Sonoran Desert Institute - 416R Stainless Steel - Ruger M77 Mk II All Weather .338 Winchester Magnum

My submission for Sonoran Desert Institute FTT 231 Week 2 Assignment. I have done a quick rundown on the basics of 416R Stainless steel and it’s properties.
I forgot to mention in the video that while Ruger does use some cast parts, the barrel is actually cold hammer forged. In fact this model year of rifle 1991 was the first year Ruger began using cold hammer forging according to their website.
References
RB. “The History of the M77 Rifle.” RIFLE BASIX, Rifle Basix, 29 Dec. 2020, riflebasix.com/blog/the-histo....
Carpenter Technology. “416 - Specialty Alloys.” Carpenter Technology, CRS Holdings LLC, 2022, www.carpentertechnology.com/a....
Editor, The. “Barrel Making: Making a Modern Steel Barrel - Part I.” Firearms History, Technology & Development, Blogger, 7 June 2010, firearmshistory.blogspot.com/2....
Hawks, Chuck. “Ruger M77 Mark II Rifles.” Chuckhawks.com, 2005, www.chuckhawks.com/ruger_M77_....
Matt. “Rifle Barrels 101: Which Barrels Are Best for Accuracy and Durability?” Dark Earth Tactical, 4 Apr. 2021, www.darkearthtactical.co.za/f....
MatWeb. “Crucible Steel 416r Chromium Stainless Steel.” MatWeb: Material Property Data, MatWeb LLC, 2022, www.matweb.com/search/datashe....
National Rifle Association. “What Is the Best Gun Barrel Material?” NRA Family, National Rifle Association, 31 Dec. 2019, www.nrafamily.org/articles/20....
“New Stainless Alloys Allow Ruger to Hit Machinability, Pressure Targets.” Modern Application News, Apr. 2001, www.modernapplicationsnews.com....
Ruger. “Instruction Manual for: Ruger M77 Mark II Bolt Action Rifles.” Instruction Manuals, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., 2011, ruger.com/dataProcess/serialH....
Ruger. “Ruger M77 Mark II Serial Number History.” Ruger M77 Mark II Serial Number History, 2016, www.ruger.com/service/product....
Ruger. “Ruger Pine Tree Castings.” Ruger Investment Casting, Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc., 2015, ruger.com/casting/index.html.
Ruger. “Ruger Serial Number Lookup.” Serial Number Lookup, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., 2022, ruger.com/dataProcess/serialH....
Schueth, Nathan. “4150 Carbon Steel vs 416-R Stainless - Which Is Right for Me?” Faxon Firearms, Faxon Firearms, 2022, faxonfirearms.com/blog/4150-c....

[@phillycheesetake]

"machinability" can mean softer, but regarding stainless steels it usually means that the grain chips better. Stainless can deform under a mill and spit these uneven ragged and melted chips, leaving a bad surface finish and putting extra wear on the tool. The M77 Mk2 is a really cool rifle, especially the safety. I know it sounds like a weird thing to praise but the recent industry trend to 2-position+plunger bolt release just proves that intelligent engineers will spend immense mental effort making things worse instead of just copying a good idea.

[@scottbozarth8459]

Hah! You’re very right about that. My main gig is electronics technician for the FAA and I swear the engineers’ main goal in life is to make life as hard as possible for techs. I imagine them sitting in big leather chairs with scotch and cigars, chuckling to themselves about how long it takes to open a case with 60 thumbscrews on it when four would have been plenty.

[@clems6989]

Most likely the people you spoke wuth at Ruger, had no idea either... I enjoy the videos, thanks for sharing your experience...

[@scottbozarth8459]

Yeah, you’re probably right. Thanks for watching!

[@jimdent351]

When those rifles first came out I thought they were the ugliest thing going, and it was all about walnut stocks for me back then. Now I wish I had bought several of them. That is one rifle stock I wish Ruger would bring back

[@scottbozarth8459]

It really has grown on me as well. I’ll always prefer the looks of figured walnut or maple and blues steel, but for durability in nasty weather, (as it usually is during hunting season in Western Washington) you can’t beat a synthetic stock and stainless steel combo. Thanks for watching.

[@jordancoglan1406]

I have this same rifle And looking to where a can get a 10rd mag kit for it, I’m not to sure where to get one

[@scottbozarth8459]

Pacific Tool and Gauge makes a conversion kit for the bottom metal to accept a detachable magazine, but no guarantee it will work well. I’ve never tried it.

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Love those old ish Rugers. I thought the ‘free’ chromium spreads throughout the metal matrix. I’d love to see something about the bluing process. 🙏

[@scottbozarth8459]

I’m not a metallurgist but I think you’re correct about the chromium from what I’ve read. I have a few different bluing projects in the works. Cold blue, browning and rust bluing. It just takes me a while to get videos out with work and all that. I’ll get to them though. Thanks for watching!

[@REDNECKROOTS]

Could you do a vid like this one on the weatherby vanguard weatherguard bronze

[@scottbozarth8459]

I’d love to, but sadly don’t have one. I do have a standard Weatherby vanguard I could do a video on though.

[@REDNECKROOTS]

@@scottbozarth8459 worth an ask. Thanks

[@joelmacha1454]

So the rifle shown would be prone to have rust accumulation at the junction of the blued rings to the stainless receiver!? Like the ignorant auto manufacturers that so often use steel bolts threaded into solid aluminum castings. Try getting one of those out that's been in there for years! Good informational content!

[@scottbozarth8459]

It doesn’t seem to be as bad when it’s ferrous steel connecting to stainless steel, but it is for sure still something to keep an eye on. Sooner or later I’ll pick up a set of stainless Ruger rings, but that’s another $90+ dollars after tax and shipping. I’ve got too many project trifles going at once. Need to focus and finish one thing before I start another. Story of my life. Haha

[@tomskimcdouglegaming806]

Some dissimilar metals are fine togheter.

[@scottbozarth8459]

Very true. All depends where they fall on the galvanic scale. Stainless and titanium will play nice, carbon steel and aluminum is usually ok as well. However carbon steel and stainless steel are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Good info for anyone interested in working on firearms. Thanks for watching!

[@kenadams3951]

I have one it's great

[@scottbozarth8459]

Agreed. People say the M77 isn’t accurate, but every one I’ve ever shot sure was. Thanks for watching.

[@hyregeg9730]

Lost wax process the receiver casting

[@scottbozarth8459]

Correct and since making this video I’ve read the book “Ruger & His Guns”. It does a good job of explaining the process and how much controversy there was around his first gun, the Ruger automatic pistol, (often called the Mk 1 now days). It’s a good read if you’re into firearms history. Thanks for watching!

[@christopherbranch5297]

What size rings ? High ?

[@scottbozarth8459]

Yep. 30mm, high.

[@johnwilliams2332]

What size vortex is that?

[@scottbozarth8459]

That’s the Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50

[@MrRkboz]

.02% adamantium would cure any rusting at all. They might want to consider that.

[@scottbozarth8459]

Maybe that’s Ruger’s secret ingredient.

[@mohsenraghian210]

Where would you buy that from? And does it take care of stainless steel rust?

[@brianwong5947]

5:02 tell us your recipe ruger!

[@carlyobrien6057]

greatest thing about ruger: investment casting. worst thing about ruger: Bill Ruger (do your research)

[@scottbozarth8459]

I’ve read the book Ruger and His Guns by Robert Wilson. Along with countless other articles and opinion pieces on Bill Ruger. A lot of people don’t like Bill Ruger because he didn’t believe a gun not intended for combat didn’t need more than 10 rounds. He was definitely an innovator and savvy businessman. I don’t agree with all of his beliefs, but I’d hesitate to say he was the “worst thing about Ruger”.

[@carlyobrien6057]

I wasn't trying to sound mean, just hate typing. He actively promoted bans on firearms and firearm accessories. there's some old footage of him on here somewhere. Its just my opinion lol I love their guns. @@scottbozarth8459