Anyone shooting Ruger 77/22 in 22 Hornet?

[SpeedyR]

nice to have found some other hornet shooters. I was looking around for info on improving the trigger on the 77/22H. I took mine to the range monday to test some rounds and after shooting a really nice trigger on another target rifle at the range, this one needs some work. I know Rifle Basix makes a nice trigger for the 77/22 that will work on the Hornet version, any other suggestions for a smooth trigger?

as for loads, I have the following loads to test:

40gr Vmax
H110 powder loaded from 11, 11.5 and 12gr
LilGun but I don't remember the loads. didn't seem to like them.
34gr Midway DogTown HP bullets
H110 11 and 11.5 gr loads
LilGun 12, 12.5, and 13gr loads

overall it seemed to like the longer OAL's better (1.80" vs 1.745") and the best loads were 11.5gr H110 in both the 40gr Vmax and the 34gr DT bullets. I did one load of 45gr Nosler SP but it didn't seem as good as the 40gr Vmax.

I know most recommend the 35gr Vmax but I had already bought 250 of the 40gr.

didn't get great groups as it was windy monday but at least I had fun playing...

 

[Float Pilot]

I managed to bring the trigger pull down to a crisp 4 pounds with a honing stone and a couple loops cut off the trigger spring. I need to buy a whole new trigger set-up.

I also made a goof this last weekend.

I free floated the barrel and it was not what this Ruger rifle needed. The action bedding had to help, since it looked like it was originally bedded with a chain saw.

The groups opened back up to 2.5 or 3 inches.

I experimented around with some various crimps.
A 50 grain Speer TNT HP. With a heavy crimp and 12.3 grains of Lil Gun and a CCI-400,and COL of 1.876 inch I was reading 3,045 over the chronograph.
When I seated to a COL of 1.900 inch with the 50 gran bullet the speed jumped to 3,075 fps.
Not that it mattered because the groups were horrible.

I also experimented with some 60 grain Sierra HP (flat base) bullets and 9.5 grains of Lil Gun.
Loaded to 1,876 inch COL , they were clocking at 2,565 fps. over the Chronograph. They grouped horrible and were 10 inches higher than the other loads.... But oddly enough they did not keyhole.

So now I am going to try to full length bed the barrel channel.

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

My dad has one with wood stock, stock trigger, and leupold scope. All he uses it for is to eliminate yoties and other predators on his farm. They love his chickens and he loves to stop them. It works quite well for that. Don't know if it will shoot dime sized holes at 100yrds but it takes alot of yotes!

 

[Walkalong]

I was looking around for info on improving the trigger on the 77/22H.

http://www.centerfirecentral.com/images/trigger.gif

Originally posted in my .22 Hornet thread by rangerruck. Works well.

 

[StrawHat]

Float Pilot ...I free floated the barrel and it was not what this Ruger rifle needed. ... So now I am going to try to full length bed the barrel channel...

Before you bed the entire barrel, you could try to add some upward pressure at the end of the stock by slipping a matchbook cover or folded business card to see if that helps. I have found some rifles to prefer upward pressure. Full length bedding is a very good idea in a well seasoned stock but any stock movement is transmitted to the barrel.

 

[SpeedyR]

since I"m guessing most of the hornet shooters are on this thread, anyone had the Hornet work done by CPC? for the money it seems to be a great price for what you are getting...

http://www.ct-precision.com/

If i go this route (their accuracty package) should I convert to K-hornet or just keep it standard? I don't have k-hornet dies, but I have plenty of brass so I can keep the contender brass separate from the 77 brass by which ones are "K".

I guess i'm not one to be maxing out cartridges as far as velocity goes, if I need more reach, i'll move up a caliber (have 223 and might add a 204 soon). but if it's better/easier on the brass then that might be a consideration. over the years I've accumulated maybe 800 round of hornet brass, so i've got a good supply. right now I have a contender barrel, the stainless 77/22 and a ruger #3 (anyone know of a good/easy way to mount a scope on a #3?).

 

[Float Pilot]

I would love to send my action to CPC, BUT>>> I am somewhat concerned about sending any firearm, anywhere, these days...

I am off to the range with some more experimental rounds and a glass bedded barrel channel. Be back in a couple hours... It is sunny and about zero out at the range.

 

[lloveless]

I am in Anchorage for a work assignment. Not sure where you ae, but Sportsmans Warehouse has a bunch or components, powder etc.
ll

 

[Float Pilot]

I am about 225 road miles away from Anchorage. A nine hour round trip this time of year. I have more stuff on order from Midway.


The bedding experiment seems to have helped .

 

[Bwana John]

I think I have a walnut 77/22 Hornet stock Id sell cheap. PM me if interested.

 

[Bob K.]

I couldn't keep 10 rounds on an 8.5x11 in piece of paper at 100 yards when I first got my Ruger 77/22H. After following Ruger's accuracy test instructions (shoot 3 different types of factory ammo), I sent the gun and the targets back to Ruger. While there, they cleaned up the barrel, the chamber and the trigger (at my request). Total cost was $20 in UPS shipping because of the free Lifetime Warranty.

It doesn't shoot great...1-2 MOA...but it's in a much healthier place to start intense load testing.

I also sent my 77/22VHZ back to Ruger because brass was getting stuck in the chamber. I could feel the reamer ridges--tons of concentric rings--in the chamber and see the imprint on the fired brass. I sent it back to Ruger. They cleaned up the chamber and the trigger (at my request). Total cost again was $20 in UPS shipping because of the free Lifetime Warranty.

I also did the accuracy test with my Ruger 77 MkII in 30-06. It came back from Ruger with a cleaner trigger and shot straighter...plenty straight (about 1 MOA) for hunting.

 

[P51D]

Hi, FloatPilot. I have a CZ 527 in .22 Hornet, and VernHumphrey’s advice on this cartridge has really served me well. GooseGestapo and WalkAlong have also provided excellent tips for this and other cartridges. I don’t have a Ruger, so my Hornet “trials and tribulations” may not apply to you, but I think all of us Hornet owners seem to agree that it can be finicky, and my CZ is no exception. But I have really come to love this rifle and this round, and for me, it is a keeper. This is my only firearm chambered in Hornet, and I’ve only had it for about a year, but I’m certain I’ll be adding another Hornet to my collection.

Let me cut to the chase. The best “hot tips” for me so far have been: Lil’Gun powder, partial neck sizing with the Lee die and washers just like Vern describes, and small pistol primers. Using that advice, and with 40 gr Hornady V-Max bullets and the Lee Factory Crimp Die, things are going pretty well. My data on that combo is limited, but so far with seven, 5-shot groups at 100 yds, I’m averaging 0.86”. Using reputable reloading manuals and working up carefully, of course, I’ve found that this rifle really likes Lil’ Gun in the higher published doses. And the beauty of it is, Lil’ Gun seems to produce high velocities at low pressures. I have cases that I’ve reloaded 5 times with Lil’ Gun, and they are holding up very well so far.

Now of course, I mention my best load average above. Please trust me, I can make this rifle shoot a LOT worse! Thumbing through my notebook, I can easily find 2 inch groups, and a few 3 inch groups. Worse yet, I tried some 50 gr V-max bullets, and at the lower charges, it got as bad as 5.7”. But at max published loads for that bullet, it shrunk to 1.4” (my rifle seems to like to shoot them all fast). That pretty much sums up how finicky it can be. I’m pretty sure mine has a 1 in 16” twist, where yours may be 1 in 14”, so you’ll probably do much better with the heavier/longer bullets. Mine seems to favor the 40 and 45 gr bullets. Lighter and heavier, not so much.

Hope this helps.

P51D

 

[Float Pilot]

The 35 and 40 grain bullets from Midway just came in this afternoon.
I will try a few more loads now with various powders.
Brass is back-ordered.

At least I finally managed to produce groups of an inch or slightly less at 100 yards. I would love to have an Anschutz in this caliber.

 

[da2mag]

I have an Anschutz M1432 in a hornet and it can shoot very small groups but it is picky about bullets. As many on here have said it likes the bullets that can be seated out near the lands which are mostly the older blunt or semiroundnose hornet bullets. I have had the best luck with H110 and 40-45 grain bullets. I do use the Lee collet dies but have not had to resort to using washers over the brass. With the collet dies you will have much better brass life than using full length dies. I have been using the Lee Collet dies on all of my long shouldered guns for years (22 hornet, 220 swift, 300 H&H) and it has helped a great deal with brass life as well as eliminating a great deal of trimming.

 

[Still Shooting]

For SpeedyR - I have a Ruger 77/22H that did NOT please me at all. The trigger was heavy and "creepy," the 2 piece bolt was sloppy - 1/8"+ of play between the 2 pieces, and it wouldn't group any better than 2-1/2" at 100yds. Last September I dropped it off with Randy at CPC on my way through CT, and 10 days later it was back in my gun rack:
- The bolt is now tight, like it's one piece.
- The barrel is re-crowned with an 11 deg. target crown (Randy gives you choices, all for the same price)
- The throat is shortened, the chamber is minimum, and - oh yes, I also had it re-chambered to K-Hornet.
- The factory trigger now breaks clean at 2-1/2 lbs, every time.

The total cost was $238, the workmanship is excellent - you can't tell it has been worked on. No tool marks, no difference in bluing, the chamber is nicely polished, it's just real pretty.

I have only been able to shoot it on the range once, and only 12 rounds (oiled patch after every 3 rounds for first 21, per Randy's instructions for break-in). But with factory ammo, its grouping inside 1-1/4" even now, and I expect when I start working up loads and the barrel settles in, I'll have a nice Hornet on my hands. CPC is a good idea for the 77/22H.

 

[Float Pilot]

Today' Experiments:
It was semi sunny and about 20 degrees.

I discovered that my rifle hates the Remington 71/2 bench rest primers.
Plus neck sizing only is not what it likes either.

34 grain HP Dog Town bullet
13.0gr Lil Gun
WW brass “Virgin”
CCI-SR
1.798 col
NO CRIMP
Vel= 3,182-3,171-3,141-3,156-3,133
0.450 in group. At 100 yards

34 grain HP Dog Town
13.0gr Lil Gun
WW brass Virgin
CCI-SR
1.798 col
Roll Crimp
Vel= 3,136-3,132-3,115-3,193-3,154
0.940 inch group at 100 yards

34 grain HP Dog Town
13.0gr Lil Gun
WW brass, neck sized only
Remington 7.5 bench rest
1.798 col
Roll Crimp
Vel= 3,169-3,298,3,210-3,225- no read.
1.288 inch group at 100 yards

40grain Sierra flat base HP
12.3gr Lil Gun
WW brass neck sized
Rem 7.5 bench rest primer
1.798 col
roll crimp
Vel=3,154-3,176-3,143-3,259-3,188
3.70 inch vertical string

50 grain Speer TNT HP
12.0gr Lil Gun
WW brass “virgin”
CCI-SR
1.802 col
roll crimp
Vel = 2,845 fps
0.90 inch group at 100 yards

50 grain Speer TNT HP
12.0gr Lil Gun
WW brass Neck sized
Rem 7.5 bench rest primer
1.802 col
roll crimp
Vel = 2,891-2,844-2,870-2,906-2,960
2.566 inch group at 100 yards

 

[P51D]

Congratulations, Float Pilot! You are really getting to know your Hornet, and I'd venture to say you're hooked at this point. Enjoy it!

P51D

 

[Vern Humphrey]

One thread I see there, Float Pilot, is crimping really hurts accuracy. That's my experience with the Hornet -- in fact, my rule is, "Fire form your brass and disturb it as little as possible when reloading."

 

[Float Pilot]

One problem of this darn Ruger is that the chamber is pretty over-sized. Once fired brass lets a bullet drop right on through.
I tried neck sizing just the end of the necks, but then the bullets were being pushed back into the case while loading them from the magazine.

I get away with no crimp with virgin brass and 13 grains of Lil Gun because it fills the case all the way and basically will not let the bullet be pushed back any further.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

One problem of this darn Ruger is that the chamber is pretty over-sized. Once fired brass lets a bullet drop right on through.
I tried neck sizing just the end of the necks, but then the bullets were being pushed back into the case while loading them from the magazine.

I get away with no crimp with virgin brass and 13 grains of Lil Gun because it fills the case all the way and basically will not let the bullet be pushed back any further.

That's the secret.

I use the Lee Collet Die, and put two washers on the shell holder to cause the collet to activate early, sizing only the front half of the neck.

I load with Li'l Gun and use the case itself as a powder measure, dipping it full, then tapping the case to settle the powder. When I have a loading block full, I check with a flashlight to see each case is at exactly the same level (you can't possibly overcharge wtih Li'l Gun.)

My Kimber has a box magazine, not a rotary, and I have no trouble at all with bullets being pushed back.

 

[Float Pilot]

Well it appears that the 34 grain Dog Town bullets from midway work well in this rifle.

So..... I decided to do something weird. I loaded THREE 22 caliber pellets into a case with 2.7 grains of Trail Boss powder.

At 15 yards the one pellet always left the pattern. So I loaded a few with two pellets. The two pellet loads usually go into the same hole or are within 1/2 inch of each other at 15 yards. IT IS ALSO VERY QUITE...
I shot it indoors and did not have hearing protection of my ears. The double pellet load with 3.0 grains of Trail Boss penetrated 2 inches of dry phone book pages at 15 yards. I can't get a good chronograph reading because the two or three pellets mess up the reading.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Have you tried a one-pellet load?

 

[Float Pilot]

Yes, but only with a primer as a propellant. Magnum pistol primers working the best. One pellet was not enough resistance to hold the powdered charges together.
BUT, they (the primer only loads) were not all that accurate after 20 feet. The primers do not have enough push to flare the base of the undersized pellets.
The two pellet load with Trail Boss was actually more accurate further out. The extra weight must help build some pressure.

I would like to find some 224 diameter lead balls.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You simply need to find the right size of lead shot. Probably something around number 4 buck would do it.

I have a Hammond Game Getter -- a standard cartridge case (in my case, .30-03) with a steel head. The head has an offset .22 chamber, and takes a .22 nail-setting blank. The offset chamber allows the centerfire firing pin to hit the rim of the cartridge.

I load a 00 buckshot in the mouth. This shot is a little too big, so I have a sizing die -- basically a polished funnel-shaped hole in a steel disk. I coat the shot with motor oil and push them through the die with a steel rod.

An arrangement like that would size down Number 4 buck nicely.

 

[Float Pilot]

We have a plague of snow-shoe rabbits this year. They are digging through the snow and eating all of my wife's expensive garden plants and trees. They already killed a few Quaking Aspen trees by eating all the bark off the trunks.

This morning one of them discovered how well the two pellet system worked. At 35 yards he had two through and through holes.