[fjetson]

I recently inherited this .338 WM from my dad.

The story of this gun begins on a guided moose hunt in Alaska when he got the Bejesus scarred out of him by a rather large bear. He said he was afraid to take a shot with his trusty .308.

Upon returning home, he purchased this M77. Normally dad was a gas & oil only kind of guy that didn’t believe in a lot of modifications to anything. However, the gun has been ported and has a decent trigger pull of about 3 lbs.

So my next project will be to make this gun a bit more user friendly. I have some questions:

Pulling the trigger on this beast results in your shoulder feeling like you just got punched by Mike Tyson. Is there a direct fit recoil pad for these guns available that will calm it down some? Name and numbers please… I’m sure it would take multiple sessions to sight it in as is. It isn’t fun to shoot.

I plan to use it at the big bore range for 600+ yard shooting. The 3x9 Leupold that is on it is very nice, but I’m thinking something like a 4.5-14x40 would be better suited for these ranges. Would that power glass be enough or do I need to think bigger?

I have been reading reviews on the Timney triggers for these rifles. Quite a few guys have said they love the results, but had to buy 2 because they got carried away with the file while fitting. Is it that tough to do? I’m not opposed to taking it to a Smith, if it is over my pay grade.

I really want to do this gun proud in my dads honor. I will be making some kind of wood inserts for the stock, and plan on showing it some love.

I love the other 16 Rugers in my safe, but right now, this one not so much.

 

[krag96]

I have a Pachmayr Decellerator on my Hawkeye .338 (laminate wood stock-no brake) and it does a pretty good job, not painful to shoot at all, but still bucks pretty good. I believe it's grind to fit though. As memory serves, the plastic stocked models do have a prefit pad available from Kick Eez or Limbsaver. Check their web sites.

As for the scope, a Nikon 4-12 came on mine, (bought it from an old fellow at a show who didn't need a .338 WM anymore) and I've actually been considering a 2-7 or even a 1.5-5 Leupold. Less can be more on a .338 WM. I'm in the hardwood forests more often than not and want the field of view, eye relief, and quicker target acquisition. I suppose a 4.5-14 or a 4-12 would do well if long range shooting were in the future. A much lower power scope would still suit me out to about 300yds, (as far as I would shoot).

 

[drumb0621]

I think that thin butt stock design might be part of the culprit. I have a .338 WM in a Ruger Guide Gun and it is my go to rifle every year. It has a muzzle brake of course and the recoil is about the same as a .270 and the gun is really accurate and handy. I see you have a muzzle brake but perhaps they are not all created equal. Good luck......

 

[Foundation Horse]

I see it has a 'boat paddle' stock. Just how old is this thing?

 

[Corndog]

I have a boat paddle 30-06. It kicks hard. I would drop the action in a heavy Boyd’s stock. Done.

Save the old boat paddle stock. It’s not common and becoming valuable. It’s just too light and meant for carrying over shooting.

 

[krag96]

I missed the part where you said, ''I plan to use it at the big bore range for 600+ yard shooting.'' Yeah, I'd get the Timney trigger and more scope then. I put a Burris Xtream Tactical II 5-25X on a .30/06 target rifle for long range and groundhogs. Got it on clearance for more than 50% off as it was discontinued.

Edit to say, I agree with Corndog, get a good heavy stock on it and save the boat paddle in the closet.

 

[LimaCharlie]

My Ruger M-77 in 338 Winchester Magnum with a Vortex PST 6X-24X-50mm First Focal Plane scope has less recoil than the CZ 416 Rigby or the custom Weatherby 460 Magnum.

 

[fjetson]

I see it has a 'boat paddle' stock. Just how old is this thing?

I believe pops got it in the early ‘90s

 

[Chuy]

I had an SR22 . It just didn't do anything for me .

 

[BooNBear]

I had a Ruger American in .450BM, liked the rifle but not the cartridge. Sold it. Now I got a Ruger 3 in .45-70 and a Liberty model Ruger 1V in 7mm Mag

 

[adc100]

The LC9. Love how it shot. Hated its unreliability

 

[Corndog]

The ONLY Ruger I ever sold was a first generation LCP. It hurt to shoot it and my brothers wife fell in love with it. I sold it cheap to her. She loves it.

The gun was fine. I am a 🐈 when it comes to recoil.

 

[Bazoo]

I think its an awesome story. I take it you don't reload? It would be easy to reload it down to a more manageable level for close range shooting I'd think, though, I've never dabbled with the win mag myself.

 

[Sr40ken]

Only Ruger I had and didn’t like was a P345.

 

[Montana09]

That's an awesome 338 and a great story.

As for Rugers I don't like, I have to say I just cannot get behind the Wrangler. I had one and detested it, it just never grew on me, the finish flaked off, and for only $80 more I was able to get a very nice used Single Six. I also sold a 30 carbine Blackhawk. There was nothing wrong with it per se but it just never grew on me like my other Blackhawks have.

 

[ngashooter]

There are a great many Ruger models that I have never handled or fired. The Rugers I have gotten to shoot have all been a good experience. The OP's .338WM looks like an awesome hunting rifle for Alaska, and a good recoil pad would make it even better. For the OP's intended use as a target rifle, increased weight will make shooting it much more pleasant. I agree with dropping that action into a Boyd's laminate stock of whatever style he likes. A larger, heavier scope with more magnification makes sense for both target shooting and recoil mitigation. You can choose the recoil pad type and thickness when you order your stock from Boyds.

 

[Efm77338]

If you want to keep the skeleton stock, maybe try a slip on pad? As long as it doesn't increase length of pull too much. For scopes, I like the Sightron S-Tac 3-16x42 for that task. Awesome glass, tracking, and good eye relief for heavy kickers. I've got one on a 375 Ruger and getting ready to put another on my M77 338. For triggers, get the Rifle Basix. I have both Timney and Rifle Basix. To my feel, the Rifle Basix is every bit as good as the Timney and you don't have to file for the safety engagement as it is adjustable with a screw.

 

[Tape]

I don't like their revolvers, they just don't look right to me.

 

[LimaCharlie]

I own several Ruger revolvers and Ruger Rifles. I would not mind a Ruger shotgun. I have yet to see a Ruger semi-auto pistol that I would buy.

 

[DCunniff]

Was in the beginning while tackling cleaning it. .22 LR MK III. Have to remember how to shake it and when to pull the trigger...