458 ruger help?

I've had ALOT of help from Llamapacker( thanks a ton again), and I'm still trying to get more info.

all the gun says is Ruger M77 .458 magnum
serial number is 73-71***
having trouble deciding if it's the M77 RS, M77 Safari magnum, or someone's project where they put a safari barrel on a regular m77.
(Llamapacker, feel free to correct me if I messed that up)

heres a bunch of pictures





what do you guys think?

maybe I won't get beat up on this one. Remember, all I'm trying to do is help someone out. I don't gain a single penny from any of it.
thanks for any help!

LAST EDITED ON Mar-20-12 AT 11:36PM (MST)[p]I am not that much into Ruger rifles, but I did notice that the stock had a crossbolt located behind the recoil lug to prevent stock splits from a heavy magnum recoil.

I would not think that a standard Ruger M-77 would have that crossbolt. I can see them putting it on their Safari grade rifles in 375 or 458 magnum. It might be a Ruger model 77 Mark 11 that did come in 375 H&H, 404 Jeffery, and 458 Win. mag. It should have a ramp front sight with open express rear sight.

Take several good pictures and email it to Ruger and see if they will tell you what it is.

I took another look at the pictures and it appears to have the express sights.

RELH

email Ruger- who would of thought of that? I feel stupid now
great idea!
i can definitely search for it, but does anyone know their email address?

and 1 more question:
when you say ruger mark11, i've never heard of a mark "11" ( but I never claim to be a gun expert either) by chance, did you mean to type "MARKII" ( or mark 2) or is there such thing as a mark 11?

again, Thanks a ton! Monster Mulies members has really helped me out getting all these answers.

LAST EDITED ON Mar-21-12 AT 00:15AM (MST)[p]You do not have a RSM (ruger safari magnum), the RSM has a quarter rib on the barrel, yours doesn't. You don't have an RS either.

Your rifle is a Ruger M77RSC (c-stands for circassian walnut stock). This rifle was made between 1976-1978. The only difference between the RS and RSC is the stock. Based on the serial number you provided your gun was built in 1978. I won't give you a value on an open forum but pm me if you want more info.

No need to call Ruger, just ask me

i sent you a p.m., but you honestly are killing me. i've spent all my free time, for 5-6 days trying to figure out this gun, what did you see/ how did, or do, you know this?

I've been in the gun biz for over 20 years. You pick up a few things along the way.

LAST EDITED ON Mar-21-12 AT 09:29AM (MST)[p]hangingmeat---As was mentioned, your rifle was made in 1978 according to the serial number you stated and checking numbers for manufacture date of the M77 on the Ruger website. I just looked that rifle up and a guy sold one for $1,100 new in the box recently. It is considered a fairly rare rifle since it was only produced for three year at most. In case you want to speak directly with Ruger about your rifle, give them a call. Here is contact information right off their website:

For exact information on your specific serial number, you can contact Ruger's Records Department either by telephone or mail.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Records Department
411 Sunapee Street
Newport, NH 03773
Telephone: 603-865-2424
Fax: 603-863-9371

I also screwed up on that other thread and looked up your other serial number and one for my gun on the wrong serial number sheet. Ours both just start out with two numbers and a - followed by more numbers. The sheet I looked up had three numbers followed by a - and more numbers. Here is the link for the correct date of manufacture for our two rifles and mine was made in 1975. They actually started making them in 1968, as you can see on this initial list that I should have gone to, and went through 1992. When you go to that link I suggest you then click on the Safety Notice. They will replace an overtravel trigger set screw if you sned them the information they want. I'm going to do that as that's the first I've heard of it.
http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/RI-M77.html