Long time reader, first post. I purchased a standard Hawkeye in 257 Roberts about 6 months ago. Stock fit and finish was horrible along with accuracy (3 moa). I floated the barrel and bedded the action, accuracy improved to about 1.5 moa. I called Ruger who sent me a new stock. New stock finish was very good, accuracy returned to very bad. I bedded and floated the new stock, accuracy improved to about 1 moa with 110 gr Accubonds and IMR 4350. While fine tuning the above load, accuracy opened (2.5 moa) for no apparent reason. Initial thought was a mounting issue, scope remounted, no improvement. Scope was replaced with a new Conquest I bought for a custom rig that I have yet to receive, no improvement. Torque setting on angled action screw has been adjusted at 30, 50, 60 and 75" lbs with middle and rear screws ranging from 15 - 30" lbs. Bore cleaned of all copper multiple times. Crown appears to be fine. Rifle has been fired about 400 times. I have considered adding back the pressure point in the stock but have not tried yet. Any suggestions as to why a rifle that was a consistent 1-1.5 moa shooter change to a 2-3 moa gun? Thanks for your insight.
Ruger Hawkeye Accuracy Issue
- Thread starter wayspr
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first, eliminate the ammo. run some factory fodder and compare groups with your reloads.
second, add the pressure point (business card folded in half works good). if the pressure point reduces group size, you have a bedding problem.
make sure everything else stays the same when diagnosing the problem. make sure temp changes are not affecting the results (groups at 80 deg. will be different from those at 35 deg.).
luck,
murf
second, add the pressure point (business card folded in half works good). if the pressure point reduces group size, you have a bedding problem.
make sure everything else stays the same when diagnosing the problem. make sure temp changes are not affecting the results (groups at 80 deg. will be different from those at 35 deg.).
luck,
murf
Murf, thanks for the reply. I could order some factory ammo, none available locally. When I first got this rifle, I bought 2 boxes of Federal Premium 120 gr Partitions, horrible 5" accuracy.
I am planning on trying some upward pressure under the tip of the stock with a business card. If this helps, what is the easiest way to add a permanent pressure point?
Thanks.
I am planning on trying some upward pressure under the tip of the stock with a business card. If this helps, what is the easiest way to add a permanent pressure point?
Thanks.
Best thing to do with a Ruger is just keep shooting, groups usually get smaller. I know of one that took almost two years to start shooting well. And don't clean it. If that don't work send the barreled action to Shilen. Also see if you can find another unmodified factory stock with pressure point still intact and try that one bone stock no mods. A gun don't always need to be floated especially a 257 Bob.
Jackal
Member
I hate to ask this, but are you sure it isnt maybe user error? Let someone else try it and see what kind of groups they achieve. If they are shooting sub moa, then we know what the problem might be
. It has happened before (to me
).
. It has happened before (to me).dvd, not gonna get any where near 2 years before this rifle is gone. I'll work on it a couple more months, adding pressure point back, more load work etc. By that time she should have 7-800 rounds through her, more than enough for things to level out.
Jackal, my first thoughts when I read posts about guns that don't shoot is to adjust the nut behind the trigger. I'm not the best of shot but feel pretty confident that it's not me. Last week at the range, I had 2 rifles, the Hawkeye and a Savage 243. The Savage shot 5 consecutive sub moa groups with three being in the 1/2 minute range. The Hawkeye, 8 groups fired, all but 2 over 2" with the best group measuring 1.58" for 3 shots.
Jackal, my first thoughts when I read posts about guns that don't shoot is to adjust the nut behind the trigger. I'm not the best of shot but feel pretty confident that it's not me. Last week at the range, I had 2 rifles, the Hawkeye and a Savage 243. The Savage shot 5 consecutive sub moa groups with three being in the 1/2 minute range. The Hawkeye, 8 groups fired, all but 2 over 2" with the best group measuring 1.58" for 3 shots.
Jackal
Member
Ok. Its really hard not to sound offensive when suggesting user error. I have had quite a few Rugers, some would shoot .5moa (tang safety .243 bull barrel varmint) and some were terrible (Ruger M77 round top, 7mm Mag). That .257 should be a sub moa rifle though.
I have had quite a few Rugers, some would shoot .5moa (tang safety .243 bull barrel varmint) and some were terrible (Ruger M77 round top, 7mm Mag). That .257 should be a sub moa rifle though.What I don't understand is what happened? When I replaced the stock, floated and bedded it, load development, 8 different powder charges, all 8 under 1.5" with 4 under 1". Loaded 3 more charges of 5 each in what appeared to be the "sweet" spot, all 3 groups were in the 3/4" range. Loaded 10 more, went to range, 1st group 2", 2nd 3.5". Thought I had a mount or scope issue, remounted, replaced scope, no improvement.
gibble888
Member
I was having issues with imr4350 in my 243 and 7-08 then switched to h4895 and is better.. maybe not the most accurate but consistant not actually done dialing in yet...maybe a powder change
If it isn't any better after 400 rounds more shooting ain't gonna help. Ruger does not suggest free floating their barrels. I like Rugers, most give acceptable accuracy, some don't. None have a reputation as a tack driver. I say it is time to stop throwing good money after bad and trade for something else.
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