6.5x55 or 7x57 or 7mm-08 (Tikka, Ruger, CZ, Winchester)

[Dwight Beagle]

I am a new member and may be speaking out of turn. If please forgive me. The special run of Rugers that Lipseys ordered, 250 in .275 Rigby and 250 in 6.5X55 are a wonder. A 24" light tapered barrel, open sights, lightweight and probably the best trigger Ruger has ever put on a rifle. The MSRP was $1279. for either, but could be bought for just shy of a grand. Some have reported groups of sub-moa and I don't doubt that because they were using Nosler 140gr Partitions over 47.5grs of RL-22. There are no more in stock at Lipseys, however they are showing up on the auction sites. Try Gunbroker or Guns International. That load recipe is for the Swede.

I don’t believe you are speaking out of turn. While I think it’s cool they are stamped .275 Rigby, I’m just not into Ruger rifles. In addition to my previously stated reasons I fairly recently started using one piece picatinny bases. On a Ruger CRF rifle that means I’d have to use an adapter to be able use a one piece base, which I don’t want to do for several reasons. Last, Rugers just don’t get me all and bothered like M70’s do.

 

[John Struewing]

I don’t believe you are speaking out of turn. While I think it’s cool they are stamped .275 Rigby, I’m just not into Ruger rifles. In addition to my previously stated reasons I fairly recently started using one piece picatinny bases. On a Ruger CRF rifle that means I’d have to use an adapter to be able use a one piece base, which I don’t want to do for several reasons. Last, Rugers just don’t get me all and bothered like M70’s do.

I understand. My last Swede was a Win Classic Featherweight. It was a Swede from the factory but I had a Douglas Premium installed and it was Christmas every day. I gave quite a few of my guns to my best friend. Then I got lonely for a Swede and grabbed up this Ruger. I do not like their mounting system either and really dislike those rings. But this rifle is special. Best wishes

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Cool beans.

 

[cpr0312]

By the way, I went with a Swede for now! May add something else down the line but happy with this....

 

[Sand Rat]

beg your pardon for a tiny,little OT question.
Sand Rat,very elegant fur rug,what is it ?
Foxi

Springbok, purchase it from Cambanos and Sons in Pretoria SA. They have them listed on their website.

 

[Sand Rat]

I don’t believe you are speaking out of turn. While I think it’s cool they are stamped .275 Rigby, I’m just not into Ruger rifles. In addition to my previously stated reasons I fairly recently started using one piece picatinny bases. On a Ruger CRF rifle that means I’d have to use an adapter to be able use a one piece base, which I don’t want to do for several reasons. Last, Rugers just don’t get me all and bothered like M70’s do.

May want to handle the Ruger African first before passing judgment. I have a CZ American 24" in 7x57 and my new Ruger Swede is a better handling and better shooter than the CZ. The CZ was my favorite rifle to shoot until two months ago when the Ruger African arrived. The Ruger rings have always been solid as a rock on all three of my M77's but we all have differences of opinions.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

May want to handle the Ruger African first before passing judgment. I have a CZ American 24" in 7x57 and my new Ruger Swede is a better handling and better shooter than the CZ. The CZ was my favorite rifle to shoot until two months ago when the Ruger African arrived. The Ruger rings have always been solid as a rock on all three of my M77's but we all have differences of opinions.

I never said the Ruger mount system isn’t good, it is rock solid as you stated. When I worked the gun counter part time at Cabela’s I was one of two people that mounted just about every scope we sold or was brought in. And I don’t recall there ever being an issue with a CRF Ruger though the Americans had their share. Don’t recall there being an issue with any I mounted through my own little scope mounting business. It also can’t be denied it isn’t conducive to one piece picatinny bases like most other rifle brands are. There are other brands I like better though like CZ and Winchester. I’m not denigrating the Ruger, it’s just not my cup of tea.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

By the way, I went with a Swede for now! May add something else down the line but happy with this....View attachment 229412 View attachment 229413 View attachment 229414

Congratulations, they are excellent rifles.

 

[cpr0312]

Congratulations, they are excellent rifles.

Thank you!

Still considering a 7x57 if the right one comes along!

 

[John Struewing]

I never said the Ruger mount system isn’t good, it is rock solid as you stated. When I worked the gun counter part time at Cabela’s I was one of two people that mounted just about every scope we sold or was brought in. And I don’t recall there ever being an issue with a CRF Ruger though the Americans had their share. Don’t recall there being an issue with any I mounted through my own little scope mounting business. It also can’t be denied it isn’t conducive to one piece picatinny bases like most other rifle brands are. There are other brands I like better though like CZ and Winchester. I’m not denigrating the Ruger, it’s just not my cup of tea.

View attachment 229440

Mr Beagle, I too spent time behind a Cabelas gun counter. I too mounted a bunch of scopes. Unlike you probably, I didn't put any money in my pocket. I spent it all! I put a Leupold Vari X lll 2.5X8 on my Ruger African. My dislike of the Ruger mounting system has nothing to do with weakness. Actually it's pretty bullet proof. No there was barely room to mount that scope. It shouldn't be necessary to force those rings on the scope, but the kicker is those tiny screws. I would never loctite ring screws and even at that, I've had to drill some of them out. Either the screws or the quality of the Allen wrenches are questionable. Bottom line, any scope I mount on a Ruger is a permanent mount.

 

[Sand Rat]

By the way, I went with a Swede for now! May add something else down the line but happy with this....View attachment 229412 View attachment 229413 View attachment 229414

Good looking rifle @reedy0312 , let us know how it shoots. Been waiting for you to post a pic of the new rig, you got a good deal! My son bought the same rifle and likes his.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Mr Beagle, I too spent time behind a Cabelas gun counter. I too mounted a bunch of scopes. Unlike you probably, I didn't put any money in my pocket. I spent it all! I put a Leupold Vari X lll 2.5X8 on my Ruger African. My dislike of the Ruger mounting system has nothing to do with weakness. Actually it's pretty bullet proof. No there was barely room to mount that scope. It shouldn't be necessary to force those rings on the scope, but the kicker is those tiny screws. I would never loctite ring screws and even at that, I've had to drill some of them out. Either the screws or the quality of the Allen wrenches are questionable. Bottom line, any scope I mount on a Ruger is a permanent mount.

I worked at Cabela’s part time and did so for two reasons. As you know from working there the employee discount sucks unless you’ve been there seven years. But the dealer programs are mind blowing, at least for optics and firearms and that’s why I worked there. Eight Leupold optics a year for 60% off MSRP? I spent more than I made.

I agree with you about Ruger mounts.

 

[John Struewing]

I worked at Cabela’s part time and did so for two reasons. As you know from working there the employee discount sucks unless you’ve been there seven years. But the dealer programs are mind blowing, at least for optics and firearms and that’s why I worked there. Eight Leupold optics a year for 60% off MSRP? I spent more than I made.

I agree with you about Ruger mounts.

I went to work there fall of 1999. After a year, I changed stores and was able to become a Product Specialist. I stayed until Spring 2001. Back then, we started with a 30% discount but as a Product Specialist, we were able to buy at cost on product under $400. Anyway, I had some problems with my health and had to resign. When did you work there?

 

[Dwight Beagle]

From 8/14 to 11/16. I worked the gun counter. After about a month they had me mount all optics when I was working. Pretty soon after that I started taking calls at a desk in the gun vault when I wasn’t mounting scopes. I’ll never forget the first call I took. The guy had just inherited a family heirloom pistol that was broken. He needed a firing pin for a Lorcin L-25. I’d heard all of my life about the horrors of retail but they were pretty much absent at the gun counter. Most of the people were older than I and I was 55. We had a lot of autonomy, much more so than any other department. The Leupold pricing was great but Meopta was incredible. I paid $200.00 for my MeoStar 10x42 HD’s. In a little over two years it changed dramatically and I went from being one of the youngest to one of the oldest persons at the gun counter. Most of the gun counter employees didn’t know the difference between PF and CRF and some didn’t own a firearm. But they were all experts and you knew what they were going to say. If a customer wanted to purchase a shotgun a Benelli was the only way to go. If they wanted a bolt action rifle either a Savage or Ruger American was recommended. Want to purchase a scope? “Vortex makes the best scope in the world”. I got out.

 

[John Struewing]

From 8/14 to 11/16. I worked the gun counter. After about a month they had me mount all optics when I was working. Pretty soon after that I started taking calls at a desk in the gun vault when I wasn’t mounting scopes. I’ll never forget the first call I took. The guy had just inherited a family heirloom pistol that was broken. He needed a firing pin for a Lorcin L-25. I’d heard all of my life about the horrors of retail but they were pretty much absent at the gun counter. Most of the people were older than I and I was 55. We had a lot of autonomy, much more so than any other department. The Leupold pricing was great but Meopta was incredible. I paid $200.00 for my MeoStar 10x42 HD’s. In a little over two years it changed dramatically and I went from being one of the youngest to one of the oldest persons at the gun counter. Most of the gun counter employees didn’t know the difference between PF and CRF and some didn’t own a firearm. But they were all experts and you knew what they were going to say. If a customer wanted to purchase a shotgun a Benelli was the only way to go. If they wanted a bolt action rifle either a Savage or Ruger American was recommended. Want to purchase a scope? “Vortex makes the best scope in the world”. I got out.

How about $500 for a pair of Swarovski 10X42 SLC along with a tripod mount and a 2X multiplier. Back then, our position description stated that we were to be as much an "expert" as we could be. In other words, our positions required us to purchase and use their products. It pretty much went to you know where when they went public.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Even better.

 

[John Struewing]

beg your pardon for a tiny,little OT question.
Sand Rat,very elegant fur rug,what is it ?
Foxi

Hey Sand Rat, when you said that your Hawkeye African came from the factory "bedded and free floated" it was the first time that I had heard of Ruger shipping rifles like that. It has been many years since I found out how beneficial bedding a rifle recoil lug or pillar bedding and free floating a barrel could be. Anymore, I don't even bother with a base line group. Unfortunately, here in Kentucky, there is a scarcity of gunsmiths. When I called Ruger this morning about the rear sight on my new Mk lV Hunter, I asked if Ruger would perform gunsmithing services. I was told it depends but when I mentioned what I was interested in, the young lady said that they were supposed to be bedded before they left the factory. She said that it had a special name but couldn't tell me what it was. I ensured her that the my rifle had not been bedded and the barrel had full contact with the barrel channel. The other thing was that the barrel channel wasn't even sealed against moisture. I have been given an RMA to return it. So all of the rest of you lucky guys that cashed in on the Hawkeye African, if you checked and it was bedded congrats. Otherwise check with Ruger.

 

[Sand Rat]

Hey Sand Rat, when you said that your Hawkeye African came from the factory "bedded and free floated" it was the first time that I had heard of Ruger shipping rifles like that. It has been many years since I found out how beneficial bedding a rifle recoil lug or pillar bedding and free floating a barrel could be. Anymore, I don't even bother with a base line group. Unfortunately, here in Kentucky, there is a scarcity of gunsmiths. When I called Ruger this morning about the rear sight on my new Mk lV Hunter, I asked if Ruger would perform gunsmithing services. I was told it depends but when I mentioned what I was interested in, the young lady said that they were supposed to be bedded before they left the factory. She said that it had a special name but couldn't tell me what it was. I ensured her that the my rifle had not been bedded and the barrel had full contact with the barrel channel. The other thing was that the barrel channel wasn't even sealed against moisture. I have been given an RMA to return it. So all of the rest of you lucky guys that cashed in on the Hawkeye African, if you checked and it was bedded congrats. Otherwise check with Ruger.

No, I said it was free floated. Just double checked and a sheet of typing paper will slide down to the point the barrel tapers from the chamber. Never said anything about the bedding, haven't had it out of the stock and don't intend to the way it shoots.

 

[Sand Rat]

Hey Sand Rat, when you said that your Hawkeye African came from the factory "bedded and free floated" it was the first time that I had heard of Ruger shipping rifles like that. It has been many years since I found out how beneficial bedding a rifle recoil lug or pillar bedding and free floating a barrel could be. Anymore, I don't even bother with a base line group. Unfortunately, here in Kentucky, there is a scarcity of gunsmiths. When I called Ruger this morning about the rear sight on my new Mk lV Hunter, I asked if Ruger would perform gunsmithing services. I was told it depends but when I mentioned what I was interested in, the young lady said that they were supposed to be bedded before they left the factory. She said that it had a special name but couldn't tell me what it was. I ensured her that the my rifle had not been bedded and the barrel had full contact with the barrel channel. The other thing was that the barrel channel wasn't even sealed against moisture. I have been given an RMA to return it. So all of the rest of you lucky guys that cashed in on the Hawkeye African, if you checked and it was bedded congrats. Otherwise check with Ruger.

John, have you shot the gun yet? Mine shoots .5 MOA out of the box with the partitions and ELD-X. If perhaps yours will shoot like that why would you take the chance to change a thing????????????????

 

[John Struewing]

John, have you shot the gun yet? Mine shoots .5 MOA out of the box with the partitions and ELD-X. If perhaps yours will shoot like that why would you take the chance to change a thing????????????????

Sorry it's taken so long to respond. I misunderstood what you said, sorry about that. However, your rifle has been free floated the way I would want mine to be. It would stand to reason that Ruger would have bedded the recoil lug as well. Nothing has been done to my rifle period. The wood in the barrel channel hasn't even been sealed. Sand Rat, I understand your position and agree. More than one person has probably scratched their head at my reasoning sometimes. But I've never heard of bedding an action and free floating the barrel doing any harm to a rifles potential accuracy. Also, today was the first day without rain since last Thursday. Extremely hard rain and unbelievable humidity. Just the thing that would affect accuracy of a good rifle. I celebrate the accuracy of your rifle and admire your marksmanship. Ruger said all of these rifles were supposed to be processed. Wonder why this one wasnt, but they have started a double box my way to facilitate shipping it back to Newport. By the way, I was told not to use the original box, because it would be destroyed at the factory. I sincerely appreciate your input. Hope your success keeps building. Maybe start a journal for your Ruger.