tang safety ruger 458 price check

[TScottO]

I went to the local gun show today and saw an old ruger 459 win-mag with the tang safety. It also had a Monte Carlo stock and a muzzle break. The gun was in perfect condition but had a 775 price tag. I figure this is over priced since everything else on his table was100 bucks too much. What do you all think about this price?

Be Safe,
Scott

[wallynut]

Scott, I'm taking a guess that your talking about the Ruger model 77 bolt -action gun.  New, they are really expensive compared to Winchester or CZ, the ruger lists at $1,700.00 if it's the safari model, not sure if they even offer that caliber in thier conventional line-up.  The Ruger number 1 is different, used ones can by had for $450-700.  I just bought a used #1 for $500, previous owner had steelwooled the stock to take off the sheen of the finish, otherwise in excellent shape, hardly shot.  New they run about $700+.

[TScottO]

Yes, it's one of the older 77s with the tang safety. I have a No. 1 in 7mm Mag I picked up about 6-7 years ago used but not a blemish on it for 400 even. Guns sure are going up in price these days. I don't know alot about long guns, I mainly fool with pistols. Just wasnt sure if this gun is worth 775. This 77 has the barrel band and swivel stud but the stock covers the band and the stud sticks through a hole drilled in the front of the forearm. It's a nice clean gun though. I wasn't aware that the older Rugers came with a Monte Carlo stock. I figured the stock is aftermarket.

Thanks for your reply,
Scott

[Lawdog]

TScottO,

That tang safety model M77 has an after market stock, brake which to me takes away fromt the actual value of the rifle.  To me $775.00 is more than I would pay.  Lawdog
 

[bearhuntr]

You have the right of it. In it's original form...$620.00 to $650.00. With modifications...less. Just an opinion, mind you. Turned down a 95 to 98% tanged Mod 77 for $625 in favor of an Interarms Whitworth of better finish and wood for $600.00 No flies on the 77 though. There is always a buyer for anything, however. I do not begrudge any man for asking any price on anything. I reserve the right to buy something else anytime. Keep looking...there are more of them out there.
best,
bhtr

[PAHUnter04]

Hi:

There is another way to look at this rifle. First many think the tang safety is more desirable then the current model.

Second, so it has a custom stock on it, if it is well made and real nice wood this is a plus not a minus. Ruger stocks are generally very plain. Do you know how much custom stocks cost? Try buying a Boyd for $100.00 bucks have it bedded and finished with good recoil pad... That's about $300.00 or more.

I also disagree about the muzzle break being a deterrent. If it is a removabele muzzle break with a cap, it can be a good thing. Even if it isn't it is a least a $125.00 option new, depends on who does it.

And a good Ruger in that caliber is easily worth around $600.00... Depending on how that gun looks, it may not be a as bad a deal as you think?

Regards... Jim P.

[Lawdog]

PAHUnter04,

Let me explain the problem with a "Monte Carlo" after market stock.  Most Monte Carlo stocks are made for ease of scope use.  A .458 Win. Mag. needs to have open sights along with a scope, if you so want.  This means the stock is useless unless modified or replaced.  More expense.  Muzzle brake is a useless piece of equipment on a rifle that will ruin your hearing and the hearing of those around you(Proven Fact).  Thus it needs to be removed.  More expense.  I checked Action Arms and Gun Brokers, all the older tang safety Rugers are going for between $500 to $600.  A price of $775 is out of line.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

[PAHUnter04]

Hi Lawdog:

Our friend is saying Monte Carlo... but is it really. Or is it a stock with a cheek rest. My customs have cheek rests, with a shadow line and can be used with open or scoped sights. I have QD's on both, and use them both ways.

Now muzzlebreaks.... this argument can be fueled as much as push feed VS Controlled Round feed... Do I use muzzle breaks... why yes I do. I have my 458 Lott, 416 Rem Mag, 375 H&H and my 300 RUM all breaked. Ironically my 458 Win Mag. non break  does not kick nearly as bad as the 416 or the 458 with the break.

I like to shoot my big bores alot. I hanload for them and do alot of shooting with and without the scopes. The other day at the range I shot 17 ... 458 Lott Rounds, setting up the back sight and sighting in the scope. I also fired 12.... 375 H&H, pratice... 15 50 cal... BP 100 grains TC Hawken... 35 50 cal BP my inline trying new bullets... was I sore yepper... could I have done this without breaks on the 458 Lott and 375 H&H no way..

Does the noise affect your hearing... yes but NOT with a Good Set of Muffs. The recoil difference in the 458 Lott, 416 Rem mag, is tremendous. Let me tell you that 458 Lott pushing a 500 grain bullet @ 3350 FPS gets all of my attention when I fire it. I am at my treshold with this rifle. I probaby could not shoot it accurately without the break.

When I am on Safari I ask my PH's if he minds if I use a break, if he does, I can unscrew the break and put on a cap. And the bullet shiff is minimal in this swap out. But so far my last two PH's did not mind if I used a breaked rifle. They just stood to the right or left of me and a little bit to the back.

But again.... to each their own opinion, I do love my muzzle breaks, but good hearing protection on the range is needed.

Regards... Jim P.

[Lawdog]

Jim P.,

Let me tell you that 458 Lott pushing a 500 grain bullet @ 3350 FPS gets all of my attention when I fire it.

A 3350 fps., don't you mean 2350 fps.?  The .460 Weatherby won't drive a 500 grain bullet much over 2600 to 2700 fps. safely.  My best load for my .450 Rigby(which is a footstep behind the mighty .460 Weatherby) using a 500 gr. bullet is 2455 fps. and this is considered near max.  The remaining capacity in the Lott cartridge after loading 500 gr. Woodleigh is 85.491 grains.  Compare this to my .450 Rigby which is 110.512 grains or to the .460 Weatherby which is 118.54 grains and you see that the Lott comes up short.

I too love my big bores.  I have two .375 H&H's, one .375 Weatherby Magnum, one .378 Weatherby Magnum, one .416 Rigby, two .450 Marlins and one .450 Rigby.  In medium bore magnums I have one .300 H&H, two .300 Weatherby Magnums, one .338 Win. Magnum and one .340 Weatherby Magnum.  None of the above have a brake and will never have one either.  Recoil is handled with a proper stock, good recoil pad and the use of mercury recoil reducers(I have installed mercury recoil reducers in everything from .340 Weatherby up).  Doing this lets me shoot at least 40 rounds or more, whenever I spend a day at the range.  Ear protection is great at the range(and is required by many clubs or you are not allowed on the range without them - AND RIGHTFULLY SO) but what about in the field?  Do you supply your PH(guide), tracker and hunting buddies with ear protection while hunting?  Also, I have seen hunters that used brakes and then removed them while hunting that couldn't hit anything due to being afraid of their rifle without a brake.  Sorry, brakes do work BUT ruin your hearing and are not needed when other options are available.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

[PAHUnter04]

Hi Lawdog:

You are absolutely correct... I do mean 2,350 FPS... for the 458 Lott wow that would of been a hell of a load at 3350.. :roll:

My RUM shoots the 3,350 in 180 grain Noslers.

I do admit muzzle breaks are loud, and I do have Mercury Reduction tubes in my 458 lott, it still bangs me pretty good.

Before I got into big bores I was shooting my 300 RUM, my groups were good, but the recoil was a very fast shot coming straight back. This guy from my rifle club sat down and was shooting a new 338 RUM with a break. I commented on it and he offered me a try... I could not believe the difference. The next week my gunsmith installed a break on my RUM and I never looked back.

I have played with the electronic ear muffs with the built in amplifiers, they do work great, even when hunting. If I turn up the gain I can hear normal sounds better than normal hearing and of course they muffle out the gunshots. But you would have to be wearing them.

Different opinions is what makes the world go round.

Regards... Jim P.

[50 Calshtr]

Jim P
   I'll have to agree with Lawdog on the brake issue but prehaps for another reason.  If you have the luxury of shooting alone, that's fine, but if others have to share the range with you, they are the ones who suffer.  I love my big bores also (375 thru 577) but if I'm going to make a lot of noise I'd prefer it go down range and not be inflicted on fellow shooters who may not have the high level of hearing protection you have.  Even with good protection it"s no fun having to share a range with a brake.  Think about that poor guy next bench over who's trying to teach his kid to shoot a 22.

[PAHUnter04]

Hi 50 Cals:

I would not shoot next to a father teaching a son to shoot... with any break. I am aware of the noise and the affect it has on shooters or hunters next to me.

I am lucky, at my 100 yard range there are 12 shooting benches. When I do shoot wich is often, I usually take the end bench on either side. I never have anybody within 3 or 4 benches of me.

Only time I am hunting with somebody next to me with a break is in Africa, and I am paying that PH, and he has the choice to refuse my break, and I have the choice to refuse his services.

I know they are noisy, but man do they work. I could not endure my long range sessions with the 458 Lott and 416 Rem Mag without them.

Regards... Jim P.

[50 Calshtr]

Jim P.
    For the others, Thanks for your consideration.  I shoot on a public range run by our DNR and some are not as considerate as you.  They've recently banned ALL 50 cal and up cartridges, including 50-70, 500 BPE, 577 Snider etc due to one person and his 50 BMG with muzzle brake, so this is something near and dear so to speak as I now have some rifles I can't shoot there.
Best

[Lawdog]

50 Calshtr,

They've recently banned ALL 50 cal and up cartridges, including 50-70, 500 BPE, 577 Snider etc due to one person and his 50 BMG with muzzle brake, so this is something near and dear so to speak as I now have some rifles I can't shoot there.

This is another mark against firearms with brakes.  Many private clubs are banning the use of brakes(and ported) firearms from their ranges.  The club my sister belongs to just banned their use.  Our club considered doing just that last year but instead of banning them the Board of Directors restricted their use with a few rules when you are allowed to shoot them.  Of course there were a few complaints but all in all everyone is complying.  This all came about due to a potential nuisance lawsuit by a member.  As more lawsuits get filed more clubs will ban their use.  Lawdog
 

[50 Calshtr]

Lawdog
   I wish it was a private club I was dealing with. As it is I'm having to work thru the state DNR board of directors and their higher and lower levels of bureaucracy.  Of course these rules were initiated and passed on the recommendation of only a couple of people with no public participation and now I'm stuck going thru a year long process in order to shoot my rifles.  Enough of the moaning and groaning on my part.  I appreciate the thought and time that you put into your posts, they are a pleasure to read.

Best