Have an existing left-hand Ruger 77 MK II in 300 Win Mag. Has laminated wood stock.

Besides the barrel, what is necessary to convert one to the new 375 Ruger cartridge ?

Hammer

Not much. Maybe a little rail work and/or follower to get feeding right.

my AR rounds, which are fatter, would fall right in your 300win,.... in fact, i've done that... the 375 ruger should be a drop in.

jeffe

Would you advise adding a crossbolt to the laminated stock?

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Would you advise adding a crossbolt to the laminated stock?

Yes and make sure the rear of the tang don't rest tight against the stock either.(THEY SPLIT DOWN THE WRIST)

Time will tell, but, I'm of the opinion converting a mkII that is already a magnum caliber over to 375Ruger would be no more involved than converting to the 375/338WM. If the parent rifle has no feeding issues, more than likely it would have no feeding issues w/ the 375Ruger cartridge. Barrel change, chamber/headspace. For now, buying a factory 375Ruger may be cheaper than converting another rifle, unless you wanted stainless.

Others will disagree, but I believe Ruger has it wrong w/ the wood stocks on the new 375Ruger "African" and the entire line of RSMs. I've owned and shot RSMs and have converted an mkII to a big bore wildcat using a factory laminate stock. If you look at the webbing between the mag box and trigger opennings you'll see that Ruger leaves very little wood. Far less than a CZ550 as example. They do not reinforce this area and from my experience it will eventually split clean through. The factory M70 Safari Classics got it correct out of the box having a crossbolt through the webbing. Something as simple as a threaded repair pin epoxied through the webbing would work.

GVA

Hammer, I just noticed this is your thread. IIRC, you have the mkII converted to 458Lott, correct?? If you can do that, you can do anything. If you make the conversion, I'd like to see one w/ a light contour and the Ruger barrel rib for a forward scope mount. Post pics and keep us informed.

Thanks,
GVA