...i am on my second ruger rsm in .416rigby...i have copied below some thoughts i posted on another enthusiast site re the ruger...if i did not catch the double rifle bug i would probably have gone the heym express, sig mauser or maybe even johannsen route...

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i have that 'problem' ruger magnum in .416 rigby that 'e' referred to. the rifle was shot approximately 20 times, and returned to the factory. the factory rebarreled after concluding that the original barrel was defective. unfortunately, the finish on the rebarreled action was atrocious; the rebarreled action has been returned to the factor for corrective action.

the only reason why i wish to keep the rifle at this point is because of its absolutely beautiful circassian walnut stock that rivals the wood on some of my beretta gallery guns. if i am unable to remedy the barreled action problem, i will go the dakota or sig-mauser route.

other observations. the ruger magnum, imho, is simply one of the finest values on the market today (given the dgr calibres available), and contains all of the features that one would want if one were to hunt dg (e.g., crf, magnum-sized action to accommodate non-belted magnum cartridges such as the large rigby rounds, fixed express sights on an integral quarter rib, barrel-banded front sight and sling swivel, integral scope base, positive win-style 3-position safety, accident-proof hinged floor plate, traditional stock design, cross bolt and recoil plate for recoil absorption purposes, etc.).

that said, the rifle is poorly balanced (front-end heavy because of the integral quarter-rib) and, for standard-statured shooters, does not handle all that well (imho). this tends to accentuate felt recoil, especially under bench conditions. suggested standard remedies include oem recoil pads and mercury inserts. other possible improvements include a trigger job and necg-style beaded sight.