Dave T

Anyone here have any trigger pulling time on either one of these models? The police version has a black finish and grey/black laminated stock while the civilian (Target) model has grey stainless finish and brown laminated stock.

Ruger isn't well known for its "match" accuracy but I have run into people with Rugers that shoot. What Ruger is known for is building guns that are hell for stout.

I saw one of these (the Police version) that was used (price wise) but unfired. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Joe Beary

I haven't personally shot one, but I have several customers who have had them in the civilian version. First fellow gave up and sold his, after trying numerous benchrest techniques with brass and bullets/powder. The neck of the chamber was way oversized, and he could never get it to shoot less than 3/4" at 100 yds. But he expected a benchrest gun, and that it's not.

Second one that I'm aware of shoots pretty decent; good enough to satisfy an ordinary mortal; about 3/4" at 100 yds. This is after it was sent back to Ruger for poor lug engagement on the right lug only. Rugers solution to the lug bearing problem ? It looked like they took a Dremel tool to the right lug, till the left lug bears some of the pressure now. Only trouble is, it now will just accept a No- go gauge ! Great factory service! :cry:

Anyhow, after an epoxy bedding, and neck sized only cases, the lady is happy with it. She was so disgusted with the long wait to get it back from Ruger, and then to have it headspace out of speck, that she decided just to keep it, and neck her brass to fit the chamber, to compensate for the slight headspace problem. It shoots well enough to satisfy her. That's my story. Good Shootin ! Joe 8)

Dave T

Thanks for the information Joe. Like I said, Ruger isn't known for their match grade rifles but from what I hear, you can't break one.

Funny about the poor customer service from Ruger. I've always heard they are very good about helping handgunners with problems. Maybe this is a reflection of the corporate priority for handguns instead of rifles. Might explain why their rifles don't always shoot.

Rosco Benson

I had one of the police model's that I got in a trade. It shot pretty well (about 1 MOA), but not inspiringly so. It was as heavy as a railroad tie too. Unlike the normal M77 Mk II's, it had a good trigger and I liked its controlled-feed action. I also like Ruger's integral scope mounts and rings.

I sold it to finance another project, but that's the only reason I sold it. I was not dissatisfied...just not thrilled.

Rosco

Joe Beary

I was amazed that Ruger would send back a rifle that would accept a no-go gage, even if barely so ! I have Forster gauges; maybe they're slightly different than Rugers gauges, if they even bothered to check it. :evil:

After asking me what I thought was the best American Made heavy varmint rifle, the same customer and her husband bought matching 700 Remington .243's in Heavy Varmint style. I checked both for lug engagement, and headspace. One was fine for headspace, with lug engagement so-so; typical factory gun. The other one only bore on the right lug, with no trace of left lug engagement, and it swallowed the no-go gage plus a .004" shim!!!! ops:

Both guns were right out of the box, and hadn't been shot yet! They sent the really bad one off to Big Green. After almost 3 month's, they got it back, and it was a different serial number! It headspaced OK, with marginal lug engagement. Remington told them they were waiting for parts to fix their gun, each time they called to find out why it was taking so long. The Big Lie, maybe ? :roll:

Why didn't Big Green just send them a replacement in the first place, instead of making them wait 3 month's ? This is really good for customer relations! :cry: Needless to say, these folks won't be patronizing Ruger, or Remington, again. :x What kind of mindless idiots are running these companies, to let such poor workmanship go out the door ? :x Joe

Dave T

Just thought I would add an update to my original post. I got the LE Ruger but for financial reasons (remodeling the house) I have't been able to get a scope for it yet. I did get to shoot it, however.

A good friend heard of my problem and offered to loan me a "target" scope so I could try out the rifle. I jumped on the chance with many thanks. What's that old saying about looking a gift horse in the mouth? The reason they say that is the horse may have bad breath.

The scope I got to try was an older Leupold 36X with target (fine) crosshairs. My highest magnification of previous experience was a 20X. Big difference. I had a terrible time finding and keeping the correct eye relief. Never got the thing in focus, despite much fooling around with it. Used up half a box of ammo just getting it on paper at 100 yards. By then my concentration was shot. I managed one string of four shots that looked good with the fifth (actually the 4th shot in 5) as a called flyer.

How did the Ruger shoot? Those four shots that broke clean and looked good through the scope were all touching (under .5"). The called flyer was about a half inch from that one hole group.

I know this does not prove the gun is that accurate but it does show some potential. It's going to be fun to play with - with a decient scope my middle aged eyes can see through!

Gordon Hulme

Actually, although not a good tactical scope, that 36 power Leopold really showed you what the gun could do and thats important. I'd put a Burris hi lume 2 3-9 milplex on it if I was straped for bucks. this scope tests optically right with $600 scopes and can be had for $239 or so.

Randall_1611

Gordon is right about using a KNOWN good target scope for rifle & load testing.

A good scope can show you how solid of loose your bench techniques are. Also it can also give an indication of a problem that might be caused by a scope and not rifle problems: if rings, bases, et are nice and tight, aligned, lapped if necessary.

One outfit that charges $$$ to test rifles, work up loads, has found scope failures as high as 33 % of all scopes that are received on rifles sent in for there tune-ups. (I cannot remember the name but think it is a Texas company).

Those 36x scopes do make you appreciate good eye relief and no mirage! ...Mike...

Dave T

Gordon,

You said, "I'd put a Burris hi lume 2 3-9 milplex on it if I was straped for bucks."

Well, I visited the Burris web site and couldn't find the scope you described. However, I did find one that I think will serve my needs. It is the Burris Signature 3X9X40mm with the Ballistic Plex Reticle. Further searching on the web turned up a new one for under $400.

Thanks for the suggestion, which led to finding something suitable for my needs and current spending limits.

Gordon Hulme

Thats actually the scope I meant , it has the high lume 2 process on it which makes it more than equal of any scope under $600. The milplex reticule looks usable to me. I have a Mk4 Leupold 10x with .50BMG mildots and it is a good piece for $900 7 years ago! I just bought a Leupold variX 3 in 1.75X42 and later I looked at that new Burris Hi-Lume 2 model in 3X9X40 and I was sorry I wasted $200 on a less bright optic for my .375 H&H.

Kobra

I shot a buddy's civilian version of this rifle in .308 and it maintained a sub-MOA groups. My only complaint was the Ruger grey finish rapidly heated up in sunlight till the point it would burn you hand (90 degrees ambient). At first we thought our shooting was doing it so we set it aside only to discover it was even hotter minutes later. We put it away at that point but I doubt the groups, if we would have shot it, would have been too tight as hot as it was.