Ruger Safari Magnum Project

[Rafiki]

I have a question on the RSM and there is obviously a lot of knowledge about them on this thread.
I bought a 375 H&H a couple of years ago and love it. Compared to my Kimber 300, it is definitely a heavier "clunkier" stock and very heavy barreled. But when I shoot it, I lose any complaints-good trigger, good action, the thickness and weight of the stock seems to steady everything off sticks for me and it groups extremely well. I used it on my hunt with Kowas in Namibia and it was no problem to carry, a joy to shoot and performed flawlessly.
My question is the two styles I see on the barrel band. Mine is in the forearm like the picture of @Bonk rifle in this thread. But a lot of them have the band on the barrel, free of the fore end, like the OP. My understanding is they are both RSM labeled but when/why the difference?

They both are RSM's, It's simply that over the few years the made some slight modifications. Yours is a bit older than mine. Do a serial number lookup. Yours is a gen-1. Mine is a gen-2 vintage 2006. Other than a few of these small changes they are essentially the same rifle.

Send a picture if you have one.

 

[MAdcox]

They both are RSM's, It's simply that over the few years the made some slight modifications. Yours is a bit older than mine. Do a serial number lookup. Yours is a gen-1. Mine is a gen-2 vintage 2006. Other than a few of these small changes they are essentially the same rifle.

Send a picture if you have one.

 

[Daniel Cary]

(G&A December 2002) .. I purchased a 458 Lott in 2003. I've always thought of it as pretty slim, 9.5 lbs, etc. idk .. I just opened this & found the Lott wright up was interesting. "Accomplished Hollywood Ballroom Dancer & Married to the most stunning woman G&A's publisher had ever seen! awesome

 

[Rafiki]

Thanks for the pic; very nice wood on your rifle.

 

[Rafiki]

The sling stud and silver oval inlays are done, stock is ready for sealing and finish. I've been researching checkering designs. The checkering needs to compliment the widows peak fore-end tip and the 2 acres that secure the barrel and recoil lug. Not sure what to do yet.

 

[JimG900]

I love mine. Purpose built perfection, and certainly a bargain; 375H&H and 7mmRM.

 

[lockingblock]

Nice rifle!

 

[geoff rath]

Perfect pairing

 

[Rafiki]

A little more progress on the RSM's stock. The fill & finish is done enough to begin the checkering. The grain is beginning to stand out and I think looks pretty nice. Next step is to plan out the checkering and get that started.

 

[Rafiki]

Checkering is done; 22lpi.

 

[Rafiki]

Project update: Nothing to report!

I have parts all over the country for various things. Turnbull has the bolt shroud, bolt release and bottom metal for case color, the bolt is in Washington State for checkering and jeweling and the trigger, sear and magazine release are out for gold plating.

It looks like the trigger has been had some work done which may account for the pleasant surprise of a decent feeling Ruger trigger.

I have no idea when all these parts are going to start filtering back.

 

[rhoward252]

How about sharing a picture of your 404J, sounds really nice.

Hey Bonk, Who did the barrel boring for you? I recently saw an RSM on GB in .450 Dakota, which obviously was a custom barrel job. I was going to buy it but I missed the end of the auction and it sold. I might look into having one of my others modified.

 

[Rafiki]

Just recieved the bolt that I had sent out for checkering and jeweling.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Interesting project. The 98 Mauser action I bought for my 404 project has a similar swept back design. I think the idea is to make it quicker to reach for faster cycling which in theory makes sense for a dangerous game rifle. In reality it's probably nonsense. The stock I picked up at the last minute was cut for the straight drop style bolt handle. Also was cut for trigger block safety and I have 3-position bolt shroud striker style. I got a good deal on the wood and made it work ... for now. Similarly, the fancy European style red recoil pad I ordered was too large and I cut into baffles trying to make it fit. So recycled an old black White Line shotgun pad.

I also think skinny stocked thumper guns don't make much sense. Why would anyone prefer a lighter weight heavy recoil gun that's harder for man-sized hands to hang onto? Also less wood = more likely to break apart from hard recoil.

The semi-finished stock I picked up at the last minute also only had one crossbolt ahead of the magazine box. My gunsmith buddy gave me another crossbolt and I was ready to build a jig to drill out the stock. Instead I opted for the less complicated Wetherby magnum method and installed the second crossbolt internally.

Note the trigger block safety notch is filled in the second photo. I used epoxy with brown pigment.

 

[Ravensview]

I just saw this post, nice project, I think a spoon handled bolt would look good on this as well, then pillar bed, and make the barreled action takedown for transport and reinstallation repetability, maybe add a large aperture peep sight to it.

 

[Rafiki]

A little more progress, very little. I was able to pick up the trigger, sear and floorplate latch after being gold plated. This is a lousy image, and I'm not entirely happy with the outcome but the "showy" surfaces do look good so (shrug).

All that's left are the pieces that are at Turnbull Restorations; when I get those I can put it all back together and shoot the thing.

 

[Rafiki]

It's been a while since I've been able to report some progress; I've today picked up the Sows Ear from the 'smith. It still needs to be blued and there are some minor things that need to be addressed but it is back together and ready to shoot.

 

[lockingblock]

Great work.

 

[Rafiki]

I also ordered a Leupold VX-6 HD 1x6x24 Firedot scope for it although I prefer iron sights. I'll order son QD rings from Alaska Arms when I figure out what scope hight I need.

 

[ACM]

Rifle looks great! This has been a fun one to follow! You will love the Alaska Arms QD rings. They are superior to the competition IMO.