Ruger M77 Mk. II Express Magnum Rifle

[chiefdale]

Hey all,
Coming home from my first safari a few years back I decided to purchase a .375 after shooting one as a rental. Bought this off a friend and always felt it was way to heavy.

I know ruger doesn’t make this anymore.

I wanted a gun to pass down for family safaris and wanted to hunt DG with it one day. As I am beginning to plan a DG safari I can’t decide whether to keep this - purchase a new one. My first safari I shot a rental but ran into some issues not being as used to it. So I don’t think rental route is best for DG.

thoughts? Opinions on this gun?

 

[K-man]

My 2c. put a low power scope on it, 1x6 or 2x8. Use the gun. Practice with it, a lot, and off sticks. Take it for DG. let the tracker carry it for you, enjoy your safari. You probably won't lower the value of the gun, and you might enjoy it enough to keep it or hand it down to a grandchild. If you really want to sell, decide what you would rather have before selling this one, just to make sure the grass isn't greener with the next rifle. Plenty of enablers here to "help" you buy a new rifle and to buy yours from you. Good luck whatever direction you go.

 

[Doug3006]

You should sell it to me for a buck-ninety-five! Seriously those Express Rifles were one of the best ones Ruger ever built. Maybe THE best and as good an option for DG as one can buy. I‘d never talk a friend out of buying a new rifle, but I’m curious….what would you buy to replace it?

 

[318AE]

I think the Ruger M77 Mk II Express may currently be the best value in a second hand DG rifle. I think they sometimes go for about $1500-$2000 - it is a lot of rifle for that money. Those in better condition and nicer wood can bring more.

They are “hefty” and not exactly trim, but they are an express rifle. I think the 416 and 375 weigh about the same (I’m not as familiar with the 458 Lott ones, but suspect they are the same). It helps with recoil, even more so in the 416. There was someone trimming down the stock to more typical English dimensions some time back. It can be done. Numrich had new old stock replacement stocks at good prices if you wanted one to practice on.

I think you’ve got the most versatile of the group with the 375.

Help us understand what you may be considering instead, and we may be able to share some thoughts.

 

[sierraone]

That is a Ruger Safari Magnum rifle, not a Ruger Express. The primary difference is the Express came in calibers .270 thru .338 mag. The RSM came in .375 HH .416 Rigby and .458 Lott. All are fantastic rifles. Yes the RSMs are on the heavy side but I don't plan on climbing any mountains with any of mine, even my .300 Win. Express. If you decide to sell it, should be an easy sell.

 

[chiefdale]

You should sell it to me for a buck-ninety-five! Seriously those Express Rifles were one of the best ones Ruger ever built. Maybe THE best and as good an option for DG as one can buy. I‘d never talk a friend out of buying a new rifle, but I’m curious….what would you buy to replace it?

I’m not entirely sure. DG rifles haven’t been much of a study in my life until more recently. It seems from a value perspective this ruger is a fine rig.

I just don’t quite love it. Any you’d reccomend near that price point of reselling this for around 1500 or so

 

[spike.t]

Think the reason they are heavy is they used the same barrel profile for the 375 as the 416 and 458...so smaller hole with more steel around it...had a 375 but it somehow vanished here when someone was looking after it....have another that was a 375 but got converted to 458 lott...lighter and better balanced...especially when had barrel cut to 21 inches

 

[godwincp]

I have the 375 H&H in the Ruger RSM and I love it. Just returned from safari and took a great old dagga boy with it using 300 grain Barnes triple shock bullets. You should appreciate the heavier weight for recoil and they don’t make them like that anymore. Selling it won’t be a problem . Make
sure you know what you want before you sell this classic

 

[Doug3006]

I’m not entirely sure. DG rifles haven’t been much of a study in my life until more recently. It seems from a value perspective this ruger is a fine rig.

I just don’t quite love it. Any you’d reccomend near that price point of reselling this for around 1500 or so

I get it. Rifles have to speak to you. Near that price point...two options come to mind. The Winchester Model 70 Safari Express and the CZ 550 Safari Magnum. Either can be had in .375 H&H, .416 (Remington in the Model 70 and Rigby in the CZ 550) or .458 (Winchester in the Model 70 and both Winchester and Lott in the CZ 550.) Both are good rifles. Neither is better than what you have in the Ruger.

 

[Berettaco]

I have 2 .375 RSMs and think they are excellent rifles - both shoot sub MOA and feed reliably every time. I have 2 win 70 safari in 375 and 458 win and I much prefer the rugers for the larger caliber rifles. The weight might be a few pounds more but I welcome that to help absorb some of the recoil. I did Have a 458 Lott RSM but I didn’t enjoy the recoil and sold it.
Short of a custom rifle I think the RSM is hard to beat, I have a couple custom rifles and each has it own little flaws which can make you question field reliability, especially with DG. I have never shot a CZ Safari so I can’t speak to those.

 

[John J]

I’m not entirely sure. DG rifles haven’t been much of a study in my life until more recently. It seems from a value perspective this ruger is a fine rig.

I just don’t quite love it. Any you’d reccomend near that price point of reselling this for around 1500 or so

I have a CZ 550 in 458 Lott. The factory synthetic stock fits me well and isn't clunky like the wood stocks. I carried it today I Wyoming incase we happened upon a griz. This one has an AHR #2 upgrade, 23 " barrel. It was a joy to carry, lightweight for a 458. I had shot 500 gr Hornady ammo and it was down right abusive. The 500 gr Noslers I picked up from a member here were way easier shooting. We have 3 CZ's between my son and I. Two worked over by AHR, one by Matrix, very happy. The rifles are in your price point but without the "upgrades". John

 

[John J]

Attached photo 458 Lott, not the best picture but it was easy going with 5 in the mag just in case.

 

[Longwalker]

I had a Ruger RSM for several years. It was chambered in .375 H&H. It was accurate, reliable, functioned as is should. It had a heavy, gritty trigger that a good gunsmith took care of for me. I used it on several hunts at home, taking elk, moose, and bear. It was easy to shoot accurately, partly because of the weight. I didn't really bond with it, and eventually sold it. One reason I talked myself into selling it was the very short bolt handle, which is a standard length handle put into a chubby RSM stock. About all that protrudes is the ball. Not easy to get your hand on when shooting quickly. That's a picky detail, I admit. I probably should have kept mine.

 

[Ryeboy86]

I'd love to get an RSM in 458 Lott!! Such a great looking rifle!

 

[sierraone]

I'd love to get an RSM in 458 Lott!! Such a great looking rifle!

More often than not you can find one on Gun Broker for $2000 and up.

 

[Ryeboy86]

Yeah.. Been hearing horror stories about GB.. If someone on here ever wants to sell one, let me know!

 

[sierraone]

Yeah.. Been hearing horror stories about GB.. If someone on here ever wants to sell one, let me know!

In the last five years, have made five buys on Gun Broker including two RSMs and 3 or 4 M70s. Have sold two. Never an issue so far.