I need some advice on buying my first DG rifle. This past weekend I found a Ruger Safari Magnum in 375 H&H. The rifle has some very nice wood and has only been shot 18 time and never hunted. It also has a Leupold 3 x 9 on it. I got the seller down to $1,250. Is this a good deal? The rifle has the quarter rib with express sights but has the the sling swivel in the stock. I thought the Rugers came with a barrel band swivel. The stock does not have a cheek piece. Did the Ruger safari mag's come with one? Sorry for all the questions, but I never seen a Ruger SAfari mag before. Could this be an upgraded Ruger M77 and not a SA mag?
I was thinking of picking up a used CZ, but they are hard to find. A new CZ in 375 = $680 + $50 shipping and FFL trafer + scope rings $50 or more + bedding the stock $150 + a scope $250 or so = $1180. The Ruger stock feels good to me. I have small hands and the CZ stock feels too large in the pistol grip area. and the stock and checkering are good at best. Am I thinking right on this one? HELP

that is an early gun with the swivel in the stock...It has a very heavy barrel, poor front bead that is too small...I would not pay that for it...I would opt for a new one and pay the additional cost which wouldn't be much more than a couple of hundred more..A used 3x9 Leupold in excellent shape can be had for $150 to $175. as a rule..and a new gun for $1100. or less if you shop around...I like those Ruger Safari rifles, but only the new ones, the old ones are just too heavy to pack in the heat of Africa IMO....

I paid $1100 for my like new, used Ruger in 416 with box of Federal ammo ($110+) and 20 rds of new brass ($40). I would shop around,
Also, what kind of Leopold? II or III or what??

good luck.

Buy a new Model 70 for about 800 to 950, spend about 375 for the scope. Shoot it and enjoy "your gun". Buying a used DGR is like buying a used sports car. There is a reason it is being sold.

If the owner fired it 18 times, he must have an idea about how it feeds and shoots. Ask to see some targets or ask to go out with the owner for a test-drive at the range. Test it for accuracy, feeding, etc. If it shoots and feeds, you've got yourself a reasonable bargain.

If he hedges those issues, WALK.............

AD

Unless you want the scope have him drop that & sell it to you for, say $900. Then get a Leup. 1.5x5. Many times "used" DGR are sold because their original buyer couldn't handle the recoil. I sold a really nice M70/.458Lott for $1200 because I didn't like the recoil but it was a good shooter & reliable. Any way you can shoot it or run some dummy rounds through it first? Personaly, I would rather have the bbl. mounted swivel & bigger front sight of the current models, but that's a matter of taste. The Ruger is a good rifle for the money.