After trying (unsuccessfully ) to get any info from Ruger on how purchase an American target model, I happened to notice one on the shelf at a local cabelas.
A few things I noticed that I didn't realize beforehand,
First the bolt was quite stiff when locking down in the forward position, even with the extended bolt handle ( which is very nice by the way ). However after a through cleaning and a hundred or so bolt cycles it has improved dramatically. Even if it didn't get any better with more use, I would be perfecly happy with it.
Second, the barrel and action are blued not matte black. It looks nice and is a better bluing job than I would have expected on a rifle in the price range. The Ruger website says the finish is blued but some of the photos looked darker to me.
The overall fit and finish are better than I was expecting. It "feels" much like a wood stocked 77/17 target, it is not heavy or awkward and unlike the plastic stocked Americans it doesnt feel like a toy.
I was very curious about the accuracy and after a through cleaning, I made it to the range today for sight in and initial accuracy testing. (More through accuracy testing will be added, this was just sight in and preliminary testing to make sure everything was good to go ).
Test scope was a simple Bushnell fixed 10x with mildot reticle in Vortex low rings.
Conditions were less than ideal with 35* and snowing but there was no wind so I went for it.
@100yds 5 shot groups of cci 17 vmax were 1.25" bottom right. And 1.5" top right.
@100 yds 5 shot group of Cci 17gr TNT HP did a little better at 1" exactly, left center target.
Just for fun I shot a 5 shot group with the TNT HP @ 200yds and was surprised to see a group size of only 2.1" and only 1.2 mills low.
A few things I noticed that I didn't realize beforehand,
First the bolt was quite stiff when locking down in the forward position, even with the extended bolt handle ( which is very nice by the way ). However after a through cleaning and a hundred or so bolt cycles it has improved dramatically. Even if it didn't get any better with more use, I would be perfecly happy with it.
Second, the barrel and action are blued not matte black. It looks nice and is a better bluing job than I would have expected on a rifle in the price range. The Ruger website says the finish is blued but some of the photos looked darker to me.
The overall fit and finish are better than I was expecting. It "feels" much like a wood stocked 77/17 target, it is not heavy or awkward and unlike the plastic stocked Americans it doesnt feel like a toy.
I was very curious about the accuracy and after a through cleaning, I made it to the range today for sight in and initial accuracy testing. (More through accuracy testing will be added, this was just sight in and preliminary testing to make sure everything was good to go ).
Test scope was a simple Bushnell fixed 10x with mildot reticle in Vortex low rings.
Conditions were less than ideal with 35* and snowing but there was no wind so I went for it.
@100yds 5 shot groups of cci 17 vmax were 1.25" bottom right. And 1.5" top right.
@100 yds 5 shot group of Cci 17gr TNT HP did a little better at 1" exactly, left center target.
Just for fun I shot a 5 shot group with the TNT HP @ 200yds and was surprised to see a group size of only 2.1" and only 1.2 mills low.
