Velo Dog
AH ambassador
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2014
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- 5,003
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- Anchorage Alaska, USA
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- Member of
- NRA Life Member.
- Hunted
- Africa 7 times. And the USA - most western states including Alaska and Hawaii.
VD, I agree in principal and respect your Iinput a lot. But if I was restricted to that one rifle and scope, I would agree with the 375, esspecially with the new bullets and ammo available that allow it more reach than it had before.... But I would keep my VZ6 2-12 variable. With the backup iron sites so the only changes to my M70 would be to put on some QD mounts and a different sling.
In defence of Ruger. There is no way the cost of steel difference from a long to medium length action is behind their decisions. You are talking pennies in raw steel. The cost savings would likely be in tooling and standardization of the manufacturing process. And they may actually believe very strongly that they have better cartridges. I do like the shorter bolt throw.
If was to ask Ruger to do ssomething different, it would be to improve the quality and quality control of their machining. I would pay extra for the option of an Ultra Grade or something like that.
Love the silky smooth action on my Winchesters.
ActionBob,
Thanks.
One man's bread is another man's poison.
I have no earthly use for short action bolt rifles intended for dangerous game.
Fact is, even for PG cartridges like the 7x57 (which I like very much), I prefer a 30-06 length action which one could say is too long of a bolt throw for that cartridge.
Once I owned an early Ruger M77 in 7x57 on the '06 length action and I liked the fact that the magazine had plenty of room for 160 and 175 grain bullets.
Likewise, my CZ 550 in 6.5x55 appears to be built on a .30-06 length action, much to my delight, as the 160 gr RNSP in that one is very accurate.
Conversely I also had owned an old Rem Model 722 in .257 Roberts on which the magazine was so short that I had to seat 117 and 120 gr bullets very deep into the case.
This resulted in mediocre accuracy because said bullets had to jump a ways to finally hit the riflings.
Used as a single shot, I could seat bullets out where they belonged and I found it would then put 3 shots (117 gr Sierra) under an inch at 200 yds from sand bags on calm air days.
Back on track with DG rifle actions and thoughts; I see no earthly use for new cartridges which approximate the already original and already available nearly world wide - .375 H&H, short action or otherwise.
For that matter, I cannot figure out why I should have any faster one in .37 bore diameter either, makes no sense to me whatsoever.
If I cannot hit some vital mark with the H&H version, then I should not be shooting at whatever it is.
It however indeed makes perfect sense for various manufacturers to advertise puffed up claims of "new and improved" products.
If steel is not as expensive as I thought it was, OK, I stand corrected but, if Ruger and others are saving $ on "tooling & standardization" by pushing shorter cartridges and rifle actions, my point is still valid - cheaper to make and many people can be convinced that they "need" it.
I totally understand marketing strategy, even I get that.
Like yourself, I too like the Model 70s in CRF version.
Not to whip a dead horse but I always thought they should be making 4 sizes of same - small for .222 etc, - medium for .250 Savage, .243, etc., - large for 30-06, etc., - and magnum for .300 H&H through .404 Jeffery, .458 Lott, etc.
Be all of that as it may, I respect your opinion and am not trying to say you should shrug off short actioned repeaters in the latest and greatest ever DG calibers like I do.
Obviously, they are to your liking and opinions are what make horse races as someone once said.
Best regards,
velo Dog.