The 10 day waiting period finally ended yesterday and I was able to pick up my new rifle from the FFL dealer. I did examine it a bit when filling out the paperwork last week but I really got to take a look at it now that it's home.

I'm very surprised at how heavy it is - not a bad heavy, but a good solid feel to it. It comes up nicely, but seems a bit longer in the stock than my M77 in 30.06, it'll take some getting used to.
The wood is nice, not fancy, but a nice straight grain. I think I've seen nicer wood come out of Ruger, but I'm not complaining as this rifle will get used.

The title of my post - my rifle does not have the Ruger warning lable stamped into the barrel anywhere - only Sturm Ruger & Co. and the caliber. Does this mean that the rifle is a bit older? I bought it as NIB, I'm sure it hasn't been fired, I guess it could be NIB and have been sitting around a few years - right?

Chuck.

the current Ruger Magnums don't have any warning on the barrel, my .416 doesn't either and I picked it up last week.

An easy way to tell the "older" or "first" model RSM's is that the early ones had the forward sling swivel as part of a barrel band, with the swivel stud going through the stock...the later ones have a true barrel band swivel. Also the early ones seemed to have a bit heavier taper barrel. I have compared my first year production .416 with a current one and there is a difference in barrel weight.....

Thanks for the info. The rifle I just got has the barrel band back into the stock with the sling swivel coming out of the bottom of the stock. On the Ruger page, the new ones show the barrel band more forward on the barrel well away from the stock. Does anyone know when this change was made?

Too bad the warning label is missing.......my favourite feature on my Ruger guns!!

Mine of course has a barrel band, I've seen several used ones for sale I think 3-4 years old with a barrel band, but I'm not sure the exact date. On all the other M77's the warning appeared on them around 1980, I was running a gunshop myself then, and can remember selling both.

Chuck,
I would return the gun as you have one of the discontinued models...

The newer guns have a lighter barrel, a different front sight bead, you can see the new bead.

They have several other changes that improve them...They should not have sold you a discontinued model...send it back for a new one, they are much better rifles....the one you have is normally discounted a great deal. That is a poor business practice.

Well crap...I doubt I can return it as I have already had it for 2 weeks (including the 10 day waiting period). I paid $1050.00, is that out of line for this rifle? There is nothing unsafe about the rifle right?

The price is right for Ruger Mk II's in the big bores as I paid about $1400 ea for all of mine which were brand new. Just go out and shoot it. The 375 is real soft recoiling in the Ruger and you'll really enjoy it.

Chuck M.,

New ones at Carter's Country (a large retailer in Houston) currently go for $1,395. I think you got a good deal even if it is the older model (with the forward sling swivel stud going through the stock). My M77 in .416 Rigby is like that. One of the early ones produced. The one I have in .375 H&H is one of the newer ones with the barrel band forward of the stock. I really don't worry about the difference between the two. I'd shoot it and enjoy it.

-Bob F.

[ 07-21-2003, 04:24: Message edited by: BFaucett ]

Been mulling this over all afternoon (over margarita's and reading White Hunter by Brian Herne) and I agree with you guys. I like this rifle and don't really want to send it back. Now, I respect Ray's opinions very much - he's been there and done that - so to speak. And I have not - this is my first 'big bore' gun, and I want it to be special. So, I'll keep it, I'll get good with it, and it'll go to Africa with me next July. I don't plan on scoping it, so I'll see what I can do with the iron sights. Just have to get to the range.
Now if I could just win some of those bloody ebay auctions for the .375 reloading supplies.

There seems to be a lot of variation in pricing on these. I paid $1110 for my .416 a week ago from a buddy of mine, which was probably within $30 of cost. It's a heck of a lot of rifle, great sights, points well, beautiful wood.

Chuck,
It isn't a bad gun, don't get me wrong, it is just heavier (larger barrel) and has a too small front bead..

You can buy a 3/32 ivory bead from NECG or Brownells for not much at all....The main thing is if you like it and you did get a good price so all is fine.....It will also recoil less and thats a plus....

I do think they should have advised you and you should bring it to their attention, they may not have known either....it apparantly had been in the wholesalers bin a long time..

Chuck,

I believe that the early Ruger M77 RSMs are not CRF if that makes a difference to you. CRF is generally considered a requirment on a dangerous game rifle. Does the gun have the tang safety? if so it is for sure a push feed even though it has the Mauser type extracter.

BTW Ruger no longer stocks parts for the tang safety type guns.

Roi

Well, I guess I don't have to worry about CRF because dangerous game isn't LOL

Anyway, I'm confused about your comment about the safety being on the tang. The safety is exactly the same as the M77 30.06 I bought in '92. Where would the safety be if not on the tang?

[ 07-29-2003, 06:13: Message edited by: Chuck M. ]

Chuck,

The latest RSM's from Ruger have the safety to the right of the bolt but in the reciever. Kind of where Winchesters lever is (near your right thumb) but not ON the bolt like Winchester but pivoting on a shaft in the reciever. Kind of hard to explain but it's part J03800 on the exploded view at the web site below
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdExpView?model=7501
Even then it probably make more sense if you could see a it in person.

All this aside, I'd go shoot the sucker as 373 H&H is my favorite medium bore cartridge and if I was forced to have only one rifle I'd pick the 375.

I've been mostly a pistol shooter all my life and while not a bad one my long range rifle skills leave a little to be desired. So for me 300 yards is extreme range with 70 to 125 yards (and closer of course ;-) ) being what I'm comfortable with and the 375 handles that like a dream. You can shoot it scoped and off sand bags (bench rest style) with no problems, unlike the heaver stuff. I've put over 50 rounds of the stuff down the range in an afternoon with no problems. While it's got a bit more kick that a 30-06 (more of a push) I'd rather shoot it than my 300 win. mag. which has a rather sharp jolt type recoil.

BTW, I like Hornaday 270 grainers (P/N 3715) with Federal 215 primers and 76 gr. RL15 between them in Win cases (my reloading guy carries Winchester) for range/plinking work. I would probably go to a different (and larger) bullet for larger game that can get nasty.

Sigh, one of these days hope to go to Africa and find out what the rifle (and me) are up to...

Hope you enjoy the gun.

Roi

Roi, thanks for the explanation. The safety on my .375 is not on the bolt, but on the side right where my thumb can get to it. I haven't bought any ammo yet, but when I do I'll turn the rifle upside down and see if it feeds. That should tell me what I got. I hope to try it out this weekend...I'll report back on how it is.

Chuck.

If the bottom edge of the bolt and bolt face look like a Winchester pre'64 or a Mauser, it's a CRF. In other words if the bolt face flush with the bottom edge or is there a lip or ring like a Remington 700.