77/44 - Finally got a range day

[375hh1973]

I had started a previous thread asking about 77/44s

I found a stainless/synthetic one at the LGS with a Leupold VX1 2-7. It is the exact scope I have on a stainless/synthetic 77/22 mag and was a great price so I brought it home.

Michigan is one of those goofy states that has a straight wall rule for the southern part. Most of my hunting is up north where I can use whatever, but have recently been invited to some property in the restricted area.

Anyway, I finally got it to the range.

I had accumulated some different 44 mag ammo

1. Fiocchi 240gr soft point
2. Hornady 240gr xtp
3. PMC 240gr TCSP

All were decent at 50 yds.

At 100 yds there was a lot of separation:

The Fiocchi looked like buckshot on the target. Also it was noticeably much lower.

The Hornady was about 4" group. Prints higher than the Fiocchi

The PMC was a 2.5 inch group performer. Also much hotter. Not that a 44 mag recoils much but the PMC was louder and had more push back.

The Leupold was typical Leupold in my experience- Make adjustment then shoot several rounds before adjustment takes place. I had forgotten what a PITA it is to zero in a Leupold. Once they are set, they usually don't move so I have that going for me.

All in all, this rifle will never win a rifle match.

Will it kill a deer at 100 yards? YES.

And thats why I purchased it.

 

[gramps]

I have a peep sight on mine. Shoots well out to120 yds. I have yet to kill a deer with it, but I am confident it will.
gramps

 

[Mobuck]

I've shot a couple of deer with the PMC TCSP and it does a good job. Expansion seems OK but I've not recovered either bullet--full penetration@ 100-125 yards. Maybe the 77/44 doesn't recoil much but my little Win 94 Trapper has a noticeable recoil and from the 4 5/8" SBH, the PMC is a handful (for me anyway).

 

[Don G]

Not my experience with Leupolds unless they are the old ones with friction adjustments rather than clicks

 

[bwct]

Trigger and/or bolt shims might help with accuracy issues.

 

[Laserbait]

Not my experience with Leupolds unless they are the old ones with friction adjustments rather than clicks

I think that's the VX1 he has. I have a Leupold Rifleman (can't remember on what) that has the friction adjustments. My VX2's, Vari-X III's and VX-R's are all the click type though.

 

[375hh1973]

These are click adjustments

I have one Vari X 3 left that has same issue. Great once its dialed in, awful to get the adjustments to take. Have slowly gotten rid of my Leupolds in favor of Zeiss, Steiner, and Nightforce

This Leupold will definitely work for what I got it for

 

[Hunter6657]

I usually rap on the side of the turrets with a cartridge box or something to make the adjustments settle after sighting in.
The Volquartzen trigger and bolt shims really tighten up the accuracy on the 77/44, 77/357, 77/22, or 77/22 Hornet models due to the 2 piece bolt and mid bolt locking lugs. I had a 77/357 rifle that had mediocre accuracy past 50yds that I sold before I learned about the trigger and bolt shims for these rifles. I did the modifications on my 77/44 rifle and it's a keeper ! I have a Leupold VX-1 2x7x on it as well.

 

[375hh1973]

Definitely gonna get a shim kit

 

[daveag.]

Timney makes triggers for this action, too. M77/50’s use same trigger. I have Timney’s in a couple.

 

[Mobuck]

2.5" group @ 100 yards is plenty good for a 150 yard deer rifle.