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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles
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taw1126
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Reged: 24/07/07
Posts: 290
Loc: Texas
Questions on Ruger M77 RSMs
      #82985 - 24/07/07 06:43 AM

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

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Omnivorous_Bob
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Reged: 03/10/05
Posts: 286
Loc: Montana
Re: Questions on Ruger M77 RSMs [Re: taw1126]
      #83015 - 25/07/07 02:38 AM

Trey, I also have an express in 30-06 and ordered a 375 sight unseen (no one in AK had'em) a few years back. I got lucky and it has the best wood I've seen on a RSM(dinged now 2 bears later). The wood I've seen on recent ones has struck me as plain also. My only real complaint is that it is way too heavy for a 375, as you noted. All three calibers have the same barrel countour, so I'd imagine the 375 to be a bit heavier than the 416, though I don't know if you could tell. It does make it very pleasant to shoot in any position.
The fixed sight blade on mine was dead on at 100. I didn't try the folding leaves before scoping it. Other than cleaning up the trigger and installing an appropriate silvers-type red rubber pad, it was ready to go. I've since added larger NECG front beads and jeweled the bolts on both just because I like the guns so much. I like Rugers and bought it mainly for the classic styling and integral quarter rib barrel and to match the 06. I wish it was 2lbs lighter, but think it is still a good deal for the price.

Bob

--------------------
"If we're not supposed to eat animals, how come they're made out of meat?"

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taw1126
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Reged: 24/07/07
Posts: 290
Loc: Texas
Re: Questions on Ruger M77 RSMs [Re: Omnivorous_Bob]
      #83095 - 26/07/07 01:06 PM

Bob- funny you mention the Silvers pad...it's one modification I've really been thinking about doing to make the rifle look more like the classic English guns. I also agree the RSM is tough to beat for the price; a custom barrel with the integral quarter rib would probably be as expensive as Ruger's entire rifle.

Someone mentioned that one of our local dealers usually stocks several 375's and is willing to let customers pick through them to find what they want. I'm going to try them next week to see if I can avoid going sight unseen (I doubt I'd be as lucky as you were).

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Savuti_One_Shot
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Reged: 24/01/07
Posts: 139
Loc: Florida
Re: Questions on Ruger M77 RSMs [Re: taw1126]
      #83103 - 26/07/07 10:00 PM

I have to wonder if you guys are talking about the original RSM or the revised model they brought out ca. 1999.

The differences are:
Original (RSM #1) 24" HEAVY bbl, front swivel on stock, weight ~ 10.75 lbs in 416.
Revised (RSM#2) 23" Slimmer bbl, front swivel on barrel band, weight ~9.75 in 416.

While weight of the newer 416 is much more in line with my idea of a 416, the balance is still atrociously front heavy.

SOS

--------------------
"I've this damned cannon." - Robert Wilson

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Omnivorous_Bob
.333 member


Reged: 03/10/05
Posts: 286
Loc: Montana
Re: Questions on Ruger M77 RSMs [Re: Savuti_One_Shot]
      #83177 - 28/07/07 02:50 AM

SOS, mine is one of the newer ones, which are a big improvement in my opinion. Still, with a solid rubber pad, medium rings, 1.5x6 zeiss, and 5 rds, it's a 12lb 375. My choice to scope it so I can't complain, and probably about right for the 416 or Lott, just a bit heavy for a 375. But I still hunt with it whenever I don't have to pack other gear at the same time.

Bob

--------------------
"If we're not supposed to eat animals, how come they're made out of meat?"

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maddenwh
.224 member


Reged: 27/07/07
Posts: 16
Loc: texas
Re: Questions on Ruger M77 RSMs [Re: Omnivorous_Bob]
      #83262 - 30/07/07 10:02 AM

I've got a Ruger M77 RSM in a 375 H&H mag right now that I am currently trying to get rid of. It's a great rifle and I've never actually fired it. I got it off of Davidson's about two months ago and didn't realize that their estimate of the rifle's weight was way off. The rifle without a scope weighs ten and a half pounds. This is good for reducing recoil and makes for a great bench rifle, but it's not for me. Recoil doesn't bother me too much, and I wanted the rifle as an elk guide gun. Hiking aroung in the rockies with that heavy sucker wouldn't be too much fun. If you are interested in the rifle, I am selling it on consignment at Ray's sporting goods (most reputable and knowledgeable dealers in the city in my opinion) in Dallas, Texas. www.rayssportinggoods.com Give them a call and ask for it specifically because they currently have a new one they are charging several hundred dollars more for (mine hasn't ever even been fired, might as well save the doe and go with mine). I would deal with you directly, but I am unsure how to ship firearms to ffl's. If you are REAL interested, I can fetch it from Ray's and take some pics for you, but only if you are truly interested (pain in the ars to do that).

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taw1126
.333 member


Reged: 24/07/07
Posts: 290
Loc: Texas
Re: Questions on Ruger M77 RSMs [Re: maddenwh]
      #83320 - 31/07/07 03:33 PM

Sent you a PM. Let me know if you didn't get it.

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