My friend just lent me a Ruger SM in 375 H&H. He bought the gun used and has not shot it. He took the gun apart so it would fit in a take down case. When he took it apart he he noticed it has a screw in front of the screw that holds the recoil lug down. Both screws go through the stock. It looks like the second screw if screwed tight would put upward pressure on the barrel. How would I set this screw and what is the proper sequence to tigthen the screws on this rifle when putting it together? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to shoot it this weekend if possible, but don't want to mess something up.

I had mine off when I fixed the trigger, and I put all of the screws in saving that one for last and just snugged it so as not to put any pressure on the forend. It shoots fine, so I guess it's OK.

tighten the front screw tight, then the rear screw tight, then the middle one just snug

Ditto what butchbloc said. This is the order in the owner's manual and what most posters have indicated in the past. Front really tight. Back tight. Middle just snug.

BTW mine likes 760 powder with Barnes 300gr solids and Speer 270gr BT's.

Steve

I believe Donato may be asking about the screws that go through the fore end on the Ruger Magnum rifles. Not the regular three screws for the action. Remember, on the Ruger Magnums, the recoil lug is on a recoil “plate†that moves the recoil lug itself forward into the fore end. And, it sounds like Donato may be talking about one of the older Ruger Magnums that had the barrel band in the fore end. Of course, I could just be reading his message incorrectly. But I thought I’d throw out this possibility. Maybe Donato can make it a little more clear about which screws he’s talking about.

Just trying to help out....
-Bob F.

Thanks guys for the quick response to my questions. Bob F was right on about the question I was asking, but I did want to know the proper tightening order of the action screws also. I called Ruger about the two holes in the forend. One screw holds the recoil lug down and the other just fills the hole where the old sling swivel would have came through. The rifle I have seems to be a newer model as it has a barrel band sling swivel. Do all the Ruger SM have these two holes in the forend?
Another interesting fact is that Ruger will rework the trigger for free to 3.5 lb but not less. This weekend will be my first time shooting a big bore DG rifle. Thanks again guys.

You know, I really like these rifles so don't get me wrong but I just can't seem to get past the non-traditional bedding set up. Can anyone explain to me why Ruger would adopt such an unorthodox approach to a weapon that visually exhudes such tradition? WHY RE-INVENT THE WHEEL?!?!

JMHO,

JohnTheGreek