hidesert
Active Member
I had previously posted about possibly re-barreling my old .284 Win Ruger M77 tang safety:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/rebarreling-my-ruger-m77.176855/
Owning this rifle for 47 years it has accounted for several deer yet I've never been able to achieve sub-MOA accuracy - the best groups have been 1.25 to 1.50 inch at 100 yards despite bedding the action, free-floating the barrel and adding a Timney trigger.
At the end of June I sent it off to Pac-Nor Barreling in Brookings, Oregon to be re-barreled. I had initially considered a #3 Sporter profile but after reconsidering the weight increase and decided on a #1 Sporter profile but bumped the length to 24 inches. I kept it in .284 Win, Chrome Moly steel and went for the Super Match grade. 1 in 9 twist. Pac-Nor gave me an estimate of 10-12 weeks.
At exactly 10 weeks they shipped me back my re-barreled action. I gave it a cold blue and it took only minor sanding to fit my stock's barrel channel. I decided to try shooting it to determine whether it needed rebedding.
After breaking it in as per their recommendations I worked up a load based on Richard Frailey's excellent 2004 work: "Reloading the 284 Winchester for Accuracy" I ended up with exactly his best load - 48 grains of Vita N150 and a 140 rain Nosler Ballistic Tip. At 100 yards it repeatedly gave me 3 shot groups of 3/8 inch. This felt good!
Yesterday I was able to shoot at a 300 yard range. The result: 5 shots in 1.25 inch!
I am a happy camper. To have an old hunting rifle with a walnut stock come to life like this is just a joy.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/rebarreling-my-ruger-m77.176855/
Owning this rifle for 47 years it has accounted for several deer yet I've never been able to achieve sub-MOA accuracy - the best groups have been 1.25 to 1.50 inch at 100 yards despite bedding the action, free-floating the barrel and adding a Timney trigger.
At the end of June I sent it off to Pac-Nor Barreling in Brookings, Oregon to be re-barreled. I had initially considered a #3 Sporter profile but after reconsidering the weight increase and decided on a #1 Sporter profile but bumped the length to 24 inches. I kept it in .284 Win, Chrome Moly steel and went for the Super Match grade. 1 in 9 twist. Pac-Nor gave me an estimate of 10-12 weeks.
At exactly 10 weeks they shipped me back my re-barreled action. I gave it a cold blue and it took only minor sanding to fit my stock's barrel channel. I decided to try shooting it to determine whether it needed rebedding.
After breaking it in as per their recommendations I worked up a load based on Richard Frailey's excellent 2004 work: "Reloading the 284 Winchester for Accuracy" I ended up with exactly his best load - 48 grains of Vita N150 and a 140 rain Nosler Ballistic Tip. At 100 yards it repeatedly gave me 3 shot groups of 3/8 inch. This felt good!
Yesterday I was able to shoot at a 300 yard range. The result: 5 shots in 1.25 inch!
I am a happy camper. To have an old hunting rifle with a walnut stock come to life like this is just a joy.
