Calling all Ruger 77/44 owners, what handload gives best accuracy?

[Marksman]

This question is for owners of Ruger 77/44 rifles only, what handload have you found to give best accuracy in your rifle? My preferrred bullet is a 240gr. Hornady XTP., lots of shooters have recommended 22.5-23.5gr. H-110. What shoots best in your rifle?

[Skip Sackett]

Originally Posted by Marksman

This question is for owners of Ruger 77/44 rifles only, what handload have you found to give best accuracy in your rifle? My preferrred bullet is a 240gr. Hornady XTP., lots of shooters have recommended 22.5-23.5gr. H-110. What shoots best in your rifle?

Marksman, I don't have a Ruger 77/44 but I have loaded for one of them. My standard load that shoots well out of all of the Marlins I load for gets terrible accuracy from the 77. I think the reason can be attributed to the fact that the rifling is almost twice as fast in the Ruger over the Marlin. 1 in 20 versus 1 in 38, respectively. That would lead me to believe that the Ruger would shoot heavier bullets better but I have never tried that. It would be counterproductive to do that in my opinion as I am trying to gain, flatness of trajectory and higher velocity with the longer barrel.

Maybe a slight increase in weight will do it and you can use the Hornady FTX bullet @ 265gr, I'm not sure.

I do know this, my load of 20gr WC820 under any 240gr JHP or XTP doesn't shoot for hookey out of the Ruger.

p.s. Where are you located, approximately, in the Hoosier state? I'm in the North Central part.