Should I use a Ruger action for custom build?

[Roosterlund]

I have a M77 tang safety action in 7 mm mag. Wanted to have a custom.375 H&H built on this action. Are these actions a good choice? Is a Mark 4 a better choice because of three wing safety? Why don’t you see many custom rifles built on Ruger actions?

 

[Red Leg]

Most real custom gunmakers won't touch them for a custom job. The tang safety is probably the best model, but al M77's have proprietary design features, including their unique bedding systems (like the angled front screw) and non-standard barrel tenons which present challenges. Those, in turn, require specialized jigs and tools for proper truing, making barreling a challenge and costly. Second unlike the 98 or Remington 700, there is a very limited supply of aftermarket parts like triggers, bottom metal, scope mounts, and other components, which complicates and increases the cost of customization. Third, There may be some, but I don't know a single custom maker who would have much confidence in an investment cast action for such a project. Fourth, the relatively short magazine box limits cartridge options. Finally, you need to think through eventual resale. Not many will be particularly interested in a custom rifle based on the M77. Unless your name is Jack O'Connor, no custom rifle returns its investment, but a Ruger based one will be worse than most.

 

[Roosterlund]

Most real custom gunmakers won't touch them for a custom job. The tang safety is probably the best model, but al M77's have proprietary design features, including their unique bedding systems (like the angled front screw) and non-standard barrel tenons which present challenges. Those, in turn, require specialized jigs and tools for proper truing, making barreling a challenge and costly. Second unlike the 98 or Remington 700, there is a very limited supply of aftermarket parts like triggers, bottom metal, scope mounts, and other components, which complicates and increases the cost of customization. Third, There may be some, but I don't know a single custom maker who would have much confidence in an investment cast action for such a project. Fourth, the relatively short magazine box limits cartridge options. Finally, you need to think through eventual resale. Not many will be particularly interested in a custom rifle based on the M77. Unless your name is Jack O'Connor, no custom rifle returns its investment, but a Ruger based one will be worse than most.

Thank you! Learned a lot from your post that I didn’t realize about the action. Very informative

 

[CoElkHunter]

Sell it and buy a .375 Ruger in one of the Hawkeye models.

 

[HunterX]

Well….RJ Renner does his “Old English 77” customs based on Ruger 77 with the Tang safety for his prewar safari rifle. You send him a rifle and he customizes it. I think the tang safety is great for a stalking rifle. And he is very reasonably priced.

 

[450 Dakota]

Is it long enough for a 375 H&H? I had a tang safety 338 but it’s been along time ago but I don’t remember it being long enough.

 

[Ray B]

I had CP Donnelly rebarrel a 77 several years ago. He didn't say anything about it needing special treatment. Then I asked Maurice Ottmar if he would expand the checkering on it- he declined, saying most people that would spend that kind of money on checkering want a better rifle than a 77- so the checkering was left as is,

 

[Red Leg]

Well….RJ Renner does his “Old English 77” customs based on Ruger 77 with the Tang safety for his prewar safari rifle. You send him a rifle and he customizes it. I think the tang safety is great for a stalking rifle. And he is very reasonably priced. View attachment 728560

Bit of a question what we mean by the basis of a custom .375. Renner's work is excellent (tricked out a No 1 for me), but I think of it as a facelift or perhaps remodeling job, not as using a M77 action as the basis of an actual custom rifle.

 

[Ray B]

Here are three examples for comparison. The Ruger is in the middle, flanked by a 1950 M70 and a 1991 M70. The 1950 has a factory National Match 30-06 barrel. The 1991 has a CP Donnelly 375RUM and the Ruger is a CP Donnelly 30-06 match spec. Performance is very comparable- the 375 does have more reach for those in the Designated Marksman business.

 

[HunterX]

So, I don’t think the 7mm Ruger is long enough for a 375 H&H.

Roger made me a full custom on a FN action. He doesn’t have a duplicator anymore. (I now own it).

A model 70 full custom would be a better investment, but no tang safety. You can get them in 375 length.

There are other interesting cartridges that fit a standard length action…like 416 Taylor. Are you married to the 375 H&H? What will it be used for? There are other cool cartridges like 318 Westley Richard’s, 9.3x62 that are great rounds if you are going custom.

I am going to make myself a safari style Ruger 77 with tang safety. It is being converted from 30-06 to 257 Robert’s to teach the kids how to shoot. Lots of elbow grease. I love the tang safety for a stalking rifle.

 

[HunterX]

Oh, and if you need a piece of wood for your project, you can call Champlins. They are selling their remaining wood blanks for $300. Some are English walnut / Turkish, etc. I got this one shipped to me and am working on turning it into a stock. It’s a treasure hunt. You just never know.

 

[Roosterlund]

So, I don’t think the 7mm Ruger is long enough for a 375 H&H.

Roger made me a full custom on a FN action. He doesn’t have a duplicator anymore. (I now own it).

A model 70 full custom would be a better investment, but no tang safety. You can get them in 375 length.

There are other interesting cartridges that fit a standard length action…like 416 Taylor. Are you married to the 375 H&H? What will it be used for? There are other cool cartridges like 318 Westley Richard’s, 9.3x62 that are great rounds if you are going custom.

I am going to make myself a safari style Ruger 77 with tang safety. It is being converted from 30-06 to 257 Robert’s to teach the kids how to shoot. Lots of elbow grease. I love the tang safety for a stalking rifle.

No not married to the .375 , but have all the reloading supplies for it. 416 Taylor sounds nice. But thinking they way you are that might be more practical to sell M77 and find a CRF Winchester action for build. Or even buy a newer m77 in 375 Ruger. Just hate the looks of the new rifles with the muzzle brake on them!

 

[HunterX]

It all comes back to these few questions. What are you going to use the rifle for something? It’s all around or something to hunt dangerous in Africa? What’s your budget? If you just want a heavy duty rifle with a low price tag, you can find them on gun broker or guns international used control round fee, Bowers, etc. And then have it cleaned up by someone like RJ runner or others. Doing a full custom it’s gonna be a lot more Like 6 to 10,000 probably having a plastic cartridge matters more. There are people to specialize in that. It’s having a really pretty wood matters. Find someone good who can do good stock work. Custom gun building is arrival that you can spend a lot of time and money going down. Which can be wonderful if you have the time in the money. It’s certainly fun to daydream about.

 

[HunterX]

Also check out the classified section and the good gun deals link within the classified. Sometimes there are good deals to be had. I have also had good luck checking out the Bass Pro website for used guns. Not sure if you’re a club member, but you can get 10% off regularly on firearms. And they don’t always know what they have. I picked up an R.F Sedgley rifle, which was built on an Oberndorf Mauser, control round feed in a classic cartridge for $700. After Cabela’s points, I only paid $400 for that rifle. And the quality was on par with Griffin & Howe from the 1950s. That rifle should’ve been $3000+ but they had no idea what they had. Just something to thinking about.

 

[Roosterlund]

Also check out the classified section and the good gun deals link within the classified. Sometimes there are good deals to be had. I have also had good luck checking out the Bass Pro website for used guns. Not sure if you’re a club member, but you can get 10% off regularly on firearms. And they don’t always know what they have. I picked up an R.F Sedgley rifle, which was built on an Oberndorf Mauser, control round feed in a classic cartridge for $700. After Cabela’s points, I only paid $400 for that rifle. And the quality was on par with Griffin & Howe from the 1950s. That rifle should’ve been $3000+ but they had no idea what they had. Just something to thinking about.

You make a lot of great points. Keeping an eye out would save time and money. Have a soft spot for the stainless model 70’s in 375!!!

 

[PanhandlinPat]

Also check out the classified section and the good gun deals link within the classified. Sometimes there are good deals to be had. I have also had good luck checking out the Bass Pro website for used guns. Not sure if you’re a club member, but you can get 10% off regularly on firearms. And they don’t always know what they have. I picked up an R.F Sedgley rifle, which was built on an Oberndorf Mauser, control round feed in a classic cartridge for $700. After Cabela’s points, I only paid $400 for that rifle. And the quality was on par with Griffin & Howe from the 1950s. That rifle should’ve been $3000+ but they had no idea what they had. Just something to thinking about.

I recently discovered the same phenomena of Cabela’s / bass pro way undervaluing used firearms. Picked up a custom model 70 in 375 not long ago, stainless shilen barrel (had “barreled by shilen” laser engraved on the barrel), hs precision fiberglass stock, Talley bases, and a matte cerakote finish. Was less than $1000 with tax. I’ve seen pre 64 model 94s listed for a few hundred $ as well, not to mention fine custom rifles for nearly nothing!

 

[Altitude sickness]

I’ve bought underpriced firearms from Bass Pro out of state listed on GI. My local Bass Pro is the complete opposite. Overpriced and usually Junk. Who ever is placing the value is very “optimistic”

 

[Bandera]

I have a M77 tang safety action in 7 mm mag. Wanted to have a custom.375 H&H built on this action. Are these actions a good choice? Is a Mark 4 a better choice because of three wing safety? Why don’t you see many custom rifles built on Ruger actions?

I believe if you where to go with a Ruger action you need to find a RSM or what would have been a magnum length action.

The African does come with a thread protector which eliminates the compensator.

Red Leg pretty much nailed it on the action.

If your definition of a custom rifle, is one that is re-barreled to the caliber of your choice then as long as the cartridge fits the action it can work. Maybe has a aftermarket stock and a few other customized features. Then use the M77 action.

The barrel band sling point and sights are pretty easy to do.

McGowen is one of the companies that does Ruger barrels.
There are stock makers that can do up a stock. Boyd’s, H-S Precision and others.

Alaskan Arms does bottom metal for the M77 Action.

Btw the early Ruger Africans did not have the muzzle break, the pop up from time on GB or GI.