New Ruger African in .275 Rigby

[Tango]

I was fortunate enough to get one of the Ruger 77 Africans in 275 Rigby. I'm thrilled to see Ruger build such a classic, interesting rifle in a market full of synthetic, long-range super guns! Haven't been this excited about a rifle since I got my Boddington No 1's in 7x57 and 300 H&H. Received the rifle last week and then got a set of low (3 and 4) matte rings. I like my scopes mounted as low as possible. Thought you guys might like to see the clearance I get with a Leupold 4-12x40. It's just a trial fit, but the rings are snug to the receiver and eye relief is adjusted properly. Good bolt clearance/no issues cycling the action.

Hoping to get it to the range this weekend and try the S&B 173gr SPCE, 175gr Partitions and 158gr XRG. (Disclaimer: I work for S&B-Magtech USA.) Report back after the range session.

Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to rotate the images.

 

[tarbe]

Sweet rig Tango. Agree on the scope mounting principles.

 

[Tango]

Thanks, can't wait to get it out on a hunt.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I'm a little jealous, by the time I got back from RSA this year Lipsey's was sold out of these and everyone on gunbroker had bumped their damn head! Wish they would to a special run in the 77 express rifle with the quarter rib, that I would love!
Nice rifles guys

 

[ActionBob]

Thanks for posting those pics @Tango Mounting looks about perfect Bit more power than i would prefer for that caliber but have to agree with your mounting principals.

 

[Tango]

Agreed on the power and aesthetics, but as I get older and my eyes age, I find having 10x-12x is nice for range/zeroing work. Never shot a critter with more than 6x though. Anything more than that off sticks was a liability for me when I finally had a chance to hunt RSA.

 

[tarbe]

I'm a little jealous, by the time I got back from RSA this year Lipsey's was sold out of these and everyone on gunbroker had bumped their damn head! Wish they would to a special run in the 77 express rifle with the quarter rib, that I would love!
Nice rifles guys

Says the guy who is...at this moment...driving down the road with a recently acquired Winston Elrod 300 H&H laying on his back seat.

I really feel sorry for you - poor little snowflake!!

 

[tarbe]

It's unanimous. We all want one!

Dadgummit Ruger! Make about 100,000 more of them!

 

[sierraone]

I'm a little jealous, by the time I got back from RSA this year Lipsey's was sold out of these and everyone on gunbroker had bumped their damn head! Wish they would to a special run in the 77 express rifle with the quarter rib, that I would love!
Nice rifles guys

That would be a hoot if they started building the RSMs again. No telling what they would cost!!!.....P.S. the Ruger Express rifles also!!!

 

[Bullthrower338]

Don't judge me dammit!

 

[tarbe]

Don't judge me dammit!

Just trying to keep it real...

 

[sierraone]

Don't judge me dammit!

You just can't help yourself from being judged. How many do have now? OK, plus or minus!

Come to think of it, I think Bob recently found one he didn't know he had!!!.........it is apparently contagious!

 

[tarbe]

The word is out Cody. Nowhere to hide...

 

[tarbe]

You just can't help yourself from being judged. How many do have now? OK, plus or minus!

Might be time for an intervention.

 

[ActionBob]

Wish they would to a special run in the 77 express rifle with the quarter rib, that I would love!
Nice rifles guys

The Express rifles in some classic calibers would be fantastic

 

[Bullthrower338]

The Express rifles in some classic calibers would be fantastic

I wonder if we brought them a committed order of say 250 rifles to the shot show if they would entertain the idea? You know they still have the tooling! I've got a buddy that might be able to answer that question, he is connected to Lipsey's. Modern day costs would probably run about what a Kimber Caprivi costs maybe a tad more?

 

[Tango]

I had an hour open at lunch after some other range work today so I tried the S&B 175gr Nosler Partitions and S&B 139gr RN SP. 50 yards, open sights off the bench. Target was the same size as the front sight bead. 98 degrees today in Orlando with serious humidity so my focus was not great, but I was pleased with these groups all things considered. I'll get the scope mounted next week and give it a real workout.

No issues at all with the 7x57 175gr loads chambering, extracting etc. It's also the most accurate load in my No 1 7x57 Boddington. Good, workable trigger in the 77 African. Also shot some steel targets at 100 yards off the sticks. Mild recoil and great handling characteristics make that easy with this rifle. The barrel heats up fast and stays hot! 3 shot groups were all I could manage. Anything more without a long cool-down and they starting to string.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I had an hour open at lunch after some other range work today so I tried the S&B 175gr Nosler Partitions and S&B 139gr RN SP. 50 yards, open sights off the bench. Target was the same size as the front sight bead. 98 degrees today in Orlando with serious humidity so my focus was not great, but I was pleased with these groups all things considered. I'll get the scope mounted next week and give it a real workout.

No issues at all with the 7x57 175gr loads chambering, extracting etc. It's also the most accurate load in my No 1 7x57 Boddington. Good, workable trigger in the 77 African. Also shot some steel targets at 100 yards off the sticks. Mild recoil and great handling characteristics make that easy with this rifle. The barrel heats up fast and stays hot! 3 shot groups were all I could manage. Anything more without a long cool-down and they starting to string.

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Nothing wrong with that! Should shine with some glass on top of it!

 

[Bullthrower338]

So I bought one, paid to much for it but I needed it because I already bought 275 R headstamped brass and it is a beautiful little rifle when seen in person. I'm not real crazy about the looks of the rear sight or the huge Ruger engraving on the bottom metal. But like the saying goes, "if you are ever lost and bored, you can always read your Ruger".
My first attempt at loading for this is going to be the 162 ELD-X. I will let y'all know if I can get them to do anything spectacular.
I talked to my buddy at Cabelas and he said that they purchased 175 of the 250 made. They went to Ruger to make it a cabelas exclusive but they didn't want to buy the whole 250. I don't quite understand why they would be worried about buying an additional 75 rifles but that kind of gives an idea of how the distribution from lipseys went down.
Cheers,
Cody

 

[tarbe]

Sounds like a great light rifle for an old-fashioned hunt in old southern Rhodesia.