Value of Ruger M77 Magnum (.458 Lott)

[Justin D.]

I have the opportunity to purchase a Ruger M77 Magnum chambered in .458 Lott with the factory muzzle brake. I'm wondering what the current value is on this rifle. It has a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24, which doesn't matter to me because I will be taking it off and putting a red dot on instead but I know the guy won't want to take the glass off. He's asking $4,000 for the set up but said there is some wiggle room for negotiation. The $4,000 seems a bit high to me based off what I have seen on GB and such. I did a google search but most values were between 3-4 years old. I figured this group would have the best knowledge on a gun like this.

 

[Ryan]

I like Rugers, I own two #1s, and a M77 African. None of those were close to $4K. Now I realize the RSM is getting rare, but still it's not a $4K rifle. One sold in that caliber on GB last year for $3125. So I'd say offer $3K w/o scope and go from there. You don't have any interest in the scope so I wouldn't put a lot of value into that part. If the buyer won't budge I suggest walking away, another will surface.

 

[uplander01]

I would not pay that for a Ruger M77 Magnum, regardless the caliber. IMO the fact that its a 458 Lott detracts from its appeal. Those things were notorious for cracking at the wrist in 458 WM, the fact its a 458 Lott could increase the chances of that happening substantially without the break on there (which you will want to take off if you go to Africa). Given you have to buy the scope that's on it, I wouldn't pay a penny over 3k. And if you know you're going to hard use it I would take it straight to a good gunsmith and have him pillar and glass bed the entire barreled action,...I don't think they did either at the factory. IMO you'd be better off buying a new Ruger Hawkeye African in 375 or 416 Ruger.

Not calling anyone's baby ugly, but been in the gun business for a long time and used to be a buyer of collections for a large chain....so I'm just trying to help. I also know of 2 rifles in this model in 458 WM that have experienced the said crack in the wrist.

 

[ThreeJacks]

Nice guns getting more expensive almost daily. I just sold a 458 Lott RSM for much less. I have seen some NIB priced for $4000 plus, but they are still available. I did not realize they came from the factory with a muzzle break. I have two RSM 375 H&H. I have not had any problems with the stocks, but I have spares if needed.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

I have never seen or heard of a M77 RSM with a factory muzzle brake.

 

[deewayne2003]

I do not believe the RSM ever came with a factory muzzle brake, even if it was factory I would consider it a detraction.

 

[Safari Dave]

No more than $2,500, IMO.



(I've bought a CZ 550 in .375 H&H for $850 at a gun show in 2023. I also snagged one in .458 Win from an individual for $1,000 in 2024)

 

[Paul K]

Ruger MKII Magnum or the RSM did not come with or as an option, a muzzle break. I have not heard that there was a stock splitting problem. I know that Ruger was notorious for not torquing their stock screws which resulted in a cracked or broken stocks, I know, I had one. I have many Rugers and some of them, the stock bolts were loose right out of the box. That is why I take every new rifle that I buy apart and put it back together with the proper or recommended torque specifications. I have a Ruger MKII Magum in 416 Rigby that I have put hundreds of full power hand loads through with no problems. But, when I recieved it new, all the stock screws were loose, and I mean loose ! Buy the way, it is a tack driver.

Paul

 

[Hedge774]

Is this an RSM, or a M77 MII Magnum? Thanks!

 

[Safari Dave]

There are a few on GB right now for much less than $4K



If I were you, I would broaden my search to include .458 Winchester.


There is absolutely nothing wrong with this chambering, they are much more available, and ammo can be found for much less.

 

[LimbNoMo]

.458 Lott Ruger RSM | MNR Custom

Ruger RSM in .458 Lott with several custom touches. Checkered bolt handle shaped straight down. The stock was darkened with a reddish tint. A cross bolt and grip cap were added that were engraved by Mark Swanson. A Pachmayr red Decelerator pad was also added. Nickel silver oval was added to the...

www.mnrcustom.com

For comparison. It has been for sale a while.

 

[Bullthrower338]

2200.00. Maybe, as said before, RSM never came with a break, thank god!

 

[Bonk]

Since you asked…...

It’s hard to tell based on one less than ideal photo but that rifle looks like it’s just in average shape to me. Faded wood, blueing looks worn, etc. It’s an honest working rifle but IMO it’s a $2500 rifle with the scope. I’m not aware of the RSM ever having a factory muzzle brake. That doesn’t mean they didn’t but that’s the first one I’ve heard of.

 

[318AE]

I would not pay that for a Ruger M77 Magnum, regardless the caliber. IMO the fact that its a 458 Lott detracts from its appeal. Those things were notorious for cracking at the wrist in 458 WM, the fact its a 458 Lott could increase the chances of that happening substantially without the break on there (which you will want to take off if you go to Africa). Given you have to buy the scope that's on it, I wouldn't pay a penny over 3k. And if you know you're going to hard use it I would take it straight to a good gunsmith and have him pillar and glass bed the entire barreled action,...I don't think they did either at the factory. IMO you'd be better off buying a new Ruger Hawkeye African in 375 or 416 Ruger.

Not calling anyone's baby ugly, but been in the gun business for a long time and used to be a buyer of collections for a large chain....so I'm just trying to help. I also know of 2 rifles in this model in 458 WM that have experienced the said crack in the wrist.

I didn’t realize the RSM ever came in 458 WM. I thought it was only offered in 375 H&H, 416 Rigby and 458 Lott. But I was never a buyer for a large chain…..

 

[ThreeJacks]

I didn’t realize the RSM ever came in 458 WM. I thought it was only offered in 375 H&H, 416 Rigby and 458 Lott. But I was never a buyer for a large chain…..

I agree, the Ruger catalogs from the early 2000s only listed the 375 H&H, 416 Rigby, and 458 Lott. They did catalog a 404 Jeffrey, but never produced one (I think I read that in Ruger And His Guns book).

By watching the online gun auctions, GI, and GB, the prices for these rifles are consistently on the rise. I have not seen one of these priced less than $2000. You do not see many CZ 550s or BRNO 602s for under $2000, and the Whitworths are closing in on that price also.

 

[318AE]

I agree, the Ruger catalogs from the early 2000s only listed the 375 H&H, 416 Rigby, and 458 Lott. They did catalog a 404 Jeffrey, but never produced one (I think I read that in Ruger And His Guns book).

By watching the online gun auctions, GI, and GB, the prices for these rifles are consistently on the rise. I have not seen one of these priced less than $2000. You do not see many CZ 550s or BRNO 602s for under $2000, and the Whitworths are closing in on that price also.

Agree. I’ve never heard of a RSM breaking at the wrist either. With a more desirable scope and no muzzle brake, it likely is close to a $4k rifle. I think the brake detracts from the market value and makes it closer to a $3k gun the way it sits now.

 

[Riflecrank]

Right.
RSM no factory muzzle brakes.
Gen 1 and Gen 2 versions were offered with 24" heavy barrels in .375 H&H and .416 Rigby, with .404 Jeffery promised but never delivered.
Gen 1 barrel band sling stud was buried in the forend,
Gen 2 had it foward of forend tip.

Gen 3 had slimmer 23" barrels and were offered in .375 H&H, .416 Rigby, and finally the .458 Lott appeared about 2005 ?
I first saw one in a Gander Mountain store in Wichita KS in late 2006.

The Ruger M77 MK II RSM ("Ruger Safari Magnum") was never offered in .458 WIN MAG. The earlier Ruger M77 "African" with tang safety and pushfeed was, whatever the acronym for it was.

I used a Gen 2 RSM .416 Rigby to kill my first cape buffalo.
I bought it about 1998 in Anchorage AK, at Great Northern Guns.

A couple of years ago I purchased a Gen 3 RSM .458 Lott in superb condition except the stock was replaced with a Hi-Tech/carbon fiber stock
that is never going to disappoint.
From Cabela's in Louisville KY for $1800 IIRC.

A CZ 550 Magnum in .375 H&H with matching stock was offered at same price.
I broke up the pair of safe queens a Walter Mitty may have put together,
and dropped off at the Gun Library.

 

[uplander01]

I didn’t realize the RSM ever came in 458 WM. I thought it was only offered in 375 H&H, 416 Rigby and 458 Lott. But I was never a buyer for a large chain…..

It could be I am recalling the earlier version of Ruger M77 Magnum, with the tang safety, then later in wing safety, ultimately transitioning to the Mk2. I believe from the late 70's into the mid-late 80's was the 458 WM offering. Perhaps when they changed the safety configuration, changed the model to the MKII, they revamped caliber offerings and they re-enforced the stock in better fashion. That's about as good as my memory gets anymore.......

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Some Ruger literature advertising the RSM listed .458 Lott, .458 Winchester Magnum letting consumers know .458 Win could be fired out of the Lott chambering. You may have picked up on that. I have five new RSM’s and they have all been perfect right out of the factory box. I have read chambering specification questions kept Ruger from releasing the planned .404 Jeffery. The integral quarter rib, barrel band, and front sight band are quite unique. This is the integral front sight band on a RSM .416 Rigby; minimum available barrel length to cut threads for a brake.

 

[Rafiki]

I have never seen or heard of a M77 RSM with a factory muzzle brake.

Me either. That picture of the muzzle doesn't look threaded to me.