I bought a 375 Ruger Alaskan this week and have a problem lining up the open sights. I asked Ruger about this on their website and here's their response:

Comment / question:

I just purchased a 375 Ruger Alaskan with the 23" barrel and the black laminate stock. In order to get the open sights to line up I have to tilt my head over at an awkward angle and put my checkbone right on the stock to get low enough. I suspect that shooting in this position will be very painful. I'm sure there won't be any problem with a scope but it appears this stock doesn't have enough drop for use with the open sights. Does Ruger offer another stock (plastic is ok) that has more drop?

Response:
We have 2 alternate stocks.
DH0040460 is a walnut as on the African $300.00
DH0040454 is a black laminate $247.50

They really didn't answer my question. I already have the black laminate stock and it's the one I have a problem with. I'm guessing the walnut stock will be the same. Does anyone else have a problem lining up the open sights on their 375 Ruger.

I am slightly confused since you said you have the Alaskan w/23" barrel and laminate stock. The factory Alaskan has a 20" brl and Hogue rubber stock. The factory African has the 23"brl w/wood stock. As for the sights I am pretty big and have no problem fitting the stock on any of my 3 Alaskan models or on my 1 african model. Is your gun straight from the factory? Are you mounting the gun too low on your shoulder which may cause you to lean a bit?

JCS271,
I ordered this rifle online and thought I was getting a 375 Ruger Alaskan with the 20" stainless barrel and Houge stock because that's how it was described. When it showed up it had a 23" barrel and a black laminate stock. I didn't even know you could get an Alaskan with a 23" stainless barrel until I looked at Ruger's website. It's model HM77RSBBZ. The problem with lining up the open sights isn't that big a deal. I just wanted to verify the zero (it's supposed to be zeroed at 50 yds). I'm not holding it too low but to get my eye close enough to the stock to line up the sights my check bone (not my cheek) in on the stock. Recoil will smart a little.

I have the Alaskan 375 in 20". I have had no problems lining up w/open sights at 25-60 yards. Sounds like an African in disguise.

Gentlemen

It's new, the ALaskan offered in Black laminate with a 23 inch barrel, now we just need to find out if they have gone one step further and made it in 416

regards S&F

Silverado,

I can solve your problem. I have a brand new take-off factory Hogue stock from my 375 Ruger Alaskan w/ the 20" barrel I can sell you for $60 shipped.

Woody

If it is not what you ordered, why don't you send it back?

Stubert,
I got what I actually wanted. I just didn't know it was available.

Woodrow I'll take you up on your Hogue stock for $60 shipped.

PM sent to filmit.

I have the walnut-stocked African in 375 Ruger. For me, the open sights line up fine.

Hugh

Thanks Hugh. That's good to know. I don't know if the black laminate stock is exaxtly the same shape as the walnut stock. That's what I was trying to find out from Ruger. I haven't heard from anyone yet that has the Alaskan with the 23" barrel and black laminate stock. I suspect the laminate stock is slightly different. I've never had a problem with open sights on any other rifle so I think my head and eyes are somewhat normal.

My Hawkeye Ruger Alaskan in .338 is probably the nicest factory rifle I have seen since the pre 64 Win...and yes the comb was a tad high for irons and good with a scope..I grabbed my old buddy the rasp and cut the comb down about a quarter of an inch until it felt right with irons, filed in the irons to zero, tapped it a tad right to zero took a bit off both sides to fit flush blued the sight with cold blue and it perfect for both irons and scope, but then I'm an old pre 64 std. weight boomer that had to learn to shoot a scope with a low comb rifle, and for that I am eternally grateful, it taught me the bunk about a "3 point hold" being the only way to shoot, I had to learn to understand the only thing one has to do is hold the X on the animal, it just don't make a s----t where your cheek is, that was put there for your mama to kiss and pet!

quote:

I grabbed my old buddy the rasp and cut the comb down about a quarter of an inch until it felt right with irons

Mr. Atkinson,
That's probably exactly what I'll do. I think 1/4" will be about right. I need to remove just enough to get my cheekbone above the stock.

quote:

Originally posted by Silverado:

quote:

I grabbed my old buddy the rasp and cut the comb down about a quarter of an inch until it felt right with irons

Mr. Atkinson,
That's probably exactly what I'll do. I think 1/4" will be about right. I need to remove just enough to get my cheekbone above the atock.

While rasping consider rasping not on the top of the comb but at a significant sideways cut. Rasp and check often but cutting the top of the comb isn't going to get it the way it wants to be....work on the side as well.