Accuracy trouble 22 Hornet Ruger M77
My brother has a Ruger M77 in 22 Hornet and can't get the thing to shoot right. He's had it for years and tried all the standard stuff float the barrel, add a little fore end pressure, every load you can dream up, and more. It has had several different quality ( Leupold ) scopes on it and nothing seems to change a thing. He said he's ready to re-chamber to something else. The only thing I can think of is the "K-Hornet", is that an inherently more accurate cartridge?
The gun is real fun and nice handling but it would be funner if he could get some real groups out of it, 1.5 MOA would seem acceptable.
I'd have to look at it again and measure it but my brother thinks it's too short an action to go to a .223.
Lets hear some expert opinions about this.
The gun is real fun and nice handling but it would be funner if he could get some real groups out of it, 1.5 MOA would seem acceptable.
I'd have to look at it again and measure it but my brother thinks it's too short an action to go to a .223.
Lets hear some expert opinions about this.
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One thing to consider when re-chambering the 22 hornet is the twist rate. I am not sure what the rate is on the ruger. You could rebarrel it though.
Believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see !!
NRA Life Member0 -
Dave,
I'm assuming that your brother's rifle is the M77/22 because the fix I'm about to give you applies to that rifle only.
You have done everything that most folks can think of except to correct one of the primary faults of this rifle. You need to take this rifle to a gunsmith and have him put shims between the front portion of the bolt and the rear portion. It is usually the space between the front and rear of this two piece bolt that makes this rifle so inaccurate. The bolt never sets up the same way twice in a row let alone twice at all.
The only problem now is that you have to start over with the load testing. While you're at it though, do give consideration to going with the K-Hornet. It is a vast improvement over the standard Hornet and your rifle twist rate is just fine. You will really be impressed with the K-Hornet.
Best.0 -
Yes, twist rate would be fine for 22 K-hornet, but not for .223.
Believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see !!
NRA Life Member0 -
Peabo,
In the first place, the M77/22 receiver isn't made to handle the length or pressure of the .223 Rem. The Hornet and K-Hornet have a pressure ceiling of 43,500 PSI while the .223 Rem. is set at 55,000 PSI.
Second, the twist rate of the Ruger M77/22 in 22 Hornet is supposed to be 1:14" which is perfectly suited to the .223 Rem. if only the receiver was set up to handle the pressure. Many, many 22 caliber varmint rifles have been set up for the 1:14" twist rate.
Best.0 -
You are correct, but in his original question, he mentioned possibly re-chambering to .223. He thought that the action may be too short for the .223 and I thought it may be reasonable to also consider the twist rate. Yes, 1-14 is fine for the lighter bullets but if you wanted to load with a heavier bullet,say in a .223, a faster twist rate would be better and something to consider. But since the M77/22 will not handle the pressure of the .223, the whole idea is not feasible. The .22 K-Hornet is the only option.
Thank You
Believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see !!
NRA Life Member0 -
In my experience, I have found .22 Hornet is very sensitive to freebore. I recently was trying to work up an accurate load for my NEF single shot in this chambering. I loaded 25 rounds with .010" freebore, 25 with .020" freebore, and so on down to the listed COAL. The groups were 1.7" with .010" freebore, 1.56" with recommended COAL and I managed 1.12" with .060" freebore. I was using 40 gr. V-max and H-110; velocity was 2962 FPS.
Save the seals-club a liberal instead.0 -
NONONSENSE IS EXACTLY right the bolt is two piece and you have to shim them up tight.
I'm not an expert, but i did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.0 -
I don't know if the design of a ruger is like many other HORNET rifles but on most the bolt diamenter is very small and the space for the fireing pin spring and fireing pin is very small. IMHO this makes for a weak hit on the primer and I use small pistol primers they have a softer "CUP" this cuts my group size down .One rifle it cut groups in half. 0 -
Thanks everyone for all the info. I'd like to hear more about shimming the 2 piece bolt!
Is this true with all Ruger M77's? If so maybe I can work up some shims for my 22/250 to scratch out the last fraction of accuracy?
Anyway on the Hornet does anyone have detailed info on the bolt shimming? I'd need to hear more about it.........If shims are installed will it require the headspace to be checked again? or does the bolt face stay in the same place and you merely shim the rear part of the bolt further back?0 -
i had the same problem with accuracy. it would not group at all with my handloads. i got rid of it and bought a NO.1 hornet and it shot 3/4" groups with the same handloads at 100 yds. i am down to about 5/8" groups now. my best advice-> ditch the 77/22 and get a NO.1.
Tater0 -
Or get a CZ 527 American.
Pete
"Be kind to your neighbor, he knows where you live"0 -
no not all the ruger 77's are like that. your 22-250 has a one piece bolt. take it to a gunsmith and let them shim it. it just tightens up the two pieces so it all turns at the same time. i don't think there ar eany headspace problems or anything.
I'm not an expert, but i did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.0
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