Ruger M77 Alaskan vs Guide Gun

[John Camp]

I do have some 350 grain Barnes TSX I've been wanting to load and try, but haven't as of yet. They say they're pure poison for buffalo and big bears.

Thats the ticket right there. Let me encourage you to engage your curiosity, load some up and get out to the range. I want to see the groups out to 300 yds like Bhfs300 did with his 270 gr ruger 375.

 

[Dewald]

Man this is great stuff. Thank you all. Idmay375, my general plan is to walk about with open sites trained at 50 ft and some 400 gr swift a frames. If I have a close up shot at an elk then that is what he will get. If he is at some distance, I will shift to the 350s and attach a scope trained at 200 yds. This plan is a work in progress.

The 400gr A-frames are to long for the Ruger case. The ogive from tip to cannelure is the same on both 350 & 400gr A-frames. Since you want to crimp for a heavy recoiling rifle that leaves you with the 400gr A-frame seated very deep.

Don’t try make a Rigby out of the Ruger. Load it with 350gr A-frames and go hunt. No bear, buffalo etc will ask about the extra 50gr.

 

[TOBY458]

The 400gr A-frames are to long for the Ruger case. The ogive from tip to cannelure is the same on both 350 & 400gr A-frames. Since you want to crimp for a heavy recoiling rifle that leaves you with the 400gr A-frame seated very deep.

Don’t try make a Rigby out of the Ruger. Load it with 350gr A-frames and go hunt. No bear, buffalo etc will ask about the extra 50gr.

I have been able to get 2275-2300 fps from the 400gr Swifts in the Ruger case from a 20" barrel. This far exceeds the 450/400 and is not far behind the Rem Mag and Rigby at all. I used a load that produced 2325 with a 400gr Swift bullet from my 416 Rem Mag on Cape Buffalo, and got excellent results. Perfect expansion and penetration on a full frontal shot. Now the 400 grain Barnes TSX on the other hand, is definitely too long to get the needed velocity for proper expansion in the Ruger case. In that case the 350gr is definitely probably the better choice for the TSX.

 

[John Camp]

I am not qualified to have an opinion. I am just now researching hand loads and still learning all the terminology. I will get there. I always wanted a good excuse to start loading. Now I do.

 

[John Camp]

My general take on this however, is that the bullet's weight is not going to matter because bears are not armored. The construction of the bullet will matter however and I should expect an A-Frame to exhibit controlled expansion and stay together if it hits a big bone. Accuracy should be good enough. It is not a target rifle.

 

[JKO HUNTING SAFARIS]

Hello John,

I have the exact same gun and has used it for about 10 years as my back up rifle in Africa hunting big game. I have always used 350gr woodleigh’s or A-frames and they work well.

I since bought a .470 Merkel but I still use my .416 as back up on wounded plains game with the 350grainers.

Every client that has used my Alaskan so far has bought one! Hahaha

I just had to get my action polished when I got it due to feeding problems. Since I had it polished and worked on a bit I have had no problems at all!

 

[lwaters]

I have been able to get 2275-2300 fps from the 400gr Swifts in the Ruger case from a 20" barrel. This far exceeds the 450/400 and is not far behind the Rem Mag and Rigby at all. I used a load that produced 2325 with a 400gr Swift bullet from my 416 Rem Mag on Cape Buffalo, and got excellent results. Perfect expansion and penetration on a full frontal shot. Now the 400 grain Barnes TSX on the other hand, is definitely too long to get the needed velocity for proper expansion in the Ruger case. In that case the 350gr is definitely probably the better choice for the TSX.

You can easily beat that with a 450/400 in a Ruger No.1.

 

[CTDolan]

I have been able to get 2275-2300 fps from the 400gr Swifts in the Ruger case from a 20" barrel. This far exceeds the 450/400 and is not far behind the Rem Mag and Rigby at all. I used a load that produced 2325 with a 400gr Swift bullet from my 416 Rem Mag on Cape Buffalo, and got excellent results. Perfect expansion and penetration on a full frontal shot. Now the 400 grain Barnes TSX on the other hand, is definitely too long to get the needed velocity for proper expansion in the Ruger case. In that case the 350gr is definitely probably the better choice for the TSX.

The 400 grain TSX will take up a fair bit of powder space but they tend to ride the bore with less friction so it might be worth a shot.

 

[lwaters]

Hello John,

I have the exact same gun and has used it for about 10 years as my back up rifle in Africa hunting big game. I have always used 350gr woodleigh’s or A-frames and they work well.

I since bought a .470 Merkel but I still use my .416 as back up on wounded plains game with the 350grainers.

Every client that has used my Alaskan so far has bought one! Hahaha

I just had to get my action polished when I got it due to feeding problems. Since I had it polished and worked on a bit I have had no problems at all!

I didn't buy one. I already owned one in 375 Ruger.

 

[Dewald]

I have been able to get 2275-2300 fps from the 400gr Swifts in the Ruger case from a 20" barrel. This far exceeds the 450/400 and is not far behind the Rem Mag and Rigby at all. I used a load that produced 2325 with a 400gr Swift bullet from my 416 Rem Mag on Cape Buffalo, and got excellent results. Perfect expansion and penetration on a full frontal shot. Now the 400 grain Barnes TSX on the other hand, is definitely too long to get the needed velocity for proper expansion in the Ruger case. In that case the 350gr is definitely probably the better choice for the TSX.

You are right, it is indeed possible. I also get 2250 out of a 400gr Dzombo solid, but it is shorter with the meplat.

Perhaps the answer lies in powder we have until recently not had available in South Africa. I have not tested it, but ran the figures for CFE223 and that should get you to your desired velocity on the 400gr Swift.

Another option is to crimp lower than the cannelure, or use a CH4D cannelure tool to create a 2nd one lower on the shaft.

Either way. It remains an excellent cartridge and rifle combination on a standard lenght action.

 

[TOBY458]

You can easily beat that with a 450/400 in a Ruger No.1.

I was referring to historical loads and current Hornady loads. 400 gr at 2050fps.

 

[lwaters]

I was referring to historical loads and current Hornady loads. 400 gr at 2050fps.

The current Hornady loads are for a double. You wouldn't want to use the loads for the No.1 in a double.

 

[TOBY458]

The current Hornady loads are for a double. You wouldn't want to use the loads for the No.1 in a double.

I agree! I once had a Ruger No1 in 450/400. It had a light contour barrel and only weighed like 7.5 lbs. The Hornady loads were all I wanted! Lol!

 

[ldmay375]

Both Alaskan models.
416 Ruger on top, 375 Ruger on bottom.

 

[TOBY458]

View attachment 265246 Both Alaskan models.
416 Ruger on top, 375 Ruger on bottom.

What's the details of the stocks?

 

[ldmay375]

What's the details of the stocks?

Both are fiberglass McMillan stocks with molded in colors. The top one is there Ruger Classic and the bottom one their Ruger Hunter. Both have Decelerator pads. They both also have mag-fill in the action / recoil lug area.
The 375's I bought already built, apparently a customer backed out of the purchase. It has a front sling swivel in the stock. I just have never bothered to remove it.
The 416, the top one, I ordered specifically, only rear sling stud, and had graphite cloth added. The graphite is to add stiffness. But dang if I can tell any difference in the ones with and without. But, if I order one, I have it added.

 

[ldmay375]

Both are fiberglass McMillan stocks with molded in colors. The top one is there Ruger Classic and the bottom one their Ruger Hunter. Both have Decelerator pads. They both also have mag-fill in the action / recoil lug area.
The 375's I bought already built, apparently a customer backed out of the purchase. It has a front sling swivel in the stock. I just have never bothered to remove it.
The 416, the top one, I ordered specifically, only rear sling stud, and had graphite cloth added. The graphite is to add stiffness. But dang if I can tell any difference in the ones with and without. But, if I order one, I have it added.

I don't recall the color ratio mix. But, they both are olive, black, and tan colors. No two turn out exactly a like. I usually stick with those colors but have played with the percentages of each.

 

[TOBY458]

I don't recall the color ratio mix. But, they both are olive, black, and tan colors. No two turn out exactly a like. I usually stick with those colors but have played with the percentages of each.

Very nice looking stocks. Which stock fits the best for both iron sights and scope use?

 

[ldmay375]

Very nice looking stocks. Which stock fits the best for both iron sights and scope use?

I prefer the Classic. I believe the hunter has a slightly higher comb.

 

[TOBY458]

I prefer the Classic. I believe the hunter has a slightly higher comb.

The Classic looks like the standard Ruger stock shape.