Loads from today...

[Joe S.]

Went to the range and did a little final testing today. I had decent groups at 41.5 and 42.0 grains the other day so i started at 41.6 and worked up in 0.1 grains to 42.2 grains. this is what i got with 42.2, which was the best i shot today. 41.9 and 42.1 were about 1" but this one settled in nicely. Gonna load 10 more at 42.2 and try them and make sure my groups stay consistent. If so i will load up 50 and call it good. Powder is Reloader 15 and bullet is 165 Sierra Game King

Here's the rifle. 70s model Ruger M77 RSI 308win with 6x Leupold M8. Lookin for some low rings now to replace the mediums then gonna get Big Rob to make me some leather.

User 358win (i think thats what he goes by here. Know him by another name on our local forum) inspired me in loading and photos altho my quality of both leaves a LOT to be desired.

 

[mattsbox99]

Excellent group and very nice rifle!

 

[Lo_Tek]

Burris makes some really nice rings for the M77 in low, med., and high in gloss, matte and silver. They don't have the big nut on the left side that I seem to keep hooking on things. I got my last set from Midsouth Shooter's Supply for $33 + shipping.

 

[Joe S.]

Thats good to know! Thanks! I will look into that.

 

[cmacrph]

That's the best lookin' shootin' iron I've seen in a long time!!
And the photos are very nice as well.
Thanks for sharin'.

 

[Joe S.]

Thanks!

 

[Joe S.]

Finally got around to sighting her in today. Setup at 200 yards. Off the rest.

Took a couple shots to get on paper. When i did, i shot an inch below center.
The ones out near the orange below center line i am blaming on my barrel being so sensitive to heat. Id get a good shot or two (center orange) then it would open up. I let it cool and shot and pulled hard. Thats the one in the 2nd orange. Shot again and it was right there with the other two in center orange. Third shot high. Hot. So i called it good. I figure thats as good as im gonna get with me an a 6x scope.

My shots will never be 200 yards where i hunt so i should be covered. Gonna shoot more at 50, 100, 150 just so i'll know where it goes at those ranges. Man i love this gun!!

 

[cmacrph]

Joe,
Looks like you got that beauty ready for hunting. I also sight in my .308's at 200 yards.
Was lucky enough to take a nice elk at 165 yards with my Mark II Frontier last October in New Mexico.
Do you ever do any long distance shooting with the .308?
Some friends and I have registered for a Precision Shooting Class at Tac Pro Shooting Center in Mingus, Texas. It should be an educational experience learning to shoot at up to 1000 yards. I will be shooting a custom M-14 that my gunsmith runnin' buddy built. He agreed to part with it a couple of months ago, so I've been trying to get to know her well enough to do some distance shooting.
Good luck with your rifle, I can see why you love it!

 

[Joe S.]

Id love to take a class like that. But to answer your question, no. 200 uards is as far as ive shot for "groups". Our range goes to 300, and there is a 12" gong setup at that distance and i'll ring it a few times when im there but never really dialed in at that range.

As a side, my buddy has a TC Contender pistol in 30-30 and there is also a gong at 200. Took me a couple times to figure out where the gun was going but i was ringing the 200 with the pistol in between shooting my 308. Thats a good feeling. We were shooting it with a 173 gr Beartooth cast ober 9.5 grains of Trailboss. The gun really liked that load. It was shooting under 1" groups at 50 yards.

 

[cmacrph]

Joe,
Your buddy sure did a nice job on the custom stock on that Contender. I'll bet it was a blast to shoot. That 30-30 is another of my favorites, although I have never shot a pistol in that caliber.
I had hoped to get to the range this weekend, but chores around the house and cleaning brass kept me in the shop most of the time. We have a real nice range about 30 miles West of where I live. It's called "Best of the West" and has targets out to 1000 yards and when the expansion is complete there will be targets set at 1500 yards. One of the owners of the range is the same fellow who does the TV show with the same name.
Hope you have a good week,
Charlie

 

[Joe S.]

Man i couldnt imagine 1500 yard shot!!