30.06 accuracy problems

dantheman

i have a ruger m77 stainless steel/laminated hardwood stock which is a beatuiful gun. the problem is after trying many diff. bullet weights and brands of ammo ( i don't reload and don't want to)i cant get the accuracy from it which i want. i would expect at least two inch groups at 100 yds, but i dont even get that. i would like to correct the problem by freefloating the barrel, glass bedding jog, etc but don't want to spend more than 150 dollars on it since the gun itself cost enough already. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. scope is a luepold and tightened down good. also should i send it somewhere for smithing or just use a local gunsmith. thanks

Der Gebirgsjager

Sounds like you have a very nice rifle. It's pretty hard to diagnose accuracy problems sight unseen, but you've got the right idea as to how to proceed in solving your problem. Usually bedding is the problem with inaccurate rifles, especially new ones. Glass bedding the action and free floating the barrel will probably solve your problem, but you could first try putting a pressure pad between the barrel and stock at the forend tip. If you can find some business cards lying around take them with you on your next trip to the range. Loosen the action screws and slide one inbetween the barrel and stock forend. Tighten the screws and shoot a group. If the results aren't any better try a second card. Repeat up to 5 cards thickness. Be sure to tighten the screws down each time. If your problem isn't solved, go back to Plan A, bedding and free floating. One more thing you might do, even though it is a new rifle, is to carefully inspect the muzzle of the rifle where the crown and bore meet for nicks. If you have a nick where the bore emerges each bullet you fire will come in contact with the nick as it leaves the muzzle and go off in a slightly different direction. As for your price range of $150--you'll have to inquire as to what the gunsmith's services will cost prior to giving him the job. You should be able to get the work done within that price range. Should you send it off or get the work done locally? That depends, or course, on the competency level of your local gunsmith. Gunsmiths build a reputation, and it usually isn't too hard to find out what it is. Dissatisfied customers usually let everyone know for miles around. You can ask to view samples of the work the gunsmith has done of the particular type you are interested in, or ask for a couple of references.

He Dog

If you are just a little handy you could probably do the glass bedding yourself. I usually bed the first 4 inches of the barrel (first being closest to the action right?). Brownell's sells kits for the job and the gel glass bedding kit is the one for the job. You might also consider replacing that awful Ruger trigger with a better one. A Timney will set you back about $75-$80, and the gunsmithing to install it (don't do this one your self unless you have machining tools) about $15 or $20.

Wittum

Dan, what grain of 30.06 rounds are you using?

daddo

Not to step on any toes but, I had the same problem with a 3006 I had, and after talking to an older gentleman at the range - I fixed it. In my case- the crown was damaged- a good gunsmith took care of that. What I also found was that- I wasn't letting the barrel cool down enough between shots. Others things you can do is;1- make sure the wind is still.2- use only one type ammo.3- If you have a scope-make sure it's tight.4- CLEAN the barrel.5- if trigger pull is rough- modify it for easy smooth pulls.6- anticipation of recoil will cause trigger jerking- a good brake will help. Maybe only one of these will apply to you!Good luck and let us know what you find..

rg666

Many of the above suggestions are good ones. I would be more basic. The usual foul up from the factory is that the action & barrel were not securely attached to the stock. Losen the screws as instructed above and tighten them starting with the closest one to the action. This may fixed the problem without much hassle. RG

dantheman

thanks for the info, in reference to the question about bullet weight, i've tried 150 gr; 165 gr; and 180 gr.

JustC

dantheman, you also need to try ALL premium brands of bullets. I have shot some premium bullets that would have been better off if I threw them at the target, then I opened the right box, and presto!!! If Federal,Remington,Winchester,Hornady,Speer, etc premium lines won't group, then try a downloaded box, like remington core-lokt. I have seen a custom gun dislike the best handloads and premiums, and then we tried some core-lokt. ONE RAGGED HOLE, go figure. Try all brands before you pass judgement, it may be a "picky" barrel, which in my experience can be one of the most accurate ones when you find the load for it.If that all fails, complain to Ruger and they always make it right. (at their expense)

daddo

I'm going to ask this- is the trigger pull to the point where you have to jerk it to go off without a suprise? If you have to jerk the trigger-it will set you off some. What power scope are you using? Remember- 1/10 of an inch at the gun is an inch at the target (give or take) at 100 yards. I must reload for my .243,as factory crap won't even hit 4" GROUPS AT 100. With reloads,I get 1" groups. The "wave" your barrel is setting off needs correcting by finding the load that it likes- this takes time.

Wittum

I use 150gr. PMC loads. I found that these shoot the best in the 700 rem. They get the job done with nice groups.Also, i had a m77 stainless and i shot these loads in it, they were great.[This message has been edited by Wittum (edited 01-15-2002).]

TED GAR

If it was an old rifle I would tell you to use the 180 grain round nose, because they are not pointed, they have more bullet biting the lands of a worn out gun. The pointed bullets dont have much bite on the lands. The new rifles dont have a problem here. BUT! since yours is a new rifle, make sure the scope is tight, I mean take it off, and check your base mounts. If all is tight, then your scope is sprung. Take it off the gun and tap it real hard with your hand, while looking down it, if the cross hairs, wiggle, or spring around, get another scope. I had this problem and almost sold the rifle, I put a new scope, and it gave me 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. Okay later.