Ruger 243 target rifle

[oldreliable45120]

I'm having some trouble with my ruger M77 Target 243 rifle. I think trouble is being kind. This piece of crap wont shoot less than 1 1/2' at 100yrds. So far I've tried 68 bergers and 105 A-max, IMR-4350,4064,4831,Benchmark,and Varget. Have't had any luck yet and I'm at the point of rebarreling or giving up!! From everyone I know who has one they love theirs,243 that is). I thought 243 was supposed to be accurate,what gives. Heres the rifle specs.
Ruger MK2 M77 Target 243
26'barrel
Ziess 6.5-20x50 scope,put this on figuring other scope went bad)

I did all the usuall checks barrrel is freee floating,and stock screws aer tight. Any help would greatful Thanks

 

[CPorter]

I forget what twist rate that has but try the 87gr Vmax or the 90 gr Nosler with the IMR-4831 or 4350. The sweet spots for 4831 should be close to 42.6 grains,3003 fps)and 45.3 grains,3220) and OAL of 2.720'. For the 4350 about 43.8 gr,3221). The loads at 3200 fps+ are near max so work up to them.

Check your crown to see if it got dinged. Does the barrel copper fast?

 

[1000yardstare]

oldreliable: Just got me a .308 Ruger Target rifle. Am reporting on it in more detail in another thread under Main Message Board. So far I get the impression that if the rifle does not like a bullet you will be looking at patterns, not groups. And it is a mass produced factory rifle so a certain amount of break-in will be required. I shot a 1 3/8 group at 200 metres,220yds) today off a bench with 178 AMax. Only the 6th or so group shot so far in a brand new barrel. Am ordering 208 gr AMax because have a feeling the heavier the better with this rifle.

CPorter has a good point on the crown. It is almost a given these days that mass produced target barrels have to be recrowned as soon as you buy them. I am having the Ruger recrowned as soon as possible. May even order Brownell`s recrowning kit.

 

[LittlefieldK]

You will need a 1/8 twist barrel to shoot the 105. Try the 90 Nosler Ballistic Tip. I use 4831 with mine.

 

[rls]

Circa 1974 Ruger 77V.

Twist is I think 1:10. Shoots mid-190's at 600 with Sierra 90 gr and 38.5 grs 4320. Short range load is Sierra 75 gr HP with 38.5 grs 4895.

 

[NORZ]

I have a Ruger 77 MkII in .308. it has about 1500 rounds through it. It has a 1/10 twist rate and liked mostly 168 SMK and shot them under 1/2 MOA.

However it didn't take many shots before the groups turned into patterns, but miraculously returned to smaller groups if I let the barrels go uncleaned for 100-200 rounds.

The barrel on mine is hammer forged,as do all current full-bore rugers) and if you look into the barrel you might notice circular marks that don't spiral like a reamer would produce, these seem to be impressions by the forging process.

I decided to take the Molybdenumdisulphite path....and after a 100 rounds or so,without aggressive cleaning) it always, and constantly shooting its favorite loads 185 Scenar right under 1/2 MOA. Cold bore shots and boiling hot strings...... doesn't matter. Its always 1/2 MOA from 100 meters and on....!

PS. I also changed the trigger group and springs. That is probably the most important mod you can make to any Ruger M77 Mk II Target rifle.