Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Alaska/Canda working rifle

I never had Ruger action screws loosening. About half-way on this video you can see how to tighten the action screws of the M77 MK II and Hawkeye, and like others have mentioned a little Loctite helps too. I just don't use it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KGAYS91BDk

Thanks.


Okie John

Nice.


DMc

Our Alaskan family uses 30-06's, most Winchesters, have found cerakote works well for protecting them in harsh camping conditions. Use 220 Hornady handloads and 180 federal trophy bondeds with great success. I prefer levers with peep sights and use mod 94 356 for most hunting and a mod 71 for moose using 250 woodleighs. Most any rifle will work fine if you can hit and use a proper bullet.

To the OP,

if a well used Ruger is what you are wanting, why not buy a Ruger and just use the hell out of it until it looks like that?

Or just buy one that's already beat up. http://www.djsloanandsportinc.com/ has several Ruger tang-safety 338's that look like they've been drug behind a truck.


Okie John

Ruger M77 Mark II All Weather in Zytel Stock (7mm Rem Mag, 30-06, 338 Win Mag or 35 Whelen)
Leupold FX-II 4x33 or 6x36
Nosler Partitions
Limb Saver Recoil Pad

I've posted this before, but I think it fits with the thread.

The "working rifle", or "backcountry rifle", "practical rifle", "wandering rifle", "wilderness rifle", or "professional's rifle" is my very favorite.

I've usually had one such rifle in the house since rifle-nuttery set in.

I understand the praise for the SS M77 MKII, and have had a number, including a 338 WM with open sights / Zytel stock. It didn't shoot worth a hoot, and I think it's overly heavy. For me the M77 is just too rough, and the safety sucks. But it is practicality embodied, and if I lived in the bush it might very well be my choice. It's bomb proof top to bottom, and is more rust-resistant than anything else out there.

However, I prefer the M70, so built my ideal around that action (old-style trigger).

Pictured is a SS M70 Fwt 30-06 (what other cartridge could it be really?).

21" barrel, Bansner Stock, NECG Classic Rear Sight, XS Sights front, Low Burris Zee's over Warne/Weaver Bases. Leopold 2-7x33.

I think a rifle of this category NEEDS backup iron's and a removable scope.

Obviously there are many ways to an end, but this is the one I crafted in 2004.

180 NP's at 2,780 takes in a world of hunting.

I'm currently contemplating its replacement, a lighter version with slightly heavier barrel, but the original concept will be completely intact.

Let me know if you decide to sell this one.


Okie John

Brad, that is a great looking set up.

Still I like and prefer the 338 Win.

Me, too.

I guess under the right conditions that could work.

Re a "working rifle" - years ago I set up an already sporterized Model of 1917 to be my "rough and tumble" rifle. About the time the project was more or less complete, some young man in my home decided that he needed it for a bear rifle...



1917 action, six-shot magazine, gov't 30-06 barrel bobbed to 21" and the whole thing is bedded in a Bell & Carlson stock, with a fixed 6x Leupold atop.

To "complete" the rifle, I should re-install the Lyman receiver sight and the front sight. And have the rifle cerakoted.

In the meantime, it's served the young fellow well. He's taken two bear and I think two bucks with it. Very good "rough and tumble" rifle that I think would serve well pretty much anywhere.

Guy

I think you were hoping all along he would grab that rifle!

Okie, I have had the 77 series Ruger front action screw loosen also.

I have noticed some the newer Hawkeye,s front action screw have a detent or dimple in the screw. Which should help to keep them tight.

I have called Ruger and bought or requested torx style replacment screws, to get them to proper torque which helps in keeping them tight, in unbedded wooden front stock screw will loosen due too amount of moisture in wood.

I use epoxy pillars in my wood stock Rugers to keep them tight, and bedded to prevent breakage.

If my MK 2 or Hawkeyes quit shooting well , first thing I check is front action screw. Kurt

Just get a Ruger Gunsite rifle.

I've got lots of rifles but the one I keep coming back to and trust more than anything else is a Husqvarna 98 in 30-06. I've put a model 70 style three position safety on it and put it in a Basner stock. It has Talley Lightweights and a Weaver Grandslam fixed 4.75x. The barrel was cut back to a very handy 21 inches and it shoots good enough. I honestly have never had to shoot something twice with that rifle. It just works.

Well, yeah.. He's the fourth generation of our family to use that rifle, in different configurations. I first shot it about 45 years ago.

Regards, Guy

Ruger boat paddle and "Happily in business" are not even in the same hemisphere, let alone zip code!!!

Worst commercial rifle stock of all time, IMO&E...

Ruger boat paddle and "Happily in business" are not even in the same hemisphere, let alone zip code!!!

Worst commercial rifle stock of all time, IMO&E...

Seriously good point and well-said!