Hit the range today for a little trigger time with my "new .358 pig scout". No reloads today, just some Winchester 200 gr Silver Tips factory fodder. Got everything zeroed at 25yrds and set the target at 110yrds. First three shot group printed 1.142" and second three shot group printed .738". Very nice. Back to 25 yrds to check the irons. A little low and to the right. One adjustment and dead center at 25yrds. Set up at 50 yrds and she printed about 1'' high with a dead center 1.00" three shot group. Very pleased indeed. No chrony today so no velocity readings.
I did this conversion because a .308 does not really excite me. Nothing wrong with the round, just does not excite me. The idea of a gunsite scout as a .358 got the juices flowing. Pig rifle par excellence.
I was not particularly impressed with the rifle's accuracy as a .308. Despite my best work and multiple combinations, the best I could do was an average of 2.00" at 110yrds. Some groups were better and some were worse. Prior to the rebore, I had the rifle massaged by a known accuracy smith. He pillar and epoxy bedded the barreled action and worked the trigger over. The trigger is better and still not great. To be fair to the rifle design, I am confident Ruger did not intend the rifle to be a bench shooter. I fact, it is not a bench friendly design nor was it probably intended to be. The accuracy was fine for the rifle's intended design. Anyway, I felt that short, stiff barrel could do much better and the rifle be more of what I wanted.
I chose a 4 groove bore with 1-14 twist. I removed the flash hider. VERY IMPORTANT. I believe the hole in hider will not allow a .358" projectile to pass thru peacefully. I may be wrong, just a hunch. I replaced the hider with a thread protector purchased thru Midway USA.
I do not know the folks at JES Rebore. I chose JES because of the multiple, great reports I had seen on various forums. Turn around time was less than 2 weeks. Still have a grin on my face and I left the range three hrs ago. I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
I did this conversion because a .308 does not really excite me. Nothing wrong with the round, just does not excite me. The idea of a gunsite scout as a .358 got the juices flowing. Pig rifle par excellence.
I was not particularly impressed with the rifle's accuracy as a .308. Despite my best work and multiple combinations, the best I could do was an average of 2.00" at 110yrds. Some groups were better and some were worse. Prior to the rebore, I had the rifle massaged by a known accuracy smith. He pillar and epoxy bedded the barreled action and worked the trigger over. The trigger is better and still not great. To be fair to the rifle design, I am confident Ruger did not intend the rifle to be a bench shooter. I fact, it is not a bench friendly design nor was it probably intended to be. The accuracy was fine for the rifle's intended design. Anyway, I felt that short, stiff barrel could do much better and the rifle be more of what I wanted.
I chose a 4 groove bore with 1-14 twist. I removed the flash hider. VERY IMPORTANT. I believe the hole in hider will not allow a .358" projectile to pass thru peacefully. I may be wrong, just a hunch. I replaced the hider with a thread protector purchased thru Midway USA.
I do not know the folks at JES Rebore. I chose JES because of the multiple, great reports I had seen on various forums. Turn around time was less than 2 weeks. Still have a grin on my face and I left the range three hrs ago. I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
