I Have a Great Plan!

[ActionBob]

Another noteworthy point might be that these RSM's are available in the used market at reasonable prices.

I own 8 of them, all bought used. And another 5 of the Express models.o

 

[Longwalker]

I have my RSM, and like it, but I have no need for another. Probably one of the reasons why Ruger quit making them, the limited market was filled rather quickly and limits more sales.

 

[ActionBob]

Old thread but I thought I could add some reality to it. The story behind the RSM and Express lines, and I believe some others such as the Red Label and Gold Label shotguns.... Is that old Bill Ruger had always wanted to make some higher quality guns but being a good business man he listened to the bean counters and built his business on decent quality at a good price and supplied products that most people could afford. He did well and enjoyed the fruits of his labors aboard his own personal Yacht.

however like many in his position, he eventually decided he was wealthy enough that he was damned well going to do what he wanted to and thus began the period of the best products ever built by Ruger. It is said that every RSM and Express rifle went out the door with hundred dollar bills stuffed down the barrel Figuratively, not literally. In other words, the company was selling them for less than it cost to build them. Even today, they are way under priced for what they are on the used market.

Furthermore, the machinery that was used to build the Magnum Actions was worn out. There is a PH in Africa who was telling me the story about a 416 Rigby RSM. I don't remember all the details but I think the story was that a dealer or distributor in South Africa really wanted more of the Magnum rifles after the announcement that they had been discontinued, obviously because of a real need over there. Ruger agreed to make one more short run for him. As he sold out of those, one or maybe it was three of them had some major problems. Ruger's Customer Service Department was contacted and true to form, they agreed to stand behind the rifles and built I think it was 3 more. But explaining that that was it! They were taking the machinery out and scrapping it. I'm guessing those last rifles needed some level of hand finishing.

So Ruger no longer has the equipment to build a true magnum length bolt action. Their answer was to work with Hornady to develop the 375 Ruger caliber which can be fitted into a 30-06 or 300 Win Mag length action. and then necked it out to 416 Ruger.

This is also why we will likely never see a Ruger African in 300 H&H Magnum. They simply do not have the machinery to build it.....

 

[Forrest Halley]

Imagining that the company didn't profit off all its lines and actually have something back. That's a warm and fuzzy thought.

 

[ldmay375]

I really like the looks of the Ruger Safari Magnum and the Express rifles. I recall the first RSM that I saw, it was a wow-moment. I have definitely seen more RSM’s than the Express rifles.
I was fortunate enough to stumble upon an early production 30-06 Express a couple of years ago.

Old thread but I thought I could add some reality to it. The story behind the RSM and Express lines, and I believe some others such as the Red Label and Gold Label shotguns.... Is that old Bill Ruger had always wanted to make some higher quality guns but being a good business man he listened to the bean counters and built his business on decent quality at a good price and supplied products that most people could afford. He did well and enjoyed the fruits of his labors aboard his own personal Yacht.

however like many in his position, he eventually decided he was wealthy enough that he was damned well going to do what he wanted to and thus began the period of the best products ever built by Ruger. It is said that every RSM and Express rifle went out the door with hundred dollar bills stuffed down the barrel Figuratively, not literally. In other words, the company was selling them for less than it cost to build them. Even today, they are way under priced for what they are on the used market.

Furthermore, the machinery that was used to build the Magnum Actions was worn out. There is a PH in Africa who was telling me the story about a 416 Rigby RSM. I don't remember all the details but I think the story was that a dealer or distributor in South Africa really wanted more of the Magnum rifles after the announcement that they had been discontinued, obviously because of a real need over there. Ruger agreed to make one more short run for him. As he sold out of those, one or maybe it was three of them had some major problems. Ruger's Customer Service Department was contacted and true to form, they agreed to stand behind the rifles and built I think it was 3 more. But explaining that that was it! They were taking the machinery out and scrapping it. I'm guessing those last rifles needed some level of hand finishing.

So Ruger no longer has the equipment to build a true magnum length bolt action. Their answer was to work with Hornady to develop the 375 Ruger caliber which can be fitted into a 30-06 or 300 Win Mag length action. and then necked it out to 416 Ruger.

This is also why we will likely never see a Ruger African in 300 H&H Magnum. They simply do not have the machinery to build it.....

 

[ActionBob]

Imagining that the company didn't profit off all its lines and actually have something back. That's a warm and fuzzy thought.

Yea well it is not sustainable. So your comment is very contrary to this thread's OP who was hoping to see the RSM and Express lines come back. If they had been profitable, it might have instigated re-investment in the machinery to continue making them.

Your view seems to be all to prominent in the World today as it seems be rushing into the disaster known as Socialism, to be followed by the completely failed Communism.

I will continue to support Free Enterprise and the profits it generates. After all, none of these things are going to be sustainable without it. Instead of fine hunting rifles, you can use a communist derived AK or Mosin-Nagant.

 

[crs]

Interesting, but being a Winchester man, I do not know the difference between the RSM and the Express! I did inherit a tang safety Ruger 77 .338 Win Magnum that I really like and plan to keep in the family. From this picture, can you tell me if this is a RSM or Express? Regardless of the Ruger nick name, this is a darn fine rifle in a very effective caliber. For those that can live with no gold embellishments and just a reliable accurate rifle, that is. My guide there holding up the antlers hunts with the same rifle all over the world, and since mine is just like his, tried to talk me out of it.

 

[Joker12]

Those words are often proceeded by not-such-a-great plan but... I just contacted Ruger and asked them if they have any plans to ever bring back the Ruger Safari Magnum in classic big game calibers. Their answer was that they make the Hawkeye in large magnum calibers. Thats like asking if a car dealer has a Mercedes and he offers you a Ford Focus with leather interior and calls it pretty much the same thing.

So the plan... If we can get enough people to hamper them about bringing it back... They may potentially do it. I assume it was discontinued because they weren't making enough sales on it and therefore it wasn't economically logical to continue making it. But I doubt CZ sells tons of 550's in big calibers, yet they continue to make them. So......

If there are any Ruger RSM lovers out there who want to see it come back, I would urge you to just email their customer services and inquire to them if they would consider bringing it back. Even if it were $2,200 I would bet people would buy them. Quarter rib? Circassian (English) Walnut? Ebony Forend Cap? Beautiful Lines and calibers that end with Rigby and Holland & Holland... It's a custom rifle without the custom rifle price on a solid built CRF action!!!

Comment and let me know what you think of the idea...

I think its a great idea. Lets compile a list and perhaps contact Lipseys. If there is enough interest they might place a special order with Ruger. They have done it many times before and if you start a list please put me on it!

 

[Forrest Halley]

Yea well it is not sustainable. So your comment is very contrary to this thread's OP who was hoping to see the RSM and Express lines come back. If they had been profitable, it might have instigated re-investment in the machinery to continue making them.

Your view seems to be all to prominent in the World today as it seems be rushing into the disaster known as Socialism, to be followed by the completely failed Communism.

I will continue to support Free Enterprise and the profits it generates. After all, none of these things are going to be sustainable without it. Instead of fine hunting rifles, you can use a communist derived AK or Mosin-Nagant.

Ok let's play....I am well aware of the fact that these lines made no money for the company. Yeah well, Bill Ruger didn't care. It was done to produce excellent products. They were all very good lines in the Red Label, Gold Label, Woodside, RSM and Express. The #1 survives, but it is a dim reflection of what it once was. At least something was produced of use other than

As far as your cheekily calling me a commie, may you suddenly have insufficient traction and may gravity swiftly deliver you upon your posterior with great discomfort.

By your view if everything is done for maximum profitability, there will be no more fine things and we will all be resigned to plastic and mim parts because your mosin requires too many fine machining operations to produce. The boddington guns were Ruger's latest attempt at quality and for $2200 you got a bead blasted rifle with unremarkable wood and little else. All I'm saying is that the polymer mass production can support things that aren't by themselves keeping the lights on. There can be flag ships and bread and butter. You'll never sell enough best quality rifles to keep the doors open anywhere. Not everyone has to follow the Taurus and Glock MO.

 

[ActionBob]

Interesting, but being a Winchester man, I do not know the difference between the RSM and the Express! I did inherit a tang safety Ruger 77 .338 Win Magnum that I really like and plan to keep in the family. From this picture, can you tell me if this is a RSM or Express? Regardless of the Ruger nick name, this is a darn fine rifle in a very effective caliber. For those that can live with no gold embellishments and just a reliable accurate rifle, that is. My guide there holding up the antlers hunts with the same rifle all over the world, and since mine is just like his, tried to talk me out of it.

View attachment 435608

The RSM is a true magnum. They were made in 375 H&H, 416 Rigby, and 458 Lott. Rumor has it they made a 404 Jeffrey but screwed it up using the wrong dimensions so they never saw the light of day.

The Express was made in 338 win mag, 300 win mag, 7mm rem mag., 30-06, 270, and there are supposedly 6 in 25-06 of which a husband and wife own 4 and won't sell. (I asked)

They are all Model 77 Mark II's, which have the 3 position safety the same as current M77 Hawkeyes. They all have an integral quarter rib which is the distinguishing feature that really sets them apart. A barrel band sling swivel, and express iron sights with the Express having one standing and one flip up and the Magnum's having a couple flip ups. They have ebony fore end tips, steel grip caps, a not very soft black recoil pad (although many of the Magnum's seem to have been replaced by softer aftermarket ones), all on very nice Circassion Walnut.

 

[ActionBob]

I think its a great idea. Lets compile a list and perhaps contact Lipseys. If there is enough interest they might place a special order with Ruger. They have done it many times before and if you start a list please put me on it!

The machines to make the true magnum actions have been scrapped for I believe over 15 years now. They can't make them unless they did it with another company's magnum actions. So very unlikely.

I suppose they could make the express models but I think the Hawkeye version of that is the African model.

And could make a sort of RSM in 375 Ruger and in 416 Ruger. But I doubt there would be much of a following in those calibers. I believe the buyers interested in these guns, want them in the classic calibers.

 

[Tanks]

...

By your view if everything is done for maximum profitability, there will be no more fine things and we will all be resigned to plastic and mim parts because your mosin requires too many fine machining operations to produce.

Blaser seems to do real well with plastic parts at a much greater price point.

 

[Frederik]

ActionBob, thank you for the information was a good read I enjoyed it.
Now that CZ is done it would be welcome for RUGER to get a magnum action going again.

 

[crs]

Thanks for the tutorial Action Bob.
I was happy with my .338 before and still am. Lack of superficial add- ons do not reduce the accuracy or functionality which are all this simple hunter needs.
I will add that my outfitter/PH admired the rifle and its performance on game. I considered this a compliment.
PS I actually prefer the tang safety. The same as all my double guns and rifles and some of my big bore lever guns.