New to me rifle (Ruger 77 in .280) on the way. Woo hoo!

[Newtosavage]

Nice! I wonder if that's the tang safety or the newer Hawkeye?

 

[LoonWulf]

Its listed under the "old model" 77

 

[Newtosavage]

It arrived today, and it's B.E.A.utiful. Spent the evening doing a trigger job and took the factory 6.5 lb. trigger down to a smooth 3 lbs. Then I relieved the synthetic stock along the barrel and reassembled it, doing this 2 or 3 times before I could torque down that angled front screw to a nice tight spec. without contact. This is how my other 77 stainless likes it, and I hope this one does as well.

The bore is perfect, and I mounted a straight 6X Weaver (6x38) on it - which should be a perfect lightweight match for the ranges I expect to use it.

Off to the gun range tomorrow. I have about 40 rounds of Nosler brass loaded up for test loads with IMR 4350, H4831 and RL-19 under 154-grain Hornady Interlocks. We'll see what it wants to eat!

 

[CB900F]

Newto;

Don't be shy about trying either a Sierra GameKing or a Speer, you're accuracy winner just might be there too. Little differences in loading can garner huge results in the accuracy game. A tenth or two change in powder weight, or .005" in seating depth can do it too. There's so many variables, it's what makes reloading so much fun while you tear your hair out.

900F

 

[Newtosavage]

Newto;

Don't be shy about trying either a Sierra GameKing or a Speer, you're accuracy winner just might be there too. Little differences in loading can garner huge results in the accuracy game. A tenth or two change in powder weight, or .005" in seating depth can do it too. There's so many variables, it's what makes reloading so much fun while you tear your hair out.

900F

Indeed! I'm still tweaking my 7x57 even though I have two hand loads that print sub-MOA 5-shot groups. LOL Never satisfied... ha, ha.

Since my 7x57 covers anything "deer" sized, this will be primarily for that elk hunt I go on at some point (whether real or imagined ). So 154 interlocks would probably be the lightest bullet I'll put through it. I have some 160 Accubonds I plan to try as well.

I get to try her out in the a.m. Can't wait. Should be a good long session at the range. Better bring coffee and get there early!

 

[LoonWulf]

Whut the heck I still dont see any pictures

 

[Newtosavage]

Okay, okay. I'll post some tonight (and of my matching 7x57)

 

[LoonWulf]

yes please

 

[Newtosavage]

Okay, here are the pic's I promised (finally...).

Spent a great morning at the range shooting these two beauties. I don't think I could be any happier. After free-floating the barrel in the .280 by using a dremel cutter to remove the material around the barrel, then filing and stoning the trigger and sear, my new .280 shot GREAT. I have the trigger pull on both these rifles so nearly identical that I cannot tell which rifle I'm shooting when they are on the bags. Smooth 3 lb. trigger pull on each, which is perfect to me.

I did some ladder tests on loads using IMR 4350 and H4831, plus a couple loads with RL-19 (only had enough powder left for two loads), shooting mostly 154 Hornady Interlocks, but the two shots with the RL-19 were under 160 Nosler Accubonds.

The "winner" for today was 53 grains of H4831 under the 154 Interlocks. 5-shot group under an inch. Not bad for a fixed 6-power scope.

This .280 is the perfect "companion" rifle to my 7x57 stainless RSI. Like little brother and big brother.

 

[LoonWulf]

Very nice pair of rifles!