BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

tim

I was just thinking the other day about custom rifles. I don't need one or want one. But i was curious why you never hear of custom gunsmiths using ruger actions. IS the m77 action not good enough? To me it is a better action than the remington 700? But it seems like the custom guys all use remington actions. Why don't they use ruger actions? yes i like ruger rifles.

tim

Don Fischer · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject:

I would guess there are some out there just not a lot. You also don't see a lot of Mauser's, Springfield or any other flat bottom action's. Remington's are round as are Savage and they are much easier to work with. Also may have something to do with precived quality of an investment cast action vrs a machined steel action. I have heard that that angled recoil lug is tuff to work with also. There are also more option's for the 700 action from recoil lugs to replacement trigger's. In fact the 700 trigger is pretty nice as it is. I don't know who makes triggers for Rugers but years ago Ruger sold a rifle that came with a Canjar single set trigger. The factory trigger wasn't much to brag about.

Tndeerhunter · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:28 am Post subject:

Perhaps it's because Ruger got the rifle right, in the first place, and it didn't need to be customized like a Remington or Savage (said tongue in cheek, I assure you!) I am also a big fan of the Ruger 77 action and own rifles in the original tang safety version, MKII version and the new Hawkeye as well. Perhaps one of the best things about Ruger bolt guns are the varied caliber selection you can get, in some cases they are the only maker!

Some of the more obscure calibers a new Hawkeye can be found in include:
.264 Win mag
6.5 Creedmore
.338 Fed
.358 Win
.35 Whelen
.257 Roberts
The MKII magnum can still be found in:
.458 Lott
.416 Rigby
.375 H&H

How about the fine Ruger #1 single shot
.405 Winchester
.45-70 I just bought one of these and love it!
7x57 I also own one of these
.300 RCM
.300 H&H
.338 RCM
.475 Linebaugh
.460 S&W mag
.375 RM
9.3x74

Ruger provides more centerfire calibers than anyone else, save a custom shop/riflemaker! I also own Remington 700s and a Savage bolt rifle, but always check into a Ruger when looking for something new.

Yes

ELK-AHOLIC · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:21 pm Post subject:

I think the big reason you don't hear about the Ruger or Savage actions being used is because the Remington and Winchester's are the most popular, the model 700 has the most accessories to go with it, triggers, bottom metal, everyone makes a aftermarket stock for the 700. The Winchester actions are popular because of the Mauser style action with the claw extractor on the pre 64 models they also have a ton of aftermarket parts available for them if you feel the need to fine tune it. Ive also been told by some good gunsmiths that the Howa action is becoming very popular because it takes the best designs of the model 700, Sako and Weatherby MK5 actions and rolled them into a new design that's very easy to work with and extremely strong. I'm having a custom rifle made right now and my first choice was a Howa action but after we checked into it my gunsmith couldn't find one in a left hand configuration for me so I went with a Rem model 700 instead.

tim · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:37 am Post subject:

wow, my grammar sucks. lol

tndeerhunter.
I think you got it right.

tim

WesternHunter · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:26 am Post subject:

Ruger just doesn't get the respect that it really deserves. They are a great gun maker. I like the M77 bolt action and think it's a solid platform for a rifle. Maybe there is some bias due to the fact that the M77 reciever is cast instead of forged. To me it makes no difference. we have the technology in metallurgy today to make stronger pieces from castings. FN has proven this with it's cast Hi Power frames.

ELK-AHOLIC · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:17 am Post subject:

I know still to this day that a lot of shooters and sportsman around the country boycott Ruger products because of the actions Bill Ruger took with the gun-grabbers in the 90's Back when the assault weapons ban was being proposed Bill Ruger said:
"No honest man needs more than a ten shot magazine" ,and I said: I will never buy another gun from Bill Ruger.
I'm a fan of the 2nd amendment I enjoy hunting and target shooting but I also enjoy my Assault rifles and Hi-cap handguns, I love all guns! For Bill Ruger to claim that "black rifles are for terrorist" is so counterproductive to the ENTIRE firearms industry it makes my blood boil, as Americans in my opinion it's not only our right to own assault rifles it's our duty to do so. The 2nd amendment says NOTHING about SPORTING PURPOSE.

Bill is dead and gone now, and the new Ruger company is trying very hard to break free from the old stigma it used to have, just look at the new Ruger 556 AR it comes with 3 30rd mags a first ever for the Ruger Corp. Ive heard that alot of anti Ruger people are now starting to see the light, I bought myself a Ruger 556 a month ago and I'm very pleased with my decision, I think the Ruger company is finally in good hands now with Michael Fifer as the CEO. The company is doing a very good job of trying to win back customers that walked away when Bill Ruger ran the show.

expatriate · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:22 am Post subject:

Sort of the same reason I'll never buy another GM or Chrysler product.

tim · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:24 pm Post subject:

I did not know that bill ruger was against big magazines. I believe you, but it seems wierd since he made 2 guns that probably had more big magazines ran thru them than any gun except the ar platform. the 10-22 and the mini-14.

i also don't know anything about the cast versus forged, but why is it that professional hunters in africa don't want you to use remington actions on the big 5? I have heard something about the way the remington action extracts the round from the chamber.

I do know that my rugers have never let me down and have been really good hunting rifles. They take alot of abuse and keep on shooting straight.

ELK-AHOLIC · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

The Remington model 700 uses a "push" feed type action with a plunger type extractor.

The Ruger action uses a Claw style extractor and a Control Round Feed just like the pre-64 model 70 Winchesters. All that means is that instead of pushing the bullet into the chamber like the Remington it grabs the case head and pushes it into the chamber it's believed by many people to be a superior method of cambering and ejecting shells, and people who hunt dangerous game need to have total confidence in extraction and cambering. To be honest I've had a few model 700's in Magnum calibers and have never once had an issue with them ejecting brass or feeding properly. Ive seen pictures in magazines and on TV that show professional hunters and other people using model 700's in Africa for Cape buffalo and other dangerous game on safari so I don't know how much of a big deal I would make out of this debate they are both good action styles. And on the topic of the Bill Ruger Hi-cap mag Ruger never made hi-cap mags before a few years ago if you wanted hi capacity mags more than 10rds you had to buy after market Mags that goes for the 10-22 and mini 14 only in recent years has the Ruger Corp produced it's own hi capacity mags. I remember when I bought a mini 14 stainless rifle 15 years ago it came with a 5 or 10 round mag I had to buy a after market 30 rounder to go with it. The mini 14 is such a sweet handling little rifle but the accuracy was just hideous I sold it after a year .

tim · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 2:15 pm Post subject:

elk-aholic
I seriously doubt that there would ever really be a extraction issue with a reminton 700, that is just what i have heard.

I don't have much expierence with the mini-14, but i have heard that they where not very accurate.

I guess it is just like ford or chevy or dodge. All good, just some have slightly different styles and end users.

my main ruger expiernce has been with some m77 rifles. I have 3. a couple of 10-22 and my 22\45 pistol. I do believe that .22\45 has killed more animals than all of my rifles combined. Well maybe not all, but many a raccoon, skunk and grouse have succombed to the .22\45. good pistol.

tim

ELK-AHOLIC · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 2:24 pm Post subject:

The M77 rifle line has been a solid performer for a long time now, my uncle has a super old Ruger M77 in 270 that I think is from the late 60's its still a shooter, my father uses a stainless Ruger 300 Win Mag and he's been happy with its performance for a long time now not a bad looking rifle to boot.

WesternHunter · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:36 am Post subject:

Tndeerhunter · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:33 pm Post subject:

Quote: I agree that we cannot tolerate wolves in sheeps clothing among us. But since Bill Ruger is no loner alive why not give credit where credit is due. Ruger makes a good gun. Being over zelous amongst our own can really screw us all in the long run.

An excellent point. Thumbs up

BunnySlayer · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject:

WH,

Couldn't agree more. I boycotted Ruger for the same reasons for several years but it's time to let it go. I think a lot of gunsmiths really just have an instinctive distrust of investment casting which is why you dont see much in the way of custom 77s. Too bad really as it's a great classic mauser design. Investment casting has really proven itself over time as being quite legitimate. I've seen nothing to indicate otherwise.