I have finally finished up with the Ruger 77/44.
After a lot of time on the reloading bench, and at the range, I have been able to come up with some decent loads. It is not a match rifle, but fun to shoot.
I did replace the factory 6# trigger with a fully adjustable trigger that is at 2#, no creep, works great.
I did find that I needed to cool the barrel down after a max of 20 rounds. The people that sell the MagnetoSpeed chrono sell a product called Riflekuhl, which is a battery powered fan that fits into the rifles chamber and blows air down the bore. It really speeds up cooling down a barrel.
With a cool barrel, I can put 8-10 rounds into 1-1/2" group at 50 yards. The 2 loads are #1 Sierra 220 grain FP, with 23.5 grains H110, Fed 155 primer, at 1750 avg fps, sd 8.89 with readings from a Labradar chrono.
The 2nd load is a 250 grain Sierra, 22.1 grains H110, Fed 155 primer, at 1625 avg fps, sd 9.1.
The 220 load is point of aim at 50 yards, the 250 grain is a more clustered together group, a bit lower and to the left on the target. But the groups are the same size, very good, with decent velocity.
I have tried to attach a target photo, and labradar print out, but I could not get them to attach to this reply.
Now I need to decide which load to use for the final scope adjustments.
So I guess I have to find another project now. Perhaps a 6.5PRC?