ruger m77 mk2 .243 heat issues

[uk roe hunter]

I have a ruger m77 mk2 in .243 with the stutzen stock. I find that it shoots well until it gets any kind of warm and then it is all over the place. Hunting this is not a problem but on range work it's a pain, anyone else find this?

It means that it takes me ages to do anything at all!

steve

 

[Thin Black Line]

By "all over the place", how large are your groups really opening up?
How many rds are you firing in how many minutes?

 

[huntershooter]

Most likely a "bedding" issue with the full length (refered to as "Mannlicher" by most in the US) stock. If the first shot from a cold barrel goes where it should, I wouldn't worry about it. Otherwise I would try "floating the barrel (ahead of receiver to barrel band), or glass bedding.

 

[uk roe hunter]

HOT

The groups open out to 2-3 inches at 100 yards and move to the right by a couple of inches.

I am about to check the float.

steve

 

[Thin Black Line]

So your total group size is 2-3" when the rifle is very hot.....this wouldn't be
that unusual for a standard profile barrel. It probably wouldn't hurt to make
sure the screws are tightened. All other things constant (such as a good
scope) some changes in point of impact can be due to a loose rear lug.

 

[uk roe hunter]

it's hot,

I have run a piece of paper behind the barrel and found that it was far from free floating. I have worked it with a peice of glass paper and now there is no contact between stock and barrell. I can move a pice of paper up and down between no problem.

I will fire again tomorrow and see if we have made any progress. It isn't the scope, the mountsa are good and it is not moving. When i say very hot, maybe thats an overstatement. It is after maybe 18 rounds.

uk

 

[RugerNo]

Knowing that 18rounds will cause it to wander, many of us in the US have a couple of other guns to fire and let one cool down. Not uncommon to have 3 or 4 in the rack during range time. Your laws and rules may not allow that. With Ruger's angled front action screw, it's best to know how and in what sequence to tighten particular screws when reinstalling a barrel in the stock. I don't have that info, but I know it is on the net. It is critical. Improperly done and the recoil lug is not set properly in the stock.

 

[uk roe hunter]

big thanks

RugerNo
I have just been onto the ruger site and they eplain that on there, i have re tightenned it up we will see tomorrow.

Steve

 

[rockstar.esq]

You might also consider a torque screwdriver like this;
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=718023

Seems like it'd be especially useful with a sensitive stock/action setup.