Ran across one at the Gun Room. 85-90%. Has brake (don't know if aftermarket or factory). Guy wanted (choke, $1000!). Gun Values book has it at $600 (100%), and I believe around %475 (85%). Otherwise I'm looking at the Ruger. Any thoughts?

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God, Guns and Gibsons...doesn't get much better than that!

Pilot,

Charles Daly is importing the same Mark X rifle built by Zastava in Yugoslavia. The web site says the .375 H&H model retails for $729.

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

That's too much, but don't get a Ruger!

Either get the new Charles Daly or get a CZ550. They both beat the pants off of Ruger.

Hunter Jim: Thanks for the lead. That gun is almost too pretty to shoot! Does anyone have any experience with the Charles Daly?

500grains: I appreciate your input. Can you tell me why you would not recommend the Ruger? That would help instead of just a general statement. Thanks.

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God, Guns and Gibsons...doesn't get much better than that!

I have had experience shooting 4 Interarms Zastava rifles (223, 270, 30-06 & 375). They have very accurate barrels (all less than 1 MOA). If the current Charles Daly stuff is the same as the older Interarms, you will probably be satisfied with the accuracy.

BusPilot,

Why I would advise against the Ruger:

1. If you get an older Ruger (used), it will be a push feed, not a controlled feed. The vast majority of professional hunters prefer that their clients use controlled feed for dangerous game hunting simply because they are more reliable.

2. If you get a new Ruger, there are two problems. First, the safety is so small and out of the way as to be difficult to get your thumb onto fast. This problem can be reduced with practice, but it is still a problem. Second, in the past 3 years I have seen many Rugers with very poor wood to metal fit.

3. I feel that both the CZ550 and the Charles Daly are a much value for the money than the Ruger.

Thanks for listening to my diatribe. I used to be a semi-Ruger fan. I have a Ruger 25-06 that is astoundingly accurate. However, as Bill Ruger got older, quality has slipped, workmanship has gotten a bit shoddy, and accuracy standards have dropped considerably.

For example, I have a friend who bought a Ruger 77 in 22 Hornet when they first came out. the best he could do was 3" at 100 yards with handloads, after trying lots of different bullets and powders. So he called Ruger. The person he talked to said that a 3" group at 100 yards was within their standards for accuracy and they would not repair the gun. My friend suggested that the barrel might be defective. The Ruger person on the phone said that their budget for a barrel blank was $11.00, and that he should not expect better accuracy.

That episode did not do anything to boost my confidence in Ruger.

By the way, there is a big name ultra-high-velocity gun manufacturer in California that budgets $38 for a turned, threaded, chambered barrel. No wonder their barrels are burning out in 250-500 rounds.

BusPilot,

I have a Whitworth .375 H&H that was made in 1977. I bought it in 1993 for $400.00. Great rifle for the money, very accurate. I've taken everything from cape buffalo and lion to duiker and caracal with it. I would'nt hesitate to buy another one, but $1000.00 is way high. $700.00 in 98% condition is realistic. I would'nt buy anything with a brake, but that's just me.

Good luck,

David

My Whitworth with the four leaf rear sight in 375 was only $600 (used) a coupla years ago. It shoots very tight groups with the speer grand slams. I have sereral Rugers in different calibers, mostly older tang safeties and I have always had luck with their accuracy notwithstanding their less than custom commercial gun failings.