Just received from Steve Barnett my Ruger African 375 Ruger originally specially ordered for Dave Tidwell (says so on box), who is himself of Ruger. Paid hundreds more than for standard model because of the wood. First impression Pros: Gorgeous figure the full length of stock, so light and handy, smooth bolt. CONS: not sure I like matte finish on metal. described by seller as nib, but very small marks one place top butt stock, needs a Decelerator, needs a 2nd cross bolt, and needs to be bedded. ( I think just from my reading here).

(Would value any other suggestions to prevent cracking this stock).

Wish this stupid, old man could show you pics.

Is it this one?

Add to your list pillar bedding the action along with a glass bedded all-thread bolt down through the center of the grip.

You might want to PM "Robgunbuilder" and "RIP" for recommendations or perhaps a link to a thread(s) where they've explained their stock reinforcing procedures.

Baxter: yep.

Very nice rifle. Have fun.

Gorgeous rifle. I have the same in lesser wood. Mine is a tack driver in stock condition no matter how many shots fired. It became a favorite of mine on my last trip to Africa. Relatively light and low recoil, what's not to like?

Very nice rifle. You should be very happy.

I think that you will enjoy the matte finish when hunting so that reflection off the barrel is diminished.

The Ruger stocks tend to be short, 13.5" pull. If so, you can probably replace the ruger buttplate and add a Limbsaver, pre-shaped, directly to the stock with a screwdriver, ending up with a 14" pull.

The allthread channel for the grip can be drilled down from inside the back of the tang to the grip cap. 1/4" should work fine. If you take off the grip cap and drill through you can epoxy with excess oozing out the bottom and taped shut. Otherwise, you need to carefully massage the epoxy into the channel with the allthread in order to remove and prevent air pockets.

When you bed the rifle, make sure that the tang end does not touch the wood, 1/16" should be plenty. A second crossbolt can be added in the rear as you wish. The 375 is relatively mild as a big bore, though safe is better than sorry. (I should speak, after cracking two laminate stocks with a 500 AccRel Nyati!)

Nice rifle should work well

The .375 Ruger is a great round, I only wish more mfrs. offered "pre-rolled" ammo for it...

quote:

Originally posted by capoward:along with a glass bedded all-thread bolt down through the center of the grip.

Bill, this is a good thing to do for strength in the weakest area of the stock, the grip, and quite easy to do, I have done it on all of my laminate and wood stocks, all four of my Ruger 375's and 416. Use 1/4" 12" drill bit and 1/4" all thread. Get on Youtube, I believe Mr. Midway, Larry Potterfield has a video on him doing it to one of his nice wood stocked 375's. You can pick up the extra cross bolt from Brownell's.

thanks to all who gave advice...I will sincerely consider it.

I did all the above to my RSM in 416 Rigby - TWICE.
WARNING WILL ROBINSON - After you do this DO NOT send the stock back to Ruger for any reason.
Rest of the story. After bedding and adding another cross bolt to a really nice piece of factory wood on my RSM, I found a problem with the ejector and elected to send it back to Ruger for what I thought would be a simple adjustment. I followed their directions to the letter and soon received my rifle back from them with a NEW STOCK. WTF! I called to complain and a very nice lady explained that the technician had determined my stock was cracked and had replaced it. The new stock had less figure than the old one and I had to bed and crossbolt it all over again at some cost. I do not believe my stock had any crack in it. I'm betting that stock is now on some Ruger employee/exec/buddy's rifle. If I ever take advantage of Ruger's warranty service again, I'll make sure to not send them the stock.