Fixing whats not broke - Am I nuts????

[Idahotrophyhunter]

Without doubt, my favorite rifle I have owned is my Ruger 77 Hawkeye African in .375 Ruger. This is a special "gloss finish" rifle that wears a Burris Fullfield 3-9x40 scope. The rifle has a trigger job set at 3.5 # and is glass bedded. Over the last 4 years, it has killed Elk, Mule Deer, Bears, a cow moose, Coyotes, and even ground squirrels. I found a load for it that no matter when, were, or how it is an honest 1/2 MOA out to 300 yards. That load is 76.0 of Reloader 15, hornady cases, 260 nosler partitions - With this load I can put 6 shots in the size of a quarter at 100 yards.

Lately I have been wanting to spruce the rifle up..(scope is scratched and dinged and stock is getting that way as well) I have my mind wrapped around the idea of "Africanizing" it by swapping scopes for a 1.5-5x leupold, and installing a boyds classic nutmeg stock with black tip and a high gloss finish. Cosmetically it would really set the gun apart.

However as I shot the rifle this morning and put the first 3 shots into a little cloverleaf, I got to thinking, Am I nuts for wanting to tear apart one of the most accurate rifles I have owned? What if I loose this with my new idea? What should I do? What would you guys do?

 

[NWBlacktail]

Sounds like a cool rig! I wouldn't be too worried about it. The 1.5-5 scope idea sounds perfect. Maybe just start with that for this year, then next year go with a new stock… just to kind of spread out the fun.

I find that if I'm done with a project too quickly, I just end up starting another one (and with a wife + 3 small kids, that's not always a good thing :mrgreen: ).

 

[truck driver]

Leave it alone. If it ain't broke don't fix it. find something that needs fixing and fix it if you need some thing to do or refinish the stock and barrel to make it look new again and get a new scope if you want.

 

[DrMike]

Boy, am I the wrong one to give advice. I'm forever tinkering with my rifles. Usually, my efforts pay off. However, there are a few instances when I ruined a fine rifle and had to start all over. Especially if I have access to another firearm that can come close, I'll almost invariably tinker. I'm in the midst of swapping out scopes on a number of my rifles at the present. Insanity is communicable. Cautious! You could be infected just by reading what some of these people write. I'd be especially careful about reading what the wild, young Marine (SJB) says. He can infect an entire forum with a single post.

 

[truck driver]

Boy, am I the wrong one to give advice. I'm forever tinkering with my rifles. Usually, my efforts pay off. However, there are a few instances when I ruined a fine rifle and had to start all over. Especially if I have access to another firearm that can come close, I'll almost invariably tinker. I'm in the midst of swapping out scopes on a number of my rifles at the present. Insanity is communicable. Cautious! You could be infected just by reading what some of these people write. I'd be especially careful about reading what the wild, young Marine (SJB) says. He can infect an entire forum with a single post.

There he goes again, the pot calling the Kettle Black :!: :roll: :lol:

 

[Idahotrophyhunter]

http://www.remingtoncustom.com/HunterGrade_700ABG.aspx

I know this is Remington, but this is what I have envisioned for the rifle as far as a "African Look" with the nutmeg stock, streamlined layout and black accents. Obviously my stock will be more glossy and a leupold scope will be mounted on top.

 

[NWBlacktail]

Your too far gone already… just do it. :wink:

Will be a really cool look, and thats a monster round!

 

[DrMike]

I can see the attraction. It would be a very handsome rifle, for sure.

 

[Anonymous]

Stop!

If it shoots that good I wouldn't even store it in a safe with other rifles.... just enjoy it "as-is". Go find a fixer upper.

Scratches on a hunting rifle aren't wear...they're "experience".

 

[gerry]

I wouldn't touch a thing, it won't shoot any better with any changes.

 

[FOTIS]

You can change the scope. As for stocks prepare to see a difference in accuracy.

 

[HOGWILD338-378]

Everyone needs a new rifle and i would not touch a big bore tack driver with some small signs of hunting? Just get a new toy has always worked for me!

 

[JD338]

I think it would be best to leave it as is. Upgrade with a new scope and go hunt.

JD338

 

[Vince]

I wouldn't touch a thing with that rifle.
Now, with that said, I'd go find another rifle to tinker/play with. As others have said, "Don't fix what ain't broke. " As for being crazy, of course you are. We all are. That's why we are here.

Vince

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have has the same miasma as DrMike for about 3 years now. In my case it s not a case of having bought new rifles which I don't have scopes for. It is more an opportunity to buy scopes, which I do not need at very favorable prices, it is because they are being discontinued or are on sale prices that I cannot refuse.

As a result of this, I have (3) more scopes than I have need of. So, I need to sell the 2x10-42 Minoz ZA5, a Leupold 4.5-x14x40AO and a 3.5-10x50 Kahles which are no longer needed. All scopes are in excellent condition. Oh well I'd best figure out what I want or need to get for them and take some pictures?