Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Ruger M77 Mark II RSM 375 H&H owners

Please tell me how you like or dislike your RSM. I'm thinking of picking one up for a 2013 safari for Eland, Zebra, Kudu and Gemsbok. Thanks.

Bob

Great rifle, very accurate, features (1/4 rib integral, sights) that make is a real deal. Downside is weight, well over 10# w/ scope.

I`ve handled them. And as was mentioned, its additional weight imo is a big downside. You`ll more than likely end up closer to about 11 1/2 to 12 lbs w/scope, sling and all loaded up. If you don`t mind the weight and can handle it, then fine.

Looks darn good though!

If you want to stay with a Ruger and go lighter, the 375 Ruger African would be a very good alternative imo.

+1

They're typically 10 1/4 lbs. naked.

+ what everybody said about the weight. The RSM is much better suited to the 416 Rigby or Lott.

The original RSM (24" bbl and stud on forearm) in 416 would come in at 10lb-15oz
nekked. While the later version (23" with bbl mounted stud) from ca '99 on, brought it down to 9 -12oz.

But 9 3/4 lbs is still pretty damn heavy for a 375.

Pete

I have the original (stud on forearm and fat barrel) in 416 Rigby. It's certainly heavy, but a good sling helps with the carrying. Even with that weight it's still a bear to shoot off the bench with full house 400 gr. loads. I may be a weenie, but the second generation model which is lighter would be even worse. I have no plans to ever step up to a 458 Lott.

The 458 Lott in the Mk II is fairly easy to shoot IME. My main complaint with the rifle which I only recently sold, is that the stock especially the forend, is too blocky. The weight was not the problem, it was the handling due mainly to the weight distribution.

If I ever get my hands on a MK II again, it'll become a Gibbs-based .510 'wildcat' that'll fit in the 3.6" magazine. Then there'll I'll have no complaints about the weight!

In response, to your question and the other comments, are you aware that you can get the Ruger Hawkeye African in .375 Ruger and that it will come in under 8lbs before you scope it?

Just a thought. I like mine very much after a little "tuning". With a 4x Leup on top it's about 8 1/4 lbs which is just right for me.

Guys, thanks for your responses, I'm going to look at the Ruger African in 375 Ruger today, the concerns that I have with the African is that it is light and I was worried about the recoil . I thought if I went with the RSM the extra weight would tame the recoil, apparently from what everyone is saying they are a ton to carry around. I also like the quarter rib on the RSM. I'm also concerned about the availability of ammo in Africa if the airlines lose my 375 Ruger ammo. I'll let you guys know what gun I finally end up with.

Yea, they are stylish but I don't think you need that weight for any 375 to the left of a 378 B. About 8.25-9 lbs. scoped, works nicely in a hunting .375 H&H so will in the 375 Ruger too.

................Remember too, that 375 H&H ammo and/or rifle can get lost during transport by the airlines just as easily as 375 Ruger ammo and/or rifle can.

In either case, you`d have to use a back up rifle and its ammo provided for you by your PH, which your PH should have on hand for just such an event. This should be planned for and confirmed ahead of time via contact with your PH by e/mail should your ammo and/or your rifle get lost during transport.

This is why imo, all the hoop-la about 375 Ruger ammo or the lack there-of (for now) in So Africa is really way too overblown. As long as the PH provides a back-up rifle and ammo for you, then it doesn`t really matter whether you pack up a 375 H&H rifle and ammo or pack up a 375 Ruger rifle and its ammo, as either can be lost.

Airlines don`t discriminate, have preferences, or favorites as to which cartridges and rifles get through to its final destination and which ones do not.

I looked at the Ruger African in 375 Ruger today at Cabela's, nice rifle, very light, iron sights lined up perfect (although I will scope the rifle I buy) I'm still concerned about the weight and recoil. I looked at the new a Winchester Model 70 and liked it a lot, very smooth action, they didn't have a CZ. Picking a gun for Africa is as complicated as picking a PH! Thanks for all your help and keep your Comments coming!

It's not that complicated, Buy the Winchester or the Ruger, both are so well made you cannot possibly find a better value for the price.

Then come hunt with me. It's actually rather simple (in my very biased opinion!)

Good morning PAelksmacker, The way I look at it is how functional it's going to be for the job that needs to be done, then the price and then the brand. How many rounds of ammo are you going to fire in a year, is it an investment or are you buying it for a single trip?

I have a BRNO 375 and a CZ 550 Safari Classics in 458 Lott. Both are probably at the cheaper end of the scale but they WORK when required to do so. I had to have the 458 tweaked to get the bolt to work smoothly and there was a slight problem with the ejector which was fixed in a couple days and at low cost.

All depends on what you want and what you are willing to spend. Good luck with your hunt for a good PH!

Morning Jim, hope you are well !

The 375 H&H RSM is a great candidate for a rebore to 404 Jefferey. As it is, it is a bit heavy for a 375. Though it is hard to get a 375 from an American rifle maker that isn't on the too heavy side, with the exception of the 375 Ruger.

Pieter, been away quite a bit, missed your call. We need to talk.

That's very true, and if you fly a U.S.-based airline directly from the U.S. to Africa, you should be able to pack your ammo in your gun case so that you wouldn't have your gun without your ammo. For other scenarios, your mileage may vary on being able to pack your ammo in your gun case (and there may be quirky rules to deal with if you have another flight within Africa).

Hit me with an email on hunthuntinginafrica.co.za I know you talk less than my current first wife so we can say a lot in a short time.

Not exactly true. I just did RT to RSA and neither ICE or TSA or SAPS or SAA would allow ammo in gun case either going to RSA or returning.