[j870sm]

My son just recieved a new Ruger .270 from his grandfather. It would not have been my choice but my son was tickled to death.
Here are the Problems: The gun will not group better than 1.61" and goes out past 2.71" with different brands and weights of ammo at 100 yds. It also fails to fire quite frequently, this appears to be a firing pin or bolt problem.
Ruger turn around for repair is to long, our windows for deer hunting will have closed due to school holidays being over.

Ethically I can not sell or trade this gun as it is, I would be passing off bad merchandise. I refuse to be that dishonest.

If I could get the misfires stopped the gun would be marginal at best accuracy wise for a young shooter.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, we have checked the mounts, scope and all the screws. It still wouldn't hit a bull in the butt at 25 paces if it went off.

 

[mountainview]

J870,

The bolt/firing pin problem sounds identical to what was happening with my 30 year old Remington 700. A trip to the local gunsmith and 30 bucks solved the problem (dirt/rust can build up inside the bolt and the spring can weaken or fail over time).

1.6 inches is not horrible though I always like to group under an inch with my own pieces which in part is why I handload. Given that you have tried some different ammo, you may want to recheck the scope mounts and bedding as well or have a smith do this for a nominal fee (I'd rather work with the local gunsmith than the factory). If the scope was mounted by a DYI, there are often subtle problems that may not be evident without a detailed examination. How old was the scope? If the scope was an older model, the scope itself may be a problem so replacing it could help. Also what condition is the barrel and crown in? These can affect accuracy as well if damaged or in disrepair.

Why not hold on to the Ruger? Sounds like it has sentimental value which can not be replaced. I know how frustrating it is to have a rifle not shoot good groups but most can be tamed to perform reasonably well. The challenge is finding the root problem, in a lot of cases the fix turns out to be simple. I was frustrated with my Remington but held on to it and stayed patient and tried different things until I found the root problem, now the thing shoots like a champ.

Safe shooting.

 

[capt9992002]

Grouping at 1.6" at 100 yards and you're deer hunting? I think you should put it in a box, address it to me, and I'll "dispose" of it for you.......

As Mountainview said, it sounds like the trigger/firing pin mechanism may be rusted or gunked up. Take it to a gunsmith and let him take a look. Bet he can fix it in less than an hour.....

 

[huntswithdogs]

If this is an older rifle,the "problem" with your accuracy maybe from a dirty barrel. By dirty,I mean one that has copper fouling.I've taken guns that don't group well and cleaned the barrel over the course of a week or so and improved the accuracy by at least 50%.Some rifles with rough bores will foul pretty bad. I've plugged the ends of the barrels and filled them with cleaner and let them stand overnite. The next day,dump out old cleaner into a container and scrub it real well with a brush(20 times thru at least).Wipe out with patches til clean and check it again. I just did this with a 788 in .308 and it went from 3" groups to 1" at 100 yds.
The accuracy that you're getting with your factory loads is completely acceptable in most cases. If this is a new gun and you try to send it back because of this alone,they'll send it back after trying it and tell ya that it's okay and within their specs. Just recently,one of my Kids got a new rifle that didn't shoot very well at first.After around 50 rounds it slowly came down to the 1" area. With some fine tuning and hand loads,this one shoots under an inch regularly now.

As for the nonfiring problem,do what they suggested above.Does it do this with all ammo brands or just a select few? Are the primers being dented? I hope we've helped some.Let us know what happens.

HWD

 

[j870sm]

I did not mention that this gun was brand new, took it out of the box, cleaned it, had a brand new Leupold scope and Leupold rings and bases installed by my gunsmith of 20 years.
The scope and all hardware has been checked, reinstalled and checked again. Scope works perfectly on my Weatherby rifle, so the scope is not the problem.

Groups are unacceptable. At 100 yards. groups of nearly 3 inches is not the desired performance that I was seeking. Especially for my son who is a young shooter.

The bolt is a problem and according to my gunsmith just needs to be replaced by Ruger. He also suspects that the barrel has a problem.

It has very little sentimental value with my son because it doesn't go bang when he pulls the trigger. He also can't hit with it like he expected.

Man, I am frustrated. I am going to buy my son a deer rifle and have this one fixed either by Ruger or a local gunsmith then I don't know what we will do with it. I can't get rid of it because it would cause hurt feelings.

I hate to say this and I don't want to sound like I am bashing Ruger but this is the same old crap I have gone through with several of their rifles.

 

[Guest]

870,

I know it's deer season now,but this gun needs to go back to the factory for repairs. Let him hunt with some other gun for now. If it is no better after repairs,get the young man another rifle and stick this one in the guncase. Down the road he may want to use it for trading for somthing else. Sorry he can't hunt with it this year.

HWD

 

[tony kosinski]

i am having the same troubles with grouping size in a new 25-06 i have found that a little laping compound is closing the groups down ,i think the bore might have some rough spots causing the larger groups. i started out at a 2.5 in group at 100 yds..i am almost there last time out i had 2 holes touching out a five shot group..i think it will work in ..tony

 

[Guest]

Rugers customer service is one of the tops, give them a chance to back it up. if it is as bad as you say i assure you ruger will take care of it. i thought maybe this was an older model just neglected over the years but you say it is new. i'm telling you now ruger will make it right. i got a ruger brand new last dec. (almost a year now) and i have been watching it come together over the summer. it took about 50 rounds and it has gone from 1 1/2" groups to 1" and less with just about any make of ammo.

 

[j870sm]

Problem has been solved. We bought a brand new Weatherby Vanguard .270 this weekend. Got a good deal on this gun due to some bad spots on the barrel from setting in the display case. Got this gun for $200.00 plus tax. We got a real shooter and the price was right. We took the scope off the Ruger and put it on the Weatherby. Got to the gun club and had the whole range to ourself. Got the thing on paper with laser and then popped the first one off at 100. It was 2" high and 1" to the left. Left it 1.5" high above center and began the brake in.
Guys, this rifle will shoot every time you pull the trigger and group sizes are well less than 1" at 100yds with Remingtons and Winchesters. The POI is a little different but not enough to worry about. My little boy is happy as he can be and has a very nice looking and very functional rifle for the Thanksgiving hunt. I have to brag a little on my son, the kid can shoot a rifle.

 

[huntswithdogs]

870,

Glad to here about the newest rifle in your collection,Or is it the first in his? If I could pick up a Vangaurd for that kind of money I'd buy it quick! Are ya gonna send the Ruger backfor repairs now?

HWD

 

[capt9992002]

870,

How old is your son? I always like to see a dad so proud of his boy and taking him hunting/fishing. Congrats on the gun. But I'm sure the Ruger will still have a very special place in his collection.

 

[Guest]

We returned the Ruger to the Gun Shop and was given a full refund after much talking. The dealer was not real happy about it but he made it right and we parted company as friends.

The gun is the first in my sons collection but I would like to have it in mine. It shoots very nice and is heavy enough that it doesn't beat him down. He is only 11 years old but he is a good man.

I was less than pleased with the people at Ruger but I don't have to worry about that now. I also understand their position though. I have to believe that gun had a barrel problem of some sort.

 

[j870sm]

Thats me above, I forgot to log in.
Will keep you guys posted on my son and his successes with this new gun.

 

[Drop-Shot]

Boy HWD hit it right down the line,I have an older 30/06 ruger and groups started to grow,I thought about a new barrel.A gunsmith told me to try some sweets 69 I think it's called.It is the stinking foul stuff that you don't use in the house,the swab came out green,copper!I scrubbed the bore with sweets and a bronse brush,let it set and boy did some crap come out!I always clean my barrel after shooting,this could not be.I got the barrell clean,groups came back and the gunsmith let me look down the bore,the grooves looked like crators and bad rough spots.I hand lapped the bore 3 times.Push a cotton ball through the bore and if cotton gets hung up you have a rough bore.Get some of that stinking sweets and scrubb that bore,then lapp the bore.The firing pin is probebly gummed up,you can't take it apart like a gunsmith can.It will most likely be the cheepest repair you will ever have on that ruger.Good luck.Drop-Shot

 

[j870sm]

Hey DS,
I found the same thing with Sweets. I have an old Rem 30-06 pump carbine and it had begun to spread a little and a guy at the gun club cleaned my barrel just to prove a point. That old pumper is shooting great again and I keep Sweets on hand now.
That old Rem. is the best and most consistent rifle I have it just looks like crap. It needs a new scope and that is in the works but it kicks like a mule and is loud.

 

[Drop-Shot]

I re-read your post and now I see you got a bad gun,I agree that quality control should have caught that,getting your money back is super,I hope you have great luck with the replacement rifle,but even guns that get cleaned regularly can get the copper I spoke of,keep her clean and good luck.Drop-Shot

 

[Drop-Shot]

yea 870 having a bottle of that stinking stuff around keeps the coroner coming around thinking I had a dead body But I assure him it's the sweets.The smell isn't popular but it works.Thats why I keep it.If you open the bottle and sniff it,If you look normal its not sweets,If it makes you want to puke,thats the stuff .Drop-Shot