OzFclass

Hi All

I want to use a hunting rifle to shoot LR (dual purpose)

Just wanted to get some advice on how the Ruger M77 VT .308(1:10) perform for 600m+

which other hunting rifle can be recommended to shoot out fairly accurate to 600m and beyond

any suggestions are highly appreciated

We have had several Tikka 308's at our club thathave been very competitive right back to 1000.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Tikka.

I don't know about Ruger.

Regards. John

Savage hspfcp in 308 is perfect ! G

The savage 10 series 308s can get respectable f standard scores
i am using a savage 10 PC with a 20" barrel at the moment
it gets scores between 54-58/60 for me so its not too bad
the 24" barrel models would be better of course (but heavier)

no offence but i have never seen a ruger that was accurate although now that i have stuck my neck out and said so i am sure someone will contradict me

andrew

My experience with dual purpose things is that they are not so good at 2 things.
If you really want a heavy hunting rifle I'd say get one and try F class with it, otherwise you will have a rifle which is a pain to carry and not super competitive in F class.
I dived in early when I started shooting F open and built a dual purpose rifle, It's now gone and I have a dedicated F open rifle.
That's only one opinion and what you do will have to suit you....... Decisions

I had a Ruger M77 VT .308 when I started F Class shooting in about 2006. I would have been better saving my money. At the time, the advice I received by what I believed to be experienced target shooters in the club was not good, even to the point of not directing me to a suitable gunsmith to put a rig together. It was an expensive lesson. We are blessed in NSW with a number of competent gunsmiths including Matt Paroz and Keith Hills.

To be frank it was unsuited and didn't have the accuracy required to be competitive in target shooting. At the time I used the standard BJD projectile pushed by 46 g of 2208.

For hunting it would be OK, albeit a bit heavy to lug around. I sold this rifle a couple of weeks ago after it became a "safe queen" for about 7 years.

My advice, save you money and purchase a dedicated F Class rifle, new or second hand, but put together by a competent gunsmith.

Cheers

John S

John, yes that confirms what i have seen, its great that you are shooting a real target rifle now

Tim, you are right of course but he did say he wanted a dual purpose gun. Once he starts getting scores and being beaten by dedicated target rifles he may change his tune however...

This group was shot with that 20" savage carbine, but i would be the first to suggest its not quite competetive due to the stock, light weight (making repeatability difficult), and the lower projectile velocity(more windage ) , and the cheap scope (low magnification)(redfield 6-18), but just for interest

http://shooting.hexsystems.com.au/shooting/19260

macguru wrote:John, yes that confirms what i have seen, its great that you are shooting a real target rifle now

Tim, you are right of course but he did say he wanted a dual purpose gun. Once he starts getting scores and being beaten by dedicated target rifles he may change his tune however...

This group was shot with that 20" savage carbine, but i would be the first to suggest its not quite competetive due to the stock, light weight (making repeatability difficult), and the lower projectile velocity(more windage ) , and the cheap scope (low magnification)(redfield 6-18), but just for interest

http://shooting.hexsystems.com.au/shooting/19260

A point to remember is that all "dual" rifles are a compromise for both uses & will not be truly satisfactory for either. I have had this discussion with customers many times & have always been proven correct.
P.S. I do build both varmint & F class rifles, while there are similarities the end requirement is different.
Keith H.