Ruger RSM Rebarrel

[PLM]

I have not seen this mentioned anywhere and I've been wondering. How much difference, if any, would there be in the work required to rebarrel a Ruger RSM in 375 H&H to 404 Jeff versus a Win. model 70 or CZ 550 in 375?

 

[sierraone]

I have not seen this mentioned anywhere and I've been wondering. How much difference, if any, would there be in the work required to rebarrel a Ruger RSM in 375 H&H to 404 Jeff versus a Win. model 70 or CZ 550 in 375?

Details on converting the RSM .375 to .404 J ? Contact AZDave, although he is having some family medical issues I believe. He had the rifle re-barreled by PacNor. I ended up buying the rifle, had my smith make some changes to meet my preferences and now have a gorgeous high end rifle which is more accurate than I am, and will be used on buffalo this July. Can't really help you with M 70 or CZ conversions to .404 J

but I believe the M 70 .375 HH action is too short for a .404, where the RSM action is not. There are several other rifle actions that can be converted with other forum members knowledgeable about how to do so! Good Luck!

 

[geoff rath]

Cannot really comment on the action choice, but as good bloke sierraone wrote the Ruger RSM will work. In my own case, I bought a Zastava so-called "Magnum length"action to do a 416 Rigby build. My favourite Aussie gunsmith was very gentle in explaining how it wouldn't work ; action too short front receiver ring machined out to supposedly suit a 375 H&H round. The 'smith wouldn't touch it for anything longer than a 300 Win Mag. His recommenations for such a build was either a CZ550 Magnum action, possibly a P14, a Ruger RSM, or one of the specialty big custom double square-bridge jobs. the ARC will work, and it is a CRF action. Possible a big Montana too. (They make some interesting rifles, as well as the actions and their own barrels).
Best bet is to find a competent 'smith and make an appointment to have a yarn about the job. Ask AZDave himself if he is well enough, or buy sierraone a beer or six (ten?) There must be some really great 'smiths in the Lone Star state.
Good luck.

 

[ActionBob]

If you can find one, the consensus seems to be that a M70 action in 300 RUM is the easiest to convert to 404 Jeffrey. I believe the 404 is the parent case. I have one and 404 Jeff cartridges fit the magazine nicely and will clio into the bolt, at least the crf one. Not perfect but a debate and slight machining on the bolt. Plus you may need stock re-channeling or a new stock to accommodate the heavier barrel profile.

A CZ may be the simplest as I believe you can contact Triple River and they would do it. I own one done by them from a 375 to 404. Another possibly higher cost/quality option is AHR.

As for a RSM, David's above is the only one I'm aware of. It was rebarreled as your question is directed, but be aware you are likely giving up the integral (expensive) quarter rib. This is a distinguishing feature of an RSM so think it through before doing it. The RSM is a true Magnum action, I have one converted to 505 Gibbs so yea, it can handle a very large cartridge.

If you find someone to re-bore and re-chamber a 375 RSM barrel to 404 Jeffrey, please let me know, maybe we can get a twofer deal

 

[sierraone]

Thanks Bob for mentioning the 300 Rum M70 option. I know we had talked about it in the past, but could not remember the caliber. And to rebore a .375 barrel to .404 to retain the quarter rib, don't know of anyone that has accomplished that, BUT, I don't know why it could not be done.

The photo is a side by side comparison of a RSM action to a M 70 .375 HH action in stainless....Big difference!

For anyone considering having a quarter rib attached to a barrel, plan on $700 on the low end to over $2000 for Griffin and Howe to install one!

 

[sierraone]

Continuing my above post....I believe in the end you can have any rifle converted into anything you want! The question is how much do you want to spend. At some point, it just makes more sense to take your time and shop for a used higher end .404 that is what you want but could easily cost $5000 and up.....with a new one costing $12000 and up!

 

[geoff rath]

My jangled memory seems to "click" when reboring is mentioned; one of the good folk here must know: Is/are Labounty Precision still operating? If so that might solve the problem. Better check Guggle for his site . . .

 

[geoff rath]

Just checked; it seems LaBounty on-sold his business to Jim DuBeil(?)who in turn may have retired. More research needed I'm afraid . . .Good luck, whatever you plan on doing . . .

 

[ActionBob]

For anyone considering having a quarter rib attached to a barrel, plan on $700 on the low end to over $2000 for Griffin and Howe to install one!

And you said "attached"... I believe the RSM quarter rib is integral, all machined out of the same block of steel as the barrel, one piece. Not sure how they even do that.

Other, custom quarter ribs I have seen are screwed on.

 

[geoff rath]

Yup, you're right ActionBob the barrel and rib on the RSM is all of one piece; just shows how much of a genius the late Bill Ruger was . . . as someone said . . . , crazy, crazy like a fox; single- handedly responsible for the revival of the falling block . . . introduced mass investment casting to the firearms industry . . . we all know of his achievements. (OK I am a fan).

 

[PLM]

Thanks for the replies. I know that the CZ and M70 can be done, I had just not seen the article about the Ruger. As far as M70 RUM actions, they are none that I can find. I saw a Ruger RSM 375 on Gunbroker and it just got me wondering.

 

[John P.]

Just checked; it seems LaBounty on-sold his business to Jim DuBeil(?)who in turn may have retired. More research needed I'm afraid . . .Good luck, whatever you plan on doing . . .

Sadly Jim passed away last summer. The reboring business is in limbo, not operating. At one time I heard an employee wanted to buy the business but this has not happened yet.

I will do some checking as I have two barrels I desire to have rebored.

 

[geoff rath]

My warped mind considered having an RSM in 46 Rigby rebored to 450 Rigby; but ideas don't involve funding . . .

 

[ActionBob]

Thanks for the replies. I know that the CZ and M70 can be done, I had just not seen the article about the Ruger. As far as M70 RUM actions, they are none that I can find. I saw a Ruger RSM 375 on Gunbroker and it just got me wondering.

Patience and persistence is key to finding a M70 in 300 RUM.

 

[ActionBob]

I have not seen this mentioned anywhere and I've been wondering. How much difference, if any, would there be in the work required to rebarrel a Ruger RSM in 375 H&H to 404 Jeff versus a Win. model 70 or CZ 550 in 375?

Oh and just a little BTW.... this has all been discussed in the past elsewhere on this board

In fact we may soon need a whole separate 404 Jeffrey dedicated forum

 

[PLM]

Oh and just a little BTW.... this has all been discussed in the past elsewhere on this board

In fact we may soon need a whole separate 404 Jeffrey dedicated forum

I have read, I thought, all the discussions on this topic. Somehow I missed the one by AZDave on the Ruger.

 

[CTDolan]

There are a number of firms that will do a re-boring (and yes, this is the route you will definitely want to take). When I was considering converting my Mauser in 30-06 (itself a 7.65 Argentine conversion) to a larger caliber (.338-06 or 9.3x62), I found a few willing and able to do the work.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Patience and persistence is key to finding a M70 in 300 RUM.

ActionBob: Your are correct, the Remingtons are readily available, but the Winchesters are scarce in the RUM calibers. I just saw a Super Grade on GB today and bought it. It had a buy now option that was only $100 over the starting price, so I jumped on it. Will likely send it to Hill Country Rifles and have it rebarreled so I too can join the 404 club.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

My warped mind considered having an RSM in 46 Rigby rebored to 450 Rigby; but ideas don't involve funding . . .

For $2700, this nice CZ in 450 Rigby, currently on GB , can be yours: https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/736233034

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have not seen this mentioned anywhere and I've been wondering. How much difference, if any, would there be in the work required to rebarrel a Ruger RSM in 375 H&H to 404 Jeff versus a Win. model 70 or CZ 550 in 375?

Instead of a Ruger RSM in 375 H&H, would it make more sense or at least be a little easier to rebore a Ruger RSM in .416 Rigby to 404 (which is really .423)?