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Started By
Message
Ruger 30.06 not grouping well
Posted on 6/24/13 at 9:05 pm
Posted on 6/24/13 at 9:05 pm
Need some advice...I have a ruger m77. 30.06 with a Nikon scope. I have only used 165 gr(reloads) and 150 gr (factory) ammo. Problems is that with both I can group or link two shots then the next four to five are erratic.
Could it be the gun, the scope, or is the gun not liking the bullets and/or gr?
All screws are tight on the scope mount also....TIA
Could it be the gun, the scope, or is the gun not liking the bullets and/or gr?
All screws are tight on the scope mount also....TIA
Posted on 6/24/13 at 9:09 pm to magicman534
Consistently get the first two good every time?
Barrel getting too hot is my first guess
Barrel getting too hot is my first guess
Posted on 6/24/13 at 9:10 pm to magicman534
Scope mount is tight, but are the action screws?
What twist is the barrel?
Where did the reloads come from?
Barrel free floated?
A good easy thing to do, is to bed the action in the stock. A gunsmith can do it, but there are a bunch of videos of how to do it online.
What twist is the barrel?
Where did the reloads come from?
Barrel free floated?
A good easy thing to do, is to bed the action in the stock. A gunsmith can do it, but there are a bunch of videos of how to do it online.
Posted on 6/24/13 at 9:10 pm to magicman534
Is your barrel over heating?
Posted on 6/24/13 at 9:15 pm to magicman534
Its hard to say with any certainty without seeing and shooting the rifle (and even then it's guess work), but it sounds like it may be an issue with the barrel getting hot.
Send one down range. Put a LOT of effort into making a good shot. Get a good rest and take your time. Then go put the rifle in the truck with the AC going. Let it cool down. Then shoot the same way. That's where I would start. If it still acts up come back and we'll try something else.
Send one down range. Put a LOT of effort into making a good shot. Get a good rest and take your time. Then go put the rifle in the truck with the AC going. Let it cool down. Then shoot the same way. That's where I would start. If it still acts up come back and we'll try something else.
Posted on 6/24/13 at 9:16 pm to magicman534
quote:
Barrel getting too hot is my first guess
Posted on 6/24/13 at 9:53 pm to magicman534
I think something is loose or something is touching the barrel.
How many rounds have you shot thru the bore? Is it broke in?
Could be the scope, take it off and put on a different rife, see if it groups.
Could be heat. Shoot one shot. Wait til tomorrow shoot again, etc see if it'll group. It'll take a while, but in reality that's how we shoot when we hunt. We shoot with a cold bore, one shot.
Are you flinching? Let someone else shoot it.
Honestly, I think the stock is touching the barrel. See if you can slide a dollar bill between the stock and barrel all the way to the action.
How many rounds have you shot thru the bore? Is it broke in?
Could be the scope, take it off and put on a different rife, see if it groups.
Could be heat. Shoot one shot. Wait til tomorrow shoot again, etc see if it'll group. It'll take a while, but in reality that's how we shoot when we hunt. We shoot with a cold bore, one shot.
Are you flinching? Let someone else shoot it.
Honestly, I think the stock is touching the barrel. See if you can slide a dollar bill between the stock and barrel all the way to the action.
Posted on 6/24/13 at 10:27 pm to magicman534
It sounds like it is your action screws. I believe they come from ruger set at like 95 inch pounds, which is insanely tight.
The 77 has three action screws, front middle and rear. Pull them and clean the threads with alcohol, the put a little blue loctite on them and boom the front one down tight as hell, the rear one a little less, and the middle one just snug. The front one is the one that is probably loose and causing your problem.
The 77 has three action screws, front middle and rear. Pull them and clean the threads with alcohol, the put a little blue loctite on them and boom the front one down tight as hell, the rear one a little less, and the middle one just snug. The front one is the one that is probably loose and causing your problem.
Posted on 6/25/13 at 5:38 am to magicman534
Everyone has already mentioned pretty good points, but I'll throw out a couple also.
First, how big are your five shot groups?
Five shot groups are not usually great with most factory rifles.
Second, how many rounds have been through the gun?
Is the barrel broken in yet, or maybe it's time for a cleaning.
A dirty barrel can affect your accuracy.
First, how big are your five shot groups?
Five shot groups are not usually great with most factory rifles.
Second, how many rounds have been through the gun?
Is the barrel broken in yet, or maybe it's time for a cleaning.
A dirty barrel can affect your accuracy.
Posted on 6/25/13 at 10:43 am to magicman534
I had a varmint heavy barrel 308 Ruger. It had a presure point as it was not free floated. Got rid of it after the action screw in the bottom would come loose after a couple of rounds no matter how muchlocktite and tight you got it. It once went off when I closed the bolt. Luckily I always gently but firmly close the bolt withthe gun on the sand bags pointed down range. Had a can-jar trigger in that gun. It Jared.
Posted on 6/25/13 at 11:57 am to magicman534
quote:
Problems is that with both I can group or link two shots then the next four to five are erratic.
Measuring the bullet holes center to center of the extreme spread, what size groups are you getting? I'll make some specific recs on the assumption that the accuracy is suboptimal.
quote:
Could it be the gun, the scope, or is the gun not liking the bullets and/or gr?
Yes, yes, yes and/or prolly not. You're going to have to work through a stepwise process to figure it out. Based on current info, I'd suspect a high point creating pressure on the stock, a problem w/ the scope, a problem w/ the rings/base or a problem w/ the action screws. Erratic shots sound more like a problem w/ the scope, ring, mounts or action screws. If there's a problem w/ a pressure point, the shots will gradually move in the direction AWAY from the pressure point.
A few things specific about Ruger. Their rifle barrels are not usually free floated the entire length of the barrel channel; there's usually a pressure point at the forend. Second, some have had signifiant accuracy issues w/ Rugers that are dependent the sequence of tightening up the 3 action screws. I worked w/ a friend's Ruger bolt action that became a LOT more accurate once I tightened the action screws in the correct sequence and torgue. I don't remember the specifics at this time, but you should be able to Google it.
1. Rule out a problem w/ the scope by changing to a scope you already know to be RELIABLE.
2. Remount the base, using BLUE Loc-Tite (NOT red). I always use the $10 Weaver bases, even on my prairie dog handguns. Easy, and cheap enough, to try your rifle w/ a Weaver base.ETA: Before installing the scope base w/ Loc-Tite, individually check the length of each screw. Put the base in place, then screw in a screw into the intended hole. If the base is not TIGHT, the screw is too long. If the screw is too long, cut off the excess w/ a Dremel tool or get a new screw. It should have a minimum of 3 threads for it to have adequate strength. If it doesn't, it's too short and will need to be replaced. Repeat this step w/ each screw in a different hole.
3. Remount the rings. I don't use Loc-Tite on the rings. Be sure the screws attaching the upper/lower rings are equally tightened. If the rings have not been lapped, do so. If you don't have the equipment to lap them or don't feel comfortable doing it, change the rings to Burris Signature Z-Rings (the ones w/ plastic inserts).
4. Check for any high spots in the barrel channel or action part of the stock.
5. As mentioned, the barrel should already be free floated from the pressure point to just in front of the action; if not, make it so. If it still doesn't shoot well, free float the pressure point at the forend of the stock. If needed, you can always recreate a pressure point on the barrel at the front tip of your stock by putting 1-2 business cards at the very front of the stock in the barrel channel. You can Google all this or look on YouTube.
6. Check the action screws as mentioned above.
7. Use a torque wrench (and follows it's recs) to adjust the mount, rings and action screws.
8. Try different ammo. Sometimes a gun barrel needs more than 3-4 shots w/ a particular load before it starts shooting that load well.
9. I don't worry to awfully much about letting a barrel cool down entirely between shots. A well bedded gun should be reasonably accurate even w/ a hot barrel. I'm leaving for a praire dog hunt in a few days. The guide said to count on 200 rounds/day. I can promise you my barrels will get hot, but the guns will still be VERY accurate.
10. Be sure the crown is not damaged.
11. Be sure the gun is clean, but use the proper equipment, i.e. a one piece steel rod (appropriate caliber) w/ a good bore guide. More gun barrels are ruined by poor cleaning technique than by being dirty.
If it's not reasonably improved w/ the above, I bet it's a more serious problem w/ the barrel/action itself. Good luck and keep us updated.
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