Have no idea why, but I just sent a MO out for a Ruger 77/22 Laminated/heavy barrel 22 Hornet. To good of a deal to pass up. I know some of these Rugers in .22 hornet can suffer from accuracy problems and I keep reading about shimming the bolt.

Don't know if this one will be a candidate for that, but what's involved? Is it something someone 1/2 way mechanically inclined can do?

Any pictures anywhere for reference, can't find any?


ps: I already have a CZ 527 in Hornet, so don't just tell me to buy one of those. I might give some thought to a new barrel down the road and making this Ruger into a .17/Hornet.

Cal74: I own a 77/22 Long Rifle. The bolt is split, and the front third does not rotate when the action is cycled. In many rifles this is a non issue. In mine it was, as groups were running about 1.25 inches at 50 yards regardless of ammo.

After some research, I bought a pack of shim stock with about 6" x 12" pieces from 0.002 up through about 0.012." One cuts off a tab, pulls the bolt in half and drills a hole that will let the tab fit between the halves. Next I used a Dremel tool to grind the tab so it matched the bolt profile. Basically a round washer.

One can find instructions for taking the bolt apart elswhere.

I started with a 0.004 shim and it had no effect. I went to a 0.010 shim, and it was very difficult to close the bolt, but the rifle shot lights out. I backed down to a 0.007 shim, the bolt offered slight resistence on closing, and 10 shot groups were nickel to dime sized at 50 yards. Basically, it's a headspace issue, and the right dimension shim will have the bolt face snugged up consistently against the barrel.

I'm extremely glad I discovered that fix, as I was about to spend a few hundred for a new barrel and commercial accurizing job.

Another blessing is that one can easily tweak their trigger springs and sear engagement. I had nearly abandoned my Ruger for ground squirrels, but after the fix, it's a toss up as to whether I use my Anschutz with its 1-ounce trigger or the 77/22.

Like centerfires, all of my 22 LR's are ammo sensitive.

Thanks for the info, I've got a 77/22 magnum but it's buried right now and in all honesty I've never really shot it much. I did change the sear in it as the trigger was terrible and what a world of difference the different sear made.

Even though I've got the CZ, I'm looking forward to this new Hornet and want to get the most out of it. Somewhat partial to Rugers.