What happen to Ruger?

[35bore]

enysse,

Got this from gunsamerica.com, at least they are listening to the hunters and buyers of their firearms it sounds like...


Yes, we have had a lot of Ruger firearms in the last couple weeks, and today we come out of the gate with yet another, the Ruger American Rifle. They have a lot of new guns, and each one this year is a pretty good story, including this one. Ruger is taking all of our GunsAmerica readers very seriously, and they have begun sending us review guns regularly, so we'll keep them coming. Ruger appreciate your passion and dedication to learning about new guns as they come out, and so do we of course. Ruger is one of America's most passionate and dedicated firearms makers, and they lead the charge in the American firearms market.
Also check out a cool executive bug out kit from STAG, a new CCW gun from Kahr in .40S&W, a new .223 scope from Nikon (great price), a new inexpensive striker pistol from Turkey, and new stuff from MTM Caseguard. Thanks for all of your clicks into the articles and we hope you like them. Everyone else is out partying after the show in Vegas and we're locked in our hotel rooms editing this stuff to get it out the next day. As long as you keep reading we'll keep writing. See you tomorrow with more from SHOT Show 2012.
Ruger American Rifle - An American Legend is Born

Although nothing about the big bores "yet" but, hell it's a start.

Scott.

 

[enysse]

Thanks Scott, I may have been too hard on Ruger. They have one of the finest actions ever made. Yes, they can be rough sometimes, back in the day coming from the factory. But they never have misfeed and got better (slicker action) as you shot them and took care them.

I hunt with a 243 Win in Ruger action for deer hunting, just because the gun is so darn dependable and accurate to shoot.

 

[thunderdawg]

One of my gunsmithing school projects was a .416 Ruger build on a VZ24 Mauser 98 action. I like the .416 Ruger cartridge for its external performance and its easy feeding, once I modified the receiver. We shall see how the cartridge and rifle prove out on our planned hunting trip in 2013. I was going to build on a .416 Taylor, but decided in favor of a factory round instead of a wildcat. Ruger is definitely focusing on their market and production costs. Better to thank them for the .375 and .416 Rugers than to whine about them not offering your pet chambering at very low cost.

 

[ikeda]

You can do like me and re-barrel a Ruger 77 Hawkeye in .300 Win Mag to .458 Win.
A little gunsmithing (recoil pad, reinforcing bolts in stock) and you end up with a 9.4 pound quite serviceable big bore without breaking the bank.

 

[Ontario Nimrod]

I suspected this was going to happen, and I was lucky enough to acquire a 3-set of these rifles in .375 H&H, .416 Rigby and .458 Lott. Only the .375 has been to the Dark Continent so far, but I'm working on changing that.

 

[frog stealer]

Bill Ruger passed away. That's what happened. It seems that the company is coming out with cheaper equipment every year...but I guess that is what people want nowadays. Gone are the days of the original m77's with a walnut stock...now we have the ruger american rifle, the lcp, and several pistols that make Chicago's top ten list for homicides. Why? Because they are cheap, hold lots of ammo, and are plastic. If it's not tactical and holds 30 rounds, nobody wants it. I'm pretty sure Bill would be rolling over in his grave right now if he knew what his company is producing. Sorry for getting off topic, standing down from my soapbox now...

 

[enysse]

I have had more time to think about the post and feel the economy has changed for companies. People are doing what they have to do to stay in business. I'm glad I have a nice collection of Ruger guns before Bill Ruger passed away. I can't believe how much my brand new Ruger 44 Mag Deer carbine is worth!

I think the new Hawkeyes are fine rifles!

 

[lwaters]

[I could'nt agree more. But you know the 375 Ruger case is not much more than the 30 or 35 newton catridge neck up to 375. That is old enough to satisfy all the history buffsQUOTE=Norwegianwoods;44448]I am happy with my 375 Ruger, so why would I need them to offer me a 375 H&H?

I couldn't care less about history when it comes to cartridges. I want something that works well.
I don't care if it was made 100 years ago or yesterday.

I totally understand Rugers thinking.
Why offer something that competes with your own cartridges?[/QUOTE]

 

[GSTONE]

I agree with a lot of the conversation, but I chose the Ruger in 416 Ruger for its size and weight. I got close to Rigby performance in a quick pointing rifle that is light in weight and superb in close quarters. I have shot Weatherbys all my life, so the recoil factor was not an issue. I also chose it for the price of the rifle, price of ammo, and availability of reloading components. I have several Ruger shotguns, rifles, and pistols so I knew their products were reliable and well made.
Another issue was my age. I am in my sixties and did not want to use a large portion of my hunting funds for a rifle that I might only use for a few animals. That being said, I am delighted that Ruger makes an affordable rifle that performs superbly (for me) in Africa. I think this was part of Ruger's logic in coming out with this rifle, and they have definitely provided a marketable product to fill this gap in the big bore market.

 

[colorado]

They quit selling the RSM too. I wonder how long it will be before they quit making the Ruger No 1s. They are into the commodity market, meanwhile Winchester has gone back to selling CRF M70s thank God! Not all is lost.

 

[CTDolan]

I agree with a lot of the conversation, but I chose the Ruger in 416 Ruger for its size and weight. I got close to Rigby performance in a quick pointing rifle that is light in weight and superb in close quarters. I have shot Weatherbys all my life, so the recoil factor was not an issue. I also chose it for the price of the rifle, price of ammo, and availability of reloading components. I have several Ruger shotguns, rifles, and pistols so I knew their products were reliable and well made.
Another issue was my age. I am in my sixties and did not want to use a large portion of my hunting funds for a rifle that I might only use for a few animals. That being said, I am delighted that Ruger makes an affordable rifle that performs superbly (for me) in Africa. I think this was part of Ruger's logic in coming out with this rifle, and they have definitely provided a marketable product to fill this gap in the big bore market.

Did the same, went with the 416 Ruger (Guide Gun, with an aftermarket stock). For me it was the best move.

That said, though, I've just purchased a RSM in 458 Lott (the market is soft at the moment...tough to turn down a good deal). The 416 will remain my main squeeze (that, and a Mauser 98 in 30-06), but the 458 Lott will see some action, no question.

As for what happened to Ruger, Bill passed away and the market as a whole has gone batshit crazy over the AR platform and handguns (in particular, polymer-framed pistols and various reincarnations of the venerable 1911), not to mention ultra-cheap bolt action rifles (a craze started by Savage, who was already the low bidder with their 110).

As for the RSM, from what I understand it was Bill's baby (most notably in 416 Rigby). The rifle was in a way his parting word, something he'd long wanted to bring to market but didn't (perhaps couldn't) until near the end of his life (rumor is that they were sold for near cost, some even saying (facetiously...obviously) that Ruger in effect stuffed a $1,000 bill into the barrel of each rifle prior to shipment).

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Interesting to go back and read some of these comments from nearly 5 years ago. The 375 Ruger has continued to prosper and the 416 Ruger is holding its own too. The No.1 is still around, but from what I've read, Lipsey is not doing their exclusive deal with Ruger in 2017, so it remains to be seen what the No.1 production this year will look like. Winchester is indeed making better rifles these days, but the company survives in name only as it is owned by FN now. The Ruger Hawkeye is a cheaper version of the Ruger M77 MkII and the Ruger American rifle is a cheap rifle to compete with all the other cheap rifles on the market. And ARs are everywhere.

 

[sierraone]

No current Ruger rifle matches the RSMs for big bores and Express rifles for smaller calibers. Not suggesting the current Rugers are not good rifles for the money they charge, just not the same. Similar to Belgium FN Brownings and current Brownings, just not the same. As CT Dolan comments, I will never understand why ARs and plastic pistols are so popular. Although I will say from some experience, the majority of these owners are not hunters! As far as classic calibers go, I currently own nine rifles (I think). Only one is of a caliber that is not at least 100 years old. And that's a .264 Win Mag.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Ruger's stock performance. The red mark in the middle is approx mid 2002 when Bill Ruger died. The red mark to the right of that i mid 2009, marking the approx start of a remarkable run. Ruger came out with a lot of new products and the Obama/Clinton effect.

 

[wesheltonj]

Not a Ruger fan at all. My father has a M77 in 270, least accurate gun I have ever shot. Will not group to save your life but at least the bullets go down range.

 

[CTDolan]

As you mention, Obama's two terms was very good for the gun industry. People bought up like crazy as though the opportunity would soon disappear. Never did, though (and now that he's out of office, sales are beginning to flatline). Kinda ironic, isn't it?

Yeah, I think Bill would mourn over what's become of his company. He obviously valued growth, a solid ledger but, as best I can tell, he valued something else even more (the timeless, classic quality of what went out the door).

 

[CTDolan]

Not a Ruger fan at all. My father has a M77 in 270, least accurate gun I have ever shot. Will not group to save your life but at least the bullets go down range.

His rifle would be the exception, rather than the rule (or, perhaps it's not the rifle).

 

[CTDolan]

Sorry, didn't mean to poke fun at your expense.

My guess is that it's a bedding problem. Usually when a M77 won't group worth a damn, it's something to do with bedding.

 

[wesheltonj]

His rifle would be the exception, rather than the rule (or, perhaps it's not the rifle).

It will not group for anyone, so less everyone is having operator error, its not the trigger puller.

 

[CTDolan]

Yeah, look into the bedding.