Does anyone else think that these two are close enough for North american game that there isn't a reason to purchase the 375R if you already had a .338 win mag?

Question:
If you had a 338win mag, would you purchase a 375? (H&h or Ruger...for NorthAmerica)

Choices:
Buy the 375, can never have too many guns
338 does all that you need for North America
375 is a better choice than the 338
Buy the 375 and plan on going to Africa
O.J. Won't be released on parole in October

 

With the .338, you can take all of the game that NA has to offer. A 225gr in the neighborhood of 2800fps, or 250 gr bullet is plenty heavy for the largest bears and moose. The .375 with a 235 gr Barnes TSX at a touch over 3000 fps will definitely fell any of NA game with plenty of authority plus you can go to the 270 or 300 grain if you feel the need.

3oo Wby FN Deluxe; 338 Win Mag, 375 H&H, 375 RUM, 404 J, 458 Win Mag Model 70s. I Like Them All and so do the animals that go home with me after meeting them.

Well I answered you can't have enough guns but I think the .338 is enough for North America. I personally bought my .375 for other places but it's so much fun I like to use it here too!

I am in the camp of Buy the 375, can never have too many guns.
I have 338 Win Mags, 375 Rugers & 375 H&Hs.
I use the 225gr TSX in the 338 WM and the 270gr TSX in the 375 Ruger.

I think the 338 WM is an outstanding cartridge and fits my idea of a better do-it-all type than the 375's.
I do like the 375s with the Ruger being my present favorite. I am of the mind set, that I prefer the 375's for closer shot type terrain. Hell, I have to have some rationalize for owning 375s.

quote:

Originally posted by ldmay375:
I am in the camp of Buy the 375, can never have too many guns.
I have 338 Win Mags, 375 Rugers & 375 H&Hs.
I use the 225gr TSX in the 338 WM and the 270gr TSX in the 375 Ruger.

I think the 338 WM is an outstanding cartridge and fits my idea of a better do-it-all type than the 375's.
I do like the 375s with the Ruger being my present favorite. I am of the mind set, that I prefer the 375's for closer shot type terrain. Hell, I have to have some rationalize for owning 375s.

Similarly, I bought another 338WM last year for North America. It is truly a great all-around rifle for North America, reaching out there for either deer or elk, as far as I would like to shoot. The 185TTSX is great for deer, and the 225 TTSX at 2835-2850fps has a great BC for use on elk out to 500 yards. I would not see any improvement in this with a 375 Ruger, but I like the 375 Ruger alot and consider it worthy to have in the rifle safe. Nevertheless, I voted that "338 WM is enough" (b).

A couple of years ago my wife got a 375 Ruger for Africa and will have to choose between it and her 270 if we go on an elk hunt before she ferries the 375 to Africa. She would probably choose her 270 because it is over a pound lighter for carrying, even though her little 20" 375 Ruger is already lighter than many a 375H&H. Maybe if I will be feeling strong, I will port my 416 up and down the elk mountains. Probably not, though. The 338 Win Mag is lighter for carrying than my 416 and more than adequate for elk. It's hard to get away from a 338 Win Mag. BOOM.

I was one of those that thought, why do we need another .375 when it was introduced. Then I was asked to build one for a customer. I liked it so much, I almost built myself one but I already have a .376 and a .375 H&H. So, I built a 416 Ruger instead.

If you have a .338 WM you probably don't need the Ruger, but since when has need ever stopped anyone?

Anyone know if these are still having cracked stock issues? Walnut or the laminate

I voted to buy both because this is what I did
I use Acubond 225grs in 338WM and NP 260grs in 375H&H (and also 9,3x62 247grs)for European game depending on the circumstances.
Even if only one of these threes would be enought, but...I love hunting rifles

375 H & H for me. Just because I am a traditionalist. I like to shoot heat treated lead cast bullets in mine with a gas check. Performance, well last year on a Texas "hog" hunt, I took a shot at a pigs head with this load. 2 fell, unbeknown to me another pig was lined up along side my target. Bullet went thru pig #1's head, and then right thru the neck of the other one. If the bullet had been a soft point, I'd have more than likely "beheaded" both of them. Any of these cartridges are excellent.

Jerry

The problem with your survey is that there are no wrong answers.


Okie John

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
Anyone know if these are still having cracked stock issues? Walnut or the laminate

what do you mean by "these"?

I built a 500 Acc Rel and cracked two stocks before I got the third to hold. It took careful reinforcement of the receiver bedding area and it also uses a bedded all-thread cross-bolt in the forearm for an additional barrel recoil-lug. But that rifle generates 7000 ft# and is a bit much for a direct-order Boyd's stock.

the 338 WinMag only generates about 4000ft# and the 375Ruger about 4500ft#, max 5000ft#. So there is no problem with a good solid bedding job. And always relieve the wood at the back of the tang 1/32"-1/16". I like to add longitudinal wrist bolts and at least one receiver-recoil area cross bolt in my over-30 calibers. 1/4" all thread works great.I cut out the seating space from the inside so that a person doesn't even see the cross bolt on the outside of a stock.

The above walnut stock and all-thread is prepared for bedding a Ruger Hawkeye in 338WM.
The stock is solid. Not worried in the least about breakage.

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
Does anyone else think that these two are close enough for North american game that there isn't a reason to purchase the 375R if you already had a .338 win mag?

Why stop? While you are at it wedge a 358 Norma in between them.

The nice thing about the 338 is you can hunt everything in North America with one bullet weight.

Sure, you can load it down for deer and I know one guy many years ago who loaded a 275 grain Speer bullet for moose in his 338 but the 225 or 250 grain bullets can do it all.

quote:

Originally posted by sep:
The nice thing about the 338 is you can hunt everything in North America with one bullet weight.

Sure, you can load it down for deer and I know one guy many years ago who loaded a 275 grain Speer bullet for moose in his 338 but the 225 or 250 grain bullets can do it all.

Agreed.
But it is nice to have lots of different weights and choices.

A high BC with guaranteed deep penetration like the 225TTSX can be used for elk, moose, and yes, for anything else.

But for smaller deer at ranges likely to include over 300 yards a sleek lighter bullet is nice: 185 TTSX at 3100fps allows one to shoot out to 400 yards with good, unaided, range-estimating skills. 2.1" high at 100, -4.4" at 300 and -15.3" at 400 yards. Just keep the crosshairs on fur. And the .338" bullet, with 2300ft# at 400 yards, will still hit hard and stop an animal's flight with any shot to the boiler area.

I suppose that I have an appreciation for the 338WM in the way that many view the 30-06.

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
Anyone know if these are still having cracked stock issues? Walnut or the laminate

what do you mean by "these"?

The .375 Ruger has been known to chip away at the stock behind the receiver. I don't think Ruger spent the time to relieve wood to keep this from happening. But there are many threads on the internet about this. Ruger has sent a replacement stock to the owner each time, but the problem still exists.

Glass bed the 375 and add cross bolts, problem solved and not a bad idea with any big game rifle...

I see no use for the 375 in NA, but it is an option and a great caliber..As to Africa I have used the .375 a good deal, but to me the ideal combo for Africa is the .338 and a 416 or 404..but if one prefers a 375 and a 416 or whatever that's just as good. This sort of thing is only earth shaking on the internet!

I have 338 Win mags, 325 WSMs, 300 Win mag, 300 WBY, 375 Rugers and 375 H&Hs, 416 Rugers and Remingtons, 458 Win and Lott. I only hunt Alaska, but do like rifles and different cartridges.
I am still fighting the urge to have a 340 WBY put together.
So my non-logical mind without hesitation says get both.
My logical thought says, 338 Win mag shoot 225 TTSX and forget anything 300 and above.
Thankfully, that thought has past !!

What's "need" have to do with buying rifles?

quote:

Originally posted by ldmay375:
I am still fighting the urge to have a 340 WBY put together.

There is one local that I have to talk myself out of each time I am in there...just keep saying it is too close to my .338wm. Although there is a Sako 416 rem mag just a few stores down from that one

I don't disagree with anyone for the most part...Mo' is betta"...But I think the question should be(and already has been asked...many times!!!) "WHY would you need/want anything larger than the 30-06"...and the answer would be..."just because".

I like large diameter, heavy bullets at 2200-3000 fs because they are so effective. PERIOD...FULL STOP!!!

I have all three mentioned...I like the H&H for nostalgia, the R for smooth feeding and the 338 for...well, for whatever...I also have smaller cased wildcats on both Cals...again..."just because". and I wanted to build them.

I usually build at least one rifle a year going back a LONG time...5 so far this year so far and two more in the "that's a very definite MAYBE" class...all WANTS...I haven't NEEDED a rifle/pistol/shotgun in 40-50 odd years, but they just keep on cumin' in the doors, windows, through the cracks in the walls and down the chimney.

A 375 can be loaded up or down...hardly any need for full power loads for N.A. game...and take game from rabbits to moose...do it right and head shots on small game is easy...no different than any other caliber/rifle...sage ratz really HATE to see me coming totin' one of those big cannons with bullets almost as large and heavy as they are and the 'yotes hate it too...not much left to nibble on and they have to DIG for the resultant tiny pieces and parts... hahahahahahahahaha

Hey...pick what YOU want and make it fit what YOU hunt, and "enjoy your toy".

Luck

I too voted that the 338WM works well for anything NA. Several years ago, I was also considering these two calibers (actually 375 H&H) and decided to go with a 9.3x62. It too covers everything in NA and is a pleasure to shoot, even off the bench. My hunting buddy uses his 338WM for deer, elk and hogs.

The 30-06 is my favorite caliber and my 30-06 pre 64 fwt, is pretty darn rough to look at, its been around a lot of hard camps, but its my favorite gun in my favorite caliber.

My .338 win. is a better elk rifle hands down, it kills quicker and with fewer shots, anyone that doubts that just hasn't used the .338 much, Ive killed many elk with the 30-06 and most I have to say got shot two times, sometimes more, never have I shot an elk twice with my .338, Have never had an elk go more than 40 or 50 yards..That only makes since to me that a bigger gun with bigger bullets and more powder kills better, is that so hard to figure out.

I have shot all my moose and elk with a .338 and never found it lacking. I rarely switch bullet weights as IMO learning the trajectory of one round leads to less mental gymnastics in the field. As for flat shooting, if something looks farther than 200, I range it; only takes a second and often faster than "thinking" about how far it is.

I voted for the 375 as a replacement. I think if you have a 30-06 or 300 Win Mag and a 375 H&H you don't really need anything in the middle. Of course what does need have to do with it?

quote:

I voted for the 375 as a replacement. ... if you have a 30-06

And what if the 338WinMag IS your "30-06"?
I picked up a stateside 338 to be my all-purpose, US deer rifle. I like it, the 338 is a great caliber. (But I could buy a 308 or 30-06 for a grandkid.)

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:

quote:

I voted for the 375 as a replacement. ... if you have a 30-06

And what if the 338WinMag IS your "30-06"?
I picked up a stateside 338 to be my all-purpose, US deer rifle. I like it, the 338 is a great caliber. (But I could buy a 308 or 30-06 for a grandkid.)

I only hunt moose in Alaska where I live, and use one gun, a .338WM loaded with 225-grain TTSX. Yes, I have used the 230-grain Lubalox coated FS, 250-grain A-Frame, .250-grain NOS Partition, 225-grain TBBC, all which have done their job well. But I have settled on the 225-grain TTSX.

If I were to have a rifle battery, it would be as follows: .270, .338, .416. But I just like the .338.

Will probably use a .338WM Hawkeye in the near future. I will just put the walnut stock away, and replace it with a McMillan with a 12" LOP, a decelerator recoil pad, and a Leupold 3x9x40 that has a #4 illuminated reticle (a red dot in the middle). This African version .338 has a 22" barrel, probably like yours.

quote:

Originally posted by smallfry:

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
Does anyone else think that these two are close enough for North american game that there isn't a reason to purchase the 375R if you already had a .338 win mag?

Why stop? While you are at it wedge a 358 Norma in between them.

Or just get 358 Norma and you don't need the other two.

quote:

Originally posted by 460 wby shooter:

quote:

Originally posted by smallfry:

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
Does anyone else think that these two are close enough for North american game that there isn't a reason to purchase the 375R if you already had a .338 win mag?

Why stop? While you are at it wedge a 358 Norma in between them.

Or just get 358 Norma and you don't need the other two.

I imagine that the most popular hunting cartridges are those which benefit from readily available ammo at the stores? In Alaska the .30-06, .300WM, .338WM, 7mm Magnum, .375 H&H, .270, and even the .30-30 are the most widely used.

I could be wrong, of course.

I have shot elk, moose and brown bear with my .330 dakota, which is not that different from your .338 WM.

I really don't see a need for a .375 ruger (unless you want one for some other reason) for hunting in North America.

this is such a long standing debate,lol.
I will choose the 338 wm hands down, I load the 210 nosler partition to just over 2900 fps and have elk to 500 yds with 1 shot.
I only use premium bullets due to the energy

I started hunting in Alaska with my 338 win mag and I wanted more range so I bought a 338-378 weatherby .It.added 300 yards to my.338 and handles 250-300 grain bullets alot.better and flatter .I skipped the 375 and bought a 416 rem mag for my tent and woods gun.I hardly used my 338' win mag after that except in the lower 48 I use the 338 win mag to deer and black bear hunt with .Yes I am a huge Elmer Keith fan and those guns work awesome!

quote:

Originally posted by dgr416:
I started hunting in Alaska with my 338 win mag and I wanted more range so I bought a 338-378 weatherby .It.added 300 yards to my.338 and handles 250-300 grain bullets alot.better and flatter .I skipped the 375 and bought a 416 rem mag for my tent and woods gun.I hardly used my 338' win mag after that except in the lower 48 I use the 338 win mag to deer and black bear hunt with .Yes I am a huge Elmer Keith fan and those guns work awesome!

Every case size has its optimal limit, say ".308" up to 6.5-7mm, "30-06" up to 30 cal. I figure the 338WM is good to about 35 cal. If you have chosen the "378/416Rigby" for .338", an excellent choice by the way, then a natural continuation would be a hand loaded 416Rigby or 416Weatherby. 338 and 416 make a natural pair.

I was 16 yrs old when my father gave me my Sako L61R .338Wm, hunted and carried till I was like 30 yrs old. Then set aside and hunted with a Rem 760 .30-06 till it got pretty worn shooting 220 Core loks. Now my battery consists of 7-08 up to the .458Wm. It's not a matter of needing anything but meat and I have so much fun loading, shooting and tinkering on them that I'm certain another rifle is coming.....another .300HH perhaps. Have fun.

375 H&H - One cartridge to rule them all.

My vote is for all of the above

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
My vote is for all of the above

You should be a politician - or a hunting guide!

The .338 shoots flatter than a .375, and has enough juice to suit me on any animal on the NA continent..

The 375 has more thump, and I prefer it in Africa, where shots are seldom long, but it will do in a pinch at long range..

That's why I have both I suppose..If it wasn't for those big ole bears that Phil aggravates, the subject wouldn't be so confusing..I know the the .338 is brown bear medicine, but if Phil would take me hunting Id bring my .375 and leave it with him!

One cannot have too many guns, but in my mind a 30-06 and a 375 H&H does everything you need. The 338 Win Mag is a great caliber if you don't have a 30-06 and don't care about hunting DG in Africa

quote:

Originally posted by chuck375:
One cannot have too many guns, but in my mind a 30-06 and a 375 H&H does everything you need. The 338 Win Mag is a great caliber if you don't have a 30-06 and don't care about hunting DG in Africa

I have a .30-06, but my all around hunting caliber in Alaska is the .338WM.