Ruger m77 accuracy issues

[schmijar]

Rear screw instructions were slightly over hand tight, not 45in/lbs.

65, 45, just over hand tight. Your rifle does have three screws on the bottom, correct?

Yes, I meant the middle screw. When i said rear, i meant the rear of the 2 action screws. This is the one just in front of the trigger guard.

Some quick Google searching for the parts leads me to understand this problem is maybe not uncommon.

 

[DaleGribble82]

Yes, I meant the middle screw. When i said rear, i meant the rear of the 2 action screws. This is the one just in front of the trigger guard.

Some quick Google searching for the parts leads me to understand this problem is maybe not uncommon.

Man I hate that happened. I’m sure it’ll be an easy fix, but what a pain to deal with.

 

[farmer_john]

Well I've gone and made things worse
I was tinkering at the range and thought I'd try the torque screw recommendations, front screw i got to 65 in lbs but trying to get 45 on the rear action screw the trigger guard metal broke. Now I'm no gunsmith guys, but I thought i could torque a screw! Any ideas where i went wrong?

I will note, the screws had some wear on them like they've been subjected to some amateur smithing before (gun was bought used). And both action screws were not very tight at all to begin with.
Either way, I'm now shopping for a trigger guard.
View attachment 774847

More like 30-35 max end.

But my advice is get a gunsmith to glass and pillar bed the stock
It will provide solid lock up for your action screws

 

[Huf453]

Nice work that’s classic Ruger M77 troubleshooting.

Free floating the barrel plus relieving the mag box so it doesn’t bind the action is a common fix on these. Glad it cleaned up to 1-1.25" groups; that’s solid for a factory .30-06. Now go hunt with confidence.

 

[Nhoro]

Please explain the original problem. Is the magazine box too tall and then it flexes the action - and I assume the bottom metal as well judging by the broken trigger guard ?

 

[Brickman301]

Well I've gone and made things worse
I was tinkering at the range and thought I'd try the torque screw recommendations, front screw i got to 65 in lbs but trying to get 45 on the rear action screw the trigger guard metal broke. Now I'm no gunsmith guys, but I thought i could torque a screw! Any ideas where i went wrong?

I will note, the screws had some wear on them like they've been subjected to some amateur smithing before (gun was bought used). And both action screws were not very tight at all to begin with.
Either way, I'm now shopping for a trigger guard.
View attachment 774847

I’m so sorry this happened!
I feel bad, as I never got back to you. Between the holiday weekend, and work I totally forgot to post pictures/info of what I did to my rifle.

 

[Brickman301]

Please explain the original problem. Is the magazine box too tall and then it flexes the action - and I assume the bottom metal as well judging by the broken trigger guard ?

Yes, the magazine box is to tall. Once the action screws are tightened, they bind up the action.
You remove metal from the bottom of the magazine box, so the “tabs” near the action screws no longer touch the mag box.

 

[Brickman301]

@schmijar here’s a link to the forum where I read about relieving the mag box. I was going to take pictures of my own rifle, but there are good pictures and explanations in this linked post.
Once again, sorry for just getting this to you.

https://www.rugerforum.net/threads/m-77-accuracy-tip.93323/?nested_view=1

 

[schmijar]

@schmijar here’s a link to the forum where I read about relieving the mag box. I was going to take pictures of my own rifle, but there are good pictures and explanations in this linked post.
Once again, sorry for just getting this to you.

https://www.rugerforum.net/threads/m-77-accuracy-tip.93323/?nested_view=1

Please, no worries at all, thank you!

 

[deaner20]

Can someone get info on what Allen screw set getting from mid way
I definitely need something better than what came with the fat wrench set
Thanks