I would like to know how much your guys' Ruger RSM's in 375 weigh. Their website says 10 pounds, which hardly seems possible. I tried one out at a gunshop and it was a nice rifle, but seemed too barrel heavy for me. I heard that the new RSM's have lighter barrels, but how much lighter is that? I'm looking to get a 375 and these rifles have that classic look I want, but they seem too heavy for the caliber. Is there anything that can be done about this or am I just going to have to deal with it if I choose this route? Thanks so much.

Sevens

Officialy it weighs in at 9 1/4#. With a scope a bit more. I don't know what all all the fuss is all about. A slightly heavier gun is always better for shooting in any position and won't beat your brains out. If you want lighter weight then go for a Winnie but you'll come up against quality control and reliability problems.

Stevens,
9# or 10# in 375 is not a heavy gun. in fact, if you take a rem 700, 7.5# in 7 mag, stick a 3-9 scope on it, 18oz, and a decent sling, 10oz, you are at 9.25 for a low budget "light weight" gun.

I've got a couple guns that trim out right at 8 ... and these are light rifles.

folks say "you carry them more than you shoot them".... and I think that's CRAP. Boddington once had a 6.5# 416 rem.... said it was a dream to carry, but a bear to shoot... and then it induced a flinch.

jeffe

The actual weight of the rifle doesn't bother me that much, but 10 pounds didn't sound correct. I am more interested in these "new" barrels that are suppose to be lighter. What year was the start of these "new" barrels and how much lighter are they? How do your guys' rifles balance? I'm looking into all of my options before I buy a 375.

Sevens

The classic look of this rifle is about the only thing drawing me back to it. By classic I mean the ebony forend tip, iron sights, and barrel band. I'd like to get one of the new CZ 550 americans, but it lacks the three features I'd like in a big bore. Do any of you have suggestions on a classic looking rifle that wont break the bank. Thanks.
Sevens

I totally agree with Mbogo375. For a .375 H&H, the Ruger is way too unwieldly and barrel heavy. To my way of thinking, a .375 is a Jack-of-all-trades caliber. While you can certainly use it for buffalo and other DG, it's far more likely to be hauled across the plains and mountains in search of kudu, zebra, waterbuck in the day; and in a leopard blind at night. For these activities, I want a lighter, quicker handling rifle.

Like you, I was drawn to the RSM by it's classic good looks. It's ready to go buffalo hunting right out of the box and holds it's own in the looks deparment, even if all the other hunters in camp have "classic" safari rifles. I solved the problem by having my rifle re-barreled to 404 Jeffery. Now there's a caliber in which the extra weight of the RSM is appreciated. True, it's no longer a Jack-of-all-trades, but it never really was.

As far as what to buy, I think the Model 70 is hard to beat and can be had pretty reasonably (compared to the Ruger). For the money saved, a good gunsmith can add the ebony tip and barrel band.

Just my opinion.

Have handled a 458 Lott, RSM. The balance is not bad at all, with all that extra steel removed from the ID of the barrel . However, the stock still has all the feel of a fence post.

Personally, I think a .475" bore would be a little too thin for the Ruger 375 barrel contour, .458" provides a thin barrel and good balance. Heck you could even have the stock recut to something of proper portion.

Scott

What about the Montana 1999 barreled actions. It may cost a little over what the RSM does, but I could get what I wan't. Does anyone have opinions on the Montana 1999 actions? They seem to be nice and if I'm not mistaken, PH George Hoffman had his last rifle built on a Montana 1999 action before he died. What does the cost of a Serengeti Stockworks stock cost? Thanks for your input.
Sevens