I would buy your friend a cleaning kit and a better scope for Christmas. Tell or show him how to clean his rifle and not worry anymore. It seems the rifle is fine, the barrel was mistreated and neglected and just needs fed better food and kept clean. There some hunters and target shooters that just have poor maintenance habits you cannot fix. The pitting in a good barrel is not the rifles problem; it is the one pulling the trigger. 😅🤣😂
I had a M77 308V, it was a great shooter. I bought it used and really enjoyed having it for about a year. But I am a deer hunter and it was a bit heavy, so I traded it in for a 336 Marlin in 30 30, it also turned out to be a great shooter and more practical for my old worn out body. I would get 3/4 groups with factory ammo with the M77 from a bench. I got 1 1/4 groups from the Marlin 30 30 from the bench, which is not bad for a 100 yard rifle. The Marlin is the best off hand rifle I have and that is worth a lot. I enjoy buying used rifles and have had some good luck and a bit of bad luck. Happy shooting!
Hey Rick, good to see we keep the same company. Been a subscriber here for couple years. Good stuff and a load of great firearms. Merry Christmas to you and family.
People don’t realize just how important proper trigger weight is. So many people pull or push their shots because of a trigger that is not light enough. That is one hell of a beauty rifle, sir, especially if that barrel has not even been free floated yet. That is a keeper for sure.
Tom, Qualifying in The Marine Corps I learned it was easier for me find a stable point of aim on a target versus holding center-mass and wavering around the bulls-eye; as we were taught in bootcamp. I call that chasing the bulls-eye. I like a six O'Clock aiming point on a round Alpha target that I call a "loopie-pop" sight picture hold ; I adjust the sights to give me a 6 inch rise in impact on a 12 inch round Alpha target. If you chasing your aiming point due to open sights, or a scope you don't care for, this can solve a lot of problems in your mind as you sight in a rifle while testing. Happy Xmas to you and yours,
Tom I have the twin of your rifle right down to the heavy barrel except it's in 25/06. I bought it in the mid-80's used for woodchucks at extended ranges, added a Leopold 4x12 Vari lll and I was amazed with that rifle. The action was butter smooth, locked up like a bank vault and would put 5-90gr Sierra' handloads in the 10 ring pushed by big charges of IMR 4064 touching at 100 yards. Routinely taking 'chucks at 400-500 yards was a breeze and with better glass ranges extended from there. It still sits in my safe competing with a Savage 12FV in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 6x24x50 Vortex on it for range days. Both rifles shoot to 3/8" groups if I do my part but that Ruger 25/06 shoots flatter, faster and further looking gorgeous doing it.
Leupold is the only way to go for the price! No I don’t work for them! 60 years and hundreds of scopes and rifles, just a small addiction🤔😳😂 they are the best for their price range.
@@edwardabrams4972 Honestly I haven't bought another Loup since I had a 2x EER had a lens loosen on a Ruger 454 and they refused to repair it. I found Nikon ProStaff and any Vortex product performs better at half the price but to each his own. Keep Shooting.
I concour.., you should be able to see till this Wednesday with a 24 power. And until Christmas with a 32 power. Lol I agree with you on the course crosshairs on the Bushnell. I bet the thick crosshairs cover up a lot at 24x. It did have a trick up the ol’ barrel no doubt. Can’t wait to see how the M77 project plays out! Merry Christmas sir!
Ok, ya got my attention, first I never saw a Ruger shoot that good, and second I am curious about the stringing so I guess its wait till next week, good video and God Bless
I've never seen one of those ruger rifles shoot that good either. After seeing inside the rifle barrel on the last video I didn't think that rifle would shoot at all. I was expecting patterns not groups.
@@rickyflinchum2909 That rifle is a tang safety, they generally shoot better than the the newer bolt safety Ruger's. The old flat bolt Rugers's are known to be accurate. I have a tang safety Ruger in .280, it shoots dime size groups. When Ruger went with Douglas barrels, they're accuracy was terrible.
@@ricktaylor3748 Appreciate the knowledge pass on to me. I don't have much experience with ruger rifles. Most people I know that shoot ruger rifles either love them or hate them. My huntin rifle of choice are Remington 700's. I get dime size groups out of mine. They never let me down. I've been thinking hard on a ruger 77, might have to just go ahead and get one. I like browning A bolt rifles too.
@@rickyflinchum2909 Yep, Remington is my favorite rifle also. I have s good collection of pre 64 Winchesters. Some in very rare calibers. 1937 .22 Hornet, 57 .308. 49 .270. 1950 .22 Swift, 59 .264, 41 35 Rem. 1963. .300 Win. and a 35 .300 Savage. I wish I had back the ones I sold.
Thomas, Seems every yahoo worth his salt has a comment or two. All can come up with is : Learn to shoot with Both eyes open ( and mouth closed, lol ). You won't be tense while scrunching your face up and will improve your groups ( as well as extending your peripheral view ). Your Mind decides which eye you'll use, not the scope.
I bought my father a new browning from GI Joes and when I looked down the barrel is was so plugged with dirt and grim you couldn’t see through it! Took a couple hours to clean and shot 1/4” inch groups with factory premium ammo! Always give the gun a chance to tell you what it likes and dislikes before you condemn it!
Looks like a shooter to me. I have a Remington that will shoot groups tight with Browning ammo. With any federal it is lucky to hit paper. I learned a long time ago when you get ammo that shoots good you stick with it. I have had gun that would shoot anything and guns that just liked specific ammo.
Luckily for your buddy, there are plenty of budget scopes out there that are leaps and bounds better than that bushnell. I am one of those people that never expected that gun to shoot as well as it did. I am a huge Ruger fan, have six rifles made by them and they all shoot well.
I bet this rifle has a decent chamber......over the years have had and seen Ruger with sloppy chambers etc. But,if,you,get a good one they are great. ...jad two m77 308 at same time one with sloppy chamber and one that was ALOT easier to resize,the fired cases.....the sloppy one wad a poor performer on paper, ok for hunting
Paul, I've always heard Rugers were hit or miss on accuracy. I also always heard it was the barrels but after seeing how this rifle shoots with this barrel I'm wondering if you aren't on to something with the chambers? That sure would explain a lot.
I’m taking my m77 30-06 to the range tomorrow and see what I can do with it and hopefully this weekend to the ranch and see if I can ge a shot at a big buck coming up on my trail camera I’m pumped thanks for your video love it 👍
A hot barrel aggravates me to death. Had a 99 Savage that was near MOA if you fired single shots from a cold barrel. 2 shots touching and then it started walking upward with each successive shot. 2 shot groups were the rule. My .270 gets hot and takes a long time to cool. I can't trust it when trying to zero a new load after it warms up. Had a group going and made an adjustment on the scope to bring down point of impact and couldn't even see a change on it with a hot barrel. I bet next range trip will tell me something in the first 3 shots. Then give it 15 minutes to cool and start all over again. Hunting rifles don't have to be target rifles, but they need to be zeroed with a method that negates the heat issues that come up.
I agree completely with everything there. I'm especially particular about keeping the barrel cool when load testing and learning a rifle. Eliminating a hot barrel just gets rid of one more variable.
Michael, I was thinking the same thing at the range which is why I did bump test on it with no round in the chamber. Which is to say I cocked it and then hit the but of the rifle several times on the bench and it never went off.
Have you free floated and bedded anM77 in the past? I’ve heard they they don’t do well free floated. I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t. I have one I’d like to try.
Greg, I haven't free floated the barrel or bedded it. I was planning to do just that to this rifle until I saw how it shot. With that said I have never bedded a Ruger but the one thing I've always heard is that they need a little more bedding than most rifles in front of the recoil lug under the barrel. The bedding needs to go out about 3/4 of an inch. The reason being the angled action screw wants to pull the barrel downward so it needs a little more support. I was also planning on using a long straight shank screw with just a few threads on the end to basically plug up the threads of that front action screw because that's a blind hole in the action. Then I was going to use the regular action screws in the rear. But that's no longer an issue for me. I hope that helps?
My Savage 10 FP .223 heavy is still waiting for a .222 barrel. Got a new bolt from Midway, as the one that came with it wasn't broke but seemed a little iffy, so will go in a parts bag. I may take it to the range while I wait for the .222 barrel build. Anyway, it came with a Simmons Whitetail 6.5-20X50 scope. It was apparently a Midway exclusive. It seems clear enough and if it's good will make a good long range varmint. Doesn't have finger adjustable turrets for Wind & Elevation as I have been spoiled. With my Vortex 6-24X 50 Tactical I know I can see the .223 holes at 200 yards with no problem, so I don't even bother with a spotting scope. We'll give the rather unique Simmons whitetail a try when the .222 is ready. Have the go/no-go gauges and PPU brass all ready. If this Savage 10 .223 barrel is good, I'll just save it. Still wondering about the deep throating and the lands....like WHERE ARE THEY...or at least, WHERE TO THEY BEGIN? :)
I was just watching your ammo storing video again waiting for the new weekly video. My favorite day of the week just for your videos Tom. I've learned more from you than anyone. 👍
I have just picked up a Ruger M77 Mark II 308. It is in like new condition. It has a laminated wood stock, a Heavy Barele,& Beautfull deep blue finish. It has a Leupold 6.5 X 20 X 40 scope with adjustable parallax. The bore is like new nice and shiny. This rifle came with the original box of shells with 7 missing. I may put a different trigger on it, we will see. I have Ben told these guns have a Lawyer trigger on them..
The triggers are heavy but you can change the trigger spring and lighten it up. It still won't be supper light but you will notice the difference. And I think Timney sells those lighter springs?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving Thanks for the info. But on closer inspection I found the original trigger with a small package that says Timney on it. Inside the box.
I have a savage 340 in 222 Remington with a 4 power weaver, gun and scope 60ty years old, hasn't been cleaned in a few centuries, that will out shoot probably many target guns. Their is no bedding this gun is has barrel band,but it has dropped many axis bucks and some are close to 300 pounds.
Good work and shooting. I always enjoy picking up tips from another rifleman. I've been reloading and casting my own pistol bullets for 60 years now. I've never own a rifle capable of shooting a one hole group. Alot of sub moa groups, but, never a one hole group. You've done it with a standard factory rifle..great shooting.
Run some rounds see what develops. Question what is the plan for the rifle. Hunting or reaching 1000 yards. Try a couple of different loads for what its plan to be used for. Hunting ammo vs match. Either way it looks like your on the right track.
Dang. Those 2nd 5 shots almost made me change my mind about M-77s. My 308s, Both Savages with 22 in. factory contour barrels and one with an accutrigger, never grouped that good, even with the 168 Match King HPBT, even free floated and pillar bedded. I would have predicted the "stock welded to the barrel" Ruger system to group worse, but some claim, or blame, a certain barrel they used for that problem. Anyway, I may not scratch Ruger off my list just yet, especially a later Mk-II without the Tang safety. I know .308s can shoot lights out, especially with that bullet, and have Camp Perry Trophies to prove it. As it heats, will it still hold, especially if the barrel expands against the wood? Looks like good ammo.
If you take your second group and add the first two shots of your third group you’ve got a five shot group that shot under a 1/2 MOA. This what I have experienced with my Ruger M77 rifles. Your bore scope reminds me of something my Doctor told about my heart pressure measuring machine, he said “put it away and don’t use it”, Don’t go looking for problems before you have symptoms.
Nice shooting Tom. I recently picked up a 1976 m77 30-06, all original, unmolested. To my delight, after checking the torque value on the action screws, it shot a 5/8" group with one of my lower velocity 165 hand loads. Prefect for me, since i hunt in the woods of Minnesota. I'll take your cold and damp over my 3° this morning! Take care and keep em coming!
they come with forearm barrel pressure from the factory if you take the stock off you can remove the forearm pressure with sand paper and reseal the wood and the way they are made it will free float the barrel.
I share your amazement. I was thinking 3-4" groups. I have only dreamed of 3 in the same hole. You would be hard pressed to improve on that Tom. lol Merry Christmas to you and family.
Hey Tom, I love ur videos. You have got me back into my rifles. What is the bore scope you are using it was in one of ur videos, but I can't find it again
Nice shooting Tom! Question off topic if you don’t mind. When a person adjusts their diopter (eyepiece) for best cross hair focus, should one point it into the blue sky, adjust for clearest crosshairs, close eye and reopen again quickly adjusting for best focus again. If you agree, I would then ask if this setting should be made with the scope in its highest magnification range or the lowest, or mid? Please let me know your thought on diopter adjust on a second focal plane scope. Thank you & God bless sir. Have a wonderful Christmas.
I have never just Bore sighted a barrel and been that close to the x with the first 3 shots without adjustment. Whats the secret It would save me alot of money on ammo?
Kevin, the secret is sight picture. Those Redfield targets show up really well looking through the bore. A smaller target or different color target like the shoot and sees wouldn't have shown up nearly as well and I wouldn't have been nearly as close.
That was pretty awesome Tom!!! I really enjoyed that. I have all my parts to start my New Year's project. I sure hope it shoots as well as that Ruger did. Thanks again.
Anyone have any experience with a athlon Argos BTR GEN2 6-24×50 aplr2 ffp or Hi-lux uni-dial 5x-30×56 ballistic turret rifle scopes? Are they any good?
Good video...The Ruger turned out to be a good shooter.. can't wait to see the results of free floating and bedding the action... Maybe a higher quality scope change out for testing. That one you are using is very low on the quality list.. And how did that bore clean out after the first round of testing?
Michael, I haven't checked the bore again but I plan on it. And I don't think I'm going to free float or bed this one. I just made my 2nd range trip and this rifle is a shooter as is. No need to change anything other than the scope but not my scope and not my rifle! LOL
Great video as always.Finally some great groups. I think you are too sensitive with the whole heat issue. It's not summertime and you are wearing a coat. You should be shooting a minimum of a 5 shot group.. Put a good scope on it and shoot some back to back 5 shot groups. That gun can easily handle it and should perform.
As for me, I think 5 shot groups are overrated and a waste of barrel, throat and ammo. As Keith Glasscock said about wasting components, about a two shot group about 1/2 to 3/4 inches, during load development for F-Class, "these two shots are so far apart, I don't care how many bullets you put in there, it's not gettin'... any smaller."
I would’ve never guessed that rifle being able to shoot like that. I would’ve bet anything you would’ve had to have a barrel shortened to get rid of that rust pitting to make it shoot. Great video
Look at some of the sports writers from the previous 1960 era.......2 inch groups were accepted at ok for hunting rifles.....more stress on fit and function of weapon to user.....what is most important in and under field conditions ? Today as result of Hugh improvements in machining capabilities and technology maybe expectations are too narrow......in field user still has to be able to shoulder and aim and hit target effectively. ......99 percent of hunters under field conditions really don't need such tight groups.......all this long,range high tech stuff self deceiving. .....old saying ",hunters,hunt and shooters shoot "
Most of my relatives in Maine were perfectly confortable with pump action Remington in 30.06 or lever action 35 Remington. ......in southern US they said you could get by with one gun.......12 Guage shot gun. ..good for everything from birds to deer depending on load....I have seen soooo many people at range completely clumsy with the wrong setup with there weapons..
I had a Ruger m77 in .308 with heavy barrel in early 70s......shot speer 130 grain hollow points into dime size groups.....used,9n ground squirrel out west.....best shot 385 paces......built rig for shooting situation
Looks like the best service you can give you friend is to take him to range and let him shoot on of your rifles with a decent scope so he will realize the handy cap of his current optics. The rifle looks fine as a field rifle but would be a horror for some competitive target shooters
Need to have a SERIOUS discussion about that hair trigger ....safety. ....cold winter fingers don't cope with light triggers...need firm crisp let off. ....I would always go for a trigger with no creep and crisp let off over a hair trigger
Tom: Wow, after I saw the rust pits inside that barrel, I would NEVER have expected it to shoot that well. Congratulations and well done. On another note, I am also surprised how well that 79 year old GI barrel on the 03-A3 performed. Is that a 4-groove barrel or the 2 groove? (I assume it was a 4 groove since Remington didn't make a lot of 2 groove barrels in 1943.) Anyway, good job and please keep up the good work and interesting videos.
Thanks John, and the 03a3 is a 4 grove. And this something you might know more about than myself but this barrel was made in Sept of 43 and I thought all of the barrels made then were a4 barrels? I've wondered if someone didn't rebarrel it at some point with an a4 barrel since the receiver was made in 42? And that would help explain the accuracy. On a side note there's a good friend of the channel that retired from the Marines many years ago and he said the old timers when he was young all said the 1903's were the most accurate rifles of any of them. I think they might have known what they were talking about?
Mike I used to adjust with a white wall and I would just through the rifle or scope real quick and then back down. And magnification won't matter with a 2nd plane reticle (I forget the proper term) because the crosshairs will be the same size no matter what magnification for a first focal place I would zoom all of the way in so the crosshairs are at their largest size. With that said my eye have gotten to the point now where I do adjust the diopter for better focus on the target even though I shouldn't. But it does help me see.
Being a 60+ year hunter reloader and gun collector your statement tells everyone you know nothing about guns🤔😳 the 308 is one of the most accurate cartridges ever made! 60 years ago I saw my father drop 4 elk with 5 shots with a 308 using Partition bullets back when my family lived off of game meat only! You just need to get out more and maybe you just might learn something 🤔😳
A rifle that shoots extremely well deserves a great riflescope. I recommend a Steiner Predator 8 with the 3-24 by 50mm feature, I am really quite impressed with this riflescope. Don't let the price scare you too much because this scope is extremely clear and bright.
@@varg8696 Yes, it's heavy at 25 ounces. I was thinking more about using it at the range to wring out the accuracy of Tom's rifle. I have mounted this Steiner on a Steyr-Mannlicher 7mm x 64 rifle which I greatly enjoy.
