Bloody Prejudice Drove Me To This!
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2020 9:37 am
The overwhelming majority of my shooting is with a lever gun. Yes, I have others, but if I can choose a lever gun for that purpose, that’s what it will be. A friend joined a syndicate that has given him access to several thousand acres in Kent/Sussex. Given how jealously real estate and shooting is guarded in the the South East is why this syndicate has around a 5 year waiting list and costs four figures just to join!
He can take a guest a couple of times a year, so extended the invite to me. Been told, no military rifles, no cowboy guns, no semi auto shotguns... well, that’s the content of my cabinets. Project time!
I was in my local shop before the last lock down. When I saw on the shelf a Ruger 77 Mk2 in .30-06. Never owned the caliber and I’m a huge Ruger fan! Mauser action controlled round feed, hammer forged barrel, stainless... what’s not to like! It had a few marks and wasn’t screw cut, out the door just over 200 quid! It came in a black synthetic stock and inch Ruger rings as well!
Bloody hell does it shoot! Two consecutive 5 round groups, didn’t induce any wander as the sorter weight tube warmed up and this thing will handle 125 to 220 grain bullets!
My 40mm objective, inch Tube, high mag Leupold wouldn’t cut it and my local place took in a Nikko Sterling Diamond 2.5-10x50 with a 30mm tube. I was really impressed with the light gathering capability and an illuminated reticle for, 80 quid secondhand! A set on Warne Rings custom me another 60!
It was still a little rough though, in regards to finish. A super fine emory pad brought the finish back up and I found a genuine Ruger Walnut stock for 100 quid!
So for around 450 all in, here’s my new hunting rifle that will take anything on the European continent, except really big brown bear or monster boar of Eastern Europe. Not too shabby on a range either!
He can take a guest a couple of times a year, so extended the invite to me. Been told, no military rifles, no cowboy guns, no semi auto shotguns... well, that’s the content of my cabinets. Project time!
I was in my local shop before the last lock down. When I saw on the shelf a Ruger 77 Mk2 in .30-06. Never owned the caliber and I’m a huge Ruger fan! Mauser action controlled round feed, hammer forged barrel, stainless... what’s not to like! It had a few marks and wasn’t screw cut, out the door just over 200 quid! It came in a black synthetic stock and inch Ruger rings as well!
Bloody hell does it shoot! Two consecutive 5 round groups, didn’t induce any wander as the sorter weight tube warmed up and this thing will handle 125 to 220 grain bullets!
My 40mm objective, inch Tube, high mag Leupold wouldn’t cut it and my local place took in a Nikko Sterling Diamond 2.5-10x50 with a 30mm tube. I was really impressed with the light gathering capability and an illuminated reticle for, 80 quid secondhand! A set on Warne Rings custom me another 60!
It was still a little rough though, in regards to finish. A super fine emory pad brought the finish back up and I found a genuine Ruger Walnut stock for 100 quid!
So for around 450 all in, here’s my new hunting rifle that will take anything on the European continent, except really big brown bear or monster boar of Eastern Europe. Not too shabby on a range either!
