The last few weeks I've been shopping for a .375 H&H and lurking around here, reading everything I could find posted about the Ruger M77 RSM. Before I get to my RSM-specific questions, I also considered the CZ, recently-discontinued Winchester M70's, and even waiting awhile to see some reviews of the newest Kimber. At the end of the day I'm still amazed at the features included on the Ruger RSM for that price...an upgraded CZ would be similar in price but still wouldn't have the 3-position safety or integral quarter-rib. Also, I already have a Ruger M77 Express in .30-'06 and like the idea of using a common platform.

So, back to the questions. While I've been looking for an RSM chambered in .375 H&H I've been really disappointed in the wood on the rifles I've seen. Obviously rifles don't always look like the catalogue picture or the one in the latest gun magazine write-up, but what I'm seeing now is downright plain...like the gumwood Winchester was using at the turn of the last century on their work-a-day carbines, not what you expect for something advertised as "Premium Circassian Walnut". In fact, one of the dealers I contacted sent me this reply (in part):
"We have sold many of this model this year and I would say the wood is less than what you expect, and far different than in recent offerings."

This is a long way of getting to this question: has anyone recently bought an RSM sight-unseen, and if so, was the wood okay? Further, does anyone have any idea what is happening? Is there a problem getting good Turkish walnut right now?

I have not been able to find an RSM chambered in .375 H&H locally, but today I dropped by a dealer who had one in .416 Rigby. That thing is a damned HOG. Is the barrel taper on the .375 H&H any slimmer? I've seen pictures of .375 H&H RSM's next to M77 Expresses like mine and never thought twice about the mass of the RSM until I saw that one today.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Trey