Ruger Guide Guns

Horse96

Horse96

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Hello,

Anyone have one of the Ruger guide rifles? If so, what do you think of it? I am wondering how much velocity I'd lose with a 300wm. I am guessing an average of 20 fps per Inch. Or if you have the rcm cartridges, what types of muzzle velocity are you getting?

I have a gsr and I love it. Hoping to get a guide.gun with more power, big brother and a little brother setup.
 
Tagged for interest. I was wondering the same thing. I handled a Guide Gun in .300 Win mag recently and I really liked the balance and handling of it. Would also like to hear from anyone who has been shooting one.
 
I recently purchased a Guide Gun in 30-06. My first larger caliber rifle so I'm afraid I can't offer much in terms of comparison. Have only put a single box of 20 rounds through it. No scope yet. I wanted something simple that would really last, and this looks like it. A pleasure to hold and shoot so far.
 
I regularly use a .300 WM with a 24 inch barrel. I would not worry so much about the velocity loss as I would the noise GAIN. I wouldn't want any more hearing damage than I am already getting from the relatively few "hunting" shots from that round. It is already too loud for safety, I would think a shorter barrel would be VERY noisy. The velocity loss would not matter to me very much, however.
 
The rcm calibers are supposed to excel from a 20 inch barrel. The 300rcm does not look too different than a 300wsm, but it's supposed to be a Little smaller (fit more rounds in mag) but shoot the same speeds without the velocity loss. I'm sure that would transfer over to less noise as well.
 
Horse96 said:
The rcm calibers are supposed to excel from a 20 inch barrel. The 300rcm does not look too different than a 300wsm, but it's supposed to be a Little smaller (fit more rounds in mag) but shoot the same speeds without the velocity loss. I'm sure that would transfer over to less noise as well.
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Then get a .30-06 and be done with it, but a 20" .30-06 is also pretty loud too. Power cannot be had without more noise. If you want less noise, you will have to tolerate less velocity with any given bullet weight. That may not be all that bad, of course, since LOTS of hunting can be done with the "relatively ordinary" .308. It's short too.

I just don't see much point in the short cartridges that offer little more than the .308 already does in a short action. If I want more than that, the .300 WM (the .300WSM if short actually matters to you) are the only real upgrades.

Of course, the .30-06 does it all too.
 
The theory behind the rcm calibers is that you can have more velocity without the blast. Which is part of my interest in these calibers and why I'm interested in how they actually perform. I'd take a 300 rcm or 338 rcm if the cartridge actually performed as the theory Calls for. I have a 308 And so a 30-06 is too close to it ballistics wise to get one.
 
Horse96 said:
The theory behind the rcm calibers is that you can have more velocity without the blast. Which is part of my interest in these calibers and why I'm interested in how they actually perform. I'd take a 300 rcm or 338 rcm if the cartridge actually performed as the theory Calls for. I have a 308 And so a 30-06 is too close to it ballistics wise to get one.
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I understand the theory. I guess I'm trying to say that theoretical "advantages" can often translate into almost no advantage in reality. If you already have a .308, I think you already have 97.5% of what you are trying to buy (like most internet statistics, that's made up out of my ...umm.... . head). But you are over thinking it. I don't actually own a Guide Gun, however.
 
Horse96 said:
The theory behind the rcm calibers is that you can have more velocity without the blast. Which is part of my interest in these calibers and why I'm interested in how they actually perform. I'd take a 300 rcm or 338 rcm if the cartridge actually performed as the theory Calls for. I have a 308 And so a 30-06 is too close to it ballistics wise to get one.
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That was not the theory of the RCM's or any of the short magnums... the idea was to duplicate long action magnum performance in a short action cartridge. The muzzleblast is a function of powder burn and load density over a given barrel length. I personally find that the additional noise generated by shorter barrel lengths is grossly exagerated. Perceived noise by the shooter is marginally increased as the barrel gets shorter (with any given load) but if you get hearing damage from a single shot out of a 20" barrel, you would also have received the damage from a 24" barrel... environmental factors are an even greater contributor than barrel length alone; ie. Shooting next to a rock cut or shooting inside a blind etc...

I did have a Guide Gun in .300 RCM and it was a nice carry rifle and very accurate, I only sold due to downsizing my collection. A .308 Scout for deer and a .300 RCM for elk and moose would be a good two rifle battery and either can back up the other.
 
awesome input, I was more leaning towards the 338rcm, 300win mag, or maybe even the 375 Ruger. Was there a lot of muzzle blast in your 300rcm Hoyt?
 
Horse96 said:
awesome input, I was more leaning towards the 338rcm, 300win mag, or maybe even the 375 Ruger. Was there a lot of muzzle blast in your 300rcm Hoyt?
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I didn't notice anymore blast than in my 22" .30/06 or 24" .300 WM or 26" 7 RM... as I said earlier, IMO too much is made of the extra muzzleblast and noise as it relates to a barrel that is 2-4" underlength... 20", 22", 24", 26" are effectively equivalent as they relate to hunting. I have a plethora of 16.5" and 18.5" barrelled hunting rifles and they are just as comfortable to shoot as my 22" & 24" rifles.
 
I've found that I like short barreled hunting guns lately; I now have a 14" 870, a 16" Ruger 308 compact, and the 20" 338win Ruger Guide Gun. They are so handy in the bush.
 
HeadDamage said:
I've found that I like short barreled hunting guns lately; I now have a 14" 870, a 16" Ruger 308 compact, and the 20" 338win Ruger Guide Gun. They are so handy in the bush.
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And they are accurate. I skim bedded my scout and found a half inch at 100 yard load. I haven't chrono'd it yet but I'm guessing I'm going to lose about 120fps. My rifle did not do well with the higher end.of charge weights, but with the minimum and a grain or two above min it does well. At Max loads it opened to two inches
 
popper said:
I love the concept, the 2 RCMs and 375 ruger in 20" handy & rugged bolt rifle, but I just can't get over the stock - it is just awful...
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Not totally in love with the stock myself, but even less so with the hideous muzzle brake (for the record though, I hate all muzzle brakes equally). Having said all that I will likely get a Ruger Guide gun in 375 Ruger this summer/fall unless I can find a used Ruger Alaskan instead, or a M77 Hawkeye in laminate/stainless with a 20" barrel in the above chambering. I'm a function over fashion kinda guy and the short rifle in a fine med. bore cartridge appeals to me, just wish the brake was an option rather than mandatory on all the Ruger Guide guns, I'll never use it and even the little thread protector that is included adds a tiny bit of length and detracts from the already lacking aesthetics.

Lol, as I am typing this, the more I am warming up to the idea of a used Alaskan or the stainless/laminate Hawkeye with the 20" barrel and express sights, I think I'll get all the features I like in the guide gun without the ones I don't like, and at a reduced price.
 
Iron Sighted said:
Not totally in love with the stock myself, but even less so with the hideous muzzle brake (for the record though, I hate all muzzle brakes equally). Having said all that I will likely get a Ruger Guide gun in 375 Ruger this summer/fall unless I can find a used Ruger Alaskan instead, or a M77 Hawkeye in laminate/stainless with a 20" barrel in the above chambering. I'm a function over fashion kinda guy and the short rifle in a fine med. bore cartridge appeals to me, just wish the brake was an option rather than mandatory on all the Ruger Guide guns, I'll never use it and even the little thread protector that is included adds a tiny bit of length and detracts from the already lacking aesthetics.

Lol, as I am typing this, the more I am warming up to the idea of a used Alaskan or the stainless/laminate Hawkeye with the 20" barrel and express sights, I think I'll get all the features I like in the guide gun without the ones I don't like, and at a reduced price.
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You are hitting the nail on the head here. Your analysis is very similar to mine that lead me to pick up an M77 Hawkeye "Alaskan" stainless/laminate in .375 Ruger with a 23" barrel last December. You will have to pardon my nomenclature of that rifle (if incorrect), it is a slightly mysterious rifle and I cannot locate as much data as I usually can on it. "Alaskan" apparently can come in my configuration in addition to the Hogue stock and 20" barrel that is more common. The stock and the muzzle brake on the Guide Gun were not my favourite features, but may not have been dealbreakers, had I not found the rifle I bought. Med. bore options in stainless are rather limited after some research. Not at all trying to sound macho, but I do not see the need for the muzzle brake, even on the .375. The realistic number of shots on any given day (1-10) comes with an acceptable amount of recoil for me. The potential hearing damage to myself and those around me is more important to me. Since the stock is laminate, refinishing it with different colours is not an option, unfortunately. I was very tempted by the Guide Gun, but felt the features of the Alaskan were a better fit for me overall. I found mine at Prophet River and there were actually two in stock. I almost bought them both but decided to leave it to make someone else's day. Have a peek there or maybe even call to check on availability into the future. Have not seen available the laminate Alaskan with the 20" barrel, which may be the best of all worlds (see Unicorn). A Hogue 20" model and then swap out for a laminate stock may also be a consideration.

OP, the functionality of the guide gun is compelling. So much so that I seriously considered one in .375 Ruger. The only thing I was looking for which the guide gun had over my rifle was the barrel length. There would be an ease of handling in sudden moments or closer quarters with a shorter barrel. That said, I have not found mine to be overly cumbersome. If you see value in the muzzle brake and like the stock then it may be a great rifle for you. If you would be open to consider alternatives, have a look at the one I got, just to compare if nothing else.

Good luck!
 
NewGuard84 said:
If you see value in the muzzle brake and like the stock then it may be a great rifle for you.
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Good points. I'm indifferent to the muzzle brake so far, but haven't had a chance to compare with/without. But I happen to really like the stock, in fact, there is no stock on any gun that appeals to me more. I like how it's a sort of "natural" camo pattern based on the contours of the different laminate colours. I also think I would be less bothered by scratches and dings on laminate than on walnut.

A lot just comes down to personal taste.
 
NewGuard84 said:
You are hitting the nail on the head here. Your analysis is very similar to mine that lead me to pick up an M77 Hawkeye "Alaskan" stainless/laminate in .375 Ruger with a 23" barrel last December. You will have to pardon my nomenclature of that rifle (if incorrect), it is a slightly mysterious rifle and I cannot locate as much data as I usually can on it. "Alaskan" apparently can come in my configuration in addition to the Hogue stock and 20" barrel that is more common. The stock and the muzzle brake on the Guide Gun were not my favourite features, but may not have been dealbreakers, had I not found the rifle I bought. Med. bore options in stainless are rather limited after some research. Not at all trying to sound macho, but I do not see the need for the muzzle brake, even on the .375. The realistic number of shots on any given day (1-10) comes with an acceptable amount of recoil for me. The potential hearing damage to myself and those around me is more important to me. Since the stock is laminate, refinishing it with different colours is not an option, unfortunately. I was very tempted by the Guide Gun, but felt the features of the Alaskan were a better fit for me overall. I found mine at Prophet River and there were actually two in stock. I almost bought them both but decided to leave it to make someone else's day. Have a peek there or maybe even call to check on availability into the future. Have not seen available the laminate Alaskan with the 20" barrel, which may be the best of all worlds (see Unicorn). A Hogue 20" model and then swap out for a laminate stock may also be a consideration.

OP, the functionality of the guide gun is compelling. So much so that I seriously considered one in .375 Ruger. The only thing I was looking for which the guide gun had over my rifle was the barrel length. There would be an ease of handling in sudden moments or closer quarters with a shorter barrel. That said, I have not found mine to be overly cumbersome. If you see value in the muzzle brake and like the stock then it may be a great rifle for you. If you would be open to consider alternatives, have a look at the one I got, just to compare if nothing else.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Apparently the 20" barreled, stainless/laminate Hawkeye is a unicorn, especially in right handed actions, seems only two hundred or so were made all of which were lefties.

So I'll be looking for a used Alaskan or getting a Guide gun and ensuring that the brake resides forever in my safe, never to sully the looks of an already somewhat homely (yet still appealing) rifle.

Ideally, I'll find a used Alaskan and drop it in a McMillan stock, have seen one before and it looked awesome.
 
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