Elephant Season

[gatling]

Headed to the range with the old Circassian 77 next week...

 

[doccash]

Fun, fun, fun....want a report and pic of the rifle. Dr.C

 

[Don Lovel]

Intense recoil therapy session, you fighting off the flu or assorted kismyass attitude adjustment?

"Recoil therapy, when you absolutely, positively have to get your mind off of your problems"

 

[gatling]

Don, it's always the latter...getting on the rifle range is always a therapeutic attitude adjustment.

Doc, will do. I haven't shot that rifle in about 30 years (it's been far too long). I am really excited about getting out there with it.

This is a target (and load data) from a range session a ways back...

 

[JohnBoy]

Thankfully we have very few free-range epfalents in these parts in need of a good shootin'. If I can't drop it with a 6.5x55 it don't need whackin', says I.

Years ago I went 10 rounds with a .375H&H. That was enough for me.

Hope you don't shake any teeth loose. Those rounds make me hurt just looking at them. Ouch.

PS - YES to pics! Stay safe!

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hope you don't shake any teeth loose. Those rounds make me hurt just looking at them. Ouch.

Hi,

And those are "mild" in the grand scheme of .458s!

A buddy got a deal on two pre-'64 Safari Grade Model 70s some years ago. One's a .375 H&H, the other a .458 Win Mag. The .458 came w/ the "remainder" of a box of shells the original owner had bought. That box contained 18 rounds of the original 20. They were 500 gr solids. Buddy figured at $100/box, the fellow just didn't want to burn money too fast shooting it.

Well, some time later, he took it out and shot it. When he got back, I asked how many rounds were left in the box. 16! Now this is a guy who shoots 3 1/2" waterfowl loads as if they're 20 ga target loads, and he said "Two at a time's PLENTY w/ that rifle!"

Probably shouldn't show him Joe's notes about "mild recoil," ya 'spose?

Rick C

 

[JohnBoy]

Hope you don't shake any teeth loose. Those rounds make me hurt just looking at them. Ouch.

Hi,

And those are "mild" in the grand scheme of .458s!

A buddy got a deal on two pre-'64 Safari Grade Model 70s some years ago. One's a .375 H&H, the other a .458 Win Mag. The .458 came w/ the "remainder" of a box of shells the original owner had bought. That box contained 18 rounds of the original 20. They were 500 gr solids. Buddy figured at $100/box, the fellow just didn't want to burn money too fast shooting it.

Well, some time later, he took it out and shot it. When he got back, I asked how many rounds were left in the box. 16! Now this is a guy who shoots 3 1/2" waterfowl loads as if they're 20 ga target loads, and he said "Two at a time's PLENTY w/ that rifle!"

Probably shouldn't show him Joe's notes about "mild recoil," ya 'spose?

Rick C

GREAT comment regarding the remaining rounds of ammo. I've seen these listed previously with the statement, 'shot only once, 19 rounds factory ammo included.'

Yes, sir, the above referenced loads are 'mild' :shock: . I recall reading from an early Hornady Reloading Manual regarding the process (and pain) involved in developing loading data for this cartridge. Numerous bags of lead shot were helpful in taming the recoil.

One thing I did when firing the BRNO .375 H&H I had previously referenced was to remain standing so the recoil would better 'pass' through me. My hat went flying off on round two and I lost my glasses on round three . . . but I went the full ten!

To be certain: these cartridges do have a way of getting your attention!

 

[Rick Courtright]

To be certain: these cartridges do have a way of getting your attention!

Hi,

Just remember the silver lining to this cloud: it doesn't take very many elephants to fill a freezer!

Rick C

 

[gatling]

You asked for an update and photos, so here goes...

I bought this rifle in the mid-70s, and I believe it was the first of the Circassian-stocked Rugers offered as a limited edition. It is called the 77 RSC, with the C, of course, standing for Circassian.

I think it was about $342 or thereabouts back then. I bought it from J&G in Prescott through Barney's Guns in El Paso. I was a kid in the Army (Barney was a Lt. Colonel who took good care of me) and my sister lent me the money to buy it. It is a pre-warning rifle, and I believe it was made in either '74 or '75.

I've tried a lot of loads in this rifle, and the one that grabbed the brass ring did so yesterday...it held 3-shot groups at just under 1 inch (at 100 yards).

Yep, it is an MOA elephant rifle. That is pretty cool.

The winning load is 28 grains of SR 4579 with a CCI 250 primer and an RP 405 grain JSP bullet crimped in the upper cannelure (for an OAL of 3.062 inches). Recoil is mild (these are 45 70 equivalent loads) and accuracy is superb.

I know SR 4579 is being discontinued; I have a good stock of it laid in until Hodgdon or whoever is making it these days comes to their senses. One thing I found with 4759 is that you have to weigh every charge (this powder has a strong tendency to bridge in the dispenser).

It is a lot of fun to shoot this from the bench and dust golfball-sized rocks at 100 yards; the looks you get from the camo-clad black-plastic-rifle Rambo wannabees is priceless.

I guess I shouldn't make fun of the Rambo wannabees; I'm a Peter Capstick wannabee.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I guess I shouldn't make fun of the Rambo wannabees; I'm a Peter Capstick wannabee.

Hi,

Very nice, Joe!

As for being a Peter Capstick wannabee: he was a good writer, and I hope he's had a good influence on you!

Rick C

 

[JohnBoy]

You asked for an update and photos, so here goes...

I bought this rifle in the mid-70s, and I believe it was the first of the Circassian-stocked Rugers offered as a limited edition. It is called the 77 RSC, with the C, of course, standing for Circassian.

I think it was about $342 or thereabouts back then. I bought it from J&G in Prescott through Barney's Guns in El Paso.

Yep, it is an MOA elephant rifle. That is pretty cool.

It is a lot of fun to shoot this from the bench and dust golfball-sized rocks at 100 yards; the looks you get from the camo-clad black-plastic-rifle Rambo wannabees is priceless.

I guess I shouldn't make fun of the Rambo wannabees; I'm a Peter Capstick wannabee.

That is a beautiful rifle, Gatling, and Minute of Elephant to boot! I remember J&G - it seemed they were very often able to secure Ruger's that had spectacular wood. By the way, if you ever need to get your $342 back out . . . :roll: :wink:

It made me chuckle to think of this thing dusting golf ball sized rocks at 100 yards - that is fantastic accuracy - but truth be told, that rifle could dust VW sized rocks at that range with equal ease. Thanks for sharing - you have a 'keeper'!!

 

[rugerdczr]

I have two of these 458s one 1975 and one 1976 both have the best High Gloss Bluing and Wood finish of any other Ruger that I own!

 

[Bloodhound]

WOW!...now that is a Rifle! Thanks for the pics and report