Stock bedding and warranty

sonvolt

Bearcat
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
46
Have a Ruger RSM in .375 H&H on the way via Gunbroker and curious ... I'd like to glass bed the rifle - should I run into trouble with the rifle down the road (unrelated to the bedding) will Ruger still service a rifle that the owner has glass bedded?

Thanks.
 
Don't you mean .375 Ruger?

As for bedding, they haven't refused me warranty for rifles I rebedded.

I epoxy bed every Ruger I buy before I even shoot it, as a result of past problems.

Rugers are my favorite rifles, but I've only ever seen one that crossed my path that didn't have pretty major stocking up problems.

Anyway, that doesn't seem to be an issue for them vis a vis warranty, but checking with them would give the current status.
 
I would go ahead and do it. You're not likely to have warranty issues anyway.

When you bed the rifle you may want to relieve the tang and glass that area too. Might not be a problem with 375 H&H but I've heard of several 416 and 458 RSMs that split behind the tang due to recoil.

EDIT: You can probably bed the action fine, but there is an additional lug & recoil plate in the forearm that might complicate things a little. I'm not handy enough to bed my own rifles, but maybe someone who has done an RSM can chime in on the details.
 
EVR said:
Don't you mean .375 Ruger?

The RSMs were 375 H&H (and 416 Rigby & 458 Lott), the "African" versions with circassian walnut, integral quarter ribs, etc. Tremendous value for the dollar, though pretty "chunky" in factory configuration.
 
Thanks all. Yes, a .375 H&H RSM. I was mainly concerned about the tang area Trey, as you mention ... I'm going to make sure there's no direct rearward contact at the tang and I'm even going to install a long piece of all threat down through the grip into the butt stock (concealed of course) for wrist strength.

I'll bed the main action area and probably won't worry about the forward lug if it's going to be a bedding headache - I'm looking more for strength than free-float target accuracy. Just don't want the wood splitting on me!

Thanks again.
 
Thanks all. Yes, a .375 H&H RSM. I was mainly concerned about the tang area Trey, as you mention ... I'm going to make sure there's no direct rearward contact at the tang and I'm even going to install a long piece of all threat down through the grip into the butt stock (concealed of course) for wrist strength.

I'll bed the main action area and probably won't worry about the forward lug if it's going to be a bedding headache - I'm looking more for strength than free-float target accuracy. Just don't want the wood splitting on me!

Thanks again.
 
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Thanks for the model clarification.

IMO: As for bedding, I would skip the allthread. Unless it is perfectly bedded {and in epoxy to-boot} the chances are you will weaken the stock, not strengthen it.

Ruger normally does a good job of selecting stock layout that runs the grain properly thru the wrist.

The front recoil lug arrangement does complicate matters a bit and IMO probably introduces tolerance in that area that could lead to setback into the tang. That whole recoil strap affair has never impressed me very much but it would only add a little time and taping off to isolate the bearing points for bedding compound.

On the standard 77's, I bed the whole "box" and allow it to level off just a bit over the shoulder and freefloat the barrel. Rugers are one of the easiest rifles to epoxy bed...and also are one of the most responsive guns to it of those I've ever worked with.

If you have concerns with the stock cracking it is easy to lay a small bolt in a trough cut in the recoil shoulder side-to-side. Unnecessary probably with a Ruger stock and the .375 unless...

As for the caliber, my own personal .375 {Sako} has seen several thousands of rounds. The .375 {Ruger or H&H} has some recoil but is not a stock wrecker if the gun is bedded anything like appropriately. I rebedded mine after 20 years a few years ago after I got some problems with forestock contact {eventual warpage} when I had it reblued. This is a gun that has seen a lot of hard use and after a hunt or two has even been held by the sling and had a garden hose turned on it...

Many Ruger 77's are poorly bedded and as stated, I have no experience with the recoil strap thing but it is not a particularly confidence-inspiring feature of the rifle {because it would require really superb fitting to add strength, and Ruger is great at a number of things, but close wood/metal fitting is not normally on that list...}. Personally, I'd check the gun out closely and bed accordingly.

I'd bed the recoil shoulder and add a dab at the tang as I always do with all Rugers regardless of caliber. I wrap the rear of the tang in tape for clearance, or just bed it snug and then relieve with a dowel wrapped in sandpaper and yes, I'd for sure relieve the tang.

I would also bevel the ejector slot edges in the bolt head and bevel the ejector sides/edges. Takes less than a minute to do. On violent, fast operation, the Ruger has been known, and I have experienced it myself, to jam as a result of the relatively weak ejector spring not forcing the ejector up fast enough to strike the cartridge head when the bolt is in the most rearward position after hard, fast bolt operation. IMO Ruger needs to include a heavier ejector spring but there are commonly burrs on the edges that need removal anyhow.

Anyway, the bevelling has solved the problems for me entirely, tho the spring tension is noticeable less stiff than CZ's that have a similar action type.
 
I bedded and floated one Ruger Rifle - I own 7 M77's hunted with them all in all kinds of weather. Never noticed any difference with the bedded vs. not or floated vs. not. I have had fluctuations with cartridges and when I find one that works both on game and for accuracy I stick with it. I would not bed another unless someone could convince me that it would make a huge difference. All my Rugers out of the box have shot well - MOA and I am fine with that. Never had a Ruger jam. Guess I am just lucky- Rugers in my opinion are as trouble free as firearms get -that's why I own them.
 
6mm;

you've had good experience and no doubt it is legitimate. Others' mileage varies, so the old "Don't fix what ain't broke" line seems appropriate, except for me the added variable's that often exist with unbedded, stock rugers are too great to leave as is...just my mileage...
 
Unfortunately, I have to send the .375 H&H RSM I bought on Gunbroker back because it had a bit of finish damage that wasn't described accurately.

But that's the first experience I've had with an RSM and WOW ... those things are built like a brick bat. I knew (from all the talk) they were heavy, but there's a certain blockiness to the RSM I guess I don't understand. Like the hard angles and flat on the grip behind the tang, the overall thickness. I imagine this heft is more appropriate (and appreciated) in .458 Lott and .416 Rigby, but in .375 H&H it seems like bigtime overkill. I think I'm going to have to rethink whether I want one of these in .375, or just find one in .416, like I'd initially thought. Seems like it would be a more worthwhile heft.

Seems built extremely well, just surprised the company that makes such an elegant and balanced No. 1 would put such a blocky stick on a high-end safari gun. Guess it was one of those things where I just had to hold it in my hands to understand what everyone was talking about.
 
sonvolt said:
I think I'm going to have to rethink whether I want one of these in .375, or just find one in .416, like I'd initially thought. Seems like it would be a more worthwhile heft.

The 416's and 458's will actually weigh a little less due to the bigger bore diameter- the barrel O.D. is the same in all three. But that doesn't help the situation with the stock...that whole thing is oversized at least 15%. Ruger should have built the 375 H&H using the stock dimensions they used for the 338 WM, 300 WM, and 7mm RM Express. Bigger/heavier than the 270 Win/30-'06 Express, and probably durable enough to handle the H&H round.

If you really want a Ruger and can live without 375 H&H, have a look at the 9.3x62 African with barrel band front swivel, crossbolt, and express sights.

If you really want a 375 H&H (or even a 416, 458, et. al.) I'd recommend looking for a Winchester M70. You'd be amazed how much better they feel compared to an RSM.
 
Trey Whitley said:
If you really want a Ruger and can live without 375 H&H, have a look at the 9.3x62 African with barrel band front swivel, crossbolt, and express sights.

Exceptionally good advice.

I have owned a .375 H&H for 25 years, and 9.3x57 and 9.3x62 for years. Have killed much game in Africa and in a number of US states with the calibers.

Starting over, looking for one rifle, I'd buy the 9.3x62 and call it quits.

With modern powders, the 9.3x62 can approach factory .375 H&H velocities, and with less burnt powder, recoil is somewhat less. Lead core bullets can be resized to 9.3 caliber, so all 9.3's as well as lead-core .375's can be used in the rifle. Cases can be made from cheap .30-06 and great bullets are available.

The 9.3x62 is, in my opinion, the greatest medium bore round ever made and I have a very good reason for liking the .375 as well.

As a sidelight, as for the 9.3x57, well, that one is an absolute peach, and a caliber that deserves modern loading in a modern action.
 
EVR - Where does one obtain a .366 bullet sizing die? My 9.3 stable has expanded a good bit lately, and that would provide good options, especially for the 9.3x72R
 
Watergoat said:
EVR - Where does one obtain a .366 bullet sizing die? My 9.3 stable has expanded a good bit lately, and that would provide good options, especially for the 9.3x72R

I use Lee dies. $25 each.

I use a series, going from .375 to the first die at .372, then .370, then .367, then finish at .366 twice.

For my overbored x57's, I leave off the final die and finish twice at .368.

I have many of these dies and they work great, producing bullets that give MOA accuracy and great terminal performance.

I use Hornady "handcream" tub case lube to lube the bullets.

Takes a little time, but isn't difficult at all.

I use a Rock Chucker press.
 
EVR said:
Exceptionally good advice.
It's rare when I'm associated with that, exercising good judgment, or having much sense.

BUT, I did follow my own advice, replacing a .338 WM, .358 Win and .375 H&H with the 9.3x62. I can probably hunt the rest of my life using it and my .30-'06. That's assuming I have enough sense to use good judgment, and don't go off buying another pile of rifles...
 
EVR said:
Just don't try a 9.3x57... :lol:

It's not for lack of effort. I've tried to buy a couple of Model B Mausers so chambered (too late to the dance) and looked over some Husky's pretty hard. I know from the NitroExpress board you (and Daryl) are x57 fans and I think it's another little-known gem, likely outperforming the 358 on paper if not in reality.

However, my supply of "gun money" has been going towards arms & ammunition for the boys for the last couple of years (now they have an ample supply of quality hardware and more ammunition than I think they can shoot up in the next 5 - 6 years). My consolidation of hunting platforms was a combination of their increasing needs, diminishing space in the safe, and probably to some extent just to see if I could. At the same time my lengthy love affair with rare Winchester levers seems to have faded significantly...but the collecting/accumulating bug runs deep and it will likely surface again down the road.
 
My son and I went together and bought him his first rifle, a Model 77 MKII in 6mm Remington. I sold the stock and used the money from that to purchase a Boyds nutmeg wood laminate stock. I love the looks and extra strength of them. Before I fired it or anything I had my gunsmith pillar bed (Brownells has a pre-cut kit) and glass bed the rifle. It is a tack driver and I never have to worry about the stock splitting! Even on light recoiling cartridges if the wood compresses and the action screws loosen, the recoil driving the rear tang screw back into the stock can split them. Had that happen on a light recoiling 280 Remington in a 700 MTN rifle. I feel it's worth the effort!
David
 
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