Ruger rifles and an old man who's only getting older = An opportunity

[Terrierman]

So, here's a bit of back story.  I've been a long time fan of Ruger rifles.  I bought this M77 RL new in .270 Win in 1985.  It's taken too many deer to count, and a couple of elk.  It's always been a good accurate rifle and it's light enough to carry all day.  It's got a Bushnell Elite 3200 3x9 scope on it.  Good scope too, holds zero perfectly, it's bright, has their rainguard coating that helps keep the lenses clear even in bad weather - and the crosshairs glow for about 15 minutes after shining a light in the lens.  Very nice early and late.  This rifle is an old and dependable friend.  It is in exceptionally good condition, nice slick bore and the stock (cut checkering, not stamped) is not marked up at all.  No rust anywhere.  But it's time for me to let it go.  Since I hurt my shoulder in a fall on the ice several years ago (complete rotator cuff separation and 90% on bicep) it just seems to be slowly getting worse.  To the point the recoil from .270 in a light rifle was affecting my accuracy and enjoyment of the rifle.  Thus, this post.  The rifle is for sale.  They bring $1200 +/- on Gun Broker with no scope.  I'll sell this one for $1000.  Still have about a box and a half of 130 grain Winchester Supreme that the rifle seems to like and the deer don't.  So they go too.  Here's the rifle:

I'm basically in Ozark and will travel a reasonable distance - say 100 miles - to meet if needed.  Face to face deal, I'm not messing around with an FFL to ship.  Let me know if there's interest.

I'm not giving up centerfire rifles altogether.  I've got another Ruger incoming, a .223 Gen II American Ranch Rifle.  Just ordered a Leupold 2x7 to put on it, rings and some ammunition.  The .223 will do anything I need to do now and with almost insignificant recoil.  So looking forward to having it.

I've already sold my 1942 Husqvarna M38 Swedish Mauser and gave my .30-06 Remington Pump to a grandson.  I now only have Ruger rifles.  A 77/22 in .22LR with a 4x Nikon scope and a 77/22 All Weather (boat paddle stock/stainless rifle) in .22 Magnum with Leupold Compact 2x7 on it.  

So I'm down to one manufacturer with three rifles all in .22 caliber.  It's good to be me.

[Quillback]

Nice looking rifles.  I still get the urge to get either a .17 HMR or a .22 magnum to do some squirrel hunting in the winter.  If I get the .22 magnum then that would give me an excuse to get a pistol in .22 magnum for target shooting.  Not that I need an excuse.

[jdmidwest]

Ruger makes some top notch stuff at a working man price.  My first rifle was a 10/22,  I own about a dozen of them now and kids or grandkids get them as first guns.  Many Ruger pistols, Single Sixes,  Marks, Wranglers, American 45 and Security 9's, and a Blackhawk,  A Ruger American .17 hmr.  I have always wanted a Red Label Shotgun or a nice Ruger No.1 single shot...  Just never had one hit me at the right moment.

[Terrierman]

 

Here's my new rifle and some range testing pics.  The rifle doesn't seem to like any of the 55 grain tested so far.  But I'll keep looking.

 

[jdmidwest]

That's a scattergun.  Try a heavier bullet and see what it does.

Move those scope mounts out a notch so they clear ejection port too.  Check that everything is tight.

[Terrierman]

1 hour ago, jdmidwest said:

That's a scattergun.  Try a heavier bullet and see what it does.

Move those scope mounts out a notch so they clear ejection port too.  Check that everything is tight.

The bottom 3 groups are all inside an inch at 100 yards with the scope set at 4X.  Factory ammo.  That's not my idea of a scattergun.  Everything is tight with loc-tite and scope eye relief is right for me.  Nothing is in the way of ejection. 

Right now, it has the M885 in it (not 855, my mistake) because POA = POI.  M885 is the green tip 62 grain fmj.  If I decide on another load, scope adjustments will take care of that.  I'm still trying different loads.  It's fun.

[jdmidwest]

Sorry, internet was sporadic this weekend at the farm, only 2 targets loaded.  And, I use 10" targets to sight in, not the dinky ones you were using.  1" was really distorted.

[Terrierman]

9 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

Sorry, internet was sporadic this weekend at the farm, only 2 targets loaded.  And, I use 10" targets to sight in, not the dinky ones you were using.  1" was really distorted.

Yeah I get it.  Thanks for checking back in.   I'd like to find a 55 gr round it likes.  I'll try some 55 match next.  Regardless, it appears the Hornady stuff is best so far, with surprisingly good M885 results - it's cheap and lacks much of a reputation for accuracy.

[jdmidwest]

My Ar likes 55 Gr Hornady Spire points.  Academy usually has those for around $40 a box of 50.  I shoot them thru my 18" heavy barrel 1x7 twist.  Its really rifled for the heavy bullets, but it spins that spire point lead nose into many of useless critters from the deck of the farm.  Normally 1x9 handles that better.

When I retire and get more time, the reloading stuff will come out and I will work up some new handloads.  Just need that time.....

M855 is the green tip stuff designed for longer bullets and revised twist in the AR.  Some thought it was armor piercing, but all copper jackets flying at a high rate of speed is to some extent.  FMJ is only target stuff for me, I need some expansion on mine.

Note, M855 is not really designed for .223 chamber pressures per SAAMI, only 5.56 or .223 Wylde markings.  Just like all NATO designated loads.

https://www.recoilweb.com/green-tip-5-56-nato-m855-what-is-it-what-is-it-good-for-178211.html

[Terrierman]

10 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

My Ar likes 55 Gr Hornady Spire points.  Academy usually has those for around $40 a box of 50.  I shoot them thru my 18" heavy barrel 1x7 twist.  Its really rifled for the heavy bullets, but it spins that spire point lead nose into many of useless critters from the deck of the farm.  Normally 1x9 handles that better.

When I retire and get more time, the reloading stuff will come out and I will work up some new handloads.  Just need that time.....

M855 is the green tip stuff designed for longer bullets and revised twist in the AR.  Some thought it was armor piercing, but all copper jackets flying at a high rate of speed is to some extent.  FMJ is only target stuff for me, I need some expansion on mine.

Note, M855 is not really designed for .223 chamber pressures per SAAMI, only 5.56 or .223 Wylde markings.  Just like all NATO designated loads.

https://www.recoilweb.com/green-tip-5-56-nato-m855-what-is-it-what-is-it-good-for-178211.html

Thanks.  My rifle is 5.56.  I'll defiinitely try to find something with the 55 grain Hornady spire point.  My son in law is recommending Fiocchi.  Not sure what 55 grain bullets they load but will find out.