Range Report - Ruger .416 Safari Magnum

23 January 2003, 06:20

Gentlemen,

It didn't rain here yesterday, so I took the new Ruger M77 Safari Magnum out to the range. It is completely stock, no modifications as of yet. The handloads I used consisted of 100.0 gr. Reloader 22, Norma Brass, 400 gr. Hornady RNSP, CCI 250 primers.

Accuracy with the open sights averaged 1" @ 50 yards, 2.5" @ 100 yards. Hits on basketball sized rocks were easy at 150-200 yards using the hood of my truck as a rest.

Recoil was stout, but "invigorating". All in all, I am very happy with the rifle. It is beautiful to look at, and fun to shoot. Whether it is worth twice as much as my CZ, I can't say, but what is important to me is that I like the rifle a lot.

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
www.slatesafaris.com

7mm Rem Mag Page www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

23 January 2003, 07:28

Nitroman

If you like it that is all that counts really. Though it sounds like a winner on every other count you mentioned.

23 January 2003, 10:43

500grains

My pet load is 102.0 H4831 behind a 400 grain Hornady.

23 January 2003, 14:08

Bill in NE

Love the reference to the recoil being "invigorating". [Wink]

That's a pretty good description.

My Rigbys love 102-103gr H4831sc behind any 400gr bullet.

Now get out there and kill a rabbit!!!
It doesn't make too big of a hole....
When you get up close, you can usually see the rabbit in the bottom of it!! [Big Grin]

23 January 2003, 14:23

Atkinson

Is it worth the difference, I'd sure say so...where else can you get a intregal quarter rib, a barrel band front sight, a barrel band swivel, Square bridges, best scope set up around, and a proper stock of Circasian Walnut, most of them near exhibition quality for $1100 to $1200 dollars, you can't as a matter of fact because the barrels cost more than that from a Custom barrel manufacturer..

I consider the Ruger Safaris the deal of the century. Being a perfectionist on my rifles, I might add a custom trigger, glass it and polish the rails, but it will get you by right out of the box...

23 January 2003, 14:28

Bill in NE

If they only chambered it for the 404Jeff. [Big Grin]

23 January 2003, 16:26

jrslate

Gentlemen,

I had to take it out and shoot it again today. I can see this becoming an addiction. It truly is a beautiful rifle, and I think Ray is right about all of it's features.

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
www.slatesafaris.com

7mm Rem Mag Page www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

23 January 2003, 20:03

Brent Moffitt

Mine is still my favorite rifle. Good choice! My trigger was reworked, NOW it's nice... real nice. Wish I hadn't rechambered it to the 416wby. I have plenty of load data NOW for the Rigby, I didn't then. Oh well, it shoots sub moa still, as does almost all of them I've heard about too. The Ruger rings held up well to max loads for over 500 rds so far.. Enjoy [Smile]

23 January 2003, 20:33

todbartell

quote:
Originally posted by jrslate:
The handloads I used consisted of 100.0 gr. Reloader 22, Norma Brass, 400 gr. Hornady RNSP, CCI 250 primers.

What type of velocity does that load produce? Wow, those Rigby's sure use alot of powder! [Eek!]

In my 416 Remington, I use 78.0 grs. RL15 for 2375 fps

23 January 2003, 20:46

<Dmacsimum Velocity>

jrslate,
If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for the rifle ? Man, it seems very accurate right out of the box. I'm happy for you, good luck in sporting, and hunting with it.

Dennis

24 January 2003, 06:03

jrslate

Gentlemen,

Thanks again for the replies. I am not entirely sure of the velocity of that load, as my chronograph had a dead battery. The Nosler manual lists that load at 2420 fps, but I highly doubt it gets that. I will find out soon, probably this weekend, after I get some more loads worked up and get out to the range.

As far as the cost, I payed $1250 at Sportsman's Warehouse in Salem, Oregon.

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
www.slatesafaris.com

7mm Rem Mag Page www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

24 January 2003, 23:48

<Dmacsimum Velocity>

Thanks for letting me know of the cost. Sounds like a winner to me!
Good Sporting with your little shoulder cannon,
Dennis

24 January 2003, 23:59

Arild Iversen

Joel... Iï¿½m considering such a rifle in 375 H&H among others, and the price here in Norway today is USD 2600.- [Mad]

With the airfares today its almost cheaper to travel to NY and buy it directly [Frown]

25 January 2003, 05:15

jrslate

Arild,

I think you are right about that. I love Norway, I have family in Stavanger and Mo i Rana. I am hoping to go that direction sometime this year.

What are the gun laws like there in Norway?

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
www.slatesafaris.com

7mm Rem Mag Page www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

27 January 2003, 20:41

Arild Iversen

Joel...
Iï¿½m hunting moose up north, a bit south of Mo i Rana. Terrific part of Norway the Nordland area.
Great nature and a population with a rough sense of humor and wery open and friendly [Big Grin]

.

The Norwegian gun laws...Well what should I say..
We have had gun registration for many many years and have grown accustomed to it I guess.
It works ok if you are a responsibel gun owner, and if one have a reasonable explanation for wanting a new rifle, one usually gets the permit.

The number of rifles and shotguns in the same "range of caliber" is usually restricted though.
License are issued by the local police dept. and the knowledge and understandig of firearms may wary a great deal.

Handgun license are only issued to members of registred pistol shooting competition clubs.

Handloading is no problem, equipment, brass, bullets and powder from all the major makers are sold in almost all the sport shops trading in firearms, as well as factory ammo.

Even though we are under the regime of gun registration, Norway is the second most civilian armed European country after Switzerland.
We have an aged old tradition of hunting and competation shooting.

For the time beeing Iï¿½m haggliï¿½n with a dealer over a used Ruger Magnum rifle in 375 H&H with a Zeiss scope [Wink]