Kind of wondering what the guys think of Ruger big bores, 375 and 416?

s

Socrates,
Our bunch went round and round with 416s. 2 of us are total nostalgia, I am a technologist, and another is a programer, and another is a pure network interneting engineer. all type As,

Of the 5, there came out 5 gun choices, I got mine first
416 remmag model 70 crf - mine
416 taylor off mark x action programer
416 rigby - ruger nostalgia guy #2
416 rigby cz550 nostalgia guy #1 (also has 577)

Since I built the taylor, and restocked the rem, I can't have an opinion on them, BUT, in all honesty, the ruger was the best of the bunch. Yet, it's cost was more than any two of the others, which I why i went into the long example.

As for "point-ability" I think the ruger wins.

jeffe

The ruger safety is too tiny for my thumb to get a grip on.

My .375 H&H is an accurate and well made rifle for an incredible price. Very pretty walnut, half rib sights with barrel band, CRF, and a Winchester style 3 way safety. A custom express rifle made like this would easily set you back $4,000. True it doesn't have fine hand cut checkering common to custom guns. But the checkering is cut and adequate. An awesome value for $1300 or under... With a NEGC rear peep and my Nosler 260 gr. Handloads it will shoot an honest 5 shot group into 1.25 inches and Barnes 300 grain solids into beautiful cloverleafs.

Mine is great. Outside of slight creep in the factory 3.25 pound trigger, I have absolutely nothing but praise for this rifle. Glass bedded and free floated, this rifle will hold MOA all day long. The trigger is not that bad or I would have replaced it long ago. Maybe someday when I have nothing better to spend my money on...

I beleive the Ruger 77 in the Safari model is the best commercial rifle to come down the pike in years..It has a intragal quarter rib, scope bases, barrel band swivel, barrel band front sight, M-70 safty, and Circausian walnut stock...the barrel with an intragal rib alone would cost you $3000 on a custom rifle...

I do not find the safty too small, actually I rather like it as it is not obtrusive, it works for me without fail...perhaps some are just speculating without trying it, perhaps not...but at any rate that is a very easy fix with a tig welder...

All in all it is the most rifle that can be bought for that kind of money, ever! No, I don't own one, probably never will, but I sure appreciate Ruger making a rifle that has been needed on the American market for a number of years, just like they did Sam Colts pistol and started the whole thing over again back in the 50's...

Socrates,
I owned a 416 Ruger for awhile and took my cape buffalo with it a couple years ago. Mine came with a good trigger which you may or may not get. I did nothing to the rifle except I wore out 4 - 416 cartridges checking the feeding. I also polished out the magazine ramp with a dremel tool and I finally put a decellerator pad on it.

Ditto what Ray said. Mine was real accurate....mostly cover leaf groups and would shoot under an inch any day with handloads-- Barnes 350X, Woodleigh 410's and factory Federal trophy bonded softs and sledgehammer solids.

The only down side to the rifle is, it's a little heavy, and the 416 Rigby cartridges are lots of $$. Once you get by-- buying 60-80 cases and dies it's not so bad though.
Regards,
Terry

Socrates,
I think they wonderful rifles for the money ... just like Rugers have always been. I didn't care too much for the 1st Rigby rifle, as the barrel weight was excessive and they were muzzle heavy. The new ones are all anyone could expect.

Yes, definately get one of the new ones as they have not only lighter barrels but a few other minor improvments that make a big difference..

Absolutely beautiful, accurate rifles. Good deal for what you pay for them.

Guys, if you had a choice between a Ruger 416, and a CZ 550 458, for 700 dollars new, and the ruger for a good price too, which would you go for, and why?

Keep in mind the CZ 550 will go to a 458 AIM asap.
I have a CZ550 375.

Thanks

s

Socrates,
If I had it to do over again........instead of buying the 416 Rigby in the Ruger rifle I would get a 416 Rem. mag. in the Winchester because the Winchester lends itself to easier carrying, is a slick action, a fairly nice looking rifle out of the box (less expensive than the Ruger) and the 416 Rem. cartridges are less expensive.
I would only get the CZ if I was planning on making a custom rifle out of it at a later date. The CZ action is a proven winner and I like the drop magazine. I don't like the factory stock on these rifles much at all but with some custom work (custom stock etc.) it makes a helluva nice rifle. I've been thinking of getting one of these myself with the idea of making a custom rifle at a later date. Plus I already have reloading dies etc. for the 416Rigby
It just depends on what you like, and the above, just reflects my personal tastes. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. It just sort of depends on how much money you want to invest and what you want for the end product. Ruger is supposed to be making the 458 Lott in the express rifle........Winchester chambers the 458 Lott in their custom rifles...which by the way...you can get a good price on them at the Safari convention.
Another thing you might consider is just the plain 458 Mag. It's a good cartridge with handloads and some nice used rifles show up in that caliber all the time.
Good luck,
Terry

If you already have a 375 then there's really no need in going 416, IMO. Buy the CZ, it matches your 375 anyway, and open it up for the 450 Dakota or 450 Rigby.

Well,
I also have a .416 CZ in 550. It cost me just under $600. I bought scope rings and that set me back $70. (they come with the Ruger) Then I replaced the stock with a McMillan...another $370. Now its going off to the smith to add a barrel band and NEGC front sight (another $300...well OK not necessary to replace front sight) But without the custom work I'm already over $1,000 and a lot of trouble to get a gun that has features that already come with the Ruger... Were I to do it over I'd go ahead and buy the Ruger.

Just buy it, it will make you happy. I LOVE my Ruger .416 Rigby.

I have a cz 550 in .416 Rigby and love it. I have added a custom styled weatherby fiberglass/kevlar stock to it and am very happy with the set up. Big bores at a great price I reckon. If you have a cz then get another so they match I reckon.

Since I have two 416 Rigbys, I am considering selling my Ruger in order to put the money towards another toy. My Ruger is one year old and has never been hunted, except for the groundhog I shot in my yard. The stock on this rifle is beautiful.

RC

RC:
Use enough gun! Those ground hogs require more penetration then a 416 provides...

s

I have an "as new" never fired, current production Ruger #77 .416 Rigby for sale in classified if anyone is interested.