What new Ruger would you like to see in a limited special run?

[Doug3006]

Yup. It was expensive to produce. Same reason Colt discontinued the Python. Then they figured out that folks would pay considerably more for one than they thought! So now they make them again.

One of our esteemed members has an excellent one listed in the classified section for $3,900. That kinda coin is what prime RSMs go for….heck, it’s actually a bargain. So maybe that’s enough to tempt Ruger. I dunno.

 

[Lion454]

338-06 AI in a model 77 (not African) I would scope it and shoot with a can. I would buy the first one! I have a model 77 in 338WM. Also have a M70 with a 22in proof barrel in 338.06AI. With my hand loads the 338-06AI performance is on par with the 338WM as far as velocity. The 338-06AI shoots better groups.

Thsi right here. In stainless/synthetic or lami stock. (I love beautiful wood and bluing, but I want to spend more time shooting then cleaning/maintaining)

 

[Joker12]

Didn't ruger say they were losing money on that product line?

Perhaps with a limited run of something special as suggested they could put the price where it would be profitable.

 

[wswolf]

77 African in 370 SAKO/9.3x66

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

I think 7x57 or .275 would get to 50 pretty easily as well.

After posting my desire and browsing through the responses yes. That or a 30-06 seems to be the most tangible so far.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I’d really like to see the M77 offered in something above the 416 Ruger.

Whether that be a new proprietary 458/500 Ruger cartridge (wishful thinking) or a 458WM or 500 Jeffery.

 

[Choupique]

458 win mag would be a drop in. Just a different reamer and broach. Its a bit of a head scratcher why they haven't offered it. They're allowing winchester to completely corner the sub-$2000 big bore market.

 

[spike.t]

458 win mag would be a drop in. Just a different reamer and broach. Its a bit of a head scratcher why they haven't offered it. They're allowing winchester to completely corner the sub-$2000 big bore market.

As I said...The more I think about this one the more I like it...

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

458 win mag would be a drop in. Just a different reamer and broach. Its a bit of a head scratcher why they haven't offered it. They're allowing winchester to completely corner the sub-$2000 big bore market.

my guess is as with all decisions companies make that are for profit is that it's such a small segment of buyers that will buy something like that it's not worth their time.

 

[Phfat]

.375 h and h in a 77 African.

 

[Brian]

1. A Number One in .500 NE. and .50-110 Winchester with 25 inch barrel with threaded muzzle.

2. Something really new would be proper quality control on their bolt actions but maybe I am asking
too much.

 

[Choupique]

as with all decisions companies make that are for profit is that it's such a small segment of buyers that will buy something like that it's not worth their time.

Well, yea, that's the answer. It isnt all that fun to talk about though!

Im not worried about ruger turning a profit, I just want what I want.

 

[odonata]

I have always had a fascination with limited runs of rifles. It seemed like a good way to make something unique without over committing production & inventory to a particular chambering. In many cases, the only thing that differs from regular production is the bore of the barrel. To my mind, it's the most efficient way to get something "custom" at close to the regular price (i.e. not breaking the bank).

So when I sent the original email to Randy's Hunting Center to find out the criteria they looked for, it was nice to have that info to satisfy my curiosity. But it's still an interesting target to try to hit (referencing the first comment in the thread by @spike.t about "herding cats").

To my mind (and this is just a personal opinion that's no more valid than anyone else's), the process goes something like this:

1. If you're going to request a special limited run of a rifle, don't request something common that is readily available. What's the point of a special request if it's not special?

2. A limited run is not a pure custom. You have to get 49 or 99 other people to agree with you that the chosen rifle is a desirable one and then a run of cookie cutter copies is produced for everyone in the group. So the request needs to be special...with broad appeal.

3. Asking for a rifle or a physical configuration that doesn't even exist is outside the scope of what a private retailer like RHC would ask a company like Ruger to produce. Asking for bolt action chamberings longer than 87mm (while desirable) wasn't going to happen. Reviving a defunct model was another bit of hopeful dreaming. Getting an entire production line retooled is a big ask & commitment.

But there was nothing wrong with unlikely suggestions since this was just a theoretical question in a forum. I appreciate all of the responses. I wanted to know how hard it would be to come to a workable consensus (pretty hard!). There were 18 chambering requests where the tally count was 1 so they failed on the broad group appeal requirement. Only a single requester thought it was a desirable choice.

At this mark, the Ruger #1 requests have stayed solidly with the 404 Jeffery & 300 H&H. No change there.

The Ruger African counts have adjusted a little as the 458 Win Mag & 338-06 have drifted up in requests:

The popularity of the 338-06 was interesting to me since it is effectively a reloaders-only choice with commercial production being both limited & sporadic. I don't think I've ever seen a limited run of rifles that had no commercial ammo before so it would be unusual.

 

[rdog]

A few days ago, @MontanaGrant started a thread about the Ruger African in 450 Bushmaster that was made exclusively for Randy's Hunting Center in Michigan. This thread eventually devolved into a discussion about what it would take to have a special limited run of rifles made for a group of people (like us!). So I sent RHC an email to ask that question and here is the response I got:

Darryl,

We work very closely with Ruger on exclusive rifles for our company. Generally they require between 75 and 100 firearms (same model and caliber), but we believe that they would run a minimum order of 50 rifles.

Please, let us know which model and caliber you are considering.

Best regards,

Randy’s Hunting Center

So there you have it. We need to specify a Ruger rifle model, a single caliber and 50+ of us would all agree that we would part with the money to make that happen. Is this possible? I don't know but my guess is it could be a challenge to come to a consensus. But I thought I would at least pose the question just because I was personally curious to see what your responses would be.

For the sake of this particular exercise, here's the "rules":

1. If you would buy a Ruger No. 1, specify the calibers you would be willing to purchase. You can get more detailed if you like about stainless, blued, RSI, barrel length, etc. But the main goal is just to see if there is at least one chambering that a significant number of people would purchase. Also keep in mind that at least 49 other people are going to need to agree with you. So while it might be tempting to list something esoteric, you might want to include something with commercially available ammunition on your wishlist as well.

2. If you would buy a Ruger Hawkeye African, specify the calibers you would be willing to purchase. Remember that Ruger magazines for the rifles they have been producing lately are 87mm / 3.4" so specifying the really large African calibers may not be practical. Since I'm a left-handed shooter, if that's what you want, mention that as well. I'm assuming the majority of responders will be right-handers but obviously I'm wondering if there's anyone out there like me.

To get the ball rolling, I'll go first. If this is going to be a special limited run, then I'm not really interested in getting a common chambering that is readily available in current rifles. But that's just my personal feeling:

Ruger No. 1 Tropical: 404 Jeffery

Ruger No. 1 RSI: 303 British

Ruger Hawkeye African (LH): 7x57 / 275 Rigby (my top choice by far!)

But I would also spend money to help my fellow southpaws by purchasing any of the following:

Ruger Hawkeye African (LH): 22 Hornet, 257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 7x64, 35 Whelen or 9.3x62

So here's your opportunity to put in a request for something missing & to see how that compares with the other forum members. If this thread produces a meaningful number of responses, I'll tally the totals in a later reply. Maybe start a followup thread with a poll if it appears there might be a doable choice. If the response is anemic, then that will satisfy my curiosity as to the feasibility of this endeavor as well.

This is my second go at this but a 416 Taylor would be wonderful.