Considering a Custom 375 Ruger

H

hgeo33

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
33   0   0
Hey Guys

I am considering having a custom rifle built and am torn on what action/stock to use.

If it were a precision rifle I would use a rem action but I do not like them as much in a hunting rifle. I have a ruger with a 77 MKII action and I really like it. Is there anything out there a little higher end than a Ruger but similar? I would love something like a Dakota but the price is just a lot more than I want to spend. I have also thought about a CZ action. I am not sure if they are much better than a Ruger.

I am going to use a short barrel (20") on this rifle. I like the stock concept for the rifle in this post (with a comb suitable for a scope).

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356520

I would prefer laminate for weight /strength. Any suggestions?
 
Before I give you my suggestion, please don't take it as though I would attempt to dissuade someone from getitng a custom rifle built, as that isn't my intention.:D

But my advice to you is to buy the Ruger Alaskan, send it to a gunsmith to smooth out the trigger, bed it in a stock of your choosing and have him polish/smooth the action (or you can do that part yourself with some JB paste and some time)
 
I have considered that. I like the Alaskan. The ruger I have right now is a Frontier in 300 WSM. I love it and with my pet load (barnes 165 gr XLC over H4350) it shoots less than an inch at 100m. I really am keen however on a high end barrel. And I was thinking it may not be cost effective to stock and rebarrel an Alaskan.
 
What do you hope to gain with the high end barrel? Accuracy?

I've found the factory Ruger ALaskan barrel to be very accurate. Certainly more accurate than a hunting rifle needs to be.:)
 
I used to have a Sako Hunter IV in 375 H&H that consistantly gave me 100 yard cloverleaf groups with 300gr Partitions.

I now have a T/C Contender carbine in 375JDJ and a Rem 700 LSS in 375RUM both are more accurate than I can believe.

Before I left on my last trip I was looking at getting a Ruger Alaskan in 416 Ruger but after shooting these rifles in the field again and being amazed at the accuracy at 300 yards with the JDJ and 440 yards with the RUM I have decided that I would like another 375 in a cartridge that splits the performance difference of these two rounds.

Can't decide on the rifle or cartridge yet but it is goiing to be a 375H&H/375 Ruger or a wildcat in either a 375/338mag (Taylor) or a 375 Whelen AI.

Looking for 2600 - 2700fps with 260gr bullets and I know whatever rifle/cartridge combo I get it will be more accurate than I can hope for.
 
I've got a tang safety M77 338win that I've been thinking of re barreling to 375ruger. I love the M77s so much that I'm even having a long range tactical rifle built on one ;)
 
Gatehouse said:
I get 2755fps with 260gr Accubonds, .375 Ruger, 20" barrel
Click to expand...

Even if I went with the 375 Ruger in a Ruger Alaskan I would reduce the load to 2600 - 2700fps I don't need to push it as fast as I can I would actually work on the most accurate load I could find.

I have now seen how a 260gr Accubond @ a 2300fps muzzle velocity kills and it does a deadly job which is why I am thinking a 260gr Accubond/Partition @ 2600 - 2700fps would be perfect for my needs.
 
Even if I went with the 375 Ruger in a Ruger Alaskan I would reduce the load to 2600 - 2700fps I don't need to push it as fast as I can I would actually work on the most accurate load I could find.
Click to expand...

Top end loads often give the best accuracy:

Leopardhide275-copy.jpg



2634_72179585515_526315515_2693076_7504843_n.jpg


3 shot groups with 260 Accubond and 270TSX, both around .60", both top loads of H4350 for the respective bullets.
 
Gate's advise on the Alaskan is sound, and if you decide you wish to upgrade the stock you then have your custom .375. Until then the Alaskan out of the box is a reliable, powerful, accurate, and easy to carry big game rifle. Had it been available when I was building my .375 Ultra I would have saved a great deal of money and had a rifle that was nearly the equal, although the Ultra handles bullet weights in excess of 300 grs with a distinct advantage. The argument then is that if you need to shoot a 400 gr bullet you need a .416, and the Ruger can provide that too. You don't need to be concerned about the accuracy with the Alaskan. With 260 gr ABs (my pal's bullet of choice) the Alaskan always puts 3 well within MOA, and they shoot flat enough to handle long shots, out to say a quarter mile or so. The overwhelming best reason to buy the Ruger aside from its attractive sticker price is that you can shoot it the same day you buy it. A custom rifle can be fun to plan and anticipate, but it is a long term project.

If you decide to order an after market stock, keep in mind the type of shooting you will do. The stock's drop at the comb must reflect the sights you use. My Mcmillan causes me to mash my cheek into the stock in order to see through the ghost ring, and the felt recoil as a result is harsher. As a result I have a back up scope and seldom use the ghost ring.

If you want the best without waiting for 5 years to get a rifle built, the Dakota is the answer. The cost is about the same as a full blown custom rifle, and the results might even be nicer, if you are looking for a pretty rifle.

The Brno/CZ actions are the ones I like and they make a great basis for a custom rifle. The magazine capacity is cavernous, and if you wish to upgrade the bottom metal you can fit in an extra round to make it a 6 shooter with the H&H chambering.

Here is the comparison of my custom Brno 602 and my pal's Ruger Alaskan.

Rugercopy.jpg


ml.jpg
 
Ruger just doesn't get it, if they put a better stock on the Alaskan they'd sell like hot cakes. I'd have bought a .416 instead of rebarreling.
 
What do you hope to gain with the high end barrel? Accuracy?

I've found the factory Ruger ALaskan barrel to be very accurate. Certainly more accurate than a hunting rifle needs to be.
Click to expand...

So I am not sure that there is a rational reason to get a high end barrel. I do not even think that I have a good reason to buy another gun let alone a 375 other than I really really want one !. I think it would be cool to pick all the parts. Budget may restrict me to using an alaskan as a base.

What would you guys recommend for good solid laminate stock?
 
MTM said:
Ruger just doesn't get it, if they put a better stock on the Alaskan they'd sell like hot cakes. I'd have bought a .416 instead of rebarreling.
Click to expand...

I dont' think your assessment is very accurate. ;)

While I personally didn't like the Hogue stock, lots of guys do. And the rifles *have* been selling like hot cakes- Especially for a .375 caliber rifle! At one point, RUger was having trouble keeping up with the demand for these rifles. And to be fair- The supplied Hogue stock works fine, and most hunters would get along fine with it..I'm just picky.:)

]
hgeo33 said:
So I am not sure that there is a rational reason to get a high end barrel. I do not even think that I have a good reason to buy another gun let alone a 375 other than I really really want one !. I think it would be cool to pick all the parts. Budget may restrict me to using an alaskan as a base.
Click to expand...

No need to be rational about building a gun, just letting you know that there is an option.;)

What would you guys recommend for good solid laminate stock?
Click to expand...

I'm not a big fan of laminate stocks, so I am not sure. I do know that I really like the McSwirly I put on my Alaskan. Maybe Boyds makes a laminate stock?
 
And I'll add to BC Bigbore's question...Can you still use your open sites on the .375Ruger with the McMillan stock?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom