Not the newer, heavier safari models. How durable have the older tang safety models in 458 proven to be? Anybody have any experience with their use, qualities and what to expect?
thanks
Rick

Lou Hallamore the old time Zim PH has had one since the 70's and he still uses it as a backup rifle.

465H&H

I have only ever killed paper with mine but it is a very nice rifle. Move the sling swivel, install a decent recoil pad, & install peep sight or scope and you are ready to go. Factory open sights arent much for a DG rifle and it is barrel heavy (which is great for shooting but not for carrying). It will accompany me for my next buffalo and elephant hunt. Killed my one and only buffalo so far with a 375 and had to finish the fight with a 458 lott. 300 gr barnes solid in left front shoulder and out the rear left hip. Then the fight started so 458 next time.

I also knew a Zim PH who used one but understand Ganyana is not too fond of them for some reason.

I bought mine new in 1981. Shoots great, feeds great and I prefer it vs a winchester 70 (470 capstick) for anything that can bite or stomp me.

The Tang Safety On a Rifle is ok but I prefir the slide safety.

I built a 416 Taylor on a tang safety action. I've only got about 500 rounds through it so far, with no problems. I know that when we took the 458 77's in trade in the shops I've worked for, we always took them apart and checked for cracked stocks, before we made an offer. Many we got in had a chip out just behind the receiver. I would glass bed it. Like MMS says, move that sling swivel out onto the barrel; it'll bugger your hand if you don't. A recoil pad really helps. That piece or tire tread that Ruger puts on is soft as steel. If you're fussy about finish marks, the finish on some of the tang safety Rugers tends not to be real tough. I've had quite a few early 77's and some mark up easily, some don't. I do not understand why. If I were going to get one, I'd lean to the Circassian walnut over the black walnut if I had a choice. One of this model that I shot, didn't feed flat nosed bullets very well. The one's that gave me trouble were cast bullets that had near caliber meplats, not commercial softnose or solids. Never had a problem with commercial bullets. I don't recall ever writing out a gunsmith slip for any of the 458's but I suspect the owners of these kinds of guns don't bring their guns to a sporting goods store for repairs, they have their gunsmith on speed dial.
Bfly