I got one of the new generation synthetic camo rifles. First day at the range, straight out of the box with a Burris 2-7x33 camo scope. Ran a bore snake down the tube and went shooting.

Big variance between bullet weight, load and impact point. Started with some cast wad cutters at low velocity at 50 yards. Got those zeroed. Went to 240 grain XTP's and my impact point was off the target. Figured out where it was hitting and got that zeroed. Went to 100 yards. Got that hitting where I needed them to hit. Put in some 300 grain XTP's and they were hitting the dirt about 3' off high where the 240's hit. Gun seems to be very picky about what it likes. Never tried to get the 300's on target.

Went back to the 240's and shot a 3 shot group of 1.365". Measured with a caliper the outside of the group holes and subtracted .430. After reading all the horror stories about this gun being not know of accuracy, I am thrilled! This is with the original 5.5# trigger.

I have a 265 grain Ranch Dog tumble lube mold. Hoping these will give good results. Otherwise I will stick with the XTP's @ 240.

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Only money stands between me and my next gun.

Good shootin Joe! Ive had a 77/44 on my list for years. Glad you found one that shoots so good!

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MattM

I only use 240 grain Hornady XTP bullets + H-110 powder in my own Ruger Model 77/44.

Anyone know if the older wood stock units shoot as well as the new ones? I know that the mini 14's made huge improvements in the later models.

__________________
Only money stands between me and my next gun.

My Ruger 77/44 which I bought back in 1999 has the walnut stock. I think it is MUCH BETTER than the ugly synthetic they now use. My Ruger 77/44 delivers great accuracy and I didn't even have to glassbed it either.

My youngest boy has the older model and it shoots fine. I'm working up 300 gr. xtp loads now and so far look good. I have a 70 yard range at my house and the 300's group about 1'' using a 1x4 Leupold. My Redhawk likes heavy cast bullets so i may give them a try in the 77.

I bought my 77/44 last year. My first trip to the range was with the stock irons, and I was real pleased with the accuracy at 50yds using a moderate load with 210gr Sierra's over Blue Dot. Switching to 270gr Speer GD's, it took a few tries to find the sweet spot using W296, but it will turn in a 2"/5 shot group at 100yds with a 1X-4X Nikon mounted. Hornady 265gr FP's shoot to the same POI with the same amount of W296. It also shoots well with 300gr Sierra FP's, but as you experienced, POI is very different changing bullet weights. I think that big hole, in the skinny barrel is the culprit. I can live with it.

I cleaned up the trigger:
http://www.centerfirecentral.com/images/trigger.gif , and installed a Wolf reduced tension spring. And removed a bit of tension from the barrel channel to eliminate vertical stringing.

When Ruger announced the 77/357, I ordered one the next day.

I really like both of them.