Stopped by a local pawn shop today and spotted what looked like a mint condition Ruger Boat Paddle that the clerk told me was new in box, he ordered from a supplier.

I'm not interested and not sure why they ordered that for Mobile Al. but if anyone else is interested they told me they would sell for $700.00.

Stainless, Iron Sights, .338 win mag.,Boat Paddle stock
Eddie's Pawn Shop, Mobile Al.
(251) 479-6667

I'm just passing along as they seem to be popular here on the Campfire.

Bob.

Sounds like a great deal. I'd love to find one with factory irons.

Man the biggest boat paddle I've shot is a 7mm. My shoulder hurts just thinking about a 338.

Of course, I'd buy one in a second if I ran across one.

I have a 300 tucked away in safe hiding. That one will hurt you. one of these days it's going to get a different recoil pad to help soak up some of the kick..

I have an factory iron sighted 300WM, she's mean!

I have two boat paddle .338s. they are the best of the Ruger All Weathers.

both of mine have been shortened (20" and 22") and one has had the barrel turned down to the Sporter contour.

they are not too bad to shoot, in light of the return on the investment

toad, you have no nerve endings! 😬

Jack

I had a boat paddle 338 WM all-weather with sights. It shot more patterns than groups.

.338's are so big that patterns work fine. All you got to do is hit an animal anywhere and they go down.

At least that's what a guy told me once after I asked why he didn't go check for blood after shooting at a running deer several times.

....and the gist of this story is, get a rifle you can handle...

Funny, of the 5 or so 338's I've owned, the Ruger was the only one that didn't shoot worth a chit.

I replaced the anvil-like Ruger 338 with a lighter 338 WM, an M700 SS ADL, that shot tiny varminter-sized groups. Actually, one of the best shooting factory rifles I've ever owned... so apparently the Ruger's problem wasn't the operator.

I've had a pile of 338's over the years (back to mid 70's) virtually all Winchester mod 70 of one flavor or another and Rugers. All shot just fine EXCEPT the one that I lusted after the most. All Weather Stainless Boat Paddle with sights. I wouldn't call it a "pattern" but it wasn't acceptable to me. Went down the road.

The recoil can be calmed by using the the Limbsaver. They make one for the boat paddle stock. Love them.

Yeah CJ, "pattern" is a bit of an overstatement. The best it printed around 1-3/4" to 2-1/4" which isn't remotely acceptable to me. I even dropped it in an HS Precision stock to see if that would help. Nada.

It went down the road.

I'm with you on that.

That is about what both 7mms I've owned have shot with most loads. One of them did end up shooting a handload to about 1.25 and the other will shoot two different factory loads sub-MOA, but for all practical purposes, I consider them 2" rifles.

I have an early 243 that shoots well. And a 280 that may shoot really well when I get a new set of dies (long story on that one).

My old 338 WM boat paddle shoots both 210 partitions and ttsx's sub 1" for 5 rds at 100 yds. It's essentially stock minus a trigger and a bedded action and the first 2" of barrel.

My specific 338 rifle nor the 4 other boat paddles I owned have never been any more picky then anything else I have owned. Solid base rifles IMHO that I would still own if others hadn't offered significant premiums on them.

I have one. Shortened the barrel to 22". Mine is a hammer , and recoil isn't bad.

Mine wasn't factory but rather started out as a naked action. Got a factory barrel form Cariboujack that was 22" and fluted thanks to a previous owner. Had it mounted in a boat paddle stock when you could still et them from Numrich Arms. Added a Limbsaver.

Shoots great and recoil isn't much worse than my boat paddle .300WM. Got my elk about three years ago with my longest shot ever, 487 yards. 225g AB over H100V for 2742fps. Great combo.

BSA...I have one in .308 that I had professionally shortened to 20" just before Ruger briefly offered it with a 20" barrel. I have the only stainless steel USA Weaver 4X scope that I have ever seen mounted on it. Even in .308 it will leave horizontal bruises after a few rounds. I think they are great rifles for the money. Thanks...Bill.

I have a Ruger in 300 Winchester magnum that came with one of those boat paddle stocks. It wasn't much fun to shoot. I put an HS Precision stock on it and made my traveling rifle, that has taken a bunch of stuff over the years. I can't see any reason to put up with the punishment that the boat paddle stock dishes out.