Ruger M77 30-06

[ouzts]

I am new to this forum and the sport. My ruger is a pretty good shot for being 20+ years ols and stock(.6@100) I would like this to be a 300+ yard tack driver if that is possible. What can I do to dramatically improve my accuracy without purchasing a new rifle?
Thanks,

EBO

ouztse@aol.com

[Dirty Steve]

I have a 20 plus year old Ruger M77 30-06 that I used for several years. Some Ruger's will shoot, some won't. The biggest bang that I got for the buck was totally free-floating the barrel and having some trigger work done. Though I do not use it much anymore, mine will shoot, and shoot well. I have taken elk with it to 450 yards. I know that's not long range to most on this board, but it was for me at the time.

I will say that the rifle is extremely finicky about loads and I had to do a lot of searching and testing to find one that gave me consistent accuracy at 300+ yards. The best factory load I found for distances beyond 300 yards was the Federal Premium 180 gr. Nosler Partition.

On last thing,....it's still fun to buy new rifles if you can dream up an excuse that will fly with the wife.

Dirty Steve

[Bravo 4]

I don't know anybody who wouldn't be happy with a 2o year old factory 30-06 that shoots that well. Heck, I don't know too many people that wouldn't be happy with any factory rifle that shoots that well...and those people would be on this board! ;)

I too would bed the stock and do something with the trigger. The bedding will keep it consistent. Getting trigger work done is like mounting a scope on a rifle, it doesn't make the rifle more accurate it makes YOU more accurate. Start loading your own if you don't already. Start with a clean barrel (if you don't know how fouled your barrel likes to be) and fire a few fouling shots before shooting for groups. I'm sure you'll get more good advise, but it sounds like you are asking for a lot out of the old girl. I mean come on, she is already capable of under 2" at 300.

[ouzts]

Thanks for your response Bravo. I guess your right but my days of accurate shooting is coming to an end. I have reloaded for the past several years but I have been using a neighbors equipment. He is now moving.:mad: I think i will get a new trigger for it to reduce the pull now at 6+ but it is pretty crisp. I think I need to go find some factory ammo and see how well it shoots and /or buy my own reloading equipment.

Thanks again.

EBO

[Bravo 4]

EBO,
Good idea about the trigger. I don't know how the older Ruger's are but the newer ones have a crazy trigger pull. I load for a friend who's M77 had a pull of over 10lbs. It was so bad compared to the Rifle Basix on my Savage that every time I attempted to squeeze a round off I had to stop and check if the safety was on.
Don't fret any about the reloading equipment, you don't have to spend a lot to get started. For the cost of a few boxes of "Premium" factory ammo you can get started. If you do any amount of shooting it pays for itself in no time.

[jchoeft]

I have a newer M77 30/06 and would like to know what people think on which rounds i should be using for long range shooting. I have always been a big fan of the 30/06 just dont know enough about what to do. If some people could help me out with this one and get me started on the right road please

[Dr. Vette]

Originally Posted by jchoeft

I have a newer M77 30/06 and would like to know what people think on which rounds i should be using for long range shooting. I have always been a big fan of the 30/06 just dont know enough about what to do. If some people could help me out with this one and get me started on the right road please

Welcome to the forum!
As a hint, I'd suggest starting a new thread next time rather than using one that's 4 years old.

The short - but not so cheap - answer is that you'll need to try several types of ammo to see what your rifle shoots well, assuming you're referring to shooting factory ammo. I just helped two brothers go through this and one had a Ruger M77 in 30-06. He tried 5 or 6 different types of ammo and one of them eventually shot just over an inch at 200 yards. He's going to stick with that one but it did take him buying all those boxes of ammo before he found the right one.

The other brother had a 270 Vanguard. I happen to have one as well so brought 3 types of ammo to add to his one. We picked the best of the 4 and he just ordered a few boxes of it so he's good to go for a while. Of note, it's a different round than what my Vanguard likes to shoot, so even the same brand of rifle will shoot different ammo differently.

Good luck!