Davidson barrel for Ruger .223 Target rifle.

L

llogan7708

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I have a Ruger .223 Target rifle (Model 77 MII). The best five shot group I've gotten out of this gun is .274 with 26.5gr of 2460 and a 53gr Sierra Match HPFB bullet.
While talking to a gunsmith, he mentioned that I should look for one of the original Model 77 with a Davidson barrel. My question, does anyone know someone with one of these guns, or any idea how to locate one? I can't put any other barrel on, seeing as Ruger does not make replacement barrels.
 
I think that Ruger used Douglas barrels on their varmint rifles at least when they first brought them out. That was at least 40 years ago so you're likely out of luck. Ruger didn't chamber the early 77's in .223 that I know of either.

Why can't you put another barrel on your Ruger? All that's needed is a barrel blank, and a gunsmith who knows what he's doing to unscrew the factory barrel and fit and chamber the blank for your action. I've got a 40 year old 77 varmint rifle that's now on its fourth barrel.
 
My question is why would you want to change it if you're getting less than 1/2 MOA out of a factory rifle? Sounds like it's shooting very well as is!
 
Hi:

I bought a Ruger 77V 25 06 in the early 70's and I was told by the person at Ruger that Wilson Arms was producing all of their barrels!

That gun would not shoot at all! Ruger asked me return the gun to see what the problem was. They shot it and told me that it met factory specs for accuracy. The specs were 1.250" st 50 yards! That was and will be my last Ruger rifle!

Stay well,

Zeke
 
I've heard similar things about other manufacturers rifles as well. Most of them have no idea what their rifles will be used for by the purchaser and seem to believe that if a bullet from a factory load exits the barrel, the rifle doesn't come undone, and the bullet actually hits a target their job is done. Minute of moose, across a room is plenty good.
 
Thanks for the replies fellas. My reason for wanting a different barrel is I want to shoot factory class occasionally, as well as my 6mm PPC (not shoot as well, I know). For every good group I get (sub .500"), I get a dozen that look good except for a darn flier. I don't believe I can put a replacement barrel on and still be able to shoot factory, unless it's a Ruger barrel. As I initally said, I have a decent load, after months of loading and testing, but the flier that I get in 90% of my groups, is the issue.

Les
 
Llogan: I am glad you clarified your concerns (problem) with the Ruger 77 V/T of yours.
Factory Rifles can be "hit or miss" when it comes to seeking out excellent accuracy.
I might suggest you look into a Sako heavy barrel single shot Rifle in caliber 6mm PPC.
I have one of these Rifles (along with a 24 power Leupold scope) and it is consistently accurate.
A few years back I bought one of these Rifles from an estate sale. It was new and unfired. I obtained some Euber 68 grain bullets for it.
During "load development" the largest group (5 shots at 100 yards) it ever fired measured .664".
Once I had the powder and technique to firing it chosen it has shot just exceptionally and consistently well.
The last two groups (5 shots at 100 yards) I fired with this Sako Rifle in dead calm conditions measured .226" and .212"!
One reason I recommend this model Rifle to you is that I have a friend with the exact same Rifle and it shoots exceptionally well for him also.
My Ruger 77 V/T in 223 Remington shoots well for me - in dead calm conditions it averages about .480" for 5 shots at 100 yards.
I don't know if I can reasonably expect much more from this model/caliber Rifle.
My groups though are usually roundish with no fliers - which differs from your situation and might be solvable somehow.
How about taking one turn off of the threaded end of your barrel and having it precisely chambered in a tight neck configuration?
Would that be legal in your chosen discipline?
Good luck to you and have fun.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
 
llogan7708 said:
Thanks for the replies fellas. My reason for wanting a different barrel is I want to shoot factory class occasionally, as well as my 6mm PPC (not shoot as well, I know). For every good group I get (sub .500"), I get a dozen that look good except for a darn flier. I don't believe I can put a replacement barrel on and still be able to shoot factory, unless it's a Ruger barrel. As I initally said, I have a decent load, after months of loading and testing, but the flier that I get in 90% of my groups, is the issue.

Les
Click to expand...

I would check your bedding and make sure the magazine box is not binding on the action.
 
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