Accuracy problem for ruger american

[Joshboyfutre]

I recently bought a Ruger American Rifle in 308 because I had heard for a budget rifle it was very accurate. Apparently it is a 1 MOA or even sub MOA rifle. I haven't even come close to 1 Moa so far. First I tried PMC bronze 150 grain to just try it out and sight in the scope at 50 yards wasn't too impressed but didn't worry too much about it. Today I took it out and shot some of my reloads and it was all over the place. The loads I shot are Nosler165g Ballistic Tip bullets on 42g & 44g varget powder. Basically got 2-3in groups. Not happy at all with this development. I have to admit that this is my first bolt-action rifle aside from a .22 (which I get very good groups with) so I'm learning as I go. That said I am an experienced shooter w basic military marksmanship training. Any advice on different loads/bullet weights or perhaps a way to check to see if its the Rifle not me (possible). Any ideas and opinion will hel p

 

[jmr40]

Those tend to be very accurate. I have a compact in 223 and the Predator in 308. Both shoot MOA or better. The early versions had stocks that were a bit flimsey in the forend. They shoot quite well with a generous free float. Just remove enough of the stock so that it can't touch the barrel and the floppy forend won't hurt a thing. The action is bedded in a meal 'V" block so the action never actually touches the stock anywhere.

Your load is on the low end. I found better accuracy with a max load of 46 gr of Varget with several 165 gr bullets including the BT.

But before doing anything I'd suspect a bad scope or an improperly mounted scope. Check that 1st.

Old style stock.



New stock, much stiffer.

 

[Nature Boy]

I recommend the old stand by as a baseline.

Buy a box of Federal Gold Medal Match and shoot them from a good stable position that eliminates as much of "you" from the equation as possible.

That doesn't always tell the story but it's as good a starting point as I know.

(hey, just noticed I crossed the 1,000 post mark. yea me!)

 

[double bogey]

I have a compact .223. trying several loads, not coming close to moa either. hoping it works like my Tikka, and all of a sudden starts grouping. Not a single 55 gr. load that I have tried, shoots well. Shooting some 64 gr. bonded that shows promise, doing a ladder test with cfe223, as I approached within 1 gr of max, it started grouping fairly well. It was windy today, so I shot at 50yds, and had three 5 shot .5" groups (at 50 yds). I have a couple of 68 gr ladder tests loaded up, and 75gr, and 80 gr. 75 and 80 wont fit in mag, but I will test them anyway. Need range time.

 

[wolfeyes]

I've had one in 223 for a couple of months and I find it to be very accurate....jh

 

[mdThanatos]

There was a thread earlier this year, Read here, that a member had accuracy issues with his Ruger American. He ended up selling it but he may be able to share his experience with you.

 

[Joshboyfutre]

Ok, after reading the other thread and doing some research of my own I'm thinking I'll trade out the scope and try some factory match ammo. If it doesn't tighten up then I'm one of the unlucky few that got a lemon. From what I've read it's a great rifle except for the fact the one out of one-hundred is a turd! I might be able to send it back and get them to swap it out though. Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

[Joshboyfutre]

Another ? I have that involves this and my other rifles is if I start with a middle of the road bullet weight and don't like results should I go heavier or lighter?

 

[brasscollector]

Try a different powder like 4064 or 4320. I've been trying varget with different cases/bullets and so far I have not had much luck with it in my 308. I've also heard it recommended that magnum primers should be used with varget.
10" twist should be able to handle just about any suitable 308 bullet. My 308 has a 12" twist and has proven to like projectiles up to 175/178gr. I usually shoot the 168s.

 

[homers]

I always go buy 3 different brands and weights factory ammo first when trying to determine the cause. Only later on will I switch to handloads.

 

[Gtscotty]

If a .308 with a good scope wouldn't shoot 43.5gr of IMR4064 under a decent 168 hpbt, I'd be inclined to think something was wrong with it.

 

[Joshboyfutre]

Ok. I went to the gun show and traded my old scope for a new one and bought some federal gold medal 168g sierra matchking bthp (longest name ever!!). I'm gonna go Wed. and try it out, I'll let u guys know what happens. Got my fingers crossed!!

 

[bobnob]

Josh, what happened?

 

[Joshboyfutre]

Crap I was got so excited about that rifle tuning in I forgot to post on here and let everybody know what happened LOL. I think it was my scope because I went from 2 - 3 inch groups .56 Moa in one trip! I was soooo relieved man! I had heard all this great talk about the Ruger American and then got one and thought it was a lemon. What had happened was I put a cheap utg / leapers scope on to a c308 roller lock style rifle and it ate that mother for lunch! I took the scope off and got decent groups with iron sights and forgot about it. Well fast forward to a couple months later and I slapped that scope on this 308 and suddenly couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting good groups. Have to admit it wasn't one of my sharper moments!

 

[Cleveland48]

I have the ruger American predator in 6.5 CM. As soon as I got it I took a dremel tool to the forend. My hand loads and the Hornady factory match loads shoot between .5 to .8. I tried the Hornady superformance once with the 120 grain GMX and best those would do was about 3 inches.


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[Joshboyfutre]

They do seem to be pretty particular about what ammo Will Group well but my problem was running way before LOL. Now I have some cheap Frontier 155 grain plated bullets loaded up with a ladder test with Varget going to see what that'll do, don't really have my hopes up. I've also got some 168g sierra matchkings loaded tho