I was gifted a Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .257 Roberts. I understand that the rifle is quite desirable, so I haven't changed anything on it. It's completely stock. No bedding job, no aftermarket trigger, etc. I worked up a load with 42 gr. H4350 and a 117 grain Hornady SST. I'm getting 1-1/2" to 2" groups at 100 yards. I can't seem to get anything better. Is this reasonable with this rifle and handloads? Am I being too picky? I plan on deer hunting with it, that's about it.
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Ruger M77 Hawkeye .257 Roberts accuracy expectations?
- Thread starter Bmil94
- Start date
I would expect about 1.5 moa@100 yds for that vintage of ruger 77s. The barrels weren't the greatest. The weird angled front action screw is very sensitive to torque, especially in a wood stock. May play with that a little.
It's an M77, they aren't known for accuracy.
They are good looking rifles and that is an excellent cartridge.
I would suggest a bedding job, maybe a trigger.
That would likely help accuracy.
As long as the first round is consistent, I wouldn't worry about it. That is acceptable hunting accuracy.
Personally, i would look at the sierra game king, the SST are notorious for coming apart causing lost game.
They are good looking rifles and that is an excellent cartridge.
I would suggest a bedding job, maybe a trigger.
That would likely help accuracy.
As long as the first round is consistent, I wouldn't worry about it. That is acceptable hunting accuracy.
Personally, i would look at the sierra game king, the SST are notorious for coming apart causing lost game.
Try different powders, different primers and Especially different bullets. Sierra 117 Spitzer Boat Tails are excellent bullets for accuracy as are the 115 Bergers. But with the Bergers, you have to drive the Bergers pretty hard to get them to stabilize in a typical 1-10 barrel. (They work great in my .25-06, but I ma pushing it pretty darned hard.)
As far as hunting, the Bergers will do the job but often you will find the what’s left of the bullet just under the far skin. Blood trail won’t exist, but trust me, hit where you’re supposed to with the Berger and the boiler room is going to be a mess.
51.5 grains left out of 115 but that deer didn’t travel 30 yards.
As far as hunting, the Bergers will do the job but often you will find the what’s left of the bullet just under the far skin. Blood trail won’t exist, but trust me, hit where you’re supposed to with the Berger and the boiler room is going to be a mess.
51.5 grains left out of 115 but that deer didn’t travel 30 yards.
I have tried 150 gr SSTs in a few .308s I have and it just didn't group tight enough for me. But I like Hornady ammo. The ELD-X 175 in 7 PRC has worked well for me.
In the .308s, Federal Fusion 165 grain has been less than 1 MOA for 3 shots, which is what I need, being a hunter.
Accuracy is hitting what you aim at. Precision is the tightness of the group and how close to PoA.
So, if shooting 1.5" to 2", don't go past 200 yards on a whitetail. And most people I have known have never shot one as far as 300 yards. My friend who used the black powder muzzleloader with his own smelted .50 cal balls never shot past shot gun range and got plenty of doe.
I have not shot a Ruger M77 but I would also imagine bedding problems could be an issue. Also, before throwing the baby out with the bathwater, maybe try other weights of bullets and charge weights.
IDK, just spitballing here, being the least expert person in this thread and even in the forum in general.
M77 MarkII and Hawkeyes shoot just fine for me. My dad has a 22-250 and I have a 260 Rem and 223 Hawkeye. My 223 is a first year Hawkeye. They all shoot 5 shots at 1” or less.
Not sure what max is for a 117 but 42gr seems light.
Not sure what max is for a 117 but 42gr seems light.
I don’t have any experience with the Hawkeye, but I’ve had a M77 tang safety since 1981. It would spread shots vertically as the barrel warmed, so, being the adventurous 13 year old, I borrowed my dad’s dremel tool and used Acraglas Gel to bed the action and free float the barrel. After that, it would group 3/4” with 150 grain Nosler Solid Base Boattails. I use 160 Partitions in it now and it’s still a solid 1.25” grouper. The barrel doesn’t look that great with my Teslong, but it’s had a lot of miles on it and I went through an overcleaning phase about 25 years ago with Barnes CR10 trying to get their bullets to shoot well in it, which they never did, 2” groups. I’m sure all the CR10 that went down it didn’t help. I stick with BoreTech Eliminator these days.
Anyhow, I believe you will find better accuracy with a different bullet and if not, I would bed the action and make sure the barrel is not touching anything.
Anyhow, I believe you will find better accuracy with a different bullet and if not, I would bed the action and make sure the barrel is not touching anything.
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I pushed it up to 45 gr and accuracy got worse after 42 gr. I’m right around 2720fps right now with 42gr.
Try some Varget and see what you get...
H4350 is a good powder, but I'm also getting some not that impressive groups with it in my 7 SAW. If it keeps giving me fits, I'm going to try Varget. And if that doesn't work, CarbonSix will be getting it back, and I'll be getting a refund, and have Blue Mountain build me a 7 SAW Proof CF barrel. I know those will shoot.
Probably get flamed for this buuut….Ruger’s (especially older ones) can have fairly generous chamber dimensions.
I’d try fired, partial sized brass (if you haven’t already) and get as close as I could to the throat with a 115 Partition or maybe a good old Hornady 117 Roundnose, if you can find them. Those old bullets will shoot, believe it or not (and they’ll kill stuff dead!).
Another bullet to consider is the 100 grain Partition. I checked the scope on my A-Bolt II .25-06 yesterday. 2 of them landed 2” high at 100 yards, .55” apart, according to the electronic target. Back in the case it went…..
Powder-wise, I’d dump H-4831 (if available) and look for 2875fps or thereabouts with heavies. I’d try the 4350 with the 100 grain models and quit around 3100.
The Ruger’s trying. Might need bedding, but if it’d shoot a CONSISTENT 1.5” 3 shot group, I’d probably just call it good (though it’s likely capable of better).
The Bob is a sweet little round. I’d not give up on it too easily.
I’d try fired, partial sized brass (if you haven’t already) and get as close as I could to the throat with a 115 Partition or maybe a good old Hornady 117 Roundnose, if you can find them. Those old bullets will shoot, believe it or not (and they’ll kill stuff dead!).
Another bullet to consider is the 100 grain Partition. I checked the scope on my A-Bolt II .25-06 yesterday. 2 of them landed 2” high at 100 yards, .55” apart, according to the electronic target. Back in the case it went…..
Powder-wise, I’d dump H-4831 (if available) and look for 2875fps or thereabouts with heavies. I’d try the 4350 with the 100 grain models and quit around 3100.
The Ruger’s trying. Might need bedding, but if it’d shoot a CONSISTENT 1.5” 3 shot group, I’d probably just call it good (though it’s likely capable of better).
The Bob is a sweet little round. I’d not give up on it too easily.
Those Partitions are EXPENSIVE. I like to shoot a lot so I was hoping my rifle didn't like bullets that cost over a dollar per bullet. I might have to try a box for hunting purposes though.
They are. I may have bought the last of mine, BUT, I also like having a couple of loads for a rifle that, while zero’ed for one, the other is “close enough” for close range, plinking, etc.
My #1 7x57 is zeroed for 175 SGK’s, but I’ve got a pretty good load with 175 Hornady RN’s. When I can’t see over 150 yards, the old Blue Noses get chambered.
I’ve been shooting 100 grain partitions and 85 Ballistic tips out of my .25-06. They hit pretty close as far as poi/poa. Yesterday, checked zero at 100 with Partitions and rung the 300 yard gong (6” gong) twice with 85BT’s. Good enough.
Point being, you don’t have to shoot Partitions ALL the time. Work up a load and zero with them, but have something else with a similar zero that’s cheaper, and perhaps with a slightly different purpose. Speer and Sierra make bullets too!
I’d also add, where I currently hunt, 250 yards is a stupid long shot. Reality is closer to 75-100 or less. Your area may have different requirements.
My #1 7x57 is zeroed for 175 SGK’s, but I’ve got a pretty good load with 175 Hornady RN’s. When I can’t see over 150 yards, the old Blue Noses get chambered.
I’ve been shooting 100 grain partitions and 85 Ballistic tips out of my .25-06. They hit pretty close as far as poi/poa. Yesterday, checked zero at 100 with Partitions and rung the 300 yard gong (6” gong) twice with 85BT’s. Good enough.
Point being, you don’t have to shoot Partitions ALL the time. Work up a load and zero with them, but have something else with a similar zero that’s cheaper, and perhaps with a slightly different purpose. Speer and Sierra make bullets too!
I’d also add, where I currently hunt, 250 yards is a stupid long shot. Reality is closer to 75-100 or less. Your area may have different requirements.
