the ruger Alaskans and other Ruger big bores from being so darn ugly.

Anybody got any photos of ones they have smithed up to look nice?

Buy the African, it looks pretty, sort of. Or send the Alaskan off to have a custom stock made in AAA walnut.

John

John

I was kind of thinking about the metal work.

really?
let's see
dual square brindges
intregal scope mounts
RETURN TO ZERO scope mounts
quick release rings
3 position bolt AND trigger block safety
hinged floor plate
Machined inline and square ..
easily adjustable trigger
stainless and different hardness bolt

the only thing UGLY about them is the stock line, on the right hand side, that doesn't come up to the loading port

Jeffee

You have done a fine job of listing the Ruger's "features" and I agree, it has a nice list of features. However, most of them are ugly.

Case in point. Why is it that you hardly ever see anyone showing off their Wiebe or Worthing or Mcfarland or Fisher or Kobe "Custom Ruger"??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Sounds more like you just wanna complain. I have a Ruger RSM, out of the box a very fine rifle, not a $5K custom, but then again, it was less than $2k and shoots very well.

John

What things sound like and what they are are two different things.

What I wanted to do is clearly stated in the post.

I wanted to see if anyone had any photos of customized Rugers.

I replaced the Hogue stock on my 375 Ruger with a Ruger factory black plastic one with the softer buttpad (recent stock) and what a huge difference in the handling and appearance. Just get one from any of the recent mag action rifles or get one from the factory. I'm not so sure I want to do this to my 416 Ruger though. I like the wider forearm to hold onto in the larger bore.

While this Ruger isn't an Aalaskan or a big bore as a matter of fact it shows what can be done to a Ruger to make it a nifty rifle.



It is a 270 restocked by Al Biesen in French walnut.

465H&H

Done more for function than form, but I added a McSwirly. I think Ruger rifles look fine. I'm not the type to be impressed by gaudy or glossy primping of a rifle, though...

yes, you can make them look nice .. poke around here
http://www.weaponsmith.com/AR-rounds1.html

Does anyone know if the dogleg bolt can be forged straight or does it require the bolt handle be replaced to get rid of the dogleg?

haven't tried .. the blue ones are cm steel, but the grey ones are stainless, so welding might be an issue if the ally needs to be known

quote:

Originally posted by capoward:
Does anyone know if the dogleg bolt can be forged straight or does it require the bolt handle be replaced to get rid of the dogleg?

Yes, the bolt handle would need to be annealed, hammered straight, then re-heat treated on the blue. You can also cut the bolt handle off and drill/tap/thread in a new bolt.

John

quote:

Originally posted by Woodrow S:
I replaced the Hogue stock on my 375 Ruger with a Ruger factory black plastic one with the softer buttpad (recent stock)...

Sir - Please explain further. Is Ruger now manufacturing a different synthetic stock that fits the Alaskan? Also, can your new stock be readily shortened? I'm about to buy a new Alaskan and would like to shorten the LOP by approximately 1/2". Thanks very much and best regards, ELN.

If you have an interest, I have a 375 Ruger Alaskan New in the Box for sale....$725.00 includes shipping to the lower 48.

Wyoming, what I did was get one of the newer Ruger long mag action black "plastic" stocks, like from a 300 Win mag for example. The older black plastic stocks still had the harder butt pads but the ones out the past few years are much softer/better. For the 375 Ruger to fit you will need to sand out the barrel channel a bit, but it's easy and quick as not that much needs to be removed and it is mostly from the sides of the channel. I removed a small amount at a time and kept putting the barreled action inside the stock until I got a perfect fit. You could probably get one of these stocks from the factory but I bought mine on gunbroker for $30 and it was a new take off from a 300mag. I don't know if it can be shortened easily as I have not tried it but it should be doable. I have about a 13-3/8 length of pull and this stock fits me real good as it is. I really like this stock on this rifle though.

JJS - PM sent.

Woodrow - Thanks. I now understand.

Has anyone attempted to shorten the Hogue Alaskan stock? I'd like to drop the LOP by 1/2 to 3/4".

Best regards from the Big Empty, ELN.

Arild Averson(sp) has a great Ruger african that he slightly modified and I think it is fantastic. Not like UEG's --but very nice. look up his posts and you should find a pic.

.30 Newton Ruger:

quote:

Originally posted by Lakelander:
.30 Newton Ruger:

Lakelander, good looking rifle, and cool cartridge!

.308 Norma


and it works too!

quote:

Originally posted by GDOG:
Arild Averson(sp) has a great Ruger african that he slightly modified and I think it is fantastic. Not like UEG's --but very nice. look up his posts and you should find a pic.

I found Mr. Iversen's 375 African. It's a very handsome rifle. I prefer something a bit more utilitarian. I may attempt some band saw surgery on the Hogue stock with a dash of camo Krylon. Thanks for all the helpful information.

Mr. Sactoller - Please tell us about the stock on your .308 Norma. Best regards, ELN.

It is a Mcmillan 70/30 Turquoise/white, magnum fill.

Douglas barrel, #3, 24", 10 twist.

Now, if this only had a new bolt handle, a new trigger guard, a new floorplate,the wood reshaped around the ejection port, a new safety, and the boxy corners on the front ring rounded off, it would be a nice rifle!