375 Options

[BoarHog375]

Looking for advice or direction on either the CZ 550 in 375 H&H or the Ruger RSM in 375 H&H. I know the CZ has a true Magnum action and is CRF and the Ruger also is CRF. What are the advantages of one over the other? TIA!

 

[BeeMaa]

The CZ550 Safari Magnum has a double square bridge action with dovetails and an indexing notch on the back left side. This makes using QD scope rings quick and easy with 100% repeatable results. I know the RSM uses their own version of this, but I personally prefer the more surface area afforded by the CZ.

The Kevlar stock on the CZ is made by B&C and is a little more blocky than the ones made by Ruger. However the increased width on the butt pad is much appreciated when touching off shots from other than ideal positions. Ruger stocks never seemed to fit me right so that's just a personal thing.

I believe CZ and Ruger both hammer forge their barrels.

Action on the CZ is most likely going to need some smoothing out, where the Ruger should be good to go out of the box.

CZ550 is no longer in production so the price on these is going up, where the Ruger is more stable in price. That said, if you can find a CZ550 that was worked on by Wayne at AHR (with paperwork), it will be worth it's weight in gold.

FYI - I'm completely biased because I owned a CZ550 375H&H with an AHR #2 upgrade. Great rifle. Picture taken in Free State, SA by my wife shortly after my blue wildebeest was taken.

 

[Beck]

Both great rifles. Pretty sure the CZ has a larger magazine capacity?

 

[ActionBob]

An RSM is also a magnum action. Both are discontinued. I personally prefer the Ruger for hard to defend reasons, mostly I just like them and have a collection of them. Most of the RSM stocks are fantastic being Circasian Walnut. To get quality wood in a CZ you need to find a real premium one or an aftermarket such as the upgraded wood on an AHR. If you want a synthetic stock, go with a CZ... it is sacrilege to put such a soulless appendage on a RSM.

The RSM looks like a much higher end gun that at the price it sold for new, Ruger lost hundreds of dollars each. It has an integral quarter rib that is machined as part of the barrel rather than added on. Very unique to a rifle in that price range or even at triple the price.

There is a slight flaw in the Ruger reciever mounted safety. So if you plan to be cycling the bolt whilst being mauled by a buffalo, the CZ may have an advantage

Both are big rifles made to handle recoil. If you go with a Ruger, be sure to check the torque on the large angle screw and don't over tighten the others. And keep the factory rings together as they come packaged. The rings are machined as a set. Read the couple of relevant pages in the book! Most of any issues people have with Ruger Mark II or Hawkeye rifles could be avoided by understanding how they are designed or by simply following the simple instructions included with them. They are NOT designed like a Winchester. They do NOT need to be bedded or anything other than properly torqued screws.

If you go with a CZ, either throughly check the rifle for feeding issues or plan to have it worked by a competent gunsmith. Although there should be less issues with a 375 than a 416 Rigby or even a 458 Lott.

Especially some of the older RSM models feel a bit front heavy, essentially the 780 serial prefix models. I prefer the 750 series.

I for one like the Ruger scope rings just fine, they really are a sort of QD mounts.. Many prefer the Alaska Arms version of QD mounts, I suspect simply because of the idea that a QD mount should have a lever. If you can find them, Warn QD mounts are outstanding for a CZ. The factory scope rings that come with a CZ seem flimsy for a magnum caliber.

 

[ActionBob]

Both great rifles. Pretty sure the CZ has a larger magazine capacity?

Yes it does.

 

[hoytcanon]

An RSM is also a magnum action. Both are discontinued. I personally prefer the Ruger for hard to defend reasons, mostly I just like them and have a collection of them. Most of the RSM stocks are fantastic being Circasian Walnut. To get quality wood in a CZ you need to find a real premium one or an aftermarket such as the upgraded wood on an AHR. If you want a synthetic stock, go with a CZ... it is sacrilege to put such a soulless appendage on a RSM.

The RSM looks like a much higher end gun that at the price it sold for new, Ruger lost hundreds of dollars each. It has an integral quarter rib that is machined as part of the barrel rather than added on. Very unique to a rifle in that price range or even at triple the price.

There is a slight flaw in the Ruger reciever mounted safety. So if you plan to be cycling the bolt whilst being mauled by a buffalo, the CZ may have an advantage

Both are big rifles made to handle recoil. If you go with a Ruger, be sure to check the torque on the large angle screw and don't over tighten the others. And keep the factory rings together as they come packaged. The rings are machined as a set. Read the couple of relevant pages in the book! Most of any issues people have with Ruger Mark II or Hawkeye rifles could be avoided by understanding how they are designed or by simply following the simple instructions included with them. They are NOT designed like a Winchester. They do NOT need to be bedded or anything other than properly torqued screws.

If you go with a CZ, either throughly check the rifle for feeding issues or plan to have it worked by a competent gunsmith. Although there should be less issues with a 375 than a 416 Rigby or even a 458 Lott.

Especially some of the older RSM models feel a bit front heavy, essentially the 780 serial prefix models. I prefer the 750 series.

I for one like the Ruger scope rings just fine, they really are a sort of QD mounts.. Many prefer the Alaska Arms version of QD mounts, I suspect simply because of the idea that a QD mount should have a lever. If you can find them, Warn QD mounts are outstanding for a CZ. The factory scope rings that come with a CZ seem flimsy for a magnum caliber.

The barely profiles were exactly the same for all series of RSM, the only thing that determines the weight forward balance is the diameter of the bore.

What safety design flaw???.

QD ring "levers" are what make the "Q' in QD.... the Ruger OEM rings often return to very close POI, but require tools for removal and a torque wrench to return to POI... therefore not very "Q."

A coffin magplate adds an additional round for very little money.

 

[Andrew NOLA]

Would you consider the ruger in 375 Ruger instead of 375 H&H?

Slight speed advantage, and smaller action

Admit that I am biased because I have four of them

Agreed on the screw torque and on the aftermarket floor plate to add an additional round if desire

 

[PARA45]

Check with @krish, I'm sure he can hook you up with either a CZ-550 or RSM. @krish has some of the most beautiful collection of both with some beautiful stock on them.

I have both rifles, a stock RSM in 416 Rigby, and AHR CZ-550 in 375 H&H. Both are great rifles, and my CZ is very accurate. I'm planning on taking my RSM this year to hunt Buffalo.

 

[BoarHog375]

Check with @krish, I'm sure he can hook you up with either a CZ-550 or RSM. @krish has some of the most beautiful collection of both with some beautiful stock on them.

I have both rifles, a stock RSM in 416 Rigby, and AHR CZ-550 in 375 H&H. Both are great rifles, and my CZ is very accurate. I'm planning on taking my RSM this year to hunt Buffalo.

Yes sir, ive been in contact with him.

 

[pilar]

Would you consider the ruger in 375 Ruger instead of 375 H&H?

Slight speed advantage, and smaller action

Admit that I am biased because I have four of them

Agreed on the screw torque and on the aftermarket floor plate to add an additional round if desire

I have a 375Ruger also and it’s wonderful, but I don’t think I would ever buy one again over a H&H , because the ammunition problem if you don’t reload.

 

[mark-hunter]

Looking for advice or direction on either the CZ 550 in 375 H&H or the Ruger RSM in 375 H&H. I know the CZ has a true Magnum action and is CRF and the Ruger also is CRF. What are the advantages of one over the other? TIA!

CZ 550 - has dove tail, for scope basis, arguably best scope basis compared to others.
Check magazine capacity. My ZKK 602, predecessor of CZ 550 has 6 rounds in the magazine, plus 1 in chamber. CZ 550 might have 5 round capacity. Medium action length rifle typically will hold 3 rounds 375 in mag, entire rifle and magazine is a bit scaled down. I am not sure for ruger, but check.

Once you have magnum length action you can rebarrel later to any other classic DG caliber if you want.

The cheapest new magnum lenght action CRF rifle is mauser 98, starting at 10.000 USD. So, older magnum lenght action rifles will just increase in price with time.

 

[BJH65]

The barely profiles were exactly the same for all series of RSM, the only thing that determines the weight forward balance is the diameter of the bore.

What safety design flaw???.

QD ring "levers" are what make the "Q' in QD.... the Ruger OEM rings often return to very close POI, but require tools for removal and a torque wrench to return to POI... therefore not very "Q."

A coffin magplate adds an additional round for very little money.

I think some folks felt the Ruger’s 3 position wing safety was a little smaller, harder to locate in an emergency as opposed to the Winchester M70 3 position safety from feedback I read a long time ago. I have a Ruger guide gun and multiple M70’s. I personally don’t have issue with Ruger’s 3 position wing safety although I haven’t used mine as DG rifle but many have without issue.

 

[ActionBob]

The barely profiles were exactly the same for all series of RSM, the only thing that determines the weight forward balance is the diameter of the bore.

What safety design flaw???.

QD ring "levers" are what make the "Q' in QD.... the Ruger OEM rings often return to very close POI, but require tools for removal and a torque wrench to return to POI... therefore not very "Q."

A coffin magplate adds an additional round for very little money.

The safety lever can get knocked back and catch the bolt mid stroke, blocking it from going forward. Now of course you can simply move the safety lever back forward and finish opening or closing the bolt..... Just a little difficult to accomish while a buffalo is on top of you or has your leg impaled on his horn.

This happened to a good friend and PH of mine. He had his gun barrel pressed into the beasts chest as it was on him but could not get the bolt closed on his 3rd round. Only by the grace of God he survived.

He is South African and was trained to carry his rifle with the safety off, bolt handle raised, slam the bolt down and fire. I've seen this method used by several PH's. So he removed the safety and calls his rifle a Mark III. Typical Boer, joking about a close brush with death.

Where does one buy a coffin mag plate for an RSM? I'd love to have one for my 505 Gibbs and perhaps another for one of my 416 Rigby RSM's.

 

[Bonk]

I have both. My CZ has the AHR #2 treatment. The RSM was rebored to 404J. Both are outstanding rifles. They’re both very solid, accurate and reliable but a factory stock RSM is slightly better/nicer built than the CZ and, therefore, a better overall value. The one piece barrel and quarter rib is a very nice touch. As was mentioned above it’s been widely reported that Ruger lost money on every one they sold but they wanted the Ruger name out there with the big boys of big game hunting rifles. The CZ is the pickup truck of big game hunting rifles. They just simply get the job done. Can’t go wrong with either one and they aren’t making any more of either one.

 

[Rafiki]

The safety lever can get knocked back and catch the bolt mid stroke, blocking it from going forward. Now of course you can simply move the safety lever back forward and finish opening or closing the bolt..... Just a little difficult to accomished while a buffalo is on top of you or has your leg impaled on his horn.

I saw this issue described on another thread so I tried to duplicate it with my RSM, couldn't do it. My rifle is a 375 H&H, 2006 vintage; I don't know if there were manufacturing changes Ruger did to rectify the problem but my rifle does not hang-up at all.

Where does one buy a coffin mag plate for an RSM? I'd love to have one for my 505 Gibbs and perhaps another for one of my 416 Rigby RSM's.

I also would like to know where to get something like this. I do know Alaska Arms did this at one time but not on a magnum rifle. I talked with Morris at AA last year about the availability; he said he does not produce them any more. I got the impression he may be convinced to do so if there was enough interest shown.

4 rounds should be plenty but If there is a source for a coffin floorplate I too would like that info.

On a side not, what I really would like is one piece bottom metal for my RSM.

 

[hoytcanon]

The safety lever can get knocked back and catch the bolt mid stroke, blocking it from going forward. Now of course you can simply move the safety lever back forward and finish opening or closing the bolt..... Just a little difficult to accomish while a buffalo is on top of you or has your leg impaled on his horn.

This happened to a good friend and PH of mine. He had his gun barrel pressed into the beasts chest as it was on him but could not get the bolt closed on his 3rd round. Only by the grace of God he survived.

He is South African and was trained to carry his rifle with the safety off, bolt handle raised, slam the bolt down and fire. I've seen this method used by several PH's. So he removed the safety and calls his rifle a Mark III. Typical Boer, joking about a close brush with death.

Where does one buy a coffin mag plate for an RSM? I'd love to have one for my 505 Gibbs and perhaps another for one of my 416 Rigby RSM's.

That is a crazy way to carry a gun, particularly in a DG scenario. First, in more than 3 decades with the Ruger 3-position safety and literally hundreds of Mark II rifles, that has never happened, IME. Second, the whole point is to have the mid-position to lock the trigger but move the bolt... why carry bolt open and have to use your trigger hand to slam the bolt down and then regrip for triggering before you can fire, when all that is required is to flip the safety from mid position forward with your thumb while your hand is in shooting position??? Seems like any PH should be able to figure that out pretty quick. As for the coffin plate, I was referring to AA, if he is not making them, I have no answer. I have them on several long action Mark II rifles but never felt the need on the RSM's... I can see the desire on a Gibbs.

 

[30.06king]

I have a 375Ruger also and it’s wonderful, but I don’t think I would ever buy one again over a H&H , because the ammunition problem if you don’t reload.

Even if you reload, as I do, practically the sole brass option currently available is Hornady made / brand brass. This brass is what I use to load ammo for my 375 Ruger. Sadly, brass quality is a bit lacking compared to other brands of higher repute. I simply don't get the brass life and have a higher cull rate due to the brass quality.
Good thing I have a good brass stash so can live with this but still, it annoys me. And it's a pity as the 375 Ruger is certainly a capable cartridge.