New addition to fuel my dreams of the Dark Continent: Ruger Alaskan 416 Ruger



As much as I liked the classic looks of my old Whitworth 458 I think this is a better fit for me. Similar controls to my training rifle. I have ammo coming. This also came with 100 pieces of brass, dies and some bullets. I'm not yet a reloader. Suggestions for beginner reloading and fun loads welcome. I kept my Leupold 2.5x scope but wonder if something else might be more appropriate given the availability of flatter shooting ammo.

My not so dangerous game rifle: Ruger African 223 Remington

Congratulations on your new rifle! I am not a Dark Continent hunter, but I am a fan of the 416 cartridges. I have used one to kill a fork-horn moose. I like the 350 grain TSX in the 416 Ruger and Remington cartridges.
I presently have a 1.5-6 x 42mm Kahles mounted with Alaska Arms rings. I had mounted it to work up a hand-load and just left it on for the season. I am switching it out with a 1.1-4 x 24mm very soon. Not that there was any issue, but for my intended purpose I prefer the wider field of view.
I will also be replacing the factory issue Hogue with a McMillan that arrived a few days ago. I had no issues with the Hogue, but want a bit slimmer dimensions in the fore-end.
I really like the 416 Ruger cartridge as well as the 375 Ruger. The Alaskan in either cartridge is a handy and rugged little rifle.

quote:

Ruger Alaskan 416 Ruger

One can hardly fine a better go any where do any thing in any weather rifle out there for the price.

If I didn't have a stainless MKII 77 stainless in 416 Taylor I would own one of these.

I own a similar .416. It's going to Aim next year. It's a whole lot more accurate than I am. Great rifle!

Hizzie: I shoot a lot of cast 375 grain .416 bullets with surplus IMR 7383 powder from Jeff Bartlett. Good thread on cast bullets 416 rem loads at www.shootersforum.com Definitely need Fed 215 primers to ignite the IMR 7383 but no filler required. Absolutely get a cast bullet neck expanding die so as to not shave lead when bullet seating. Seating depth should not allow bullet base below case neck junction.
I like the factory Hogue stock. The rubber coating not only is an outstanding sound attenuator in the jesse, but it also absorbs recoil. Stalk buffalo in Africa for a day and all the dust will remove the stickyness of the rubber coating.
Use 400 grain Swift A-frame soft points with MR-2000 powder (Hornady load) for serious use. 4 buffalo and 2 zebras with 6 shots.
Get a rear receiver sight from NECG that fits on the rear slot of the Ruger 77 receiver. Great back up sight and works great when carrying the Alaskan in Alaska for bear protection.

That's a very nice practical bigbore. Probably the most sensible 416 if ammo was more readily available.

quote:

This also came with 100 pieces of brass, dies and some bullets. I'm not yet a reloader. Suggestions for beginner reloading and fun loads welcome. I kept my Leupold 2.5x scope but wonder if something else might be more appropriate given the availability of flatter shooting ammo.

Hizzie--

to get the most out of your 416 Ruger I would suggest learning to reload. The 350 grain TTSX will do it all, as will the 330grain GSC, 307 CEB, etc.

On scopes, Ruger has an extended front ring replacement that will allow you to mount the rather short Nikon Inline. I have put that on all of our rifles because it has 5" eye-relief through, it is tough as nails, has excellent clarity and the 3-9 power is a perfect all-around balance, great up close and as much as you will ever need in Africa or out to 500 yards. The price point is remarkable at $200-220.

On the Hogue stock, you might want to sand down the bottom "pistol hook" of the grip area. My 500 Nyati would bang my trigger finger until I sanded down the pistol grip into more of a traditional incline. But check it out first. If it isn't broke, you don't need to fix it.

All in all you have a great rifle for anything on the planet. If I didn't already have some 416Rigbys with 350TTSX loaded to capacity (2825fps, 6150 ft.lbs.), I would re-arm with the Ruger at its own capacity level, around 2600fps with the 350 TTSX (5250 ftlbs.).

Thanks for the kind words and advice. I don't know if I ready to tackle reloading just yet, too many other masters. My garage is already a gym. I have some Hornady on the way. Anxious to put some rounds down range.

I think Id cut the forend in half, or down to at least 9 inches in the black and white photo..

The Leupold 2.5X is an ideal DG scope on a .416 and I have no problems with low power scopes up to 400 yards, in fact they have been my preference for years..From a hunters standpoint as opposed to a shooters, the only thing I require of a scope is reliablility and I can put the X on any animal at quite a long range. I see no need to count the ticks on them. My favorite scopes of all time for all hunting are 3X and 4X Leupolds, never found the need for anything else, although, being a gun nut, I have a couple of 2x7x28 and 3x9s, some 6Xs and a 10x, for whatever reason and I play with them, but for my big game hunting I use the low powers. Low power scopes btw are much better for off hand shooting and taking running shots.

I believe the Ruger African model is Rugers golden egg, the nicest big bore factory rifle on the market. Ive owned about 6 of them over the last 3 or 4 years..My go to elk rifle is one in .338 Win. Its gett'en a little skint up now, but every ding is a memory..

Talking Ruger rifles,

I would add that the 338 WM Ruger that i got from CDNN has turned out to be a shooter, like all my other Rugers.

Here is the group after bedding and cleaning out the overflow:



So I adjusted the scope and shot two more rounds:


so I shot the 300-yd gong moving 1" right of center and decided that I was ready to go hunting.

And here is the result on the first deer heart.



It is literally exploded, though the 185gn TTSX did enter the heart after breaking the leg bone.

All this is to say that you should expect excellent hunting accuracy with a Ruger Hawkeye.

Any resources for someone looking to reload you guys could suggest?

quote:

Originally posted by Hizzie:
Any resources for someone looking to reload you guys could suggest?

No direct experience, but I remembered realguns played with one back when they were still new.

Realguns 416

Barnes 350 grain TTSX bullets in that Ruger will amaze you. I have used them in my 416 Rem and Rigby and they have surpassed my accuracy expectations. They have become my go to bullet in the 375 Ruger also. I would look back at 416 Tanz's success with them for referance.

Caught the 416 in full recoil. Factory loaded Hornady 400gr DGS.



416 action at about 2:30
https://m.youtube.com/watch?eb...ue=129&v=q0OZM35t-ak

Certainly open to comments on my technique.

rise is fine.. with practice you'll roll a bit more rather than lift.. 416 is lots of fun.

i am in conroe,

I have a 416 ruger. It's been worked over by extreme rifle works in Texas. It's 5lbs 11oz with my iron sights on. With my scope and Alaskan arms llc quick detach it's about 6.25lb ready to roll.
I'm shooting 300gr tsx at about 2650fps. Gun shoots fine, recoil isnmild compared to some 338's I've shot.

I have Alaskans in both .375 and .416, they are my favorite rifles. Took my first Cape buff with the .416 and a 2.5 Leupold. After that hunt though I switched over to a Trijicon 1-4 with a bright green Accupoint. No more trying to quickly put black crosshairs on a black buff at last light!

quote:

Originally posted by Fourtyonesix:
I have a 416 ruger. It's been worked over by extreme rifle works in Texas. It's 5lbs 11oz with my iron sights on. With my scope and Alaskan arms llc quick detach it's about 6.25lb ready to roll.
I'm shooting 300gr tsx at about 2650fps. Gun shoots fine, recoil isnmild compared to some 338's I've shot.

Jake, I remember your posts when you were just planning that rifle out. Didn't you put an old "boatpaddle" stock on it. PLEASE post pics!

Lol no boat paddle stock. Started as a standard ruger guide gun. It's stainless and fun. I have a peep that fits the rear reciever. We put the sling stud in the nose of the stock so it don't bite the hand that feeds it. The fore end we shortened way down, makes the barrel look really long.

That gun looks like a real hunter.
Very nicely done.
easy to carry.

What kind of stock is it and its bare cost?

Not sure what he built the stock out of Kevlar something or other I think. I got 900 for the gun and I think 1500 into gun work.

The Ruger Guide gun looks heavy and solid in general.

As a poor quick substitute, I'm thinking that a person could use the shortest stock length of the laminate original and then slip on a Limbsaver slip-on for those wanting a longer LOP. Perhaps cutting off two inches from the forend, dig out some of the barrel channel, and drill out a bit in the butt, too.

You're going to love the .416. I have a .416 Remington mag that I had built for my DG journey years ago. It has served me well on four continents. I might have gone with the 416 Ruger if it had been developed at the time.

Cheers!

Jim

That ruger guide gun has such a broomstick of a barrel, I'd be afraid of getting the stock to light and loosing the balance of the rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Fourtyonesix:
That ruger guide gun has such a broomstick of a barrel, I'd be afraid of getting the stock to light and loosing the balance of the rifle.

My wife has a 375 Ruger Ruger Alaskan that is similar in having a 20" stainless barrel and a laminate stock. The balance is fine, though we might try to take an ounce or two of wood out of the forearm and butt. She doesn't enjoy carrying a rifle that is almost two pounds heavier than her Tikka 270Win.

PS: Does anyone know of a shoulder harness/carry hook system that would allow someone to carry a rifle slung over a shoulder and dividing the weight to both shoulders? If not, we might try to invent something sometime.

They make rifle slings that look like backpack straps.

Ive been using a 7/8" sling for years, mostly in my pocket, but when dragging something it sure is great in that it never slips from my intended position, as to the digging in on the shoulder, that's BS, that's been handed down because some writer said so..Its never bothered me at all, a slipping rifle bothers me to no end. The other side of the story.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Ive been using a 7/8" sling for years, ... it sure is great in that it never slips from my intended position, as to the digging in on the shoulder, that's BS, that's been handed down because some writer said so..Its never bothered me at all, a slipping rifle bothers me to no end. The other side of the story.

Thank you Ray.
My 110-pound-dripping-wet wife may disagree about a 9.5# Ruger Alaskan laminate digging in to her shoulder. I have found her delightfully light 7.5# Tikka setup on my spare shoulder more than once. Some kind of shoulder harness with an easy hook-up might allow her to carry the rifle up and down mountains all day.
[She's a trooper at 70, though with low blood pressure/hemaglobin, she prefers to be well below 9000 ft.]

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Ive been using a 7/8" sling for years, ... it sure is great in that it never slips from my intended position, as to the digging in on the shoulder, that's BS, that's been handed down because some writer said so..Its never bothered me at all, a slipping rifle bothers me to no end. The other side of the story.

Thank you Ray.
My 110-pound-dripping-wet wife may disagree about a 9.5# Ruger Alaskan laminate digging in to her shoulder. I have found her delightfully light 7.5# Tikka setup on my spare shoulder more than once. Some kind of shoulder harness with an easy hook-up might allow her to carry the rifle up and down mountains all day.
[She's a trooper at 70, though with low blood pressure/hemaglobin, she prefers to be well below 9000 ft.]

Check out Niggeloh's sling range http://www.niggeloh.de/index.php/rifle-slings.html this is the company that makes the branded bino harnesses and neoprene straps for Zeiss, Leica and Swarovski as well as branded slings for Mauser and others - they handle weight well and dont move.
They also make a backpack / biathlon style sling for blood tracking dog handlers that spreads weight on both shoulders.

Slinging both shoulders?

https://ads.midwayusa.com/prod...7Xm9MCFZG3wAodfn0IuQ

http://shop.vig-sec.com/produc...iathlon-rifle-sling/

http://www.timberbutteoutdoors.com

quote:

Originally posted by Hizzie:
Slinging both shoulders?

https://ads.midwayusa.com/prod...7Xm9MCFZG3wAodfn0IuQ

http://shop.vig-sec.com/produc...iathlon-rifle-sling/

http://www.timberbutteoutdoors.com

Thank you, Hizzie.
Those are exactly some of the sling types that might work.

I ran across another, too:
http://sloganoutdoors.com/products.html
where two rubber straps function as a single sling or can be pulled apart and placed on both shoulders.

Do any of you readers have experience with any of these. I think my wife will be pleased and I might get one for my 500 ARNyati and CZ 416, that weigh in around 10 and 11 pounds.

That's a tough rifle I wish I.had gotten on before they quit making them .I am.thinking.still of.making.One out.of my 7mm rem mag tang safety Ruger 77 .I.like the tang safety way better !

Hizzie; Great rifle! Congratulations.

Reloading !!!
Thats the way to get to be a great and quick shot with your new rifle.
Yes your 223 African is awesome for lots of things . But, to really get so your 416 is your best buddy . Which a dgr needs to be. You need to shoot it a bunch.
One of my favourite 416 bullets is the 350 gr Speer Hot Core. They also aren't too spendy . Loaded to around 2300 fps they provide just enough recoil and blast to be very useful for training . But not so much to discombobulate your shooting session.

Very nice rifle! And I love the .223 African as well. Perfect match


Every time I hear about the .416 Ruger I think of this video

https://youtu.be/d7goTNi9yJQ

H
I had veral smith make me a 400 gn mold for my 416 30 gns of H110 gives 1500 fps...can shoot it all day and its so cheap.....65 gns of varget gives me 2150
recently i got tom from accuratemolds to make me a 400 gn mold as i dont lube any more i use hi tek coating and its evenbetter

TRY CAST BULLETS IN YOUR 416 YOU WONT REGRET IT...I WISH I HAD DONE IT 30 YEARS AGO !!!!!!!!!
DANIEL

98; the boolits I'm shooting in my 480 Ruger are from an Accurate Mold and a friend here recently got a 480/405 mold for his 480. Very nice looking mold.
With the Hi Tek coating , do you need to gas check the boolits ?

Genuine question, not trying to be a dick. Whats with the vest?

quote:

Originally posted by Hizzie:
Caught the 416 in full recoil. Factory loaded Hornady 400gr DGS.



416 action at about 2:30
https://m.youtube.com/watch?eb...ue=129&v=q0OZM35t-ak

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana_500:
Genuine question, not trying to be a dick. Whats with the vest?

quote:

Originally posted by Hizzie:
Caught the 416 in full recoil. Factory loaded Hornady 400gr DGS.



416 action at about 2:30
https://m.youtube.com/watch?eb...ue=129&v=q0OZM35t-ak

It was an AK/AKM/AK47/AK74 event. The chest rig carries 3 rifle mags, 3 pistol mags and a med kit. There's a link to a YouTube video under the pic. Give it a watch.

CFT
yes i do use GC on my HI TEK coated bullets....400gn 416 300 gn 375 and 200 gn 30 cal all of them.....the more i use the HI TEK COATING the more blown away i am by it

i saw something on Y TUBE the other day...a hi tek coated bullet and an uncoated cast bullet side by side , with a flame underneath both of them....the uncoated bullet crumbled, the HI TEK coated bullet just stood there

im getting tom from accurate molds to make me a mold with 3 diffrent cal cavaties and just have them plain base....i think they will be great as long as the vel is kept at 1500 fps and it will save me a bundle on GC here in Aust they cost $80 plus a box

Daniel