Ruger safari magnum. Good, Bad and Ugly?

[Wishfulthinker580]

What is an ARH #1 & #2? American Hunting Rifle I know but #1 & #2 I don't. Seems like some sort of upgrade package. Didn't see anything on their website.

AHR used to do CZ550 and Win M70 upgrades. They trained and passed on that work to Matrix Gunsmithing in Colorado. Apparently they are now just as overwhelmed as Wayne at AHR was.

Matrix Gunsmithing LLC - Manufacturing Custom Rifle Parts. | integral barrel | 37601 County Road 77, Lake George, CO, USA

Matrix gunsmithing, CZ 550 upgrades, safari rifles, dangerous game rifles, classic cartridges, Tim Ditmore, Winchester model 70 pre 64, integral barrels, quarter rib kits, NECG, laser engraving, the vault, used classic rifles, africa hunting, high end gunsmithing, custom rifles,

www.matrixgunsmithing.com

 

[Rafiki]

AHR used to do CZ550 and Win M70 upgrades. They trained and passed on that work to Matrix Gunsmithing in Colorado. Apparently they are now just as overwhelmed as Wayne at AHR was.

Matrix Gunsmithing LLC - Manufacturing Custom Rifle Parts. | integral barrel | 37601 County Road 77, Lake George, CO, USA

Matrix gunsmithing, CZ 550 upgrades, safari rifles, dangerous game rifles, classic cartridges, Tim Ditmore, Winchester model 70 pre 64, integral barrels, quarter rib kits, NECG, laser engraving, the vault, used classic rifles, africa hunting, high end gunsmithing, custom rifles,

www.matrixgunsmithing.com

Ok, got it, thanks. I went to their website and downloaded the "Upgrade #" documents. I may be reading a lot into those but it looks like what they do is the direction that I'm going in with my RSM. Although they don't directly mention it they apparently use at least some of the NECG parts, the same as I'm having done.

 

[Captain Munro]

They, Matrix, will work on Ruger RSM's as well. I had a email conversation with them a while back inquiring on the subject.

 

[Rafiki]

Since this thread is supposed to be about the RSM good, bad and ugly the recoil system of my rifle classifies as both bad and ugly, certainly not good. (See Images)

I was talking, texting with my ‘smith earlier today about the pillars I sent for my RSM. He surprised me by emphatically saying that they would not work. What I sent were pillars for a M77 MKII which of course the RSM is. I had no idea that the recoil system, if you want to call it that, is decidedly not M77 MKII.

I simply don’t understand how the heck what II see is supposed to work or why Ruger would design such a mess over what is normally found on a MKII.

My question to this forum is what if anything you’ve done to improve the recoil system on your rifles.

 

[Captain Munro]

I am having the recoil plate glass bedded into the stock as well as a second recoil lug and pillar bedding.

 

[Rafiki]

I am having the recoil plate glass bedded into the stock as well as a second recoil lug and pillar bedding.

I'd be VERY interested in exactly what you are doing in regards to the recoil system, like where you are putting the second lug, how it will be attached, etc. Are you keeping the barrel lug of the original system; just bedding it into the stock and using the existing screw to attach it to the barrel?

As near as I can figure this RMS recoil system is that it is intended to be tightened up using the 60-degree screw in the receiver, why else loop that free-floating plate around that receiver stud. I don't understand how glassing that plate is going to help, it probably wouldn't be needed at all. The existing lug is just bolted to the barrel, seems like if you were going to glass in this contraption all you would need to glass in is the lug itself.

This whole contraption is very strange.

 

[Bonk]

5+1 in 404 Jeff??

Good catch. I misspoke. My CZ550 9.3x62 is 5+1. My RSM 404J is 3+1.

 

[Bonk]

I

Yeah, I was wondering about that too. The RSM only holds 3 in the mag by design. Has the magazine been modified in some manner? I'm interested because one of the items on my list is to do something to make room for 1 more in the mag. Should be possible with a drop-down floorplate if I can find someone to do that. I did talk with Morris at Alaska Arms about that since he did a similar thing for a non-magnum M77.I misspoke.

I misspoke. My CZ550 9.3x62 is 5+1. My RSM 404J is 3+1.

 

[Captain Munro]

Is there anyone making bottom metal for the Ruger Safari's that would allow for an extra round down?

 

[Rafiki]

The only one I've found is Alaska Arms. He made a drop floor plate for a M77 but not for the Magnum length. I talked with him about it and there is a possibility of him taking on the project. That would mean programming for his CNC machine.

 

[Captain Munro]

I just wish American rifle makers would have made the drop belly style magazine for their Safari guns. I know I probably don't need 5 or 6 rounds, but the traditional appeal is there.

 

[Rafiki]

So work in making one, that's what I'm going to do. All i want is one more round.

 

[Louis Toadvine]

Just picked up an unfired RSM in .458 Lott. I've done lots of reading on here and elsewhere on the rifles, and it appears some are adamant the rifle get stock work done before firing (bedding, tang reinforcement, etc.) while others seem to use the rifle straight out of the box without problems. I'd prefer to do the latter but obviously don't want to crack the stock or otherwise bungle things.

Those of you who used your RSM without sending it to a smith first, did you have any problems?

The safe play is to get the work done before using the rifle, but with smiths I've talked to either not taking on new work or the quoted wait being 12-24 months, I'm contemplating just shooting the damned thing.

 

[Captain Munro]

Just picked up an unfired RSM in .458 Lott. I've done lots of reading on here and elsewhere on the rifles, and it appears some are adamant the rifle get stock work done before firing (bedding, tang reinforcement, etc.) while others seem to use the rifle straight out of the box without problems. I'd prefer to do the latter but obviously don't want to crack the stock or otherwise bungle things.

Those of you who used your RSM without sending it to a smith first, did you have any problems?

The safe play is to get the work done before using the rifle, but with smiths I've talked to either not taking on new work or the quoted wait being 12-24 months, I'm contemplating just shooting the damned thing.

Thats how I felt, but I ended up dropping it off at the gunsmith. Stock was so nice I did not want to risk cracking it, of course it still could happen. Wanted a thicker recoil pad too haha, the Ruger factory pad was a rock.

 

[Rafiki]

I'd shoot the thing. Do you really think Ruger would produce a rifle like the RSM and have it so delicate that you can't shoot it. Torque the screws properly and go abuse your shoulder.

That said, I bought mine 5 months ago and I still haven't seen it much less shot it. It's at my 'smith where I had it shipped. You can bet that as soon as I can lay my hands on it I'll be taking it to the range, probably another month.

 

[Captain Munro]

I'd shoot the thing. Do you really think Ruger would produce a rifle like the RSM and have it so delicate that you can't shoot it. Torque the screws properly and go abuse your shoulder.

That said, I bought mine 5 months ago and I still haven't seen it much less shot it. It's at my 'smith where I had it shipped. You can bet that as soon as I can lay my hands on it I'll be taking it to the range, probably another month.

Same here. Mine has been there for going on 2 months.

 

[Aussie Mal]

Just picked up an unfired RSM in .458 Lott. I've done lots of reading on here and elsewhere on the rifles, and it appears some are adamant the rifle get stock work done before firing (bedding, tang reinforcement, etc.) while others seem to use the rifle straight out of the box without problems. I'd prefer to do the latter but obviously don't want to crack the stock or otherwise bungle things.

Those of you who used your RSM without sending it to a smith first, did you have any problems?

The safe play is to get the work done before using the rifle, but with smiths I've talked to either not taking on new work or the quoted wait being 12-24 months, I'm contemplating just shooting the damned thing.

I purchased my RSM new in 2010, shot it straight out of the box & am still shooting it. I've never had any alterations made to it at all and have never had a problem or sign of a problem with it. It is in 375 H&H though, not 416 or 458.

 

[Louis Toadvine]

Thats how I felt, but I ended up dropping it off at the gunsmith. Stock was so nice I did not want to risk cracking it, of course it still could happen. Wanted a thicker recoil pad too haha, the Ruger factory pad was a rock.

I'm not an expert at judging wood, but mine is basically pure straight grain walnut, which I know is generally the strongest and least susceptible to breaking/cracking. That doesn't mean it can't crack (especially if subjected to .458 Lott recoil; that stresses all types of wood regardless of grain), but it makes me feel a bit more confident than if the stock were heavily figured.

I'd shoot the thing. Do you really think Ruger would produce a rifle like the RSM and have it so delicate that you can't shoot it. Torque the screws properly and go abuse your shoulder.

That said, I bought mine 5 months ago and I still haven't seen it much less shot it. It's at my 'smith where I had it shipped. You can bet that as soon as I can lay my hands on it I'll be taking it to the range, probably another month.

That's sort of how I feel, though the frequent recommendations to have them bedded and reinforced gave me pause. I did find it funny that despite your recommendation to go shoot it you also admitted that your RSM is at your gunsmith.

I purchased my RSM new in 2010, shot it straight out of the box & am still shooting it. I've never had any alterations made to it at all and have never had a problem or sign of a problem with it. It is in 375 H&H though, not 416 or 458.

Good to know! I expect the Lott has a higher incidence of cracking compared to a .375, but that exists with any stock or rifle given the increased recoil.

 

[Rafiki]

I'm not an expert at judging wood, but mine is basically pure straight grain walnut, which I know is generally the strongest and least susceptible to breaking/cracking.

Correct, straight grain through the wrist is the strongest you can hope for.

That's sort of how I feel, though the frequent recommendations to have them bedded and reinforced gave me pause. I did find it funny that despite your recommendation to go shoot it you also admitted that your RSM is at your gunsmith.

I guess that did sound hypocritical; mine is at my 'smith simply because I divide my time between two states and he is where I will be heading at the end of the month.

 

[Jack Stevens]

Is there anyone making bottom metal for the Ruger Safari's that would allow for an extra round down?

You might contact bottom-metal expert, Duane Wiebe, and see if he’s added them to Ruger Magnums.