Ruger Alaskan

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2026 10:24 pm Post subject: Ruger Alaskan

Ruger M77 Hawkeye Alaskan Bush Rifle, .35 Whelen
Adding to my collection of guns that need to be shot ... A while back I sold a Rem 700 in .35 Whelen to finance getting one of these. The Remington had a 1 in 16" twist, which prevented me from shooting the heavy .35 cal bullets. The Ruger has a 1 in 12" twist. Then I couldn't find the Ruger anywhere. This past weekend I went to a gun show, mostly as a social event with no intention of buying anything expensive. Naturally this Ruger was at one of the first tables I visited. And it was priced less than MSRP. I wandered around the whole show before coming back to see if it was still there. Was it meant to be?? Well, it followed me home.

Now I'm trying to decide on a scope. A variable that starts 1-2x and tops out 6-10x. There is ammo here that I loaded for its predecessor, which gave me a 0.8" three shot group at 100 yds. I may have it Cerakoted later on. What do you think, gray or green? Think of the trees I can kill!

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2026 10:32 pm Post subject: Re: Ruger Alaskan

If someone isn't familiar with the .35 Whelen, here's one beside a .308 Win.

Elvis · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2026 2:41 am Post subject: Re: Ruger Alaskan

2x7 leupolds sit on my two most used rifles.....they just plain old work. Nice score indeed. Be a great heavy hitting bush rifle,the 270 &30/06 would speak quietly in its presence...

Vince · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2026 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Ruger Alaskan

WOW, you done goodly Punkin. Branches and trees beware…Punkin has graduated from twigs to larger targets. Just remember to take the bolt wiv ya.

Seriously though, there isn’t much that would be standing after a hit from that bugger mate! It’s a definite “knock down, drag em out” shooter for sure.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3780 Location: Utah

I'm a fan of the SS look especially with a laminated stock. I love the look of this rifle as-is.

35 Whelen certainly looks like good bear medicine.

-DallanC

Elvis · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2026 6:53 pm Post subject: Re: Ruger Alaskan

got to agree Dallan C ..... MY Howa is stainless in wooden stock and rather nice to look at/handle while still having the benifits of stainless.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3780 Location: Utah

My .50cal Remington 700ML is also stainless, with a camo synthetic stock. I've thought about wrapping it in camo tape... but honestly the deer don't care about the metal color for sure... judging by the increasing amount of critters harvested over the years.

-DallanC

RePete · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2026 5:59 am Post subject: Re: Ruger Alaskan

The Ruger Alaskan is a beautiful rifle, I don't own one. I have an M77 in 30/06. A 10/22, a MII and Mk4 pistols.

Too bad about the Ruger announcement a couple of weeks ago about dropping a number of rifles including a rifle I love the look of - the Number 1.

www.americanrifleman.o...or-models/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwsHNSFNoIw
Just go to 9:53 for the rifles.