Just a quick shooting impression--a friend is heading up to Alaska next month and bought a .375 Ruger Alaskan. It's stainless, but totally finished in matte black, with a Hogue overmolded stock. He mounted a Nikon 1X4 African scope and we were off to check it out.

The stock is a bit sticky--tends to catch on clothes due to its tackiness, but handles recoil extremely well. Neither of us was bothered by the recoil, even off the bench. The grip is neither too close or too open--it affords good control of the rifle and we did not experience any knuckle-mashing by the trigger guard. By the way, the floorplate release is designed to eliminate inadvertent opening, a good idea on a dangerous game rifle.

The M70-style safety is a bit small--it would be easier to operate if it had a larger thumbpiece. Since it's a three-position model, it can be carried in the middle position, which is safe but allows bolt manipulation--it's MUCH more user-friendly in this position for quick release.

We sighted the gun in at 50 yard and then shot it at a hundred--pretty much point blank throughout that range--we will shoot it at 200 next week. The "German 4" reticle on the Nikon scope has a post and crosshair which is useful for estimating holdover. Is was easy to adjust and setting were repeatable.

One kinda complaint is that the bolt knob it tucked in close to the stock, which makes it a bit tough to operate in a hurry. In fairness, though, if it were bent outward more, it wouldn't clear the scope. If I owned one and didn't plan to scope it, I'd have the bolt handle bent outward a little more.

Groups averaged about 1 1/2" at a hundred yard, despite loooooong creepy, yet light, trigger.

Overall, a really fine rifle, and a keeper.

The ctg is basically the .375 H&H so certainly good enough for any encounters in AK. A freind has the same rifle and I n was surprised at how tough thhe safety on his was to manipulate. Not only SMALL in size but it was tough to push to the FIRE position.

Nice rifle otherwise.

FN in MT

Frank-- Yeah-- I actually prefer the older tang-mounted Ruger safeties--much quicker to operate.

I have one, too. I am planning to replace the stock with the basic Ruger synthetic, which is considerably thinner. The Hogue stock that comes on the rifle is like a benchrest stock, very thick at the front.

My rifle is sooo accurate it is almost scary.

These are from my tests for last year's moose season. No groups went bigger than this even though I was trying out two different bullets with several different powder charges. The distance was 75 meters so these groups are under one MOA.







The measure in the photos is in centimeters. (I know. )

Oh, the rifle, you ask? Here you go...


Here it is next to a Remington Model Seven 350 Remington Magnum.


And yes, we got a few moose, but none came my way.

They are nice rifles..I wonder if someone may come out with a LARGER, replacement safety one day??

FN in MT

Are you really saying this safety is too small? Or do you have some other type of safety lever on your rifle?

When the safety is fully engaged, it's tucked up close to the bolt shroud and awkward for a right-hander to disengage quickly--easier for a lefty. If it had a larger thumbpiece, it would be easier to hit.

OK, now I see. I never noticed that myself.

Isn't a safety supposed to be a bit of work to disengage?

I bought one used last year, just to try it out.
Mine is also very accurate, sub moa groups.
I plan to take it to the Alaska penninsula next spring when I go up to guide brown bear hunters. I've decided I want a little more reach than my .450 Alaskan and a little more punch than my .338 Winchester. The Ruger should fill the bill and it handles nicely.
I agree on the safety, if a longer version were available, I'd probably install it. I usually carry a bolt rifle with a full magazine and an empty chamber, striker lowered and safety off, so it's not that big an issue for me.
Like most professional hunters, a loaded rifle scares me worse than any animal.

Good points, both.

My pal thinks he may have to employ the gun quickly, as in self-defense. I don't know, since I've never bummed around in bear country.

He's pretty much decided to carry the rifle with the safety at the middle position because he can reach it easier and faster. The downside might be that the bolt could be opened by a branch or something.

You're both right--the safety should offer some resistance, yet be fast to use.

I'd be leery walking in front of a live chamber, regardless of what position the safety was in. Help is a long way away in these remote areas!

Impressive rifle.