Gentleman,

I am not attempting to start a battle or get into a ballistics pissing match. With that said, i have been searching for a big bore for quite a while now. This weekend i came across a nearly new (10 rounds through it) .375 Ruger African. It is priced pretty well in my opinion at 675, sans rings and scope.

Questions:

1. Would this be a good first DG rifle?
2. Are hunters pretty happy with this rifle and new chambering.

Once again, basic questions. Please don't jump on me as i have done a search of the forum but can't find much definitive on Rugers latest offering. Many thanks.

this is a bit better suited to the big bores forum but i will answer any ways

i have herd of at least 2-3 of these rilfes going for bufflao and i belive 1 went on a elephant trip..... but in all cases the rifles were sent to a reputable gun smith to have the feeding and actions double checked for fit and function.

as far as the 375 ruger round..... it will kill anything that walks the earth it more or less the balistic twin of the 375 H&h wich has done it all been there and has been the number 1 rilfe of many notable elephant hunters/ game rangers.

of course budget and over all comfort can be limiting factors if you really plan on getting into multiple dg huntes i would opt for a 458 lott or 416 but a 375 is all you really need when being backed up by a ph.


hope this helps at least a lil bit

Sorry, if a moderator wants to move it that would be fine. Thanks for your input. I see this as a starter rifle in DG caliber. When i get the $$ for elephant i will pick a specific rifle at that time. Just wondering what folks think of the 375 ruger and the Ruger African to be specific. Many thanks.

I certainly like my .375 Ruger quite a bit and intend to use it on bears and moose here in addition to a buffalo/ leopard/ plainsgame hunt scheduled for next August.

R15 and TSX bullets seem to be accurate and I would guess deadly. I used an H&H last year with TSX bullets and R15 with good results. I wouldn't know why the Ruger should work and differently.

Have a plan B as far as ammo is concerned. Lose yours on the trip over and I surmise you would be out of luck. If your going over with more than one other hunter, spread your ammo among their luggage. Better safe than sorry. You might want to research the big bore forum.
LDK

1. Excellent DG rifle and chambering.

2. Every humter I know that owns a .375 Ruger African is very happy with it.

Last year at the SCI convention in Reno I was ready to buy a 375 and could not decide between the 375 Ruger and the 375 H&H so I figured the best way was to ask as many PH's as I could. The overwhelming majority, About 95%, said always stay with the 375 H&H. Remember they also are not real high on the 300 WSM. as it refers to anAfrican hunt. Take it for what its worth but I bought a 375 H&H and could not be happier.

i think there maybe a reason why .375 Rugers starting popping up for sale on a regular basis on the AR classifieds soon after they became widely available- usually at "good" prices. i will leave it at that.

I took my 375 Ruger Africa with me this year to South Africa and was impressed with the performance. I was shooting 270 grain A-frames around 2800 fps. I did have the rifle full length bedded, changed the recoil pad and had an ebony forend put onto it before taking it though.

The best thing about the 375 Ruger is the little Ruger rifle it comes in! I would dearly love to have the little Ruger Haweye African chambered for 338 Win Mag.

The 375 Ruger will do anything the 375H&H will,for all practical purposes, and is legal for dangerous game in every place I've hunted. If that is the rifle you like, then buy it, and do your home work to make sure everything works properly before you go into the weeds with a mad Cape Buffalo with leaking hole in him. This rifle will make a fine back-up for your real DGR in future. For years a 375 H&H bolt rifle always went with me to Africa as my light rifle, because it was still legal for dangerous game, in case my big rifle went down.

Today I carry either a 9.3X74R double rifle, or a 375 H&H bolt for my light rifle, and 470NE double for my heavy. I'm sure your Ruger will become your back-up in future, for the DGR you end up with!

If the 375 Ruger cartridge, and the neat little African Ruger rifle it comes in floats you canoe, the paddel away! However do as L.David Keith suggests, and make sure some of your ammo gets where you are going, because none will be available in Africa. The 375 H&H, however, will be in every gun store, and camp in Africa! I've never been seperated from my ammo on an African hunt, or anyplace else,though.

.................Good hunting, and enjoy your new rifle!

I will readily admit that I am not an expert but will say that I would hate to have to find 375 ruger ammo in Africa if for some reason I was seperated from the ammo I brought. I had a .375 H&H built prior to my African hunt and could not be happier. All things being equal I would go H&H, but I would suspect that a the Ruger would perform quite well. I would suspect that you could find an H&H for a good deal also if you look around. My buddy was able to pick up a Model 70 classic stainless for roughly the same as the Ruger you quoted.

Ain't no flies on the Ruger, but the ammo thing can be a real problem on an African trip, given the total lack of consideration exhibited by most, if not all, airlines concerning your luggage with your irreplacable .375 Ruger ammo inside. I'd go with the H&H. In fact, I did.