Ruger RSM

28 December 2011, 05:30

Jarrod

Ruger RSM

Why did Ruger stop making the RSM?
Ran across one in gunshop the other day. First time I ever handled one. Threw it up to my shoulder a couple times and it seemed to fit me like a glove. Also I hear a lot of complaints on hear about them being heavy or feeling like a log etc. It didn't feel that heavy to me.

As good as it fit me I actually kinda liked it

28 December 2011, 05:47

Matt Moore

They were expensive to make.

AKMATT

28 December 2011, 07:03

TwicePipes

I love my RSM in 416.

28 December 2011, 11:13

Frank Martinez

I really enjoy mine. Currently with two of the .416's Probably should have also kept my .458 but listened to a doctor and sold it. The .375 was too heavy in my opinion and because I really like my 8.5 lb. Whitworths.
Go back and buy it if the price is not ridiculous.
Being as they are not being made any longer they will only become more valuable.
Frank

28 December 2011, 11:33

Sid-

Ruger wanted to make an inexpensive line based on a standard action so they came out with the 375 Ruger. I'm sure their reasoning was to sell more guns at a lower price point and make their profits from quantity over quality. The African and Alaskan are good rifles but obviously not the quality of the RSM. The RSM is a great rifle to start with but like any other firearm that is not a custom they need some fine tuning. Think of buying a CZ550 and then getting it back from AHR after they work it over. I like the RSM and there is a used one in 375 H&H at the gun shop in great shape for $1200 that has tons of potential. You can look at it online at Marks Outdoors if anyone is interested.

28 December 2011, 20:43

clayman216

I have one in 375 H&H. It is EXTREMELY accurate with my handloads & shoots under 1 MOA. There are a few things that could be better on them in my opinion. 1st - in 375 H&H I feel they are too heavy. There is not much you can do about that. It does however make for a very steady hold for me & I can shoot this rifle better offhand than any other of my many rifles. The second thing is the shape of the stock ( and thickness up front ) I sent mine out to a very good custom builder and he slimmed down the stock to how it should have been. I like the gun even more now than ever. I should also add that it hass the quickest bolt of all my guns and I can hold it to my shoulder and make quick accurate shots repeatedly on target which is important with a DG boltgun. I think RUGER screwed up. They could have slightly modified this rifle to lessen weight and a nicer shaped stock and increased sales by leaps & bounds but that just my opion.

28 December 2011, 21:03

505ED

One of my very good friends has one in a 375. Very nice fit and finish, and the wood is knock out.. It was a early gun--they tended to have nicer wood.

Great gun for the money.

Ed

28 December 2011, 21:12

JTEX

I have three. 375 H&H, 416 Rigby and 458 Lott, I love 'em.

I do think that the RSM is too heavy for the 375 but, it is what iti is.

.

28 December 2011, 21:28

Biebs

If they were sold under a name other than Ruger, they would probably be more highly prized. As stated, probably a bit too heavy in 375, and they could all use some trigger work, but for the price in 416 or 458, they're hard to beat.

28 December 2011, 21:49

Brad aka Pill Shooter

Got three at the moment
500 Jeffery (375 H&H Rebore Conversion)
416 Rigby
458 Lott

All work Great

28 December 2011, 22:27

Atkinson

We had one as a camp rifle and it held up under some harsh conditions and it shot well indeed..

One never knows what the bean counters are thinking, they are ken to politicians and lawyers!

I suspects the advent of the 375 Ruger, 416 Ruger and upcoming calibers, and the Ruger Hawkeye African had a lot to do with it..I do like the Hawkeye African as well as any factory gun out there today..Its the best of the best.

08 April 2012, 21:06

Hallgeir Gravrok

THis is my Safari rifle, and I like it a lot,

Ruger RSM 375 H&H MAg

08 April 2012, 22:12

Lhook7

quote:
Originally posted by Brad aka Pill Shooter:

Got three at the moment
500 Jeffery (375 H&H Rebore Conversion)
416 Rigby
458 Lott

All work Great

Which one did you use to shoot Elmo?

08 April 2012, 22:30

Omnivorous_Bob

I've taken two brown bear and one bison with my 375 RSM, and my 30-06 express has a moose and another brownie to its credit.

Great value for the money in my mind, but like any other factory rifle should be gone over. Dollar for dollar, it is an amazing value out of the box or as a starting point for something special.

Bob

DRSS

"If we're not supposed to eat animals, why are they made out of meat?"

"PS. To add a bit of Pappasonian philosophy: this single barrel stuff is just a passing fad. Bolt actions and single shots will fade away as did disco, the hula hoop, and bell-bottomed pants. Doubles will rule the world!"

09 April 2012, 04:51

LionHunter

RSM .458Lott. Lion, Buff & Ele. Heavy? Yes, but it works. Shoots CEB BBW#13 480gr solids and 450gr non-cons to the same POI.

Here are the problems out of the box:
1. POS recoil pad
2. POS front sight
3. POS trigger
4. Problems feeding flat points reliably.

Solutions:
1. 1" Limbsaver over spacers to LOP 14.25"
2. NECG white bead
3. Timney trigger set to 3#
4. Polish the feed ramp & rails to feed flat point CEBs.

Someone - might have been Craig - once said of the RSM "It looks like an african rifle should look."

I am considering selling mine, now that I have a .458B&M.

09 April 2012, 09:13

Austin Hunter

The RSM doesn't need any fine tuning, at least in a 375 H&H. See link below. Performed flawlessly in 2006.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaD7UMu63Oc

"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan

"Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians."

Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness.

09 April 2012, 19:59

Mikelravy

I'd like to have one of the similar Express Rifles they made in small numbers. Preferably in 30-06.

09 April 2012, 21:47

Hallgeir Gravrok

quote:
Originally posted by clayman216:
I have one in 375 H&H. It is EXTREMELY accurate with my handloads & shoots under 1 MOA. There are a few things that could be better on them in my opinion. 1st - in 375 H&H I feel they are too heavy. There is not much you can do about that. It does however make for a very steady hold for me & I can shoot this rifle better offhand than any other of my many rifles. The second thing is the shape of the stock ( and thickness up front ) I sent mine out to a very good custom builder and he slimmed down the stock to how it should have been. I like the gun even more now than ever. I should also add that it hass the quickest bolt of all my guns and I can hold it to my shoulder and make quick accurate shots repeatedly on target which is important with a DG boltgun. I think RUGER screwed up. They could have slightly modified this rifle to lessen weight and a nicer shaped stock and increased sales by leaps & bounds but that just my opion.

What did you actually do with the stock, do you have some pictures, it`s much wood all over the rifle

09 April 2012, 23:29

clayman216

Halleiger - I will send you photos if you post me your email. It is VERY nice - fells like a different rifle.

10 April 2012, 00:13

Hallgeir Gravrok

My E-Mail is hgravrak@bbnett.no

I`m also on Facebook
name Hallgeir Gravråk

12 April 2012, 15:59

Hallgeir Gravrok

Can any of you tell me if there is a Customshop at the nett for the RSM rifles?

18 April 2012, 08:47

BigUglyMan

I love my 416 Rigby. I saw a Hamilton Bowen conversion in 505 Gibbs that made me feel funny deep inside. So much want but so impossible to find.

18 April 2012, 09:20

RIP

quote:
Originally posted by Jarrod:
Why did Ruger stop making the RSM?

Yep, too expensive for Ruger to make a profit, especially with all the broken stocks to be replaced under warranty,
as long as one had not glass bedded or altered the factory bedding in any way, which would void the warranty.

Generation I and II rifles in .416 Rigby weighed 10.75 pounds dry.
Generation III .416 Rigby weighed 9.5 lbs., and was about perfect,
except for having no recoil lug on the rifle except for the recoil plate that detaches from the rifle when the stock is removed.

I suspect the lighter Gen. III rifles really broke some stocks.

Also the Hawkeye African sealed the coffin on the RSM.