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Ruger RSM advice needed Login/Join
 
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posted 08 April 2008 09:35
What does the RSM Rugers need in the way of additional gunsmithing before going on safari. I would also appreciate the names of gunsmiths that do work on upgrading the 458 lott and the 416 rigby so that they are ready to go.
I am planning a 2009 trip for large plains game and buffalo, and any advice that you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
Doc Shores
 
Posts: 3 | Registered: 17 December 2007Reply With Quote
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posted 08 April 2008 09:44Hide Post
The only thing my .416 needed was a little trigger work to get the pull set at 4 lbs. I tied lighter but figured in the excitement of a hunt that might be too light.
Frank
 
Posts: 6935 | Location: hydesville, ca. , USA | Registered: 17 March 2001Reply With Quote
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posted 08 April 2008 10:08Hide Post
That's a matter of personal preferences really. I took one as backup on elephant last year in Zim (didn't end up using it). I changed the recoil pad, put a fiber optic NECG front sight on it (they're a pain in the butt to drift out without scratching the barrel), painted a white line in the middle of the rear sight to draw the eye quicker, and took a dremel tool and carefully relieved the tang.

The tang modification is the only thing that I seriously recommend all users take a look at. My new rifle was almost touching the tang wood. It would have cracked eventually.

Of course, you'll want to make sure your loads work and I did a lot of development on mine. I was using Barnes banded solids at the time (I've since switched to GS Custom) and it took a bit of careful loading to make sure everything was feeding properly.

Shoot it with heavy loads a bunch to make sure nothing acts up.


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Posts: 4168 | Location: Texas | Registered: 18 June 2001Reply With Quote
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posted 08 April 2008 19:11Hide Post
While it will void your warranty, have the stock bedded and relieve the tang. See: https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=432104052#432104052


"There are worse memorials to a life well-lived than a pair of elephant tusks." Robert Ruark
 
Posts: 4782 | Location: Story, WY / San Carlos, Sonora, MX | Registered: 29 May 2002Reply With Quote
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posted 08 April 2008 22:58Hide Post
First of all, I think you'll find that the .458 Lott's stock is not at all stout enough in the recoil system Ruger designed for these safari magnum rifles. I have one, and in 2006 in the 6 weeks leading up to an elephant/buffalo hunt I broke 2 stocks. One after 7 rounds (when the gun was brand new) and the second after 13 shots. The third stock appeared to hold up but when I sent it to be customized it was discovered that it, too, was broken.

I'm not the only one with these problems. I know of at least four others that were broken in a similar fashion. When I confronted Ruger about it at the 2007 SCI convention, the answer was, unbelievably, that they would only take part of the blame, and that the rest of the blame had to be laid at the feet of the cartridge itself, because it is such a hard recoiling caliber.

I again confronted them at the 2008 SHOT Show here in Vegas, and they were more sympathetic, but offered no solutions. At that point, I really didn't care, since I had already had the gun completely rebuilt by LeRoy Berry at Canyon Creek Custom Guns.

By happenstance, I stopped by LeRoy's booth at the 2007 SCI Convention, and asked if he would be willing to take on the task of rebuilding the stock, customizing the gun and reworking the stupid recoil system. He did, and the results are astounding. I would recommend him highly. Canyon Creek Custom Guns.

Here's the rifle he built for me.



Please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions or want to discuss this.
 
Posts: 1667 | Location: Las Vegas, Nevada | Registered: 12 May 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 09 April 2008 12:14Hide Post
PM to Bwanna.


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Posts: 4168 | Location: Texas | Registered: 18 June 2001Reply With Quote
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posted 09 April 2008 16:22Hide Post
I can completely attest to Bawana's statement. I sent my RSM Lott to LeRoy based on Bawana's advice, after breaking two factory stocks. The quality of work and accuracy of the rifle is outstanding. I would highly recommend LeRoy.
 
Posts: 583 | Location: Mesa, AZ | Registered: 08 May 2006Reply With Quote
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posted 09 April 2008 20:25Hide Post
Doc:

If you are interested, I have a .375 H&H RSM for sale in the classifieds. It doesn't need anything. It's ready to hunt.

Dave


Dave
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Posts: 3728 | Location: Midwest | Registered: 26 November 2006Reply With Quote
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posted 09 April 2008 20:30Hide Post
Glass bed from tang to forend and cross bolt it...

I would add a Brownells 3/32 Ivory bead sight, and get a trigger job or trigger replacement...

If you intend to scope your .458 Lott then buy yourself the best insurance available, that would be a Leupold 2.5x compact..It will take lick'en and keep on tick'en..no other scope will take that constant beating and they will fold within 300 rounds and usually arond 100 rounds.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42449 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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posted 09 April 2008 20:34Hide Post
The only reason to scope the Lott would be if you are working up light loads as well. I am considering that very option with the new GS custom 315 grain HV. I'm working on a rifle for Caprivi strip bull ele for '09 but would like to use the same rifle on PG immediately afterwards. That is exactly what I have considered doing.


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Posts: 4168 | Location: Texas | Registered: 18 June 2001Reply With Quote
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posted 09 April 2008 23:56Hide Post
I have an RSM in 375H&H. In my opinion, the only thing you REALLY have to do to it is replace that rock hard, BF Goodrich retread recoil pad with a Decelerator or Limbsaver. You would not believe the difference that makes to felt recoil.

I had the action glass bedded after 40 rounds. The gun now has about 130 rounds through it. No sign of cracking yet, and I really don't expect it.

Glass bedding made no discernable difference to accuracy, which was quite acceptible right out of the box. I did the glass bedding for strengthening reasons, having been scared by all the internet reports of cracked stocks.

I left the trigger as is. I find it quite crisp although a bit heavy. However, for a hunting rifle to be used in all kinds of situations, I find the trigger weight quite appropriate.


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but first it's gonna piss you off!
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Posts: 574 | Location: The great plains of southern Alberta | Registered: 11 March 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 10 April 2008 00:36Hide Post
I don't think the problem has been with Ruger's .375. I think that it mainly has been with the .458 Lott. I too, like Bwanna, have had mine completely rebuilt by LeRoy Barry at Canyon Creek Custom Gunstocks. I have not shot it yet, but Bwanna reports that his has shot fine.
 
Posts: 18609 | Registered: 04 April 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 10 April 2008 01:07Hide Post
I have RSM's and have more than couple hundred rounds in them and no cracked stocks to date. Shoot some fairly stout loads in the Lott and so far so good. Rifles will keep 3-5 shots touching at 100 yards seemingly with any loads fed them. Quite satisfied as they are and if and when they do have a problem, suggest Factory fix take place.
 
Posts: 1165 | Location: Banks of Kanawha, forks of Beaver Dam and Spring Creek | Registered: 06 January 2005Reply With Quote
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posted 10 April 2008 01:55Hide Post
I completely bedded my 458 lott RSM as well as slicking up the action by polishing the ejector and ejector groove in the bolt, as well as the lug race ways. I got lucky with my trigger after a box of ammo it breaks at a little over 4 lbs. form the factory. I also had a red decelerator pad added to bring the LOP to 14". The front sight will be replaced by a NECG white bead very soon. I also painted a white line in th groove on the rear sight. It is WAY more enjoayble to shoot than my 8.5 lb 375 Ultra Mag!
 
Posts: 147 | Location: WI | Registered: 15 January 2008Reply With Quote
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posted 10 April 2008 06:04Hide Post
A new 3/32 front bead is a must if you plan to shoot open sites. I would not worry about the stock breaking, A little better trigger won't hurt the package at all. A better recoil pad is not a must but a definate upgrade ( I think that it will take away from tje collector value of the firearm. I think that these Ruger express rifles will be quite collectable in the near and distant future). Just make sure that the action screws are torqued properly. I would recomend not using a lead sled type devise to prevent stock damage. Dr.C thumb


At Home on the Range-Texas Panhandle
 
Posts: 411 | Registered: 16 November 2006Reply With Quote
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posted 10 April 2008 06:14Hide Post
Dr. C, I'm wondering how you can say NOT to worry about stock breakage on the RSM Lott? Clearly, it is an issue to watch out for.


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Posts: 4168 | Location: Texas | Registered: 18 June 2001Reply With Quote
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posted 10 April 2008 07:15Hide Post
YD, I think that stock breakage is the exception rather than the rule, by a rather large margin. I have learned not to dwell or become overly concerned with those things that have a low probability of occurence. My opinion only. W/ respect, DrC


At Home on the Range-Texas Panhandle
 
Posts: 411 | Registered: 16 November 2006Reply With Quote
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posted 10 April 2008 07:40Hide Post
Thanks for your reply. I agree with that. Because it was a fairly common occurence with others, I examined mine, determined it could use relief and never had another thought about it. I would just humbly suggest to examine the tang before shooting much.


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Posts: 4168 | Location: Texas | Registered: 18 June 2001Reply With Quote
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posted 11 April 2008 17:52Hide Post
Stocks breaking with a .458 Lott will happen with any rifle occasionally. It would be good insurance to relieve the tang if needed and glass bed it. I would also definitely replace the stock pad with a Limbsaver, it is thicker so you may have to shorten the stock. It only makes good common sense to shoot it enough to be sure the feeding is flawless. I have one in .416 that has had quite a few rounds through it, feeds smoothly, is very accurate . All I have done is smooth the trigger and put a Limbsaver pad on it.


A shot not taken is always a miss
 
Posts: 2788 | Location: gallatin, mo usa | Registered: 10 March 2001Reply With Quote
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posted 12 April 2008 21:38Hide Post
I think you can summerize this conversation with an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...

Taking a rifle to Africa to hunt DG requires all the odds in your favor and those that go to the trouble and expense of tweeking out a good DGR to the ultimate, are on my smart money list...Those that do not are on a fools errand. The right tool for the job always applies.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42449 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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