Ruger M77 Alaskan vs Guide Gun

[ChrisG]

View attachment 264250 It seems like the theme of the thread is that, whatever the differences, both are good guns. I have the Guide gun in .375 and love it.

I think someone spilled paint on your stock.

 

[Dewald]

That is my gun. I am planning to detail/polish the rifle for the same reasons. I have read that many had to send guns back because of ejection problems. Looks like you have QD scope rings. That is the setup I am looking for. However mine will be a quick attach setup. We will be looking for elk in extreme bear country, so I will be walking around with iron sites. - what type of rings do you have? I am looking at Warne and Alaska Arms but am open to other suggestions.

John, those are Alaska Arms QDs. They return to zero every time.

Mine has a barrel band swivel

 

[southern_fowler]

I have an Alaskan model in 375 with the QD Alaska rings and they have returned to zero every time I have tested them. I am not a fan of the Hogue stock so I just replaced it with an HS, even though it shot great before the swap. My wife has the guide gun in 375 and it also shoots lights out. Between the 2 of us we have 9 head of African game and a few Texas hogs killed. In my option the guns are damn near perfect for spot and stalk either in open country or the thick bush.

 

[John Camp]

the guns are damn near perfect for spot and stalk either in open country or the thick bush

I pickup up the gun a couple of hours ago and I am very pleased. It has been shot before but not much. It is dirty from years sitting in a safe. I am really impressed with the guns balance. It is short, and it is heavy, but is very wieldy. I do see why many people switch out the recoil pad. It catches on my shirt every time. I actually like the Hogue stock. The forearm is a bit clunky, but besides that it feels stout.

Now I just got to get the nerve, and ammo, to shoot the thing. I have no idea what to expect. I read that it is no worse than a 12 guage magnum, but I have never heard of anyone detaching a retina shooting a 12 gauge.

 

[Dewald]

400gr at 2250-2300 is pleasant enough to handle, but unless the 12 gauge weighs 3,5 pounds the recoil is somewhat more lively

 

[John Camp]

pleasant enough to handle

I guess I will just have to see. It is not a 700 nitro express, just a .416. What harm could it do, right? For the people that shoot these larger caliber guns I know I must sound like a wimp. But understand. I have been hunting more than 40 years and the biggest thing I have ever seen anyone hunt with is a .338 Weath. Even that got a lot of attention.

 

[John Camp]

I do not reload - well I have reloaded thousands of shot shells but never any rifle ammo. It appears to get the best performance, as well as range of options, I will need to take it up. I will look into that in a few weeks. In the mean time what factory loads should I look for. Also, is there a factory offering in 300 or 350 gr?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I do not reload - well I have reloaded thousands of shot shells but never any rifle ammo. It appears to get the best performance, as well as range of options, I will need to take it up. I will look into that in a few weeks. In the mean time what factory loads should I look for. Also, is there a factory offering in 300 or 350 gr?

Hendershots offers a lot of options in 300, 350, 370 and 400 grain bullets.

https://hendershots.net/product/416-ruger-extreme-custom-ammo/

 

[ldmay375]

DoubleTap loads the 350 TSX. Probably a few more smaller companies. I have not kept up with all of them. Due to the ordeal it become for an ammo manufacturer to ship to an individual to Alaska, most will not ship here.
Swift also loads for it.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the shootability of the 416 Ruger. I do not treat it any differently when shooting than my 338 Winchester. This is one reason that I like the 416 Ruger and Remington cartridges. I can shoot them in not so perfect field positions with the normal cautions on scope and face contact.
I would not worry about a sling stud in the stock. I just noticed on the 375 Ruger with the barrel band sling stud, the McMillan that I have on it also has a sling stud in the stock. I ordered it pre-built and just never got around to removing it. The barrel band type, I do like the look and usually don't have to be concerned with them loosening like a stock stud sometimes can.

 

[John Camp]

Hendershots offers a lot of options in 300, 350, 370 and 400 grain bullets.

Thank you, what has been your experience? Does your gun like one more than the other?

 

[John Camp]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the shootability of the 416 Ruger

Is this because it is not a magnum. I assumed it would have a kick similar to a 416 Rigby , Remington mag and so forth.

 

[ldmay375]

I pickup up the gun a couple of hours ago and I am very pleased. It has been shot before but not much. It is dirty from years sitting in a safe. I am really impressed with the guns balance. It is short, and it is heavy, but is very wieldy. I do see why many people switch out the recoil pad. It catches on my shirt every time. I actually like the Hogue stock. The forearm is a bit clunky, but besides that it feels stout.

Now I just got to get the nerve, and ammo, to shoot the thing. I have no idea what to expect. I read that it is no worse than a 12 guage magnum, but I have never heard of anyone detaching a retina shooting a 12 gauge.

Congratulations on the rifle !
I agree about the Hogue forearm being chunky.
I also felt the recoil pad on one was too compressible. One thing to keep in mind, if it fully compresses upon recoil, you unless eye-relief Very rapidly!
Shoot it without a scope and get "the feel" of it.
I think you will like it even with 400 grain Hornady factory loads.

 

[John Camp]

$70.00 for 20 at DoubleTap and $100 for the 300 gr at Hendershots. I definitely will get into hand-loading.

 

[John Camp]

I think you will like it even with 400 grain Hornady factory loads.

I want the 300gr for Elk. My son and I will be going on our first western hunt this fall. Mule deer and Elk in a grizzly thick area of Idaho. His mom wanted me carrying something that would be up to stopping a big bear. I wanted a 375 but this gun presented itself for $670.00 and it was local.

 

[ldmay375]

Is this because it is not a magnum. I assumed it would have a kick similar to a 416 Rigby , Remington mag and so forth.

I don't get hung-up or pay much attention to the magnum term. I see very little difference in felt recoil between my 416 Rem and 416 Ruger. I do feel a difference between those 416's and my 458 Lott.
I think the 416 Ruger is a neat compact powerful package in the Alaskan styled rifles. I certainly don't worry about hitting something 200 meters and under with it, or the effect it will have.
More powder burned pushing the same bullet at the same speed, equals more recoil. Although the Rigby for certain has the potential to go substantially faster, I am not sure I would care for one with a 20" barrel. But, I have not tried one.
The 416 Rem has a few more grains case capacity also. It too can go a little faster.
But for overall package, I like the same action that I have on my 338 Winchester.
I think the 416 Ruger's that I have, could have slightly less barrel diameter forward of the fore end. But, with that said mine is one of my favorite rifles. It carries well, groups well, and with the after market stock to my l.o.p handles well.

 

[ldmay375]

I want the 300gr for Elk. My son and I will be going on our first western hunt this fall. Mule deer and Elk in a grizzly thick area of Idaho. His mom wanted me carrying something that would be up to stopping a big bear. I wanted a 375 but this gun presented itself for $670.00 and it was local.

You got a great deal.
Were I too get in a close range squabble with a grizzly, my 416 Ruger would be my personal choice.
Edited to add:
I think, premium 300 grain would work very well. I currently use the 350 grain TSX.
I have the 350 grain Tipped version that I plan on eventually loading, soon I hope.
If tips stay in place during repeated recoil and the accuracy is on par with the non-tipped (which is very good), this will likely be my favored bullet for my hunting.

 

[John Camp]

I looked at some numbers on some 300 gr hand loads. I cant find the article right now so don't know which load precisely. But it essentially had the same velocity and trajectory as a 30-06 180 gr out to 300 yards. The drop ate 300 was perhaps 8 inches or so. That is impressive because that big chunk of lead will be bringing a lot force with it.

 

[John Camp]

I currently use the 350 grain TSX

What are you shooting with 350 gr TSX?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Thank you, what has been your experience? Does your gun like one more than the other?

I don't have a 416 Ruger, just a 375 Ruger. I have used Hendershots ammo in the 375 and my 338 WM, mainly with Swift A-Frames and have been very happy with the accuracy.

Regarding the comments on using 300 gr or 350 gr bullets in the 416 Ruger, make sure you check the SD and BC. Seems like the 400 gr is the go-to bullet for the 416s for a reason.

 

[John Camp]

make sure you check the SD and BC

Yes, I have a lot of research to do. The 300 looks attractive because it is viable out to 300 yards. The 400 has dropped so much by then I would need a creedmore tang site to take the shot. But, I will study.