My first Ruger was a Mark II in 7x57 Mauser purchased about 15 years ago. My son has taken two deer with it so I gifted it to him. No kidding, i went out with it one day to Clark Brothers in Warrenton and shot a six inch group at 100 yards with Remington factory ammo. Next time I went out with it, the rifle put three shots into a 1.5" group. I don't recall doing anything to the rifle that was an "aha" moment with respect to fixing that six inch group. i figure it had to be shooter headspace and timing...
i have a lot of respect for Rugers, i expect them to go bang every time i pull the trigger, but don't expect them to shoot amazing groups in my hands. For that matter, in my hands, my M700 ain't a tack driver either.
