I have a Ruger m77 mark II in 7mm rem mag. I got this gun 16 years ago and the accuracy was great for years with nickel size groups at 100 yards with the right load. I transitioned to mostly archery hunting about 8 years ago, but still got it out to shoot every year even if I didn't hunt with a gun. Over that time the group's just started opening up. Last year I planned to take the gun on an elk trip but I could get any load to shoot better than 3 inch groups from the bench at 100 yards. I am pretty sure the barrel is shot out. I did a deep clean and stripped all the copper out last summer and it made no difference.
My question is: Is it worth it to put a new barrel on the Ruger action? If I do the new barrel I will probably get a new light weight stock. Would it be better to just buy a Tikka in terms of price and expected accuracy vs the rebuild? If the rebuild is done would I have a higher quality rifle than the Tikka for about the same price?
My question is: Is it worth it to put a new barrel on the Ruger action? If I do the new barrel I will probably get a new light weight stock. Would it be better to just buy a Tikka in terms of price and expected accuracy vs the rebuild? If the rebuild is done would I have a higher quality rifle than the Tikka for about the same price?