Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Project Hawkeye 338 Ruger Compact Magnum

Sorry for being so slow on the work, but I�ve been very busy and I�ve only managed a small amount of time here and there for this Ruger. But, I�m still enthused and I�m of the opinion that everything is on track.

I need to do a few final touches to complete the stock and then I�ll get on the barreled action. I have a much improved front sight to install that is near identical to the factory African style white bead. I also need to work on the follower to see if I can get 4 down with 1 in the tube to feed properly. I may add a deep protected crown.

I�ll get back to the thread as soon as time allows.

Later

I completely removed the stock finish and repaired a few minor dings. I refinished the stock with Acraglas using heat to suck the epoxy resin into the surface of the wood. The Acraglas seals the wood to the surface and is a bomb proof stock finish. This is my last coat of Acraglas just above the surface. It is glossy at this stage.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/3679180449/

Acraglas is an absolute bombproof stock finish for a rough duty wood stock. The grain shows up nicely and the color is good. I'll let it sit a day or so to fully cure and then I'll come back and cut the gloss back with Rotten Stone to a nice satin finish. I expect it will turn out exceptionally well for factory wood.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/3679992326/

Later

What happened to the additonal posts? I added a bunch more on the stock and those posts are now deleted. I'll try again.

I cut the gloss back on the Acraglas to a dull satin finish. This is the appearance without any wax. It turned out well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/3699865210/

The barrel channel is all sealed and solid. I should not have any moisture issues.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/3699865952/

She's coming together well! Everything is turning out as planned so far. I'm pleased with the Acraglas finish on the stock, it should hold up to many years of hard service. You can catch it in this pick that I've already installed the new front sight. This was a great improvement over the small brass bead.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/3710430319/

Closer look at the new front sight, she stands out like a sore thumb. You can see the overall Acraglas finish a bit better in this pic. I mixed dye into the Acraglas to match the original Ruger color as best I could. I could have really glossed her up, but I wanted dull satin. The color came out good, the grain came through, and the Acraglas has the wood sealed up tight.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/3710431561/

I need to lap the ringmounts and fit the scope next. I'll try to knock this out tomorrow so I can get it on paper this week. I expect this rifle will shoot very well and I expect it to hold up to much hard use while holding tight groups. I'll add to the thread when time allows.

Later

Nice work gary. I like it alot!

I used 800 Garnet to lap the ringmounts for about 80% contact, they look good. I have a set of the old Falcon Industry Quick Release Levers for Ruger Ringmounts that I may install but I need to blue them first. I also need to touch up some bluing here and there, I'll then mount a Leupold 1.5-5X German 4 scope. I'd like to get it on paper this week if I can manage the time.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/3714238111/

Later

I've got the ringmounts all squared up and the bluing completed. Everything is buttoned up and ready for range work. When the weather breaks, I'll get her on paper.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/3729567659/

Later

Got her on paper with factory fodder and she appears to be a shooter. Three shot string going from a dead cold squeaky clean barrel, followed by a warm barrel second shot, and then a hot barrel third shot. Let her cool down and then made a 1MOA-Right sight correction and took the fourth shot with a cold fouled barrel. Looks like I�ll have no problem getting 1MOA with factory ammo, she barely shot over 1MOA when adding the sight correction. When the temps cool, I�m going to sight her in at 200yards and see how tight I can shoot a 5-shot group.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/3760276512/

Later

Gary I'm guessing your in VA, I shot early yesterday morning and the temp in the southwest mountains was 56.

I have learned much here easier way to float the barrel and ways to bed under a fluted barrel. thanks for the tips

Gary,

I appreciate your effort in putting this together. Impeccable details. Thanks for the pictures and detailed blow by blow.

CLB

GaryVA,

Have been following the amazing job you have done with this gun.

Just wondering if you have more results from your 338RCM project yet?

regards
John

Wish I was having as much luck/success bedding my 338RCM Hawkeye in a B&C stock ! For being a stock that is supposed to be close to drop-in, the B&C is nowhere close, and I mean nowhere! Calling B&C after the holiday to see what's up.

i just ran accross this thread this morning and what a informative and well done piece. thank you for sharing.

Great stuff. Thanks for taking the time to write it up and include pictures. Quick question, did you make the pillars or purchase them? I have a Ruger Hawkeye in 338 Fed and may consider adding pillars.