Well, Ruger has re-issued the Ruger Alaskan with the Hogue Stock. They are to be commended. Unfortunately, it has not included a 416 Ruger option.

So I am now re-thinking the Guide Gun.
It is basically the Alaskan model: a 20" stainless barrel, laminate stock, and available in 416 Ruger. Hey, a person could use that in Africa, too.


My questions concern the Guide Gun stock.

Have any of you been using it with two or three of the extensions in place, producing a 13.75" and 14.25" LoP? Are there are detriments or caveats, besides the 1" or more of black plastic in the butt?

How easy is it to add or remove one of the extension pieces? I'm assuming that a simple screwdriver would be sufficient and a person could do this easily enough on a mountain. Is that correct?

On strength, I assume that the laminate stock has proven strong enough for the 416 Ruger or 375 Ruger. How many have cracked their stock so far? Pictures appear to show one cross-bolt new-in-the-box.

On weight, does the rifle feel relatively light? Ruger lists it at 8.1 pounds, which is quite attractive to me after carrying around many a CZ Safari magnum. I'll put a scope on it and I don't mind if it jumps a little on firing.

Finally, how comfortable is the seemingly small recoil pad? In pictures the recoil pad looks a tad small for the overall gun, but that may work out OK when properly seated on the inside edge of the shoulder.

Replies and comments are welcomed, even reasons pro or con to the guide gun.

I have short arms which makes most standard reach guns to long for me. So when it comes to stocks the guide gun's rather ugly laminate stock fits me very well all spacers removed.

I have two a 416 and a 338

My experience is that once the desired length is achieved no further adjustments are done !

What is more when compared to prior owned M77 Rugers the guide gun stock dissipates recoil better than previous models in the 77.

I had a Model 77 RSI in 30-06 and found the felt recoil uncomfortable when compared to the same in other rifles. The same for the original first series magnums in 416 Rigby. That first offering with its very heavy weight forward barrel was IMO terrible !

Other than a rough finish and some sharp edges on metal work the Guide gun ticks of many boxes for me.

One point of criticism for me is the quality of finish on the supplied scope rings. Very rough and on the 416 I replaced the rings with another set

Have the .375 GG.

Inserts only downside is appearance, kinda cheesy. They're easy to remove. You could do it anywhere with the Allen wrench.

The comb and overall stock design are good. The small pad dimension is a slight recoil negative, as you surmised. Pad thickness is OK, dimensions small. Fix is easy. Mine's set up without spacers. For range work I add a slip-on Pachmayr decelerator (think it takes a small). Then it's LOP is good for range in warm weather. Hunting in ME means lots of clothing so the slip-on comes off in Nov.

It feels light. Very. This, despite loaded up weight around 9.5#. How so? The expression is moment of inertia, ie., it is very fast handling because weight is mostly in the middle. It's very easy to see why someone chasing bears or buffalo might want one........for all I know.

My stock has not budged or cracked. Have done nothing to it.

If the Alaskan's Hogue stock had a similar spacer option I'd buy it tomorrow. Can't have too many guns. As currently issued, I'll pass.

You didn't ask, but mine's very accurate, ie., cloverleafs.

I have the RGG in .375 Ruger. Gun is short and handy. With Muzzle Break
there is hardy any recoil.

No issues with stock or any other quality issues.

I hope this helps.

BH63

quote:

You didn't ask, but mine's very accurate, ie., cloverleafs.

Always a plus.

Thank you for helpful comments.

The only Ruger Hawkeyes I have with the LOP spacers are the .308 WCF Scout with a black plastic/Tupperware stock (yes, they use them there too)
and a .30-06 FTW Hunter with camo-painted laminate wood stock, a muzzle brake , and two visible cross bolts, i.e., a gilded lilly for recoil protection of the stock!
I use all the spacers, having an arm span of greater than six feet.
I do not mind it on those calibers.
Do not think I would want the LOP spacers and tiny buttpad on a hard kicker.
I do have two .375 Rugers and two .416 Rugers, no LOP spacers on those.
They use HS precision or Ruger Zytel Canoe-Paddle stocks with slip-on butt pads for LOP and comfort.

I would add a wood spacer and a Pachmayr recoil pad to the .375 Ruger and .416 Ruger before I would use the plastic LOP spacers and tiny pad.
I prefer a 14.5" LOP on a bolt action for warm weather/clothing shooting.

Rip ...