Does anyone know if the new .375 Ruger cartridge has been tested on any of the big 5? Ruger claims the bullet energy meets or exceeds that of the .375 H&H.
JG

Jgconnor,

The 375 Ruger is a .375 Cal bullet leaving the barrel at the same velocity in a 20 inch barrel as a 375 H&H with a 24 inch barrel... To answer your question, I would say this. Yes, Yes and Yes, and since 1912... Get some reloading dies, load some premium bullets, and go hunting

I kinda' figured it would suit. Like you said, a .375 bullet at the same velocity equals the same energy. I was just wondering if anybody had actually taken one over there and done anything with it.
JG

There have been some rather lively threads on this topic. As near as I can tell the issues is whether in fact the 375 Ruger lives up to it's claim of equaling the velocities of the H&H version. They are certainly handsome rifles (in the African version), and even if it comes close, I would still like to have one (at the right price of course). The standard length action is attractive, but I would concerned about the weight (or rather lack thereof).
Peter.

I suppose, with the right powder, one could work up a load that would equate to the ballistics of the H&H. As for weight, I'd rather suffer the wrath of the recoil than have to carry the extra weight for an extended period of time. Recoil is for but a second. Weight can last all day.

Depends on just how often you shoot it working up to that critical second of truth on that 46" buff. Recoil will become a factor if you put in enough range time to become intimate with your rifle.

The 375 Ruger should be a great African cartridge.
However, I would rather the emphasis be that it can handle heavier bullets in a shorter action than the H&H.
Remember, that for many PH's, the criticism of the H&H with 300 grain bullets is that it is too fast!
For dangerous game, I can hardly think of a better rifle than a 375 Ruger of about 22-23" barrl shooting a 350gr bullet accurately.

quote:

Originally posted by Karoo:
The 375 Ruger should be a great African cartridge.
However, I would rather the emphasis be that it can handle heavier bullets in a shorter action than the H&H.
Remember, that for many PH's, the criticism of the H&H with 300 grain bullets is that it is too fast!
For dangerous game, I can hardly think of a better rifle than a 375 Ruger of about 22-23" barrl shooting a 350gr bullet accurately.

.......................................................................... ........Stupidest thing I ever heard ....How much had they drunk before coming to this brilliant conclusion ......

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
........Stupidest thing I ever heard ....How much had they drunk before coming to this brilliant conclusion ......

Ditto. 375 Ruger...why? To sell new rifles and ammunition.

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:

quote:

Originally posted by Karoo:
The 375 Ruger should be a great African cartridge.
However, I would rather the emphasis be that it can handle heavier bullets in a shorter action than the H&H.
Remember, that for many PH's, the criticism of the H&H with 300 grain bullets is that it is too fast!
For dangerous game, I can hardly think of a better rifle than a 375 Ruger of about 22-23" barrl shooting a 350gr bullet accurately.

.......................................................................... ........Stupidest thing I ever heard ....How much had they drunk before coming to this brilliant conclusion ......

Oh, maybe not so stupid.... Gregor Woods is an advocate of slightly slowing down (with handloads) the .375 H&H with 300 gr bullets. He also likes the 350+ gr bullets in the .375 H&H for hunting Cape Buff. He is a very experienced hunter of African game and he is also a veterinarian so he knows more than just a little bit about animal anatomy.

RIFLES FOR AFRICA
Practical Advice on Rifles and Ammunition for an African Safari
by Gregor Woods
"Gregor Woods is one of the most experienced hunters today on the African continent, having shot game with everything from small centerfire .22 calibers right up to some of the most powerful cartridges available. In this milestone book, he gives the reader his experiences and conclusions based upon 40 years of hunting most of the game animals of the mysterious and always fascinating Dark Continent. Based in Durban, South Africa, he has made dozens of safaris to the classic African game fields—Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa—where he has had numerous experiences with dangerous game as well as the dozens of varieties of antelope. Readers of Magnum magazine will recognize his name as the author of numerous articles in which his no-nonsense, practical bent shines."
https://www.safaripress.com/product.php?productid=520&cat=0&page=1

-Bob F.

With all due respec to Gregor Wood, my own experience, and of all the PH I have hunted with, is in sharp contrast to what he claims.

Personally, I would prefer velocities over 2600 for buffalo with the 375, 300 grain bullet.

[/QUOTE]

Ditto. 375 Ruger...why? To sell new rifles and ammunition. [/QUOTE]

...and there is something wrong with that? How would you like a world without arms and ammo manufacturers thriving.?

Boddington has taken a number of Buff with it. Read his reports in the latest Ruger Mags. Recently, there was an Elephant taken with it. The only problem I see is getting one. My friend at Ruger told me at Dallas they were over 3,000 orders behind.
LDK

Opinions vary regarding high velocity for close-range hunting, but generally (Saeed's experience excepted), African hunters prefer heavier, slower bullets to American hunters.
By all means, go with what you believe in, but a 350 grain bullet at moderate velocity in a 375 Ruger remains an excellent choice.

The only reason for favoring slower over faster is bullet performance. If you match a proper bullet with the right velocity you will kill well. Crummy bullets at high velocity are no good. Quality bullets at high velocity can kill like lightning.

quote:

The only problem I see is getting one. My friend at Ruger told me at Dallas they were over 3,000 orders behind.
LDK

I saw 4 listed on Gunbroker.com the other day.

quote:

Originally posted by jgconnor:

quote:

The only problem I see is getting one. My friend at Ruger told me at Dallas they were over 3,000 orders behind.
LDK

I saw 4 listed on Gunbroker.com the other day.

Yes, and all are listed by dealers. What's your point?

Slug,

The point is that 375 Rugers are not that hard to obtain. All it takes is $850-900.

It's not hard to obtain many types of rifles if you have sufficient funds. The point that was made is that sales of .375 Ruger rifles has exceeded many paoples expectations and for some reason there are people who resent that. I can't really figure out why. I thought that strong sales of any hunting rifles was better for all of us. Silly me....

Here are ads for 5 model 70 .375 H&H rifles. Does that mean that there's light demand for these?

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976972826/Guns/Rifles/Winche..._EXPRESS_375_H_H.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976977445/Guns/Rifles/Winche...ER_SUPER_EXPRESS.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/993402564/Guns/Rifles/Winche...ic_Super_Express.htm

http://www.gunbroker.net/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=91399151

http://www.gunbroker.net/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=91445991

Slug,

I'm happy that Ruger is selling lots of rifles

I believe the 375 Ruger will be around/available for a long time.

Re: Demand for Mod 70's in 375 H&H... ignoring the push feed model, I did notice that the "average" asking price was just about $1900. One more reason the 375 Ruger is going to be popular.

Yeah, that's true, and I'm glad because I own a LH Mod 70, but if Winchester starts making a CRF .375/416 etc. again, the prices will likely come down.

They may crash for the last production runs of the "Classics", as their quality control was somewhat lacking at that time. If the new Mdl 70s have better fit & finish and retail for a tad under $1,000.00 at the Box Stores and on line, the prior Classics will drop to $700.00-$850.00, IMO. Why buy one of the earlier guns for more than better new ones??

The new Mdl 70 may cut into Ruger's sales a bit, but the 375 Ruger is here to stay. I want a 416 Ruger, but they don't listen to me...

jeeesh, guys. Y'all carry on like this all the time? I feel like I started a fight!

............As has been stated ...Wimpy bullets need all the help they can get ..............Ya know considering the 350 gr Woody,s are more expensive than the 300 gr bullets ..I,m not too surprised the company that makes and sells them recommends them ...........

quote:

Originally posted by jgconnor:
jeeesh, guys. Y'all carry on like this all the time? I feel like I started a fight!

We're being uncharacteristcally civil right now. Wait until the fur flys!

Sniper,

That sounds like a nice dress-up for a good rifle. You need to add a barrel band front swivel, and it will be perfect.

I suggest you stay away from any bullet that has lead in it, regardless of who makes it.

Use one of the copper hollow points made by several manufacturers. drive it as fast as your rifle is capable of doing at good accuracy.

You can shoot anything that walks this earth, and never feel you are undergunned.

Problems arose in the past as bullets were driven faster than they could handle, and they fell apart.

Today, with modern mono metal bullets, you do not have that problem.

i would really like to see a 300 gn north fork fall apart on any game animal....vey unlikely!!!
Daniel

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I suggest you stay away from any bullet that has lead in it, regardless of who makes it.

I don't hunt, so that's not an issue with me. If I do buy this rifle, I'll probably use it exclusively with/for cast bullets. I'm not too concerned, however, as I've been developing alloys and hardener alloys for years. I've currently got one alloy that breaks 30 on the Brinnell scale. I can push that up to Mach III.

JG

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I suggest you stay away from any bullet that has lead in it, regardless of who makes it.

Use one of the copper hollow points made by several manufacturers. drive it as fast as your rifle is capable of doing at good accuracy.

You can shoot anything that walks this earth, and never feel you are undergunned.

Problems arose in the past as bullets were driven faster than they could handle, and they fell apart.

Today, with modern mono metal bullets, you do not have that problem.

......................Saeed ,,I wish I could fit this into my signature line ,,,,,

quote:

Originally posted by jgconnor:

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I suggest you stay away from any bullet that has lead in it, regardless of who makes it.

I don't hunt, so that's not an issue with me. If I do buy this rifle, I'll probably use it exclusively with/for cast bullets. I'm not too concerned, however, as I've been developing alloys and hardener alloys for years. I've currently got one alloy that breaks 30 on the Brinnell scale. I can push that up to Mach III.

JG

....................Shooting without hunting is kind of like artificial insemination ..If you get those cast bullets that hard what happens when they hit something ..........

Hmmmm, this may be the most pointless thread I have read on AR..

Oh well, the .375 Ruger is certainly a viable cartridge with heavy lead bullets, monolithics, and cast lead, that's for sure..

I'm betting it's a success and I'm fairly sure it will kill buffalo with ANY good bullet.

[/QUOTE] ..If you get those cast bullets that hard what happens when they hit something ..........[/QUOTE]

It depends on what they hit. A dirt or clay berm, except for the rifling marks, they're practically reloadable. A steel plate, they shatter.

I looked at two 375 Hawkeyes this evening at Sportsman's Warehouse in Salt Lake City, Utah.. 7200 South just east of I 15.. An African with the prettiest fiddleback walnut stock I've seen in a long time and an Alaskan.. both still there when I left.. HTH someones addiction.. Les

quote:

Originally posted by luv2safari:
They may crash for the last production runs of the "Classics", as their quality control was somewhat lacking at that time. If the new Mdl 70s have better fit & finish and retail for a tad under $1,000.00 at the Box Stores and on line, the prior Classics will drop to $700.00-$850.00, IMO. Why buy one of the earlier guns for more than better new ones??

The new Mdl 70 may cut into Ruger's sales a bit, but the 375 Ruger is here to stay. I want a 416 Ruger, but they don't listen to me...

QC on mine is excellent. Accuracy is also excellent. It's a good rifle. It's the only one of the last ones they made that I've seen, but it certainly isn't bad at all.