Okay gents, a question from a newcomer to big bores. I have a M70 from the new factory in .375HH. Love it, and so much so I wanted to have a second DG rifle and was going to go with another M70 in .416 Remington or perhaps a CZ in .404 Jeff. Yes, I know the 375 and the 416/404 are close in caliber and I intended it that way. One rifle is to back up the other in case one goes down say a day or two before leaving for the safari.

But again being new to big bores and Africa in general, I had never paid attention to the Ruger RSM until hanging around here. I keep reading good things about them. I have an opportunity to buy a new RSM in 416 Rigby.

So what do you think? I still love the M70, but really I don't know how it compares to the RSM other than the obvious quarter rib on the RSM.

Thanks for taking time to reply.

I looked at both when I bought my 375 H&H in 2005 and picked the Ruger. I liked the weight better and the more classic look. With that said, I'd probably go with the Winchester if I did it again because the weight "grows" on you and the Ruger is not something I would take to Alaska, for example.

I believe the M70 will take Four 416 rem rounds down and the Ruger only Three 416 rig rounds down; if that's the case; get the M70.

If you want the 416 Rigby, get a CZ and send to AHR for their stage 1 upgrade.

Ask around I am sure board members withing driving distance to you have them. Shoot both, buy the one that feels the best. If they both feel great then come back and ask opinions here.

7MMNut,
you can just get another Win Mod 70 in 375 H&H and rebarrel to
458 Lott. It will be cheaper in the long run and you have the best
of both worlds if you ever want to hunt DG at 20 yards or less (like
elephant.) Outfit the guns alike as twins, practice with the 375
and shoot the 458 when you feel like it, consider interchangeable
scopes/mounts on both guns where you have a 1-4X for the big gun and something like a 2 1/2 to 10X for the other. If you have
a scope problem while on the hunt you are not disabled. (Same mounts, same rings, interchangable) No matter
how hard I have tried to eleminate scope and mechanical problems
on the front, I still seem to have them. Take a compact set of
screwdrivers with you as mounts and rings will and do loosen. Plan
for the worst and it won't happen. (maybe) Sometimes good advice is cheap, This IS>

Tetonka
DRSS

I've owned M70's and RSM's and love 'em both. As has already been pointed out, the RSM is a bit heavier and blockier, which is what I think you will find is the main complaint of the RSM detractors.

To me, I think, the deciding factor would be that the RSM has been discontinued, so the opportunity to buy one might be hard to come by again.

Not to mention I think the Rigby round just has a "cool" factor!

I had an RSM in 416Rigby. I don't particularly like Ruger stocks or bolt handles so had a straight handle installed and slimmed down the stock which was a really nice piece of what, I THINK, was Circassian. It shot terrific groups and I didn't think it too heavy. Also had a CZ550 in 416Rigby (I really LIKE the 416Rigby) that I put a Brockman laminate on and cut barrel to 21". It also was a tack driver. Upshot was i sold the Ruger and took my last Elephant with the CZ. I just plain don't like the 416Rem for absolutely no logical reason at all. If i were to have any other 416 than the Rigby it would be a 416Taylor. I have to say my favorite bolt action is the Model 70 in all it's various reincarnations.

I started with a M70 .375 in 1997, added a M70 .416 a couple of years later. It may be a subtle difference but having the same trigger pull, safety operation, and loading mechanics is reassuring when operating in ideal or adverse circumstances. The cartridges are similar in appearance so be sure to keep them separated, always checking the headstamps.

Im voting for the M70 in 416 Rem, because I have one, use it, and love it. There are no flies on the Rigby, with the exception that ammo and cases are much more expensive, and it burns about 100 grains of powder vs. 78 grains in the Rem. I personally dont like the Ruger stock design, but perhaps it would fit you better than it fits me. My 416 Rem groups under 1" with Swift A-Frames and Hornady solids.

quote:

Originally posted by armorer:
I started with a M70 .375 in 1997, added a M70 .416 a couple of years later. It may be a subtle difference but having the same trigger pull, safety operation, and loading mechanics is reassuring when operating in ideal or adverse circumstances. The cartridges are similar in appearance so be sure to keep them separated, always checking the headstamps.

Used similar reasoning myself. Had a 375 H&H M70 and wanted something a little bigger to go with it. Got a 300RUM M70 and rebarreled to 404 Jeff.

quote:

Originally posted by cable68:

quote:

Originally posted by armorer:
I started with a M70 .375 in 1997, added a M70 .416 a couple of years later. It may be a subtle difference but having the same trigger pull, safety operation, and loading mechanics is reassuring when operating in ideal or adverse circumstances. The cartridges are similar in appearance so be sure to keep them separated, always checking the headstamps.

Used similar reasoning myself. Had a 375 H&H M70 and wanted something a little bigger to go with it. Got a 300RUM M70 and rebarreled to 404 Jeff.

I think I'll stick with the original plan based off the last couple of replies and go with the M70. Unless of course you'd like to sell that M70 rebarreled to 404 Jeff!

It seems that no one has mentioned the obvious point about the 416 Rigby.

The 416 Rigby can be handloaded to over 6000 ftlbs. with no pressure problems in its cavernous case. It is a whole level up from the 416 Rem. Sending a 350 grain TSX or TTSX downfield at 2800 fps. makes it a one bullet gun for everything except elephant and hippo, where solids are needed. There will soon be something called a CEB Raptor which will compete for that 'one bullet' title.

quote:

Originally posted by 7MMNut:

quote:

Originally posted by cable68:

quote:

Originally posted by armorer:
I started with a M70 .375 in 1997, added a M70 .416 a couple of years later. It may be a subtle difference but having the same trigger pull, safety operation, and loading mechanics is reassuring when operating in ideal or adverse circumstances. The cartridges are similar in appearance so be sure to keep them separated, always checking the headstamps.

Used similar reasoning myself. Had a 375 H&H M70 and wanted something a little bigger to go with it. Got a 300RUM M70 and rebarreled to 404 Jeff.

I think I'll stick with the original plan based off the last couple of replies and go with the M70. Unless of course you'd like to sell that M70 rebarreled to 404 Jeff!

Nah, I'm keeping the 404.

I have been down your path. I have the .375 HH and have recently bought a couple of .416 Rem in M70. I cannot speak for CZ but I really do not fit the Ruger very well. The M70 fits me well enough, is reliable and accurate to a fault.

I have tried a dozen or so DGR's over the years and go back to my M70's.

Love My 416 Rigby RSM! Ijust got back from using it out mule deer hunting its solid and reliable and fits me like a glove. As stated above its pretty much a one gun show. Let's put it another way. If I get to move down under like I'm planning I'll keep the 416 Rigby and SELL my 375H&H, 9.2x62, 458lott, and 500 Jeffery!

Brad

quote:

Originally posted by Brad aka Pill Shooter:
Love My 416 Rigby RSM! Ijust got back from using it out mule deer hunting its solid and reliable and fits me like a glove. As stated above its pretty much a one gun show. Let's put it another way. If I get to move down under like I'm planning I'll keep the 416 Rigby and SELL my 375H&H, 9.2x62, 458lott, and 500 Jeffery!

Brad

I can understand your enthusiam with the 416. yes, it does make selling the 9.3, 375 and 458 Lott a good decision. The Rigby has them all covered when handloaded 'full'. But a handloaded 500Jeffrey is a whole 'nother animal. See http://www.realguns.com/archives/156.htm
followed by Part II.

If you've already got a great 500, I would consider keeping it. For something new, someone might build something more elegant, like the 500 Mbogo (The Rigby case necked up to .510") or 500 AccRel (Rigby case 2.65"). but if someone already has the Jeffrey ...

Lets see, I've owned 3 cz's in 458 lott, a 416 rigby and 2 375 rugers and a 416 ruger. I havesold them all and now own a model 70 416 rem mag. I love it and definetly am not looking back. The rigby is nice but brass is expensive and hard to come by. Ask pretty much anyone and they will tell you there is no need to drive and 416 bullet past the velocity that a rem mag will give you. The fit and finish on the 70 is alot better than the cz's out of the box. Nothing wrong with the cz's but they are a little rough around the edges until you do some work.