From: [g--ff--n] at [primenet.com] (geoff beneze)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Project Ruger - Life AFTER Bedding
Date: 9 Oct 1996 00:18:32 -0400

A brief update on the Project Ruger M77 Mk II V/T model. 

As you may recall, this gun is my test bed. I'm using an "undeveloped" lot
of ammo (41 gr W748/Sierra 168 gr MK). In the last episode we'd fired
"stock" groups that averaged out to around 1.04". After fire lapping, the
barrel was amazingly easier to clean and I had a drop of approximately 80
fps with my test load. 

After the fire lapping, the barrel was cleaned and more groups were fired.
The average group size dropped to .82".

Since the last testing session, I've glass bedded the rifle. Standard
bedding procedure, nothing special. Some cleanup of the barrel channel to
insure that the free floated barrel was and would remain free floated. 

Weather conditions were about as close to identical to the last day of
testing as one could come. About 80 degs, slight cross wind (always on my
range), bright sun, constant barometer. 

A note is in order here. Due to the number of (paying) guns I had to work
on, and organizing our weekend visit from Col. Cooper and his wife, I
failed to clean the barrel from the last testing. With well over 50 rounds
through the gun, I fired 10 more three shot groups with the (now) bedded
rifle. As with previous testing, I used Recreational Software's "Gun
Controller" to measure the groups. I excluded NO groups for "warm up",
"too hot" or "called flyers" (although there were some shots that I DID
call as out). 

The average dropped to .78". This isn't particularly significant in my
eyes, but it does indicate that the stock work is a contributor to the
stability of the group. I'll be headed back "down" to the ranch about the
first weekend of Nov. I'm planning on actually CLEANING the barrel and
I'll then repeat the groups for the bedded action. I expect to see the
numbers improve somewhat then. 

Next step: Cryo treatment of the barrel and action (then moly coating,
then load development)

(Crass commercialism -- I provide bedding and fire lapping services for
those who might be interested. Please visit my web site for more
information)
-- 
geoff beneze
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