I was looking at Rugers Magnum rifle in a .458 lott M77RSM MKII. Has anyone bought this rifle in the .375 H&H .416 Rigby or .458 Lott. What is you're opinion on this rifle. Or would a person be better off with a Model 70 Safari Classic. Need Help

Steve

I have a .375 H&H Ruger RSm and can reccommendit highly.

Are the RSM configured better for using open sights or scopes?

Steve,

I have 2 458 lott,s, one is a model one and the oyher is a ruger m77. I have had no problems with either one and would recommend either one. I like my ruger #1 in grey laminate and a stainless barrel. Both are good solid guns.

The RSMs are almost ready to go straight from the box, DGRs. They may need some minor feeding work for FPs and I would put on a better recoil pad. If I had to get another Lott, or just had to get a 416 Rigby, the RSM would get my vote.

The only two things I would like changed about the action would be, make the safty flag about 3/16"longer and lenghten the bolt handle about 3/8". But they are usable as is.

Hog Killer

I have the RSM in 416 Rigby and I am completely satisfied with it. I added Warne QD scope rings and replaced the original front sight bead with an NECG white bead. I had the feeding ramps polished and the trigger smoothed out. The rifle feeds well and shoots great. This is the best CRF DG rifle for the money IMO. Buy the Ruger and don't look back. Good hunting! Brian

I have had one in .416 for a few years and I don't believe anyone would trade one for a M70. The sights are better, better wood, and the stock on a Ruger for me works for irons or a scope. I'm sure the quarter rib is a bit higher which helps with the iron sights. These are a far cry from the standard 77, the only negative is weight which is OK for a .416 or .458, but on the heavy side for a .375. I didn't touch mine except for reworking the trigger myself. The last three consecutive groups for mine with H4831 and 370 North Forks are .571, .466, and .256 at 100 yards with a 1.75-6x Leupold. These are really nice rifles, and in a previous post it was interesting to me that they are one of the most popular rifles for PH's to use in Africa for dangerous game.

I have a pair in 375 and 416. They are able to hit the steel pig at 300 meters most of the time. I put on a better recoil pad and the trigger is set at 3 punds. They are heavy annd this helps alot with full power handloads!

the RSM is, without a doubt, the best bang for the buck out of the box and udner 2K for a DGR.

jeffe

I have 2 16Rigbys,one a Ruger and one a CZ550 with a custom stock. About the same money in both and would take the CZ hands down over the Ruger. I don't like Ruger stocks and the overall appearance of the barrel on the RSM. The Rugers are well built and have no real faults it's just not my preferred rifle.

I just checked prices on the Ruger and the CZ 550 at Sportsmans Warehouse.

Ruger: 1549.00
CZ 550: 749.00

I have nothing bad to say about Rugers, I just think the CZ 550 is a better value.

Even if you invest a few hundred to work on the CZ action, which can be a little rough on some models.

A somewhat biased opinion because the CZ fits me much better an I like the open sights better.

quote:

Originally posted by Riodot:

I have nothing bad to say about Rugers, I just think the CZ 550 is a better value.

it's not ... 3 position safety is $250+ install, call it $300 for bedding and feeding, and you still only have CZ's sights that fit the front, unless you spend about another $100 to replace it with an NECG or ruger..

and the ruger has a barrel sling, not a stock STING .. er sling on the forearm...


generally the ruger stock is better wood than almost anything, though you can upgrade your CZ wood.

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
It's not ... 3 position safety is $250+ install, call it $300 for bedding and feeding, and you still only have CZ's sights that fit the front, unless you spend about another $100 to replace it with an NECG or ruger..

and the ruger has a barrel sling, not a stock STING .. er sling on the forearm...


generally the ruger stock is better wood than almost anything, though you can upgrade your CZ wood.

jeffe

Jeffe,

I have never had a rifle with a 3 position safty so I never thought of that point. As for stock bedding, I always do the bedding myself when I get a new rifle. I believe that both the CZ & the Ruger would need bedding so that would be a wash.

And yes, the barrel band is needed so the front sight has to be removed & replaced.

I don't think the CZ wood is that bad but the finish is not great. I would probably refinish it myself(and add an Ebony tip) since I just love working with wood.

Jeffe, all your points are valid, especially if you are paying for all the gunsmith work and not doing some things yourself. I just enjoy personalizing a rifle, I don't want a rifle perfect out of the box. Where's the fun in that?

Like I said, I'm a bit biased.

Riodot,
I think we agree for the most part, and are now discussing points for fun.. which is FUN itself....

I think the ruger needs a pad, and it's ready to go shoot... seriously...


I do think the rugers are a bit HEAVY .. especialy in the 416 and 375, as they use the same barrel profile (so does CZ), that's very heavy... it actually has TWO quarter ribs, top and bottom.



The 3 position is to just make the equation fair.. you can't compare them, bang for the buck, without mentioning that...

Generally CZ's do come with decent wood... but the WORST RSM wood I have seen is about as nice as the 4th or 5th best CZ wood I've seen.. and the best ruger wood is FANSTATIC... and doesn't require refinishing...



To make them "even" in spec, you have to spend more for the CZ, even if in just parts.

The CZ does win on initial cost... sure enough... but that first $250/300 bucks (of I have to put a value on my time) of replacing the front sight, shortening the barrel, and adding the necg sight + a barrel band, and throwing in a bluing tank...well, the value does go down some..

Now, if I could buy the ruger actions for the same price as CZ actions, i would probably never build another CZ in my life!!

The Ruger needs a $25 Limbsaver pad, I wouldn't waste my time bedding it. Mine has very nice wood, on a Dakota the wood upgrade would be as much as the cost of the RSM! The CZ actions I have personally handled, even my 9,3x62 which has been shot quite a bit is nowhere near as smooth functioning as the Ruger and mine doesn't CRF properly from the left side if worked slowly. The RSM CRF's like my FN Mausers, when the bolt is about a quarter of the way forward, the cartridge just aboput jumps up under the claw. I have a Ruger in 7x57 that has been packed around the world that CRF about like the CZ, but the RSM is a different animal than a standard 77 in finish and price.