[desmark6]

Just got a Ruger MKII Target in 223 yesterday bolted on the bushnell elite 4200 6- 24 power and headed to the range with four different loads. One a 50 gr HP the others all 55 grain FMJs. Trouble is the best group I could get was about 1.75 @ 100 yrds! After I got home I went to the web and found out that it has a 1 in 12 twist barrel. Is this why the light bullets aren't performing? Will a heavier bullet work better? I bought this rifle because I have the 77/22 varmint in 22lr and it will shoot 2" @100 and a half and under at fifty and expected the same from its big brother! HELP ME MAKE THIS RIFLE SHOOT!

[Fumbler]

1:12" is a slow spin designed for lighter bullets.

You should try some ammo even lighter than 50 gr, then if that doesn't work you could always have some work done to the gun.
"Work" includes bedding, trigger jobs, and free floating the barrel. Those can be done by yourself if you know how.
More expensive work includes truing the action, crowning the barrel, and lapping the bolt lugs.

Truthfully 1.75" @100 yards isn't all that bad, of course there is always room for improvement.

To gain the most accuracy you should get into handloading.

[nipprdog]

1. you need to list the brands of ammo you used. most likely you won't get sub MOA groups using basic(as in not match or premium) ammo. ;)

2. some rifles take a hundred or so rounds to settle in.

3. try some winchester 45gr jhp varmint load. very accurate for price. $12/wallyworld.

[cottontoptexan]

Desmark,
Check the tension on the action screw, the one which holds the action into the stock. A friend of mine purchased a new 243 Ruger bolt gun. He took it out and then called me to tell me he was dissapointed in it's accuracy. Next time we went to the range i tightened the action screw which was pretty loose. Groups came in okay, around the 1" to 1 1/4 in size.

[standingbear]

try some different ammo to see which your gun likes.my particuliar mark 2 likes black hills 51 grain vmax.ballistic tips

make sure the barrel is dry and free of any lube.I run a dry patch down the bore each time I take mine out and fire it a few shots to double check the point of impact.

if its a new gun,some barrels just do need broken in.shoot it and practice.


Ive got a 79 dollar tasco 6-24 on mine.its cheap but works.Ive had other guns that just wouldnt keep a decent group until I replaced the scope.this isnt to say the problem with yours is the scope but its just a consideration.I leveled the scope and locktited the screws then tightened everything down,my zero hasntr shifted in many years.make sure your crosshairs and scope are level with the bore.


1.75 isnt too bad.just try some other loads and brands then sight your scope to the brand that works best.stick with that load.

[Kramer Krazy]

I've got the same gun (believe it was called a "Varmit" and not a "Target" back then) that I bought back in 1994, but I hadn't shot it the first time until about three weeks ago (it took me until this Xmas to finally break down and buy a scope for it). I was shooting 1993 Winchester 55 gr standard loads (white box). The scope is a Simmons 6-24x50 that I picked up on close-out for $79. I was only using a Harris bipod to steady it and was shooting roughly 2.5" groups at 100 yrds (the gun has only seen about 80 rounds through it, total). I had a few of really wild strays that were inconsistant in location, but were up to 6 inches away from where I was aiming. Once I have at least 200 rounds through the gun, I'm going to purchase some different kinds of match grade ammo and see what I can get the rifle to do. Right now, I'm not overly concerned with accuracy. It's just for 100 yard plinking, anyway. I'm still waiting for my range to reopen the 300 yrd range.

[ckyllo]

I have nearly the same setup as you desmark6, although I have a B&L scope and a bipod. I have gotten the best groups with winchester 45 grain hp that I buy at in a value pack 40 rounds for about $12-13. I average between .5 and .75 inch (5 shot) groups at 100 yards with that ammo. best was a .332 4 shot but 5th shot made it a .6. at 200 yards it is around 1.5 to 2 and a 3.5 " drop. IMHO the 45 gr is about the best weight any lighter and wind drift is a bigger issue and any heavier is under spun. I dont have access to a longer range to tell what the long range groups are. on a side note it did take me some time to get a feel for the 2 stage trigger and that influnced group size too. try the winchester 45 gr it is a cheap shoot and does well for me in my ruger.
ps they are great rounds if you praire dog with it, nice splat when they hit.

edit to add I use a bore snake between 5 shot groups and a good cleaning when it gets home.