I picked up a Ruger Compact in 308. It is the new model Hawkeye that is blued rather than matte. My first impressions were ok, although the stain looked a little light in spots on one side. The trigger was great for Ruger, clean crisp and 5 pounds. I tested it with a snap cap 20 times and it was extremely consistent.
After I brought the gun home, I decided to prep it for the range. I took it apart and was horrified by the barrel channel. These Rugers have the pressure point up front and normally the mid-section of the barrel is not in contact with the wood. This channel was cut poorly, still in a rough cut state, not sealed well (bare wood), and the barrel was pressure fitted into it contacting wood unevenly throughout. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A POOR QC ISSUE FROM ANY GUN MAKER.
I was thinking about sending it back. But the Ruger policy (for a compact) is the gun is within spec if it shoots within 2 inches at 50 yds. I figured I would shoot it and dug around to find some 150 gr Federal factory loads. I decided if it shot more than 2 inches at 50 yds with the first 3 shots it was going back.
I proceeded to follow my standard prep procedure. I cleaned the rifle and set the action screws to 50 inch pounds front and 30 in the mid and rear. I dropped in a lighter trigger spring and had a safe and consistent 3 pound trigger pull. I mounted a Leupold 1.75X6 scope w/heavy duplex on it and bore sighted it and I was ready for the range.
At the range, I fired 3 shots of federal factory ammo at 50 yds. off a bench. I cleaned the barrel after each round and let it cool completely. The results were just over an inch. I continued at 75 yds, single shots and then clean for 3 more shots. The results were about 1.75 inches. Now comes another observation, the scopes heavy duplex is terrible for shooting targets. This must be the worst reticle Leupold sells for target shooting. I think for deer size game in low light at less than 100yds it would work great but not for targets it simply isn't fine enough. Another observation, hang on to your hats…..the 1st 3 shots with the federal factory loads were doing 2691, 2704, 2693 thru my chronograph. Remember, this rifle has a 16.5 inch barrel. Yes the bolt handle was hard to lift too.
I was intrigued to see what some handloads would do and had loaded 150gr REM core-locks over Varget. The max load is 47 gr. and it chronographed at 2610, which is a little better than what you would expect in this length barrel. I shot 4 different loads of Varget and found the best was 46gr and produced 1.7" @ 100yds (3 shot group) with a velocity of 2575 fps.
So, I think this does have potential. I took it home and it cleaned up real easy with little copper fouling, it seems to have a nice barrel. The barrel channel still REALLY bothered me so I relieved it a tad and sealed it up with stock oil. It looks a lot better and I doubt it will affect the accuracy for the worst (I didn't touch the pressure point). I also swapped the scope out for a 1.5-5 with a standard duplex. I think this will make shooting groups easier and make the results more reliable.
Trigger notes: I used gunslick graphite grease on it and apparently hadn't worked it in real well when testing. The trigger ended up a very consistent 2.5 pounds and while great for targets it is just a hair light for my hunting rifles. I put the factory spring back in and the trigger stands at 3.5 pounds now. I'll leave it there for the time being and continue to develop my handloads.
After I brought the gun home, I decided to prep it for the range. I took it apart and was horrified by the barrel channel. These Rugers have the pressure point up front and normally the mid-section of the barrel is not in contact with the wood. This channel was cut poorly, still in a rough cut state, not sealed well (bare wood), and the barrel was pressure fitted into it contacting wood unevenly throughout. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A POOR QC ISSUE FROM ANY GUN MAKER.
I was thinking about sending it back. But the Ruger policy (for a compact) is the gun is within spec if it shoots within 2 inches at 50 yds. I figured I would shoot it and dug around to find some 150 gr Federal factory loads. I decided if it shot more than 2 inches at 50 yds with the first 3 shots it was going back.
I proceeded to follow my standard prep procedure. I cleaned the rifle and set the action screws to 50 inch pounds front and 30 in the mid and rear. I dropped in a lighter trigger spring and had a safe and consistent 3 pound trigger pull. I mounted a Leupold 1.75X6 scope w/heavy duplex on it and bore sighted it and I was ready for the range.
At the range, I fired 3 shots of federal factory ammo at 50 yds. off a bench. I cleaned the barrel after each round and let it cool completely. The results were just over an inch. I continued at 75 yds, single shots and then clean for 3 more shots. The results were about 1.75 inches. Now comes another observation, the scopes heavy duplex is terrible for shooting targets. This must be the worst reticle Leupold sells for target shooting. I think for deer size game in low light at less than 100yds it would work great but not for targets it simply isn't fine enough. Another observation, hang on to your hats…..the 1st 3 shots with the federal factory loads were doing 2691, 2704, 2693 thru my chronograph. Remember, this rifle has a 16.5 inch barrel. Yes the bolt handle was hard to lift too.
I was intrigued to see what some handloads would do and had loaded 150gr REM core-locks over Varget. The max load is 47 gr. and it chronographed at 2610, which is a little better than what you would expect in this length barrel. I shot 4 different loads of Varget and found the best was 46gr and produced 1.7" @ 100yds (3 shot group) with a velocity of 2575 fps.
So, I think this does have potential. I took it home and it cleaned up real easy with little copper fouling, it seems to have a nice barrel. The barrel channel still REALLY bothered me so I relieved it a tad and sealed it up with stock oil. It looks a lot better and I doubt it will affect the accuracy for the worst (I didn't touch the pressure point). I also swapped the scope out for a 1.5-5 with a standard duplex. I think this will make shooting groups easier and make the results more reliable.
Trigger notes: I used gunslick graphite grease on it and apparently hadn't worked it in real well when testing. The trigger ended up a very consistent 2.5 pounds and while great for targets it is just a hair light for my hunting rifles. I put the factory spring back in and the trigger stands at 3.5 pounds now. I'll leave it there for the time being and continue to develop my handloads.
