My RSM in .375H&H shoots poorly. With the better groups, it resolves into two alternating groups. If I reloaded it with 270 gr speers and win 760 (and voided the warranty) I'm absolutely certain I'd get two perfectly resolved keyhole groups with a composite group of only 3/4". Nevertheless, all factory stuff is 2", and I think the two group things a sign of a bedding problem, right? I've checked/tightened all the screws, etc. Ruger was very polite, and said they'd take a look.

Anybody sent theirs in? Did they fix it?

3/4" isn't too bad, but I think a better bedding job might make it even better. And I'd like to be able to use factory ammo. I love the gun. Trigger's great; action's smooth.

Any experience? Any recommendations?

Steve

I'd go ahead and handload for it and see what happens. If it doesn't get any better send it back to Ruger and see what happens. How's Ruger gonna know what rounds were fired in the rifle? The "handloads voids the warranty" bit is to protect the mfg from the morons out there. Ruger might consider 2" perfectly acceptable.

I'd send the gun in. I have nothing but praise for their warranty department. Five years ago I ordered a .416 Rigby from them. When it arrived I told the dealer that the stock didn't look any better than the standard Ruger stocks, he agreed. The dealer sent the rifle back with a letter and a call to Ruger. A new rifle with a gorgeous stock was returned in two weeks with a letter from Ruger stating that the first rifle neither met their standards for appearance nor accuracy.
Two years ago, my PH in Zim asked me to pick up a Ruger .416 Rigby and he would pay me and transfer the papers on my arrival. The gun arrived three weeks before my departure. I took the gun to the range to break it in. Panic!!! Tough extraction. A close inspection of the cases showed there was a tooling mark in the chamber, not a good thing on a DGR. Gunsmith said it was too deep to polish out. Called Ruger, they said send the gun back and they promised to have it back before my departure date(yeah,sure). Not only did I have the new gun back in my hands in five days, the 'smiths had broken the barrel in for me, sent me targets fired by two different gunsmiths, and the woman in charge of customer service,a Ms. LeMeaux gave me a follow-up call a few days later.
I was floored. I didn't know this type of service was still available in the U.S.
Geronimo

Very impressive service! I can only say I've always had great service from Rugers of every kind. Never had to send one in for repairs, but if I should need to some day it sounds like they've got a top-notch customer service policy.

To the original poster... I'd go ahead and try some good reloads too... There's no way Ruger will ever know it and it may save you the hassle of sending it in, the wait, etc.

skl1,

That sounds like a Ruger RSM rifle. Hand loads what do much for you, more than likely. The problem is the barrelled action is free to swing from side to side since the recoil plate/action interface is a rounded tab on the action! The action needs to be full length bedded and you should eliminate the two (and sometimes three group) problem. After bedding begin your hand load development, it would be worth the effort them!

I would say, with out much room for doubt, that those individuals that claim stellar accuracy from their Ruger RSM rifles, either don't own one, are lying through their teeth, or are the luckiest individuals on earth! The Ruger RSM bedding system, while relatively strong, is the LEAST stiff method applied to a modern high powered centerfire rifle.

I beg to differ. The two rifles I referred to above, one bedded the other not bedded, would each shoot about 1 1/2" with factory loads and just about 1" with handloads. Not bench rest accuracy, but not too bad for a .416.

Geronomo,

How many times have you shot these sized groups?

Have the groups ever opened up?

In order for a rifle to be a 1.5 MOA, or whatever, it MUST always do this, not once in a while, or every other group, etc, etc.

The bedding system used by Ruger sucks. It needs improved. What is your problem anyway, it isn't like I insulted your mother, or anything.

I shoot regularly, at least when the weather is reasonable. My gun, the one that's bedded, will shoot that 1" with boring regularity... when I do my part. As for the other gun, it's in Zimbabwe and I doubt that it's seen a bench since it left the U.S.

Geronomo,

Please don't take this the wrong way, but here is a little issue I have primarily because I don't know you.

I basically provided three outcomes for those individuals stating that their factory stock Ruger RSM rifles are tack drivers "outta the box".

The first two outcomes, basically say these individuals are lying sacks. However, option three says the individual is an honest individual who is also a LUCKY LUCKY DUDE.

Here is my problem. You fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book, and assumed I was calling you a liar based upon the three scenarios I provided. I say this is a trick because the honest individual will usually pick the honest individuals answer, in this case he is a LUCKY LUCK DUDE! You failed the test though and assumed I called you a liar, because the dishonest individual will typically show their true colors when called out in this simple psych test.

Do you understand?

If you have had these results, then I am happy for you, because you are lucky even if you did not know it.

Steve, to date I have put my RSM 375H&H through three seasons and three cases of ammo. I decided against bedding this particular rifle since the stock inletting and receiver fit was excellent from the factory. Unlike what was described by the other poster, mine has a solid and tight fit out of the box. So far, this rifle consistently shoots 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 MOA out to 300 yards. If mine ever shoots loose I will consider bedding it then. I'd suggest giving Ruger an opportunity to correct the problem first. If you were to pillar bed your rifle, I'd suggest getting a quality aftermarket stock and saving the factory one in case you ever needed to send the rifle in for warranty work.

GaryVA

You know, it doesn't concern me that you, or for that matter, anyone else feels that having a stock gun that shoots well is an anomaly. You can think what you will. Wouldn't bother me a bit.The fact is, when I talk to other owners of RSM's most report better than average accuracy. My personal feeling is that most off the shelf, mass produced rifles need a bit of tinkering;ie. trigger job, crown, or bedding to yield their best inherant accuracy. The RSM's probably do a little better as a group because it seems that in addition to a better grade of wood Ruger seems to put a modicum more care into the assembly of these guns.
Geronimo

Ignore him. He's a troll in a very poor disguise.

A poster with a name like POSEUR, a troll! My mrlexma you sharp!!! Like I said in another thread, you are most definitely a potential imbecile!

Did take too long for your stooge smallfry to fill you in. Unfortunately he is wrong! The puppets of AR, so very easy to manipulate. HEHEHEHEHEHE

BTW, I was telling the truth about the Ruger RSM, and the 600gr Woodleighs. To bad you are all to damned ignorant to understand that.

All,

Glad to hear the serice is good. I'll probably send it in. My line about reloads was sort of tongue-in-cheek: I did find a nice 3/4" load using reloads. Still two distinct groups, though.

Steve