target bullets. All the loads were 21.0g N133 with 7 1/2 primers.
Preliminary results but the Bergers will certainly get more load development. This was the first time I ever shot a Remington factory 2oz trigger- can’t imagine a better trigger on a bench gun.

 

That is a very slick looking rig; hell of a shooter too.

 

There you go again.....!

Gasp...trying to catch my breath.

BTW, my Superior (bilt in 60's) loves that Berger bullet. I've not tried any handmade 22 bullets. But the Berger sure is good.

 

I have a twin of your rifle. For many years was happy with Sierras, but always wanted to try Bergers. Thanks for the shove.

 

Nice! Some of those old guns will shoot lights out

I have an ALL original near mint 1968 Ruger M77 in 6mm Remington with the heavy 24" varmint barrel. With modern powders and bullets, it can shoot groups in the .2's and ocassional high .1's if I shake it just right. Lol.
Simply amazing what some of those old rifles will still do

 

I also have one they are fun to shoot

 

The latest Rifle magazine is a double issue in one - the Jan 2019 issue and within is their first issue- Jan 1969; the cover article is the new 1968 Ruger Classic 77 and in the 2019 an article “Original Ruger M77”

I have a tang safety 77 in 22-250 that shoots 1/2 min and ended many coyotes before their time.

Lot of value in Ruger firearms

 

I also have a tang safety Ruger 77 , made in 1974. 220 Swift hvy barrel. Not only is it beautiful, but very accurate. 52 g Bergers- best load...

 

no frills, just thrills.

 

I looked on the website of Rifle magazine but couldnt find that issue. I'll have to hit the stores to see if I can find it! Would love to have that issue to go with my rifle. I like having documentation to go with old firearms and accessories

I have an old 1970's 6-18x Japanese Tasco Benchrest Target scope that's not very practical for modern use. I keep it in a baseball bat shadow box display case with original old advertising flyer and an original Tasco collimator set from the period. People always ask me "what the hell kind of scope is that!? It's huge!" Lol.

 

I knew tasco copied the BAlvar, but didn't know they copied Unertle.

i learn everyday. Sometimes the same thing i learned yesterday and forgot!

 

I had a .22 Waldog that just loved the 52 Berger bullets. Many groups in the .1's. Will have another as soon as my 6PPC dies. Lots of fun beating up on the PPC's occasionally! !

Paul

 

and a waldog is???

 

It’s amazing, some of those vintage Sierras shoot surprisingly well. I shot some of the BR’s and the 55 btsp in my 40X 22-250 a couple weeks ago into mostly single round holes.
Fortunately I still have resonable supplies of both

 

I recall reading an article years ago about the Balvar scopes (Baush & Lomb). If I remember correctly, they stated B&L was the first manufacturer to successfully build a dependable fog proof variable power scope that didn't shift POA with mag changes. I believe it was their Balvar 2.5-8x. It was an amazing accomplishment at the time.

 

Funny , I was wandering thru an old safe and found a brand new Ruger 77 RS with the red bag of rings attached . I forgot about it , it was purchased in a gunshop purchase FROM 1982 . The rifle is from 77 or 78 .
I don't know if I'll sell it or sell it . I don't need to shoot it I'm sure some collector would like it better than me . Found a few more NOS long guns . I certainly wish I had found some old Tascos like LEDD SLINGER has . That I would use .

 

Last year I bought a customized 30-06 Enfield 1917 rifle with a Balvar 8 scope mounted on it. The last time it was shot was when the owners son took it deer hunting when he came home from Vietnam, I loaded some ammo and took it out to shoot it and it was still sighted in. That tells you something about the scope and mounting system.
drags

 

Yeah quality was a HUGE deal back then. Every manufacturer put everything they had into every scope. There were no "different" grades of glass and features. They all had the best glass and durability the companies could offer. There was only one type of Leupold scope and it they all had a golden ring. My Japanese Tascos are 40 years old and still perform perfectly with amazingly clear glass.