[diyj98]

I bought a boat paddle Ruger when they first came out. I didn't care for it either and sold it.

 

[TsavoCreek]

I used to think I wanted a ruger with the boat paddle stock because it looked "all weather" I guess to me. That urge has passed. I have a Boyd's stock on a re-barreled .270 that I really like. Best thing since sourdough bread.

 

[jayhdavis]

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

Heretic. How could you not fall in love with something like this?

 

[Old School Wheelgunner]

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

For me their semis. Love the revolvers but anything with a polymer frame and blocky slide turn me away. For fun I tested a bunch a few years ago. The RAP shot well for me, but other polymer-frame semis shot better and felt better in my hand.

 

[Tape]

Heretic. How could you not fall in love with something like this?
View attachment 191099

I must admit, you have a nice looking revolver there.
I like the style of S&W/Taurus beings they were born twins.

 

[Tape]

For me their semis. Love the revolvers but anything with a polymer frame and blocky slide turn me away. For fun I tested a bunch a few years ago. The RAP shot well for me, but other polymer-frame semis shot better and felt better in my hand.

How could you not fall in love with something like this? @diyj98
With the Volquartsen trigger & action and it fits so well in your hand.

 

[terry_p]

I have a boat paddle in .270 and it will shoot to 3/4" all day long with my reloads. It probably could do better but I figured for hunting accuracy why make the effort.

As to your .338 I see two choices, load it down or reduce the felt recoil with a better pad. If you need to go to a different stock then you will make it heavier to carry while hunting. Another option is put a sandbag on the shoulder when you are at the range and if you take a shoot at a big bear while hunting, I can almost guarantee you won't feel any recoil.

 

[Scswolf]

I don't like the trigger on the LCR in .22lr.
Love the rest of the gun…

 

[Bonk]

Paddle stocked M77's are notorious for having more recoil than their wood stocked counterparts. Simple physics. Less weight and all the recoil is directed to a narrower point of contact with the shoulder. I agree with the others that suggested a Boyds laminate stock. It will make all the difference in the world.

 

[Bonk]

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.

A 105 Howitzer has less recoil than a 460 Wthby. You couldn't pay me to shoot one and I'm not recoil shy. I own and have owned some big bore rifles but, as Harry Callahan said, "A man has got to know his limitations". I know mine and in a bolt gun it's 458Win.

I would expect a straight stocked 338 to be easier to shoot than a Euro stocked 416. The humpback stocks are excellent for getting down on the iron sights but they aren't much help mitigating felt recoil. When I switched my 375 CZ550 to a straight stock the difference in felt recoil was immediately noticeable.

All three are good looking rifles BTW.

 

[jayhdavis]

Upon reflection, no.

 

[rufjustis]

I guess i'm just old school...or maybe just old, but I don't like the American line or any of the plastic pistols Ruger has now. I've got 77's, 77 Mk II's (walnut and paddle stocks), a 77/22, a 77/17, Hawkeye's, Mini's, Redhawks a Blackhawk and a Single Six...but, that's just me.

 

[Bonk]

I guess i'm just old school...or maybe just old, but I don't like the American line or any of the plastic pistols Ruger has now. I've got 77's, 77 Mk II's (walnut and paddle stocks), a 77/22, a 77/17, Hawkeye's, Mini's, Redhawks a Blackhawk and a Single Six...but, that's just me.

Ditto. We're cut from the same cloth.

 

[Randy99CL]

I recently inherited this .338 WM from my dad.

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 really want to do this gun proud in my dads honor.

I always thought those stocks were ugly, I just hated the "Ruger" in big letters. I understand that those rifles (and bare stocks) are fairly rare and selling for good money.

But I love wood stocks anyway. Couple of years ago I ordered my first Boyd's and love it, for the money it is fantastic. Optional checkering was $55 but just over $200 with shipping.
The fit is perfect, the finish is flawless and I love the look. IMO fairly cheap for what you get.

I own an M77 Hawkeye FTW I built for longer range targets and this stock is ideal. I haven't weighed them but this one feels a couple of pounds heavier than the original wood stock. In 260 Rem this one didn't recoil much but now I could easily shoot it all day with hot loads.
Boyd's offers some optional recoil pads but I got the standard rubber butt. You could even hollow out the forearm or buttstock and add lead shot for additional weight.

You can save the original stock for restoration one day.

As to scopes, there are very good LR models for not nuch money. It doesn't hurt to go big, you can turn it down if you need to. I bought the Vortex Viper HS-T 6-24x50 with their MOA reticle. Lots of videos recommend that one as a decent 1000yd scope for less than a fortune, usually around $800 but I found it on sale for $500.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Yes. All three of the #1's and the Mini 30 that I owned at one time.