Ruger Mark II Magnum opinions (375 H&H or 458)

Art

Art

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Does anyone have any experience or opinions on the fancy wooded Ruger Mark II Magnum. (Not the new Hawkeye Alaskan or African) Sadly, I will probably never see Africa and don't plan on killing any Grizzlies in the near future but would like to eventually purchase a fancy big bore as a keeper and casual shooter. Somewhere in the $2000 will be my range.

In the past, I have read of some hunting guides really liking the quality of the older Rugers in big calibres but I've never owned a Ruger so I can't comment. Any stories or opinions on the overall fit and finish, quality, likes, dislikes of these high end Rugers would be appreciated.

I've been drooling over the fancy Mark II Magnum in the Wholesale Sports catalogue for several years and wonder if it is worth the money. I know that the CZ 550s and the older Brno 602s are all the rage and I'm sure are fantastic rifles but I was wondering about the Ruger? Thanks.
 
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I have and use a 416Rigby RSM as my go to gun. I love it. It is the first gun in a long time I have owned that has worked flawlessly out of the box. I put a small scope on it 1.75 to 5 burris and it shoots 350gr tsx's into 1/2 inch groups if I can hold on. Its a dream to shoot at 2635fps and I have taken it up to 2800 to see what thats all about too. I think this gun in 375 would be very easy to shoot because of the weight. The 416 or 458 would be perfect. I compared this to a CZ at 1/2 the price when I bought it and the CZ would have to be 1/4 the price to beat it in quality to price ratio. It was no comparison. The only thing I did was get some low rings, and now I want a better scope. 2.5-8x32 Zeiss.
Good luck.
 
Check the weight before buying a 375.

I've found that 9lbs scoped is about right for a 375. Any more than that is too much weight for the caliber. I had a 602 in 375 that was over 10lbs, close to 11 scoped and loaded. Way too heavy.

I have a 602 action here that I was going to rebarrel to another 375, but decided against it and am going to stay with the lighter 700 action. Prolley sell the 602 action or go to a bigger cal.


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I've got the RSM is 416 Rigby. The weight is just right and the rifle feeds perfectly. Shoots around an inch, maybe just under, at 100 with 350 Barnes X. All it needs to be perfect is a better recoil pad. Ruger got a deal on horrific recoil pads. Easy enough to replace with a grind to fit Limbsaver or Pachmeyr.

The quality of the rifle is very good and I prefer it to the CZ/BRNO (especially with the backwards safety on the 602). I'd buy another one in a minute if I was looking for another heavy rifle. I'd even build a heavy on the RSM action. It would be just perfect for a 505 Gibbs or 500 Jeffrey build.
 
SuperCub said:
Check the weight before buying a 375.

I've found that 9lbs scoped is about right for a 375. Any more than that is too much weight for the caliber. I had a 602 in 375 that was over 10lbs, close to 11 scoped and loaded. Way too heavy.

I have a 602 action here that I was going to rebarrel to another 375, but decided against it and am going to stay with the lighter 700 action. Prolley sell the 602 action or go to a bigger cal.


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Click to expand...

Exactly my thoughts.:D

A super heavy 375 is just not needed nor is it any fun to pack all day.
My 602 Brno in 375wby stays in the gun safe for that very reason.
My 700's go hunting.

The 602 will get a 470 MBogo or 500 A-Square one of these days.

Boomer here loves his 602 in 375 Ultra....So to each his own. ;)
 
i definitely like the rifles that are a bit shorter in barrel length. It seems alot of the CZs and Brnos have longer barrels in the 25" range. I definitely seem to prefer the look of barrels under 24" That new Sako Kodiak looks pretty sweet but imagine it'll be awhile before they are readily available. I guess weight is another issue and I agree from my last 375 H&H, that a real heavy H&H isn't necessarily a good thing. That is unless I consider something like a 416 or a Lott. Either way, I seem to be leaning towards something like the Ruger/Sako area, maybe the right CZ.
 
FWIW, the nicest factory rifle stock I have ever seen (and I have seen a few) was on a 458 Lott RSM. Unfortunately the yahoo who bought it shot it out of a lead sled and cracked that beautiful stock. Ruger replaced the stock on warranty, and replaced it with a plain Jane, though likely stronger, piece of wood. Friggin' owner broke that one as well after only a couple of weeks. Twit.
 
When will people learn to shoot heavies standing up? I've seen photos of the bench that the guys at Holland use when shooting to regulate doubles. Just like a long-legged horseshoe-shaped shooting bench so you can stand up in the middle of the horseshoe and shoot supported but not soak up the recoil with your body. It's the only way to fly if you're bench-shooting a Rigby or 458 Win/Lott and up.
 
Lead Sled

Well I'm a bit concerned to hear that. I've been doing alot of my load development using a lead sled. I find it really works well on heavy recoiling guns. However, if it can crack stocks, I might have to rethink my things.
 
I've put my 416 through a few hundred rounds off the lead sled. No issues. BUT I don't put to much weight on the sled. I let it still move but it takes some of the recoil. You only need one bag of shot not the 4 they show in pictures.
 
If I was to purchase a Ruger RSM I would do the following:
A trigger job.
Inletting the back of the trigger guard and receiver tang the thickness of a dime to preclude stock splitting in the pistol grip area.
Fully bedding the gun for the aforementioned reason.
Intalling a functional recoil pad at the correct length of pull.
Obtaining Warne QD mounts.
Dies must have a Lee Factory Crimp die and two seaters. One for the soft, and one for the solid.
Polishing the feed ramp to ensure 100% feeding.
 
Art said:
Well I'm a bit concerned to hear that. I've been doing alot of my load development using a lead sled. I find it really works well on heavy recoiling guns. However, if it can crack stocks, I might have to rethink my things.
Click to expand...

Don't use a lead sled, shoot from the bench and bear it or shoot standing. You need the movement in your stance to redirect/rock the recoil. Buy a pad for your shoulder to reduce the recoil if it bothers you.

I shoot 416 Rigby, That's fun off the bench. Feels like somone punched me in the back of the head for each shot.

Pete
 
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