I can't claim to have carried a 375 Ruger in the field, but I've carried a variety of magnums. I currently own a second hand, but perfectly good 375 H&H on a Zastava action and a 338 WM on a stainless Ruger action. Seems like a good design, so I won't be surprised if the 375 Ruger takes some of the new gun market from everything from the 325s to the 416s.

I'm not about to give my H&H up for the Ruger because it comes to shoulder lined up on the sights and shoots almost any factory or handload into < MOA. That even though there are inherent problems with the Interarms design that weakens the action to make it work with the 375 H&H.

Despite 458Win's estimated 8000 Rugers already sold for less than a months wages for most, I'm guessing it will be a long time before there are enough Rugers made to catch up to the number of H&H rifles already out there for second hand sale. As far as how long it took the H&H to catch on, I doubt there were 8000 people in the early 20th century that could afford 6-8 months wages on a custom rifle in 375 H&H even if they wanted one (and remember there are now about 4 times as many people to buy guns now as there were in 1915).

I'm happy to see the diversity of rifles and cartridges that are currently available. Maybe in 100 years the Ruger will also be a classic.

The Ruger replacing the H&H would be like the .45GAP replacing the .45ACP. Yea, that's likely.

..... Along with the 300 WSSM replacing the 30-06, isn't going to happen.

Maybe in another 20 or 30 years if it has spread all over the globe there may be some serious talk about it, but when a cartridge is considered to be a world standard and has been around for close to 100 years it is going to take a bit to knock it out of place.

What influence has the .308 had on 30-06 sales?

quote:

Originally posted by Winchester 69:
What influence has the .308 had on 30-06 sales?

I would wager that most Americans, not all, of course, who debate between the .308 and the '06 are not in the bunch that buys .375's, most particularly back east. So that is not an apt comparison.

There has been a drop dead 375 ruger at Clayton Nelson table at last two Tuslsa gun shows,and it did not sell. I heard at least a dozen comments that if only it was a 375 H&H I would buy. I think it is still for sale. I think the difference in length is more in the shooters head than in performance.

Darrell Ragar

For me, I'll take almost 100 years of successful field use and all the associated experience out there that goes with it. And yes, there is a emotion in the decision as well as rational thought. Jack O'Connor told me it was the queen of the medium bores

Ditto for me!

I am doing my part to perpetuate the longevity of the .375 H & H. I ordered one yesterday and chose it over the Ruger.

I dunno, one of the guys at the barbershop Saturday morning was reading an article in Field & Stream; they thought the 375 rugger was something special. Of course, there was a full page ad by rugger two pages later.

Personally, I have a CZ and an old 98 in 375 H&H.

But I'm old fashioned like that.

Rich
Buff Killer

Wow! The babershop!!!!!! I always thought they were edged weapons experts

.........but you are a "Buff killer"

yes I am, as a matter of fact. Are you? Seems only fair to establish your "bonafides".

I can only...never mind!

Rich
did it in Zim in 2008

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
yes I am, as a matter of fact. Are you? Seems only fair to establish your "bonafides".

I can only...never mind!

Rich
did it in Zim in 2008

A newbie buff killer.

quote:

Originally posted by Winchester 69:
What influence has the .308 had on 30-06 sales?

Here in New Zealand heaps! One rarely sees a 30-06 these days, the 308 is popular.
I could happen folks, the 375 Ruger might just become a popular round.

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:
It could happen folks; the 375 Ruger might just become a popular round.

I've been thinking about a moderate-velocity 225 gr. cup'n'core for general use. Who would bother to do that in an H&H?

I think all this new innovation is great for the shooting world. It keeps it alive and well! As for either cartridge, they are both fantastic rounds. I predict the .375 Ruger will flourish more in Alaska, given the shorter action, and lighter rifles. Africa, not a chance! The.375 Holland $ Holland is far too much of a reliable classic. It is the 30-06 of medium bore magnums, and of Africa! Of all the .30 cal cartridges that have been developed since the 30-06 came to town, not one has sold more or overshadowed it on popularity. If I also had to predict something else, i would say the .416 Ruger will be a hit. 416 Rigby cartridges are mega expensive, and the .416 Rem does have mega pressure issues. If I wanted a handy "charge stopper" for Grizzly or Brown Bears, I'd opt for the Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan in .416 Ruger. But I would get away from that "sticky" rubber stock.
But NO rifles will ever replace the 30-06 or the great .375 Holland & Holland...Besides..It is a Holland & Holland.

It may become some what popular with those who visit Alaska, but like Africa, it seems that most who live there that need/want a 375 already have an H&H. It's a solution to a problem that never was.

I embrace the new cartridges. It shows how good the old ones really are.

Lou

If Rugers action could hold an H&H round it never would have been invented. If you want a Ruger in 375 you have one now. If you want an H&H there are a few to choose from, including Ruger's long action. What's not to like about that?

got my LH 550 today!

quote:

Originally posted by SlamFire:
In this months Rifle Magazine, an article on the Ruger 375 and Ruger rifle in 375.

The author predictes that the 375 Ruger will replace the 375 H&H, just like the 300 Win Mag replaced the 300 H&H.

What do you think?

Nope. Never happen.

The main reason for the popularity of the 300WinMag is it can easily be reloaded to the same or greater ballistics of the original round. And it has been chambered in every available rifle since it's inception, heck it still is.

Being as you can't reload the 375 Ruger to exceed, let alone MEET original ballistics, it is not a reloaders round.
If there are some new powders out there that I missed in the last few months that can accomplish this, I appologize in advance, but I don't think there are. The last article I read said it can't be done.

The 375 Ruger (and the other Ruger short action mags) will be relegated to a footnote in history just as the new fleet of wizz-bang cartridges that supposedly do everything better than what they replace have been.

--17HMR and 17M2
--Remington UM's and SAUM's
--All the WSM's and WSSM's
--The Lazzoroni collection of rocket cartridges
--And the whole slew of Roy Weatherby's fine cartridges

I am not knocking these cartridges, however, the fact is they don't exceed what is currently available enough to make the "old reliables" into the "old obsolete's."


---Mike

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
Ruger claims they sold over 8000 of their new 375's the first year. Can anyone tell me how long it took H&H to sell 8000 rifles? Or how long it took Winchester to sell that many M-70 375 H&H's ?

Sounds like the 17HMR all over again.
I remember not that long ago gunwriters saying the same thing about the 17HMR and the 22Mag.
I see lots of used 17HMR's in the local shops. Try to find a 22Mag.

Ruger has the modern marketing and following to sell that many rifles. How many gun magazines were even in existence 70+ years ago? Let alone TV, the internet, etc...

70+ years ago there were not as many people willing to go out and buy the latest, greatest thing, even if it existed then. And H&H rifles were considerably less available and more expensive by comparison than a Ruger is today.

Apples and oranges, apples and oranges.

quote:

Originally posted by Flippy:
Apples and oranges, apples and oranges.

And don't forget cockles and mussels alive alive O.

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:

quote:

Originally posted by Flippy:
Apples and oranges, apples and oranges.

And don't forget cockles and mussels alive alive O.

The Ruger cartridge won't replace the H&H in its market segment. The 375 H&H is a luxury item and is marketed as such. PH's have trouble affording them, and that's the basis for Ruger's product. It is a practical package. The rifle itself has 3 advantages as such:

1. Affordability

2. Reliable package with proper sights, wing safety, CRF, and good balance

The cartridge design complements the rifle with:

3. Standard length bolt throw

4 Beltless cartridge

These last two items are discounted by client hunters and other amateurs, but are valued by PH's.

The affordability and practicality of the package will make it attractive to non-dangerous game hunters, and its use by PH's will raise its image as a dangerous game tool. The introduction of the 416 caliber should assure the rifle's adoption in Africa.

There are stock issues that Ruger should address. The standard wooden stocks seem too soft as is to survive long-term. Improving the bedding may resolve that issue. The Hogue stock seems to create controversy regarding its suitability. Hard to tell if the TupperWare thing would prove popular with the market. The 416 may force attention to the stock issue.

The rifle and cartridges will develop their own market segment, not canabalize the H&H's segment. With the H&H, the price is part of the attraction.

winchester 69, I completely disagree with your premise of affordability. the fact that 375s are everywhere supports this. the cz/brno is the single most popular rifle make in the hands of african phs/guides and a goodly many of them are in 375. You can go buy yourself a cz 550 used for the same price as a ruger 375 this evening. so, i don't think ruger wins out on that count.

I doubt the 375H&H is on its way out, but there is a new crop of Alaskan/African hunters every year that need to purchase a suitable rifle of which the ruger is.

Me, I am headed to Alaska and wanted to buy a new M70 in 338, but guess whats not available from Winchester. The ruger now presents itself as an option.

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
got my LH 550 today!

Not fair, post pictures, my lefty CZ550 should be at AHR for upgrades as we speak.

I dunno, it seems like the people who buy a rugger 375 have to slam the H&H to justify their purchase.
As long as more rifles are available in the H&H the rugger will remain a footnote in history; just another answer to a question nobody asked.
To date, rugger and Howa chamber for it. Not much of a landslide there.
I have seen more used than new ones for sale in gunshops here in SW Idaho since Christmas.

Rich
Buff Killer
the H&H is the one in my gunrack

gonna see if I can get a pic this weekend. no scanner though. who will let me email them pics to post?

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
You can go buy yourself a CZ 550 used for the same price as a Ruger 375....

OK. The Ruger 375 isn't affordable.

winchester 69,

dont get me wrong - at that sort of price both are affordable. I just think the claim you made about CZs not being affordable is off base. Both seem to serve the needs of those who buy them.

Just wanted to weigh in. I bought a 375 Ruger African about three months ago and could not be happier. Total package cost including 2-7 leupold and leather sling was less than $1000 and for that I got a very nice handling rifle that shoots lights out, looks nice, doesn't weigh a ton, has a super trigger (the new LC6 trigger on the three I have shot is much improved) and got me into big bore shooting. I don't think there is any need to argue about whether this cartridge will replace the H&H, its like apples and oranges of the same diameter.............there is room for both.

Matt

That's the way I look at it too. I have a Win 70 custom 375 H&H, and no way would I trade it for a Ruger. But that's only because it's such a good functioning rifle, feeds very slick, and holds four down, and is just bomb proof. I just can't think of anything I would change about it. Well, I did have it custom made from a stainless Win 70 donor action, which was initally in 375. I just didn't like the factory barrel or stock, so I put a PacNor barrel and McMillan stock on it.

But I have handled and shot the 375 Ruger, and it's impressive, most especially because it's so good out of the box. If I didn't already have a fantastic 375 H&H the Ruger would draw my attention more, but as it is I see no reason to own one. When I get the urge to shoot a 375, it will be my Win 70, for as long as I can.

But the 416 Ruger - that's a different story, since I dont have anything at the moment bigger than the 375. Hummm.

KB