Mannlicher Stocks and Accuracy

[whatnickname]

While one of the most attractive rifles ever made these rifles don’t have a reputation for outstanding accuracy. At least that’s the popular opinion anyway. I currently own a small ring Mexican Mauser in
7 X 57 with one of the prettiest Claro walnut stocks you ever saw. It’s a 2 MOA rifle and that’s about it. Probably good enough for hunting deer. The next one I acquired was a CZ550FS in 7X57. That darn thing shoots 140 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets into one hole all day long and right out of the box! Thought to myself that I must have just gotten lucky so I called CZ. They assured me that their factory standard is 1 MOA and “no I just didn’t get lucky”. Needless to say, I’m extremely impressed.

Fast forward to today...Found a really crisp looking Ruger 77MK II RSI in .243 that I just couldn’t pass up for $600. Has anyone priced one new lately? I put Timney triggers in all my MK IIs and one is on the way as this is being written. Most of my standard weight Ruger 77s end up getting pilar bedded and the barrel free floated before all is said and done. I’ve got some real tack drivers as a result. Now I know the Ruger 77RSI does not have a reputation for guilt-edged accuracy. If she will shoot a good 2MOA group out of the box, I’m gonna leave well enough alone. If not, I’m inclined to pilar bed the action. My question is how to deal with the barrel. Glass bed it from stim to stern or float the barrel in front of the shoulder then put some upward pressure with shims right out at the end of the barrel. I would appreciate some advice on this please.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

I'm well out of my depth here but logically, it seems you could free-float the barrel and after testing that, shove a couple of playing cards under the tube and try that. You could also slide them up & down... the muzzle might not be the ideal spot to apply pressure.

 

[ccoyle]

I can't help you, either, but that's a 550FS in 7x57 in my avatar pic.

 

[ridgerunner1965]

any ruger rsi rifle is a treasure.. either boltgun or no 1.

a no1 rsi in 6.5x55 would prob make me sell all my other deer rifles.

 

[Bill1225]

My experiences with my ruger rsi mk 1 308 was I kept it factory and found an ammo it liked in my perticular case it shoots federal premium 165 sierra btsp game kings if I do my part 1moa at 100

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I only have experience with one Mannlicher stocked rifle.
It is a Interarms Mark X in 7x57... I bought it at an auction earlier this year.
I have only had it to the range once so far but with the cheapest factory loads I could find it shot pretty well.
I was able to get 5- shot groups of between 1 and 1-1/2" off a Caldwell rest at 100yds.
I always wanted a Mannlicher stocked rifle in a classic caliber and am quite pleased with this one...so much so that if I were to come across another for a reasonable price I would probably buy it although I don't really need another rifle.
FWIW... I paid $700 at auction for the rifle with a decent variable scope mounted on it.