Big Bore Addiction Group

[Pondoro]

Guys....I thought I was on the wagon......but then I learned about a project my gunsmith is into (he is one of the best, if not the best gunsmith in Norway..)..

A customer has ordered a .600 double....the action/barrels are made and engraved in Italy, my gunsmith will stock and shoot & regulate it....and I happen to have a box of Kynoch 900 grain solids looking at me....a shoot may come up here... If the wife see more rifles turning up she will probably me..


"Old ways, sure is hard to change `em
come what may, its hard to teach a dinosaur a new trick..
lately I`ve been findin out I`m set in my ways...."

 

[spike.t]

Beautiful rifle. Mike, I do not believe you to be cured. It is a matter of time.
Witold

no iam iam iam iam honestly............

 

[spike.t]

Is that a European herring or African?

thought it was a texan one due to its size......

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Mike, and so you do not believe.
Witold

 

[spike.t]

Mike, and so you do not believe.
Witold

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Mike, I understand.
Witold

 

[Velo Dog]

that would probably depend on what kind of velocity you can get with the frozen herring.

-matt

To rip-off Larry The Cable Guy: "Now that's funny right there, I don't care who you are."

 

[sandman0921]

Well to keep the thread going......I am relatively new to the African Hunting Community , but have lurked for a long time, and have enjoyed all of the information on all things "Africa" that can be found. A couple of years ago, I purchased my first "medium-bore" with it being a Ruger Hawkeye in 375 Ruger. I decided to convert it into an Alaskan rifle, and had it stocked with a laminate stock from the guys at Accurate Innovations, as well as installed a Timney trigger, stronger firing pin spring, fiberoptic front sight, as well as having the metal Cerakoted. It's topped with a Trijicon Accupoint 1 - 4x24 scope.

Not being satisfied with just one, I purchased a used Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in 375 H&H, and installed new bottom metal, a Timney trigger, and have it currently with the guys at Accurate Innovations being dressed in a AAA piece of English Walnut with ebony fore-end tip, fleur-de-lis checkering, steel grip cap, inletted swivel studs, and red rubber Pachmayr 1" butt pad. I'll top it with a Leupold VX6.

I've always wanted a big-bore however, having shot some of my friends big-bore rifles that have been to Africa. So a few months ago, I contacted Wayne Jacobson at American Hunting Rifles and ask him to build me a AHR dangerous game rifle in 450 Rigby. It has all the standard features plus a Quarter Rib rear sight base, nitre blue extractor and collar, and jeweled bolt. The below pictures were sent to me a few days ago, right before Wayne sighted the irons in. The nitre blue extractor has been substituted with a plain white one, and the bolt has yet to be jeweled so it would be "fresh" when it arrived to me. However, you get the gist. It's been shipped and is set to arrive at my FFL in 2 days! Wayne sent me his reloading recipes for the 450 Rigby and the load it was sighted with. I can't wait to shoot it. It'll take some time behind the rifle to get proficient with it, but that's most the fun right? I hope to take it, as well as the Winchester on many trips to Africa in the coming years, God willing.

 

[matt85]

congratulations, that is one fine looking rifle sir!!!

one of these days im going to have to commision AHR to make me a rifle.

i havent heard much about the 450 Rigby, but from what little i know its basically a 416 Rigby necked up to .458". this puts it in the same category as the 460 WBY except they dont load it up to stupid velocities. should be a great rifle and cartridge that will serve you very well!

-matt

 

[sandman0921]

Matt, yes that's basically it. The nice thing about the 450 Rigby is that it avoids that infernal belt that the 460 Wby has so you can full length resize the brass. Also the case capacity is generous so it keep pressures down which is good in the hot African sun. This rifle has a 22.5 inch barrel and with 110 grains of H4350, a 500 grain .458 Hornady DGX is getting approximately 2325 fps. I'll probably back off a little towards the 2150-2200 fps range figuring it will be a little easier to shoot while preserving good penetration with that bullet. The rifle weighs a shade less than 10 lbs empty, and with a scope, rings, and full magazine, it should be 11 - 11.5 lbs. Probably just about right in a rifle of this "potential"

 

[Royal27]

Welcome Sandman!

1. If you've bought a rifle from AHR then your in the right place
2. the rifle you bought is beautiful....

Wayne does some amazing work for sure.

 

[matt85]

personally i would avoid using the DGX, they are basic cup/core bullets wrapped in a steel jacket (primitive bullets). that same load data should work fine with Swift A-frames which are MUCH better bullets. id also give the Barnes TSX a try as ive had very good luck with them lately.

-matt

 

[ActionBob]

Ok I have a new one that followed me home tonight! But some questions, might seem like dumb questions to some of you guys..... What does the Ruger RSM designation stand for. I see guys talking about it and what a shame it is they don't build it anymore.... what is it? It is obviously a true magnum action, perhaps on par with the CZ 550 magnum?

So back to what followed me home
A Ruger in 416 Rigby. Like most big bores, looks like the biggest issue with the bore is that it has dust in it. Action seems smooth, in fact smoother than our new Ruger's. Not the best piece of wood on it. And it has a couple short little small cracks in the wood right where the action meets the metal at the rear of the receiver, under the bolt.

Nowhere does it say RSM that I can see. How do I tell if it is one or not? From pictures this looks exactly the same as Ruger's posted for sale as RSM's.

This gun has one cross bolt through it. Then a different type of barrel band that has a stud coming through the stock for the sling. Big beefy barrel on it almost on par with the CZ 550 in 505 Gibbs.

I'll post pictures when I can.. We are still in the hiding out in the truck stage yet....

 

[IdaRam]

sandman0921
That sir, is one damn sexy rifle! I even have a suggestion of a nickname for ya.
Home Wrecker! If it were mine I'm pretty sure it would be sharing my bed!

 

[IdaRam]

ActionBob,
The RSM stands for Ruger Safari Magnum. Ruger chambered them in .375 H&H, .416 Rigby and .458 Lott and they also make a scaled down version in .270, .30-'06 and .338 Win Mag. One of Bill Ruger's pet projects. Magnum size CRF action, barrel band sling swivel, circassian walnut stock and integral quarter rib with express sights.
Dang fine fit and finish. A true African Safari rifle. Of course, I am a little bias

 

[IdaRam]

Bob, on the left side of the receiver it probably says "Magnum"? Sounds like you have yourself an RSM. The description fits.
Congrats! and welcome to the club
Gonna need some pics or it never happened!!!

 

[ActionBob]

IdaRam; Yes that sure sounds correct... Got to take a look for the Magnum word... But the wife has not gone to bed yet

I think I was already "in"... with 2-375's, a 416 Rem Mag and a 505Gibbs...... Those are why I'm concerned about the wife coming around... But I only paid $950 for this one so she will take it in stride, just something I don't want to march in with, maybe wait until Valentines day and break it to her with the flowers?

 

[Bullthrower338]

ActionBob,
I'm confused are You and the rifle hiding in the truck?lol. Don't be scared, leave the gun in the truck for a couple days to give you some time to rationalize(make up a story that only you believe) then just walk in one day like you've had her for years and put it in the safe. She ain't gonna buy it but she may just tolerate it. Lol. Good luck brother!
Cody

 

[IdaRam]

Sorry Bob, should have said "RSM Club". You are certainly more of a bona fide member of the Big Bore Club than I

 

[IdaRam]

$950 for an RSM is a STEAL! You really should hang your head in shame.