I just purchased a Ruger MKII Magnum Rifle in .375 H$H. A little refresher, this african styled rifle with barrel band front sight and the integral Quarter rib.
Anyway I took it apart last night and I am not familiar with the setup on thes rifles. The barrel has a shank machined into it nearly the full length of the stock. The stock screws into this rib, about where a normal stock would have a front sling stud. About 1" behind this screw is another screw that scews into a loose metal bar that goes back to the front action screw and loops over a ridge around this screw (front action screw) My questions are:
1. What is the purpose of this loose bar?
2. Should the barrel be bedded the full length of the bar that is machined into the barrel?
3. What amount of torque should these front screws be tightened to?
I will not be doing the bedding myself my gunsmith will but he is a benchrest builder and does not normally work on Rugers, especially the bigger bores that might have this unusual setup.
Thanks
Jason

I talked to Ruger today. This loose metal part is called a "Recoil Plate" to disperse the recoil forces on the stock????? Anyone?????