Ruger 77-17 accuracy?

[TRECustom]

Still trying to find a really accurate 17 HMR. If this one pans out, I have an option on it.

I took it out of the stock (factory walnut) and it has tip pressure. I'll shoot it just like it is. If it shows promise, I have the owners permission to freefloat the barrel, with the proviso that I put tip pressure back in it if it shoots worse. I'm looking for at least 1 moa, and would be very happy with 1/2 moa. I'd like to be able to hit a turkey's neck at 100 yds.

We're having a seige of crappy weather, but when it breaks, I'll head for the range. I'm trying not to get my hopes up. Also am deciding what scope to try on it. One thing I decided about 6 months ago was no more scopes on rimfires without parallax adjustment. Every non-adjustable scope I have checked has some parallax at 50 yds, and more at 20 yds. A couple have slight parallax at 100 yds.

I like that it has a steel receiver.

Any advice from those of you who have experience with this rifle would be appreciated before I start burning ammo.

Thanks, Tom

 

[FClasser]

Tom:
If you end up with the Ruger, contact www.ct-precision.com . He works wonders on Rugers and is very reasonable and fast turn around !!! He has done about three Rugers for me and the workmanship was outstanding. I highly recommend his work !! This will at least give you another option. His company is called Connecticut Precision Chambering.
Tom Nichols

 

[SS427]

I have one and accuracy is about 1.25 inch on average at 100 yards. Had a Savage and it would do better, but not all that much. Maybe in a tunnel they shoot better, but any little puff of wind blows the bullet around. I would get an occassional good group but that would be it. I gave up on target shooting my .17 HMRs and use them for shooting varmints, mostly sage rats.

I took the pressure point out of my stock and fully floated the barrel. That didn't help or hurt accuracy. It did however lower the end of the barrel enough that the scope I had on it didn't have enough adjustment to match POI with POA. Ended up putting a different scope on it.

With all that said, it is a great gun for varmint hunting. I sold the Savage thumbhole stock model I had because the Ruger was so much more comfortable to carry in the field and a more refined rifle. It has a really good trigger, and I was able to lighten it by cutting a coil off the trigger spring. Fantastic gun, but I would never expect to shoot 1/2 moa groups. Good thing sage rats are a couple inches wide.

 

[TRECustom]

Thanks for the replies. I would hope for better accuracy, but will probably end up putting a Lilja barrel on whatever I decide to keep. That may be what it takes to get the accuracy I want.

Thanks for the link Fclasser, and the info, Otter.

Tom

 

[ARW]

I have a custom 77/17 with a Lilja .920 straight bull barrel that has less than 300 rounds thru it for sale as a complete rifle or to part out.

Let me know if you are interested.

 

[TRECustom]

ARW, thanks for the offer. Haven't been able to shoot this one yet, but the price is right, so I need to get off the dime.

Thanks again, Tom

 

[fastcars69]

Buy a Savage. Half inch at a 100 yards with no wind and a nine power Bushnell. Right out of the box. Just tweaked the action screws is all that was done with it.

Bill

 

[SS427]

The Chuck Hawks website has probably done and published the most testing of 17 HMRs I've seen. These are the results for the all the rifles they have tested.

AVERAGE GROUP SIZE WITH MOST ACCURATE BRAND OF AMMUNITION

Remington Model 547 Custom C Grade - 0.69" (Remington)
Anschutz Model 1717 D Classic - 0.73" (CCI)
Thompson/Center Contender G2 - 0.80" (Remington)
Remington Model 597 LS HB - 0.84" (CCI)
Anschutz Model 1717 D KL - 0.93" (Remington)
Weatherby Mark XXII - 0.94" (Hornady)
CZ Model 452-2E American - 0.96" (CCI)
Remington Model 504-T LS HB - 0.98" (Federal)
Marlin Model 917VS ("A")* - 1.0" (Hornady)
Savage Model 93R17-BVSS - 1.0" (Remington)
Anschutz Model 1502 D HB - 1.06" (Hornady - M2)
Marlin Model 917VS ("B")* - 1.13" (Hornady)
(TIE) Savage Model 93R17-BTVS - 1.17" (CCI)
Savage Model 93R17 Classic - 1.17" (Winchester)
Ruger Model 77/17VMBBZ ("A")* - 1.25" (Hornady)
Stevens Favorite Model 30R17 - 1.27" (Hornady & Remington - tie)
Henry Golden Boy - 1.40" (Remington)
Ruger Model 77/17VMBBZ ("B")* - 1.47" (CCI)
Winchester 1885 Low Wall - 1.5" (Remington)

What surprises me the most is the Thompson Contender in the top three. What doesn't surprise me are the Anschutz rifles at the top of the list. (The Weatherby is actually made by Anschutz.)

The entire artcle is on the free side of the Hawks website if you want to go read it yourself.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/17HMR_rifle_accuracy_results.htm

 

[TRECustom]

Thanks again Otter!

Bookmarked the link, Tom

 

[1deadpdog]

I don't do MOA's much, but the biggest trick I've found with mine, Savage 93R17 and H&R Sporter Bull Barrel, they'll both do consistent headshots on the Pdogs at 100-175 yds... Boresnake every 5- 10 rds.. A pain, but rewarding! They're sensetive to any crap in the barrel, powder, copper.. Usually the first shot I miss that I SHOULD have splattered, I clean.. Just two swipes, I'm back in business.. Just my two cents, which ain't worth much these days.. I like the Hornady 17gr's the best, tho the 20gr's hold in the breeze a tiny bit better..

 

[Jericho]

Hey ARW,
Just wondered if you still have that Ruger custom for sale?
Best Regards,
Dan

 

[potatoe]

Hey ARW,
Just wondered if you still have that Ruger custom for sale?
Best Regards,
Dan

He sold that a few weeks ago

 

[hogpatrol]

I've owned and shot 17 rimfire Savages and for the money and mission, they work fine. If it's doable, buy an Annie and don't look back. Good barrels, great triggers, stocks are a little cheap but they'll shoot great right out of the box. I have CZs in hmr and hm2 and they are half the price of an annie but also shoot great. As with all the HMRs & HM2s, try every different ammo to see which one shoots best. You could go from a 100 yd. two inch group to a 3/4 inch group just by changing ammo.