Looks like Ruger removed the 77 International from their website.

It also looks like they removed Vapos favorite caliber the 338 Federal.

Speaking of Ruger, I see that the caliber 223 is offered in the African model?? Not sure why they would do that, but perhaps they feel there is a market for the rifle for small critters over there?? Did I read it wrong?

It is designed to be a practice rifle for the identical big bore African.

OK, I can go along with that and will say they got the twist right. You can now shoot the heavier bullets with it.

Both of these changes have been a topic among Ruger collectors for the last few weeks. I'm sorry to see the big one go, but pleased to see the 223 African arrive and not too surprised with the loss of the 338F. I just wish the 223 had a tang safety. I've been consolidating my working guns for the last few years. I've pretty much settled on tang safety Rugers and I have a thing for sights on my rifles. The new 223 looks like a potential for my first new rifle since 1972.
Curious are there any other major producers making a Rigby in the US?
Bfly

Ruger is offering the 9.3x62 in their 77 African and that is a plus.

quote:

Originally posted by Captain Finlander:
Ruger is offering the 9.3x62 in their 77 African and that is a plus.

I agree completely. I know I suggested it several times when they had the "tell the CEO" on their web site. Looks like many others did as well.

The loss of the 77 International is disappointing. It's been around so long I didn't see that one coming.

I see they expanded the RCMs to include a 308 win. I like the looks of the RCM and think they would be popular if they expanded to other 308 based cartridges like the 260, 7mm and even a 358 win. Looks like Ruger gave up on the 338 Federal but even so I couldn't see them offering that when they have the 338 RCM.

I think their best looking bolt actions are the African and the RCM.

Cartridges come and go what I learn a long time ago if you find one is isn't a long time farvorite.

That you really like buy enough brass when it is available to last you a life time because it might not be made again. Then but a hudred round more of it.

Ruger web page shows 10" twist rate for the 9.3x62. Perhaps they want to be sure the 320gr Woodleighs are spinning fast enough.

I got tired or waiting on Ruger, so I had a 9.3x62 built on a MKII action, and all I did for a stock was drop it in a Hogue. I also have have another loose stainless pre-threaded, pre-chambered 9.3x62 barrel. I went to the range yesterday, and tested some Nosler AB 250gr with excellent results. This rifle had been giving trouble firing, but apparantly it was the primers. I had no problems yesterday, with Federal primers.

My rifle has a #5 Douglas 20" barrel with 12" twist, which I understand as standard in the US. One in 14" twist is CIP. With the Hogue stock, short but stout barrel, it feels pretty handy and recoil seems mild. It's got a Timney trigger, which is light and crisp. I used low Leupold rings, and a 2x7 VXII. It's a sweet shooting rifle, now that apparantly I'm past whatever the problem was with the primers and not firing every time.

My problem with a factory Ruger is to simply get one that will shoot accurately. I have four with custom barrels - a 308, 9.3x338, 9.3x62 and 458 - which all shoot very accurately. I have six or seven fresh factory Ruger rifles, all stainless, not Hawkeyes, that I mess with occasionally, just to see what they will do at the range. So far, two show some hope. I sent a 7mm-08 back to the factory for fixing since it shot so bad out of the box. Haven't had time to test it since it came back, supposedly fixed.

The hard part for me, trying to get a Ruger to shoot in its out-of-the-box configuration, is figuring whether it's the barrel or the bedding that's causing a problem. So, generally I just drop the barreled action into a Hogue stock, make sure the barrel isn't touching past the shank, and test for accuracy that way. If it won't shoot accurately wearing a Hogue stock, then I can be pretty sure it's the barrel that's causing a problem.

So, part of my point is just because Ruger shows those nice pictures of "African" rifles, doesn't mean it will shoot accurately enough to actually take to Africa, without a few more dollars invested in bedding, and other tweeking.

KB

quote:

they removed Vapos favorite caliber the 338 Federal.

The mistake they made was not bringing it to the market as the .338 Federal AI!!!.....

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

they removed Vapos favorite caliber the 338 Federal.

The mistake they made was not bringing it to the market as the .338 Federal AI!!!.....

I've gone Euro lately with the dynamic duo (6.5x55 & 9.3x62). I still plan on thumping a Hog in the near future with my 338 Federal.

So is that the 8.3x51mm thumper?

KB

quote:

Originally posted by Kabluewy:
So is that the 8.3x51mm thumper?

KB

Should be . I just closed on 40 acres with a Cabin in East Texas. The cabin needs to be finished out but the land has a lot of hog signs. It will probably take me a few months of weekend work to finish it out. I'll see if I can thump a hog when I'm out there.

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

they removed Vapos favorite caliber the 338 Federal.

The mistake they made was not bringing it to the market as the .338 Federal AI!!!.....

I've gone Euro lately with the dynamic duo (6.5x55 & 9.3x62). I still plan on thumping a Hog in the near future with my 338 Federal.

While my 9.3 X 62 is still bloodless my sister cartridge is well annointed...(.35 Whelen)

My 6.5 X 55 is now at the top of my favorite deer cartridges and there's a lot of competition there!.....The 9.3 X 62 (class of cartridges) must also rank high in the big game competition.....but a bit of Yankee reloading don't hurt these old girls a bit!