I have ran into an odd situation. I have done a lot of testing in the past two weeks trying to figure out the cause. I have gotten it better but still has an issue.
To start with I had acquired a Ruger M77 MKII 22-250. I replaced the barrel with a Mcgowen in Sendero profile, lightened the trigger, and put it in a Hogue full aluminum bed stock. I did the standard load testing and came up with a very accurate load shooting 53gr v-max. I thought I would try making it more accurate and bedded the action, but really didn't result in any improvements and cause some headaches.
The problem I have is when the gun is warm, such as a 70-80 degree day (when I did load development) the gun will shoot great. However, if the gun is cold the first shot is always low out of the group. Then the next few will settle down and shoot in the normal group.
To test what the cause of the large spread I have done several test first thing in the morning. I would leave either the gun and ammo, just the ammo or just the gun outside so it would be cold. I would fire 3-5 rounds and see how they performed. The ammo grouped the same whether cold or hot, but if the gun was cold it always shoots the first shot low. When the gun is warm I don't see the issues.
I have included a picture of this morning's test. I also labeled the shots. Normally they aren't vertically strung out this perfect.
What would cause this? I was almost to the point of ordering another stock, but there really aren't many options for Ruger stocks with a heavy profile barrel.
Any ideas or suggestions on where to go? When warm, this gun is one of the most accurate guns I have. However, i built it as a coyote gun and i have no confidence in the first shot.
To start with I had acquired a Ruger M77 MKII 22-250. I replaced the barrel with a Mcgowen in Sendero profile, lightened the trigger, and put it in a Hogue full aluminum bed stock. I did the standard load testing and came up with a very accurate load shooting 53gr v-max. I thought I would try making it more accurate and bedded the action, but really didn't result in any improvements and cause some headaches.
The problem I have is when the gun is warm, such as a 70-80 degree day (when I did load development) the gun will shoot great. However, if the gun is cold the first shot is always low out of the group. Then the next few will settle down and shoot in the normal group.
To test what the cause of the large spread I have done several test first thing in the morning. I would leave either the gun and ammo, just the ammo or just the gun outside so it would be cold. I would fire 3-5 rounds and see how they performed. The ammo grouped the same whether cold or hot, but if the gun was cold it always shoots the first shot low. When the gun is warm I don't see the issues.
I have included a picture of this morning's test. I also labeled the shots. Normally they aren't vertically strung out this perfect.
What would cause this? I was almost to the point of ordering another stock, but there really aren't many options for Ruger stocks with a heavy profile barrel.
Any ideas or suggestions on where to go? When warm, this gun is one of the most accurate guns I have. However, i built it as a coyote gun and i have no confidence in the first shot.
