The NEW KING is taking off!
- Thread starter Gatehouse
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Looks like a shipment from the almighty Bartel?
I'm expecting mine very soon.
It's sitting on Bartells shelves, up for grabs. I've got hundreds of 375 Ruger brass, dies and bullets, so no need for this for myself.
Had the open sighted "dethroned dinosaur" out for some fun last night. Waited til dark and no bears appeared so I took the liberty of shooting at the 315 yard boulder. Seated, shooting downhill, resting on knees, open sights. 8 for 8 hits. Boulder is the size of a current year cub.
Each time I shoot this beast I am more impressed. Warmish load travelling a bit over 2800fps and very mild recoil. Flat shooting dream. Did I happen to mention very low felt recoil? This is one of the best kept secrets of the dino.
This rifle will never see a scope. I have never shot it from a bench. Absolutely outstanding accuracy, and smack down power.
Easy on the shoulder, easy on the pocket, devastating on the target.
Each time I shoot this beast I am more impressed. Warmish load travelling a bit over 2800fps and very mild recoil. Flat shooting dream. Did I happen to mention very low felt recoil? This is one of the best kept secrets of the dino.
This rifle will never see a scope. I have never shot it from a bench. Absolutely outstanding accuracy, and smack down power.
Easy on the shoulder, easy on the pocket, devastating on the target.
It has a regular style trigger. It is definitely not a factory single set trigger. I was told by previous owner that it was tuned by gunsmith. 1980 manufacture date. One day I will pull out my little digital fish scale and try to measure the force required to break the trigger.
According to internet comments these rifles were offered with two different triggers (regular and single-set) and 2 different stocks.
This one does not have a barrel band. It has sling swivel studs in the stock.
I believe the trigger was a factory offering and not aftermarket.
I can pack 6 rounds into the magazine and one in the pipe. I find that it feeds best with 5 in the magazine. The 6th round is a wee bit stiff to feed.
According to internet comments these rifles were offered with two different triggers (regular and single-set) and 2 different stocks.
This one does not have a barrel band. It has sling swivel studs in the stock.
I believe the trigger was a factory offering and not aftermarket.
I can pack 6 rounds into the magazine and one in the pipe. I find that it feeds best with 5 in the magazine. The 6th round is a wee bit stiff to feed.
I chopped the barrel on my old dinosaur. It has the factory single set trigger. It may be obsolete but 6 rounds of .375 H&H in the magazine are very comforting when sleeping in a tent on the arctic tundra.
It shoots a little slower than the New King but it works for me.
Here is a comment I found on the intraweb
I have had two of these rifles (ZKK 602) in 375 H&H through the years.
They are a bit rough, but one of thebest full size actions made after WWII in my humble opinion.
Usually very accurate, a little bit on the heavy side, but that´s a pluss regarding recoil.
Warne used to made really good one piece mounts/rings for the 602 that clamped right on.
They where delivered with two different stocks, the traditionally hog back, and a more classick type.
Both have a bit of drop on the heel, made to fit the open sights, which are one standing for 100m and two folding for 2 and 300 meters.
Because of the drop, they tend to have a bit more muzzle flip than with a more straight stock.
They where also delivered with two different triggers, one standard and one set trigger.
The last one is pressed forward to engage, and then brake with a tiny amount of pressure.
I never understood why they did put such a trigger on a 375 H&H, but they did.
All in all, a very good and accurate rifle, which take a beating with flying colours!
I have had two of these rifles (ZKK 602) in 375 H&H through the years.
They are a bit rough, but one of thebest full size actions made after WWII in my humble opinion.
Usually very accurate, a little bit on the heavy side, but that´s a pluss regarding recoil.
Warne used to made really good one piece mounts/rings for the 602 that clamped right on.
They where delivered with two different stocks, the traditionally hog back, and a more classick type.
Both have a bit of drop on the heel, made to fit the open sights, which are one standing for 100m and two folding for 2 and 300 meters.
Because of the drop, they tend to have a bit more muzzle flip than with a more straight stock.
They where also delivered with two different triggers, one standard and one set trigger.
The last one is pressed forward to engage, and then brake with a tiny amount of pressure.
I never understood why they did put such a trigger on a 375 H&H, but they did.
All in all, a very good and accurate rifle, which take a beating with flying colours!
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I like the big Ruger RSM action just slightly better than the BRNO 602. I prefer the BRNO's mag capacity, but find the RSM just more fluid and equally tough. Prefer the Ruger safety, and the RSM's floorplate system. That said, the 602 is one amazing gun, it's just that for me the RSM's ever so slightly more impressive. A lot of folks with more knowledge than myself by far are very happy with the 602, so it's all subjective.
The RSM is a fine piece for sure. If the opportuinuty arises to purchase one for a nice price I will commit. Currently have my eyes on a minty 30 year old Sako in 375H&H. I'm told it has not fired a box of 20 and has never had a scope mounted.
I will never own a King. Even if offered at half price with free ammo.
I will never own a King. Even if offered at half price with free ammo.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The integral sight rib is the neatest part about the gun, very beautiful. Makes for a very nice sighting plane too, rapid. That integral sight rib, as an option, costs as much to get included by some custom makers on their guns as my entire RSM cost me.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I wish they'd made the RSM in 505 Gibbs. I know it has been done as an aftermarket job, but it sure would have been sweet from the factory with a touch heavier barrel in 505 Gibbs...with a real recoil pad. Not sure what kinda of sado-masochists they have workign for Ruger in the recoil pad department, but they're hard-core into pain.
^ BUM, you are right about the heavier barrel on the Ruger Safari Magnums. Those things are very barrel heavy.
Too heavy IMHO, but in terms of helping tame heavy recoil, that gigantic, fat, enormous, heavy barrel does help.
I handled and fired ROA's .416 Rigby RSM. I much prefer a Winchester M-70 or the Brno's. They are much better balanced and better handling, to me anyway.
Too heavy IMHO, but in terms of helping tame heavy recoil, that gigantic, fat, enormous, heavy barrel does help.
I handled and fired ROA's .416 Rigby RSM. I much prefer a Winchester M-70 or the Brno's. They are much better balanced and better handling, to me anyway.
I personally would of thought that the 375 h&h would have been the king. I dont think a few years of high sales can wipe out decades of mass production. If we are going to talk favorites, 378wby and a vais brake.
1 KM away the 338 Lapua still wins over all of the 375's
"2nd place is the first Loser"
1 KM away the 338 Lapua still wins over all of the 375's
"2nd place is the first Loser"
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
When did you last take dangerous game at 1km...?
Inside 300 yards, the .375 wins, the .375's weren't purpose built LR rounds, they're purpose built hunting rounds. For hunters, a .375 will suit much better than a .338 Lap on the big stuff. Agree with BUM, some folks stateside, as it sounds like you noted, have built .505's on them, with the stock barrel being rebored. Nice rig!
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