Anyone have some thoughts on barrel profile/weight for a 375 Ruger build on a M77 Tang Safety action? Or have the measurements for a Ruger Alaskan maybe ?

I have an A&B barrel but the profile is heavier than I really like. If I use it as is I will end up with a 10 1/2lb rifle which is not what I am after . 8 1/2lb would be better.

The plan is to build a functional hunting rifle , as opposed to a work of art.

MUZZA
i think a real neat profile for the 375 Ruger cartridge is the barrel profile which sako uses on the 375 chambered rifles.
My friend had a M70 with the standard factory axle weight barrel...he got his barrel reprofiled to the sako barrel profile and the transformation in the handling and balance of that rifle was just unreal, it handled and pointed so much better,it was hard to belive
On my 375 RUGER i have got a number 3 profile, i will see how it balances in the next few mounths
Daniel

Muzza,
The Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan .375 Ruger has a muzzle diameter of about .675" at the 20" length.

The Ruger barrel contour is different from the more common "Douglas-type" sporter contours in common with many makers.

The Ruger barrel contour tapers down rather quickly after the shank/knoxform section, and has minimal taper after that.

You will have to use a No. 3 sporter contour as M98 suggested, if you want the lightest possible sporter, with good accuracy.

However, for good rifle balance, you will also have to use a very light stock.

No.3 sporter: .625" at 24" muzzle, 3.0 pounds

No.4 sporter: .650" at 26" muzzle, 3.5 pounds

No.5 sporter: .700" at 26" muzzle, 4.0 pounds

The Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan barrel is most easily reproduced by getting a No.4 sporter and turning it down a bit to match the Ruger contour.

Don't go too light with it Muzz, a weedy wee chap like you could get booted into next year by a thing like that.
Steve.

Gee Steve - I was going to let you have the first shot too..... who needs friends huh????

Thanks - everyone else - that gives me some more points to ponder. I am toying with copying the profile of my German 9.3 x 57/62 but that may be a little too light . My stock - a Bell and Carlson plastic fantastic - weighs 2.6lbs .

I did a .375/.338 on a Ruger MK11 with a PacNor 24" barrel, .625 at the muzzle, 8 lbs. w/ scope.
It's been a while...I may have duplicated the profile of the factory Ruger takeoff barrel in .338. Great rifle...handles just right.

quote:

Originally posted by muzza:
Anyone have some thoughts on barrel profile/weight for a 375 Ruger build on a M77 Tang Safety action? Or have the measurements for a Ruger Alaskan maybe ?

I have an A&B barrel but the profile is heavier than I really like. If I use it as is I will end up with a 10 1/2lb rifle which is not what I am after . 8 1/2lb would be better.

The plan is to build a functional hunting rifle , as opposed to a work of art.

The African contour is identical to a standard Ruger 338WM through the forend. You do not need a heavy barrel for the cartridge as it is easy to manage in a sporter weight package. Just make sure you have at least minimum standard wall thickness. I'd not go too heavy with a 375.

Best