Ruger Guide Guns

hoytcanon said:
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...
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The problem is that a doubling in perceived volume equates to many times the sound pressure level (SPL).

3dB = twice the power
6dB = twice the amplitude
~10dB = twice the perceived volume
Adding up two 12dB noise sources will get you, on average, 15dB (which will not sound twice as loud)

http://www.conradaskland.com/blog/2008/10/decibel-levels-and-perceived-volume-change/
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Plotting the logarithm of the uncorking pressure against the barrel length produces a relatively straight plot, indicating that the pressure rises exponentially with shortening of the barrel.

http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=1093&page=2
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.30-06 in 24" barrel 158.5dB
.30-06 in 18" barrel 163.2dB

http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_gunfirenoise.shtml
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That's a 4.7 dB difference. Not much increase in perceived volume, but well over twice the power reaches your ears.

I found the 10 dB difference between 28" and 18" 12 gauge pretty fascinating. This would be perceived as only twice as loud, but 10 times the power is reaching your ears (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel):

12 Gauge
28" barrel 151.50dB
26" barrel 156.10dB
18" barrel 161.50dB

http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_gunfirenoise.shtml
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Every gun seems to be over 150 dB though. I think this makes a case for legalizing moderators in Canada to bring SPL down to safe levels.
 
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Bittereinder said:
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.
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Agreed on personal taste, that's what makes these discussions interesting. Now that you mention your impression of the stock, I actually felt the same, like it would look interesting in grass, tan/brown brush, woodland, etc. There is a video on YouTube by gunblastdotcom on the guide gun where he says the felt recoil is noticeably different with the muzzle brake on (.375). When you get a chance to try yours in both configurations, perhaps let us know how it felt. Enjoy your rifle!

Iron Sighted said:
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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Sounds like a good plan. Unicorn is right for that rare factory configuration. If you can stomach the current cost of a McMillan that would be even better. I'm looking at one for a Sako 85 and by the time you convert our dollar and ship up here... It's a bigger commitment than what I initially was thinking. If it's going to be a lifetime gun, could be worth going all out. Let us know what you decide.

bcsteve said:
Something like this?
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*slow clap*
 
a 20" 300wm should be able to crowd 2900 fps with a 180gr - certainly providing a good level of effectiveness at any hunting distance

300RCM will be in the 2750 fps range, 30-06 @ 2650 fps
 
Iron Sighted said:
Alaskan and drop it in a McMillan stock, have seen one before and it looked awesome.
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long live the king!

218603_10150159206367992_4621649_o.jpg
 
Hehe, both yours and Steve's were the ones I had seen before in pictures and they are beauties. Don't know that I'll be able to splurge for the McMillan anytime soon after I buy the gun but you have both made me lust after one. At least the Guide model has an adjustable L.O.P. so it'll probably be a good fit until I can afford the McMillan. Btw, nice guns guys.
 
Iron Sighted said:
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.
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I am not disputing what you say about the stainless laminate but I am wondering how you know this. If you don't mind my asking, what was your source? I ask, because, unless I have misunderstood your post, I have purchased a stainless laminate Guide gun (RH) and am picking it up from a dealer on the weekend. It is the model number 47116; green mountain laminate stock, stainless steel with matte finish. I handled it a week ago and was quite impressed by it. Can't wait to try it out but didn't know it was a unicorn of sorts, lol.

Or were you referring to the .375 calibre only? If so, carry on.
 
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Rugerman said:
I am not disputing what you say about the stainless laminate but I am wondering how you know this. If you don't mind my asking, what was your source? I ask, because, unless I have misunderstood your post, I have purchased a stainless laminate Guide gun (RH) and am picking it up from a dealer on the weekend. It is the model number 47116; green mountain laminate stock, stainless steel with matte finish. I handled it a week ago and was quite impressed by it. Can't wait to try it out but didn't know it was a unicorn of sorts, lol.

Or were you referring to the .375 calibre only? If so, carry on.
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it has been said by ruger in those days that 93 rifles were created with a laminated stock with a stainless steel but has we saw a lot of time, rifles coming on the market i think this is one of the best urban legend ... and a great marketing idea ...
 
Rugerman said:
I am not disputing what you say about the stainless laminate but I am wondering how you know this. If you don't mind my asking, what was your source? I ask, because, unless I have misunderstood your post, I have purchased a stainless laminate Guide gun (RH) and am picking it up from a dealer on the weekend. It is the model number 47116; green mountain laminate stock, stainless steel with matte finish. I handled it a week ago and was quite impressed by it. Can't wait to try it out but didn't know it was a unicorn of sorts, lol.

Or were you referring to the .375 calibre only? If so, carry on.
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There was a limited release of rifles in a pepper laminate stock (similar color to the Ruger Scout). These were a regular type rifle stock, no butt pad spacers, just a typical recoil pad.

The barrel is 20" but has no muzzle break and isn't threaded, the express style sights are the same.
They are essentially a Ruger Alaskan in a laminate stock from what I can tell and only seem to have been made with left handed actions.
Prophet River had one listed as of last week, it is likely still on their website.
 
NewGuard84 said:
There is a video on YouTube by gunblastdotcom on the guide gun where he says the felt recoil is noticeably different with the muzzle brake on (.375). When you get a chance to try yours in both configurations, perhaps let us know how it felt. Enjoy your rifle!
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I finally had a chance to try my Ruger Guide Gun 30-06 with and without the brake. I was using the heavier of two loads I have data for with my Lee scoops for a 180 grain Winchester Power Point bullet, i.e., 46-47 grains of Varget (I would guess that's a moderate to stiff 30-06 load). The recoil I felt was less with the brake but not by much, I think it's just that the 30-06 just isn't too bad to begin with. Now, I only shot about 10 rounds with and without the brake, so maybe if I were to compare shooting many more rounds in an afternoon my shoulder might say there's a difference.

Probably the benefit of the brake is for the heavier calibres, which are more what the Ruger Guide Gun was designed for. I guess they offered 30-06 for guys like me who like the overall design but don't want the higher cost of larger calibres, and/or don't need them for the intended game (deer and moose). I actually kind of like just using the thread protector and keeping the gun short and handy. I haven't shot it enough yet to compare more than two loads, but so far I'm getting better groups with the thread protector than the brake/weight, so that's another reason to keep it on. Presumably the barrel vibrations are more favourable with the short thread protector, at least with the two loads I've used with my gun.
 
Bittereinder said:
I finally had a chance to try my Ruger Guide Gun 30-06 with and without the brake. I was using the heavier of two loads I have data for with my Lee scoops for a 180 grain Winchester Power Point bullet, i.e., 46-47 grains of Varget (I would guess that's a moderate to stiff 30-06 load). The recoil I felt was less with the brake but not by much, I think it's just that the 30-06 just isn't too bad to begin with. Now, I only shot about 10 rounds with and without the brake, so maybe if I were to compare shooting many more rounds in an afternoon my shoulder might say there's a difference.

Probably the benefit of the brake is for the heavier calibres, which are more what the Ruger Guide Gun was designed for. I guess they offered 30-06 for guys like me who like the overall design but don't want the higher cost of larger calibres, and/or don't need them for the intended game (deer and moose). I actually kind of like just using the thread protector and keeping the gun short and handy. I haven't shot it enough yet to compare more than two loads, but so far I'm getting better groups with the thread protector than the brake/weight, so that's another reason to keep it on. Presumably the barrel vibrations are more favourable with the short thread protector, at least with the two loads I've used with my gun.
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With an extruded powder like Varget I would think an accurate scale and load development would increase accuracy by a good amount.
 
cam1936 said:
With an extruded powder like Varget I would think an accurate scale and load development would increase accuracy by a good amount.
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Thanks. I should definitely try more loads and use a scale. My range has a low daily rifle round limit for noise so it will take time. I should also eventually join a club with a proper rifle range...
 
So does anyone know of any retailers that have the Ruger Guide gun in stock in 375 Ruger? None of the site sponsors seem to have them listed.

I'd be fine with used as well if anyone has one they are wanting to sell (or an Alaskan, or even maybe an African model).
 
Seems that everyone is sold out of these in 375 Ruger. I did try contacting Irunguns via email twice but have not yet gotten a response. Oh well, I'll keep looking and hoping one will show up in stock soon.
 
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