Ruger 338 splitting stock what to do.

[oso45-70]

I have a older mod.77 with safety on the heel of the stock, After a shooting session i noticed a splitting of the stock going towards the safety.
What do i need to do,,,,Glass bed the action or get a new stock, Thought about a Mc Millen but i do like the stock thats on the rifle now which is wood. Any sugestions would be appreciated.............Joe..........

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Might want to give Ruger a call-----the worst they can do is say no.

A McMillan at minimum is going to run you $300 to $400.

[oso45-70]

omaha beenglockin

Yea i know about the Mc Millen stocks i've got a couple. I think i'll try to glass the action in and see if i can stop the splitting. Or maybe i can find a replacement stock at one of the gun shows. This is the first ruger stock that i've had a problem with. Thanks for the information........Joe.......

[buffalobob]

On small splits take a razor blade and open up the crack a little and then put epoxy in it.  It may or may not hold it together if this is happening because of recoil.    But it is a quick and easy first try.  Works better on the fore end splits.

[Muskie Hunter]

I had an older model 77 in 338 also and a few weeks after I bought it,I found a split starting from the bedding screw.I called Ruger and they said for me to send the rifle back and they would replace the stock.I had the rifle back within a week with a beautiful stock.

[oso45-70]

Muskie Hunter,

The more i think about it i may just do that. Would i have to send the rifle or just the stock ? I hate to send the action back. Im going to take it apart tomarrow and see if i can glass bed the action and stop the crack. Thanks Muskie Hunter, Regards.............Joe.............

[while99]

Get a Model 70 Winchester.

[oso45-70]

While99

I've Got 6 mod. 70s I still need a stock for my mod 77- 338. I've had mod 70s to mess up too...........Joe.......Thanks

[DennisB]

Joe:

In about 1983-84 I had a similar crack develop in my M77 .338 and wrote a short note to Ruger.  I mentioned that I had fired nothing but moderate handloads in it, and was suprised that it had begun to crack.  Their first response was a form letter, with a copy of their disclaimer about non-factory ammo circled in red ink.  I wrote back and said yes, I understand that, but spring bear season was just weeks away (I lived in Alaska at the time) and i really needed a reliable stock.  Within a week a brand new stock--sling swivels, butt plate and all--was on my door.  No charge.  I hope your results are similar.  Good Hunting!

[oso45-70]

DennisB

I pulled the stock off and discovered there was some play in the main screw so i went ahead and glass bedded the whole thing. That is step #1
if that don't work i will either get a new one or maybe a Mc Millen. The rifle is worth saving, Shoots like a winner. Should know tomarrow when i take it apart. If this works, Fine, If not i will make some changes. I will keep what you said in mind and if all else fails i will give Ruger a call.
Thank you Sir...........Joe............

[while99]

Joe,  I had a Ruger Model 77 .338 for a while, and it shot very well, but then I got a pre-64 Model 70 .338 and since I didn't need both, I sold the Ruger.  After about 10 years of shooting the Model 70 I noticed the stock was cracking on it, behind the recoil lug mortise and behind the magazine mortise.  I used Brownell's steel bed to fix both of the cracks and to re-bed the recoil lug.  That was about 8 years ago and I've had no problems since.  If I ever have another wood stock crack or split, I'll use Brownell's steel bed on it also.

[oso45-70]

While99

Thats what we did, I'm not sure it would have gone any farther or not so to be sure my buddy and I spread the action apart as far as we dared and loaded it up with good ol Brewnells. I took it out this evening and ran 25 very hot loads through it and it seems to be ok. It looks like the person that had the gun before me let the screws get loose and the holes became elongated. I picked the rifle up at a gun show along with a few more and you can expect this when you get to gun trading. Thanks and have a good day.............Joe...............

[while99]

I try not to shoot my pre-64 any more except to sight it in for elk season and then for the actual elk hunt.  I then clean it and put it away for 11 months.  If I want to shoot a .338 in the interim I have a Model 70 classic stainless synthetic or a Model 70 Super Express synthetic matte.  I figure the synthetic stock rifles will take a lot of pounding at the bench and in the field without much maintenance.