Just picked up a Ruger 77/22 with a Bushnell Banner 4X scope from a local gun shop. I had such high hopes for this rifle, since I had owned one in the past and it was very accurate. Well, it shot Federal Value-Pack hps terribly, 1 3/16" at 25 yds. The Reminington bonus-pack hps were a little better, maybe 1", but at least one round in ten misfired. Then I brought out my old 10/22 with 4X scope and cloverleafed the bullseye with the Remingtons. So, do I have a lemon and should I return the gun or try experimenting with different ammo? This gun set me back $425 with tax. Thanks.
Ruger 77/22 Lemon?
- Thread starter MinScout
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Vern Humphrey
Member
What do you want this gun for? If just for plinking, then your 10/22 would do that. If for real tack-driving accuracy, try more expensive ammo. It will cost more (maybe a lot more) per round, but a good bolt gun used for hunting and varmiting won't be shot like a semi-auto.
My 77/22 will do close to 1/2" at 50 yds for 5rds with Federal Gold Match and some other match ammo I`ve tried. I`d check the scope mounts, action screw, ect and maybe try another brand ammo and scope all together to be sure your problem is actually with the rifle.
Judging from the experiences and results from folks at rimfirecentral, the 77/22 doesn't seem to perform as well as other offerings, even lesser expensive ones, from other manufacturers. it is the reason I do not have one.
However, no better than 1" at 25 yds is exceptionally poor (IMO) from a rest. I would start investigating to see what the fault it as there is something, IMO, definitely wrong with the rig. do the regular stuff like making sure nuts and bolts are tight, excessive pressure on the action/barrel form the stock, bad scope, etc. Something does not sound right with the set-up.
However, no better than 1" at 25 yds is exceptionally poor (IMO) from a rest. I would start investigating to see what the fault it as there is something, IMO, definitely wrong with the rig. do the regular stuff like making sure nuts and bolts are tight, excessive pressure on the action/barrel form the stock, bad scope, etc. Something does not sound right with the set-up.
I bought this gun as a serious hunting rifle, not a plinker. I thought even with the bargain ammo, it would at least shoot as well as my stock Wally-World 10/22. I tightened all the scope and action screws before shooting. Would parallax affect grouping? I don't believe the Banner is a .22 scope.
ChopperKen
Member
I have a 77/22 varmint with a BSA 6-24 x40 Mil Dot on it, One hole at 25yds,
Try this, run a dollar bill around the barrel up to the action, if it hangs up anywhere free float the barrel with some sand paper,it helped on mine.
If this doesn't work try a different scope on it.
Yes parallax will affect your grouping try a known good scope.
Try this, run a dollar bill around the barrel up to the action, if it hangs up anywhere free float the barrel with some sand paper,it helped on mine.
If this doesn't work try a different scope on it.
Yes parallax will affect your grouping try a known good scope.
salty
Member
You are right - my 10-22 will outshoot your results. Try several types of ammo as some 22 rifles are very sensitive to different brands - my Marlin 39A and Ruger have a preferance while the 552 Remington and CZ are not as picky. Check tightness of action screw and keep it minimal. I think Ruger is only suggesting 1 1/2" for the rifle.
Bwana John
Member
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I would check the torque on the barrel wedge screws first.
Cron
Member
Mine shot much like yours out of the box. Glass bedding, especially the first three inches of the bbl channel, and relieving the fore end tip pressure helped a lot.
If you don't bed the first few inches of the barrel channel you may get barrel droop after floating.
Mine's now shooting stingers into about 1/4" at 25 yrds.
If you don't bed the first few inches of the barrel channel you may get barrel droop after floating.
Mine's now shooting stingers into about 1/4" at 25 yrds.
Vern Humphrey
Member
My 77/22 All Weather is in .22 Magnum. With ammunition it likes, it will shoot 1" groups all day -- at 100 yards.
I'm going to see if I can return it to the store. For $425 this performance is not acceptable to me, even given the cheap ammo. Maybe I'll look into a CZ 452 American 16". I was looking for a nice compact bolt gun for small-game hunting, thought I found it in the Ruger. Guess not.
ken grant
Member
77/22 Hornet
Several years ago I bought a 77/22 Hornet and it came in with bad checkering on the stock. I called Ruger and they said to send it back.
I wanted to shoot it before I did and took it to the range.
The groups were crap with factory ammo so I tried some re-loads,still crap.
I called Ruger and told them I was sending the rifle back for the stock replacement and I wanted them to check the rifle out as it didn't shoot well.
They said they would do an accuracy job on it while they had it.
I asked them what their accuracy standard was for this rifle. They told me 2". I asked was this at 100 yds. and they said NO,50 yds.
I sent it off and it was returned with a new stock and I couldn't tell if they did any thing else.
I never fired the rifle after I got it back from them as my standards was not the same as their's. I got rid of it but I did tell the guy who bought it , the story about the rifle.
Several years ago I bought a 77/22 Hornet and it came in with bad checkering on the stock. I called Ruger and they said to send it back.
I wanted to shoot it before I did and took it to the range.
The groups were crap with factory ammo so I tried some re-loads,still crap.
I called Ruger and told them I was sending the rifle back for the stock replacement and I wanted them to check the rifle out as it didn't shoot well.
They said they would do an accuracy job on it while they had it.
I asked them what their accuracy standard was for this rifle. They told me 2". I asked was this at 100 yds. and they said NO,50 yds.
I sent it off and it was returned with a new stock and I couldn't tell if they did any thing else.
I never fired the rifle after I got it back from them as my standards was not the same as their's. I got rid of it but I did tell the guy who bought it , the story about the rifle.
steveno
Member
I have a first year 77/22 with a Burris 3 -9 x rimfire/airgun scope and it will do half inch of anything at 25 yards. it hasn't been touched. try Federal automatch or winchester powerpoints. 22 can be picky about the ammo they like. my opinion is that a scope on a 22 should have parallax adjustment for best results also
R.W.Dale
Member
My 77/22 all weather shoots OK 1.5" at 50yds or so, a match rifle by NO means. The most accurate ammo being the Federal american eagle 40grn solid.
My CZ bests the ruger hands down in the accuracy DPT but the ruger is a more packable weather resistant package. being able to accept cheap 10rd mags is also a plus when huntin tree rats.
My CZ bests the ruger hands down in the accuracy DPT but the ruger is a more packable weather resistant package. being able to accept cheap 10rd mags is also a plus when huntin tree rats.
Oohrah
Member
Ken Grant,
Got the same rifle used last year. Got some instruction from
Vern Humphrey on some 35gr VMax loads and it chews about 1"
ten shots at 100yds. Got a 10/22 Target that wants to wander
after three rounds or more with a couple of loads. Now I will look
at bedding, scope and mts., and different brands. A wally world
standard chews single holes at 25 and chose to it at 50yds. If
all fails, will let Ruger figure it out before replacing the barrel with an
after market barrel.
Wonder if the future will see Ruger doing a rebuild on 80 series
Mini 14s to tighten groups like their new ones? Really great products
when you get the ones that shoot good!
The 77/22Hornet has it's barrel free floated. No clue if it came that
way, or the previous owner made it happen.
Got the same rifle used last year. Got some instruction from
Vern Humphrey on some 35gr VMax loads and it chews about 1"
ten shots at 100yds. Got a 10/22 Target that wants to wander
after three rounds or more with a couple of loads. Now I will look
at bedding, scope and mts., and different brands. A wally world
standard chews single holes at 25 and chose to it at 50yds. If
all fails, will let Ruger figure it out before replacing the barrel with an
after market barrel.
Wonder if the future will see Ruger doing a rebuild on 80 series
Mini 14s to tighten groups like their new ones? Really great products
when you get the ones that shoot good!
The 77/22Hornet has it's barrel free floated. No clue if it came that
way, or the previous owner made it happen.
Win75
Member
My 77/22 shot OK but not like I thought it should when I first got it.
I free floated the barrel and now at 25 yards it will shoot almost into one hole if I do my part.
I like gluing .40 caliber paint balls onto paper plates and shooting them. I may miss one out of 15 or 20 at 25 yards.
I shoot sub sonics in several different brands.
I forgot...I also installed a Timney sear and spring.
I free floated the barrel and now at 25 yards it will shoot almost into one hole if I do my part.
I like gluing .40 caliber paint balls onto paper plates and shooting them. I may miss one out of 15 or 20 at 25 yards.
I shoot sub sonics in several different brands.
I forgot...I also installed a Timney sear and spring.
Last edited:
atblis
Member
That's about right.
The 77/22 has never been particularly accurate. Yours isn't unusual. Mine wasn't too great to start with. Lightened the trigger. That helped. Floated the barrel, that made it worse. Bedded the stock. etc. etc. About a 1/2" rifle at 50 yards after years of tinkering (and only with the right ammo).
Ruger rifles are...nevermind. Don't want to piss off too many people tonight (already bagged on the CZ52 enough).
The factory barrels are usually a complete waste of time.
If you want a tack driver for cheap, get a CZ. If you want to have a classy looking rifle for plugging squirrels, get a CZ.
The 77/22 has never been particularly accurate. Yours isn't unusual. Mine wasn't too great to start with. Lightened the trigger. That helped. Floated the barrel, that made it worse. Bedded the stock. etc. etc. About a 1/2" rifle at 50 yards after years of tinkering (and only with the right ammo).
Ruger rifles are...nevermind. Don't want to piss off too many people tonight (already bagged on the CZ52 enough).
The factory barrels are usually a complete waste of time.
If you want a tack driver for cheap, get a CZ. If you want to have a classy looking rifle for plugging squirrels, get a CZ.
If you want to see how your rifle will shoot first buy some .22 ammo that was meant to shoot tiny groups. I'd try Wolf Match Target if you can find it. At least give the rifle some Winchester T-22 to shoot. Bulk packed ammo will rarely shoot really well.
Second, there are a lot of tips and advice about these rifles over at RimfireCentral. You might want to look around over there before giving up on this rifle.
I had a first year 77/22 with a fixed 2 3/4x Redfield scope on top. I bought it used and I was always disappointed with the groups. I took the rifle apart one day and the previous owner had left both of the screws on the V-block loose. I tightened up those two allen screws and my groups got better. After that I shortened the barrell to 16 1/4" and recrowned it and my groups really shrank. It would shoot Remington SubSonics and CCI SGB's into an honest 1/2" @ 50yds.
Good luck with your rifle.
M'bogo
Second, there are a lot of tips and advice about these rifles over at RimfireCentral. You might want to look around over there before giving up on this rifle.
I had a first year 77/22 with a fixed 2 3/4x Redfield scope on top. I bought it used and I was always disappointed with the groups. I took the rifle apart one day and the previous owner had left both of the screws on the V-block loose. I tightened up those two allen screws and my groups got better. After that I shortened the barrell to 16 1/4" and recrowned it and my groups really shrank. It would shoot Remington SubSonics and CCI SGB's into an honest 1/2" @ 50yds.
Good luck with your rifle.
M'bogo
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