Ruger M77 Alaskan vs Guide Gun

[John Camp]

Any questions let me know.

Did you cut a Ruger barrel band and then crimp it around the barrel?

 

[Bas]

Basically I found a straight wall socket with the same o.d. as the barrel. You can make one if you have a lathe. Heated and formed it with a ball peen. Finish polishing the metal, taper the i.d. by filing and sanding and cold blue.
Been reading the Ruger has a shrink fit front sight. Ruger band has a tiny set screw which is why the hole is present in the bottom of the sling swivel stud.
The band was over sized so the piece I cut out of the top can vary depending on your requirements.

 

[John Camp]

Bas I am not following you. Did you make the band out of a wall socket?

 

[Bas]

No. The RSM band is made by Ruger, purchased through Midway USA.

 

[ldmay375]

HS-Precision stock, for a non-barrel band sling stud type Alaskan 416, arrived yesterday.
Placed in the stock, without rings and scope, weighs about 7lbs 15oz.

 

[John Camp]

HS-Precision stock, for a non-barrel band sling stud type Alaskan 416, arrived yesterday.
Placed in the stock, without rings and scope, weighs about 7lbs 15oz.

Image Please.

 

[John Camp]

And an update. I have yet to shoot my 416. I am going nuts. I ordered the 300 gr TSX from double tap but I have been waiting three weeks with no word. My son and I are planning a bear hunt in Idaho as soon as his school is out in May. I need to get to know this gun. Sight it in, etc. I really want the 300 gr for both the black bear and elk but other loaders charge twice what double tap does, so I am waiting. I hope I dont have to wait like this again. But at $80 a box I can not afford to order more 300 gr until I know that is what I will use.

 

[John Camp]

I also have settled on the Alaska Arms QD rings and a Leopold VX-Freedom 2-7x33 scope. Still open to suggestions on the scope but I really am liking the value of this model.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Bas I am not following you. Did you make the band out of a wall socket?

@John Camp : I was a bit lost too when Bas said "straight wall socket", but then realized the context and emphasis is straight-walled socket.

Wrap the barrel ring around a socket that is close to the same OD (outside diameter) as the gun barrel.

 

[ldmay375]

Image Please.

 

[ldmay375]

The interior visible portion of the aluminum bedding block.

 

[John Camp]

straight-walled socket

That makes more sense. Still that would be a challenge without taking the hood off first. I have about decided it is best if I leave the way it is.

 

[John Camp]

HS-Precision stock, for a non-barrel band sling stud type Alaskan 416, arrived yesterday.
Placed in the stock, without rings and scope, weighs about 7lbs 15oz.

Looks tremendous.
I think mine in the over molded stock is 7lbs and 12 ounces. How is it balanced? I want all the juicy gossip. Have you shot it with the new stock yet?

 

[ldmay375]

Looks tremendous.
I think mine in the over molded stock is 7lbs and 12 ounces. How is it balanced? I want all the juicy gossip. Have you shot it with the new stock yet?

I just preliminarily put it in the stock. As feel / balance seems fine to me. But, I am more of the type that picks it up, and if it initially feels okay. Then it is Ok with me.
To me the fore end could be a touch slimmer. After shouldering it a few times, no glaring complaints. Should be a rugged stock. I have a couple of other older HS Precision stocks on M70's. I would have no hesitation, at this brief moment, of purchasing another. Certainly not, nor intended to be a thing of beauty, but for using.
I much prefer it to the factory Hogue. But, that is a subjective preference. I used the Hogue on another rifle one year, and that rifle shot very well in the Hogue. To me the Hogue is a bit bulkier in the fore end than this stock and the recoil pad was too compressible.

 

[Eric Anderson]

I've had 3 416 Rugers over the last couple of years. The first was the African model. I loved the feel of that rifle, but it had feeding issues, so I returned it to the store I bought it at for a refund. (It was a used gun).
The second 416 Ruger was a Guide gun. I liked it alot and it shot very well and fed well. I sold it to help fund a African hunt last year. I had already had my mind set on using my Winchester 416 RM on buffalo. By the end of the hunt, after walking through miles of thorn bush, I was wishing I had a shorter, lightweight rifle, instead of a 24" barrel rifle that weighs almost 10lbs scoped. I vowed to either buy another Ruger Guide gun or build a 416 Ruger or 416 Taylor on a Winchester action and build it as light as the guide gun.
Then, along came the Ruger Alaskan I found for sale in a local gun store. I never used the brake on my guide gun, so not having the threaded muzzle was a plus for me. I got a great deal on it, so it followed me home. It feeds extremely well, but I've only shot it a couple of times to check the iron sights. They shoot a bit low with the current front sight blade. I will probably change out to a lower front sight to bring the POI up a bit. Otherwise the sights are centered as far as windage is concerned. I bought some medium 1" rings that I've yet to mount. I'm still deciding on whether or not to rob a scope from a gun in my safe, or to just buy a new scope. Either way, it will be a Leupold VX3 1-5×20. I'll post the results once it all comes together.

I have that scope on my Alaskan in .375. If I had to do it again, I would have bought the illuminated reticle model with a 30mm tube.
My eyes didnt pick up the crosshairs for a split second on my only buffalo. It seemed like an eternity though with a Buffalo looking at you from 18 yards away.

 

[John Camp]

I have that scope on my Alaskan in .375. If I had to do it again, I would have bought the illuminated reticle model with a 30mm tube.
My eyes didnt pick up the crosshairs for a split second on my only buffalo. It seemed like an eternity though with a Buffalo looking at you from 18 yards away.

Point taken.

 

[johnnyblues]

I have the guide rifle in 375 Ruger and love it. Shoots very well and handles like a dream.

 

[John Camp]

I have this gun for a month. I really love it. It is the Alaskan with the black over molded stock. I just can not seem to get any 416 ammo to the house. Got some. Said 416 ruger on the box but when I checked it said 416 Rigby on the head stamp. Now I have some on order but am still waiting.

 

[CTDolan]

Said 416 ruger on the box but when I checked it said 416 Rigby on the head stamp.

Holy crap!

 

[John Camp]

Holy crap!

That is not what I said.