Ruger Guide Gun vs Marlin 1895 Guide Gun
- Thread starter Coho
- Start date
I currently have two samples of Bill's handiwork, both function flawlessly and are tackdrivers.
However I'm seriously considering either a 375 Ruger build or a 30 Newton on a pre-64, either of which I'll have to ask Bill to create.
Trouble is, I can't decide which, and as for the Ruger I will send it to him if I cannot solve the problems on my own, probably the simplest solution.
With regard to your signature, you do have an awesome Mauser in 375 Ruger ( wish it were mine ! ).........
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Kevan, Mauser98 you both have great taste in guns. Can't help but suggest a custom stocked Winchester .375 H&H with a drop box mag and Rigby floorplate for 5-6 rounds down, might just be the sweetest package possible on the action to my mind. In a .375, magazine capacity can be a very, very handy thing overseas. I've emptied five from my RSM on several occasions quickly "over there" and once tossed my rifle to a PH chasing another client's bull when his rifle, three rounds mag capacity, was empty and I still had two left. He wasn't able to chamber a round on a full mag, where the RSM will for clarity, I imagine most .375 Rugers will allow a full mag and loaded chamber with no functioning ills giving four rounds (never tried it).
Considering ballistics are identical, and the Model 70 handles the H&H just swell on the same size action the .375 Ruger would use, I'd take the capacity and guaranteed reliability of feeding and ammunition availability. Mind if I ask why the .375 Ruger? Check Hodgdon's data for H4350 and the standard 300gr, both the Ruger and H&H are spitting images of each other in powder burnt and velocity. You'll gain quite a bit in real world factors with the H&H however, as mentioned above. Not to start another one of these arguments!
Considering ballistics are identical, and the Model 70 handles the H&H just swell on the same size action the .375 Ruger would use, I'd take the capacity and guaranteed reliability of feeding and ammunition availability. Mind if I ask why the .375 Ruger? Check Hodgdon's data for H4350 and the standard 300gr, both the Ruger and H&H are spitting images of each other in powder burnt and velocity. You'll gain quite a bit in real world factors with the H&H however, as mentioned above. Not to start another one of these arguments!
This exactly! Since the only advantage of the Ruger round is the ability to fit into a shorter action, why waste a lovely full-length action like the Winchester on it? If you have resigned yourself to the horrors of a couple of extra ounces in weight, not to mention that dreadful additional fraction-of-an-inch in bolt throw, why not get the real .375 to console yourself?
I had the choice between the Marlin Guide Gun and the Ruger Alaskan.
Hunting bear and moose out to 250yds. - The Ruger wins
Ammo availability. - The store in towns stocks .375 Ruger ammo. I don't reload so the options for the 45/70 at the moment are slim.
Q.C. - There doesn't seem to be any for the last few years of Guide Gun production. I fondled 2, at 2 seperate shops, and both should have never made it out the factory door.
A compact fishing/bush companion that will work when needed. - Ice, sleet, snow, mud, the Ruger CRF is a better choice.
The only complaint I have about the Ruger is the capacity of the mag. A couple extra rounds would be nice.
I'm very happy with my purchase of the Ruger Alaskan instead of the Marlin Guide Gun.
Hunting bear and moose out to 250yds. - The Ruger wins
Ammo availability. - The store in towns stocks .375 Ruger ammo. I don't reload so the options for the 45/70 at the moment are slim.
Q.C. - There doesn't seem to be any for the last few years of Guide Gun production. I fondled 2, at 2 seperate shops, and both should have never made it out the factory door.
A compact fishing/bush companion that will work when needed. - Ice, sleet, snow, mud, the Ruger CRF is a better choice.
The only complaint I have about the Ruger is the capacity of the mag. A couple extra rounds would be nice.
I'm very happy with my purchase of the Ruger Alaskan instead of the Marlin Guide Gun.
Kevan, Mauser98 you both have great taste in guns. Can't help but suggest a custom stocked Winchester .375 H&H with a drop box mag and Rigby floorplate for 5-6 rounds down, might just be the sweetest package possible on the action to my mind. In a .375, magazine capacity can be a very, very handy thing overseas. I've emptied five from my RSM on several occasions quickly "over there" and once tossed my rifle to a PH chasing another client's bull when his rifle, three rounds mag capacity, was empty and I still had two left. He wasn't able to chamber a round on a full mag, where the RSM will for clarity, I imagine most .375 Rugers will allow a full mag and loaded chamber with no functioning ills giving four rounds (never tried it).
Considering ballistics are identical, and the Model 70 handles the H&H just swell on the same size action the .375 Ruger would use, I'd take the capacity and guaranteed reliability of feeding and ammunition availability. Mind if I ask why the .375 Ruger? Check Hodgdon's data for H4350 and the standard 300gr, both the Ruger and H&H are spitting images of each other in powder burnt and velocity. You'll gain quite a bit in real world factors with the H&H however, as mentioned above. Not to start another one of these arguments!
Good post Ardent, and as always I value your opinion.
I do have a an ultra - dependable, totally reliable 357 H&H in the form of a custom built BRNO 602.
Built by Trevor Proctor in 1984, its really quite plain, slimmed down stock, really nothing fancy.
It has a Rich Carnes barrel bored .376 with a 9.5" twist and a single blade rear sight on a quarter rib.
The idea of a tight twist and larger bore was the brainwave of Bill Steigers ( Bitteroot Bonded Core Bullets ) and Carnes, their reasoning was that there would be slightly less drag thus prolonging barrel life and the tight twist would improve heavy for caliber bullets..... and it works.
The rifle does not like any bullet of any make weighing less than 270 gr., and 300gr. and heavier virtually make one-hole groups.
The gun is heavy, a pound more than my Ruger Alaskan, and if I put 5 in the magazine and 1 in the chamber, then I'm looking for a gun bearer.
I usually carry it with one in the chamber and one in the mag and am comfortable with it for the day on foot as it balances so well.
It also wears a 1.5X5 Leupold in BRNO mounts, my preference on most of the bigger guys.
I will try and post a picture tomorrow if I can...
I'm sure the M70 will also do that, I was answering Arents question about the Ruger.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Look forward to seeing it, sounds interesting, I'm a 602 fan myself. Still wouldn't feel right 'Rugering' a nice Model 70 with the H&H available, wouldn't even need a rebarrel she's available off the shelf and is lightweight as far as .375's go.
Ok, sorry...there are always so many people disagreeing with you on this topic that it's easy to lose track of which one you are answering!
Understandable. Many NEW KING detractors are feeble minded.
