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 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.
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