Thoughts on which .375 to keep, H&H or Ruger?

07 January 2023, 02:58

crbutler

quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Keep the Ruger it is what 375 should be.

The belt is unnecessary on the H@H just takes up mag space.

The belt may well be unnecessary, but the two cases are equally wide at the case head. The Ruger doesn’t gain you mag capacity, is saves you length if the gun is designed specifically for that length.

07 January 2023, 03:17

chuck375

375 H&H a classic cartridge. The Grace Kelly of rifles

375 Ruger kind of wants to be a 375 H&H or 375 Weatherby but it's neither.

07 January 2023, 05:50

Michael Robinson

In my book, the .375 H&H, without any hesitation or doubt, is the better round, and more than that, the best.

It is the classic, smooth-feeding, powerful, all-purpose big game cartridge.

I believe in the principle that you don't change things unless the change represents a significant improvement over the status quo.

To my way of thinking, the Ruger, among many other .375 caliber contenders, does not pass that test.

Others may differ, of course, and within reason, I would never say they are objectively wrong.

But you did ask for my opinion!

07 January 2023, 06:12

kurtbe

[QUOTE]Originally posted by chuck375:
375 H&H a classic cartridge. The Grace Kelly of rifles
^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^

07 January 2023, 07:00

Hasher

If one has been to Africa keep that one.

Otherwise keep the one you shoot the best or that interests you the most.

07 January 2023, 07:10

dogcat

Keep your Ruger and sell me your H&H…

07 January 2023, 16:04

buckeyeshooter

I am am H + H fan, call me when the ruger has been around 100 years and I'll look at one.

07 January 2023, 18:34

jeffeosso

keep em all....

if i am buying new, its the ruger for me

07 January 2023, 22:26

Hasher

quote:
Originally posted by dogcat:
Keep your Ruger and sell me your H&H…

Yes yea do this.

This way I do t wind up with a new rifle.

08 January 2023, 01:30

Use Enough Gun

375 H&H in a Model 70

08 January 2023, 04:54

surefire7

If you hunt Africa, or plan to, keep the H&H.

If you do not plan to hunt Africa ever, keep the Ruger. Ballistically, it’s a better round, and the Ruger African is a lighter, handier rifle. At least mine is, and it has the front barrel band sling swivel. Just my opinion.

08 January 2023, 06:25

ldmay375

quote:
Originally posted by loud-n-boomer:
Given two comparable rifles and equal access to reloading components, which would you keep and why, a .375 Ruger or a .375 H&H Magnum?

I have both, like both. If one had to go, I would keep the 375 Ruger.
I like the slightly smaller action platform. I have more than one rifle in each cartridge. One of my most favorite rifles is a factory action and 20" barrel Alaskan.
My choice would be heavily influenced by which particular rifle that I liked the most. That would probably be my decision maker.

08 January 2023, 07:58

Ongwe

You couldn't run fast enough to give me a Ruger.

08 January 2023, 18:18

458Win

I have two of each that we keep for loaners and using rifles at our hunting camp.
On a rifles used for any serious dangerous game hunting “ Nostaligia” means nothing

The argument between which is best was settled when Winchester brought out its standard length 300 WM and all the 300 H&H fans got their knickers in a twist about ammo availability

08 January 2023, 19:50

TREE 'EM

Arguments about ammo availability are starting to fade as the Ruger gains in use and popularity.

I’ve owned a few 375 H&H’s and a 375 Ruger. I have custom a 375 H&H on a ZG47 action in progress which will likely get sold as I now have a custom 375 Ruger in planning. From a personal preference standpoint, I’ve come to accept and like the effect of the Ruger over the nostalgia of the H&H. My new commission will be built on a BRNO 21 action and weigh in at about 7 lbs. My plan is to simply load down the Ruger to H&H velocities for the bulk of its use and save a couple pounds on my rifle. After shooting various 375’s over the years from 6 lbs to 13.5 lbs (bare rifle weight), I believe that 7 is the sweet spot for me.

08 January 2023, 20:50

Atkinson

I was a dyed in the wool fan of the H&H for a lifetime or two, got heck of a deal on the Ruger Hawkeye that I could sell and make a few bucks..I decided to see what its got and wow! The Ruger in every respect won hands down and oh how I hate to say that as Im a nostalgic on guns, but it is what it is.

As I read the reasoning behind what makes the H&H better! its strictly nostalgia the rest is hooey, the Ruger feeds and ejects as well or better, the sloping case of the H&H was gun scribe opinion. less recoil? baloney, The Ruger picks up 150 fps on average and thats meaningful with a 300 or 350 gr. bullet, The Ruger has a shorter bolt through, and on and on, if one puts their prejudice aside and deals in reality..

I still love the pre 64 in 300 H&H and 375 H&H, but thats mostly the gun and not the caliber..

To each his own, but be honest with yourself and how can you judge when you have never used the Ruger or hunted with one..Those that I know who that have actually used the Ruger have all been enthusiastic about it..Its a great gun in every respect..

10 January 2023, 18:37

Seamaster

I have both the H&H and the Ruger.

If I only had one, it would be the Ruger.

11 January 2023, 23:16

Mike_TX

quote:
Originally posted by TREE 'EM:
Arguments about ammo availability are starting to fade as the Ruger gains in use and popularity.

I’ve owned a few 375 H&H’s and a 375 Ruger. I have custom a 375 H&H on a ZG47 action in progress which will likely get sold as I now have a custom 375 Ruger in planning. From a personal preference standpoint, I’ve come to accept and like the effect of the Ruger over the nostalgia of the H&H. My new commission will be built on a BRNO 21 action and weigh in at about 7 lbs. My plan is to simply load down the Ruger to H&H velocities for the bulk of its use and save a couple pounds on my rifle. After shooting various 375’s over the years from 6 lbs to 13.5 lbs (bare rifle weight), I believe that 7 is the sweet spot for me.

I like the way you think - 375 Ruger on a Brno 21 (small ring action). I had Duane Wiebe build me a 338 WinMag on a g33/40 (small ring action) awhile back. Really makes for a lighter weight rifle and it's a shooter.

As far as the 375 Ruger vs 375H&H I have both and like both!

12 January 2023, 00:00

dpcd

I don't understand that question at all. I often have that same "issue" (non), and always revert to status quo; Keep them all.
As for the guy who won't take a free Ruger; I am sure he has never owned one. I have; 15 of them. At least. Starting with the original late 60s, flat bolt.

16 January 2023, 18:44

chuck375

quote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
I was a dyed in the wool fan of the H&H for a lifetime or two, got heck of a deal on the Ruger Hawkeye that I could sell and make a few bucks..I decided to see what its got and wow! The Ruger in every respect won hands down and oh how I hate to say that as Im a nostalgic on guns, but it is what it is.

As I read the reasoning behind what makes the H&H better! its strictly nostalgia the rest is hooey, the Ruger feeds and ejects as well or better, the sloping case of the H&H was gun scribe opinion. less recoil? baloney, The Ruger picks up 150 fps on average and thats meaningful with a 300 or 350 gr. bullet, The Ruger has a shorter bolt through, and on and on, if one puts their prejudice aside and deals in reality..

I still love the pre 64 in 300 H&H and 375 H&H, but thats mostly the gun and not the caliber..

To each his own, but be honest with yourself and how can you judge when you have never used the Ruger or hunted with one..Those that I know who that have actually used the Ruger have all been enthusiastic about it..Its a great gun in every respect..

I love these 375 Ruger posts. When it comes to the 375 Weatherby, I hear a lot of why would you do that? You only get 2800 fps from a 300g bullet, a 375 H&H is all you need. Then the 375 Ruger comes up and how it's superior. The 375 Weatherby can shoot factory 375 H&H and shoot it well while still out performing the 375 Ruger with 375 Weatherby factory ammo or handloads. That being said, if I had a pre-64 Model 70 in 375 H&H I wouldn't change it.

16 January 2023, 20:14

eddiel4

It seems to me that one needs to know what the two comparable rifles are. If they were both custom rifles, done by a renowned maker, my choice would be H&H in a heart-beat. If however, these were both "users", then I'd be tempted towards the Ruger. Without any info, I'd always lean towards the H&H simply because with both being essentially equals in performance, one need something else to help weight the decision one way or the other and H&H has and always will have such "character"...

17 January 2023, 01:07

eezridr

I tinker with my guns quite a bit so the ones I have have been made to shoot.
Kimber 89 in a H&H.
Get 2840 FPS with a 270 TSX and it will shoot into a 1" or less at 100 yds.
What does Ruger give me? I could care less about the bolt throw.
If I started new it might be worth review but doubt I will trade in something that works well.
If I want more I have my 375 Weatheby stainless Mod 70 as a beater. 300 gr. at 2800 FPS.

EZ

17 January 2023, 04:32

JFE

I have both and the Ruger has been worked by a smith to smooth up the action. The H&H is so much smoother and slicker for follow up shots. I don’t know whether it’s a function of the Ruger being a SS action, but slick feeding is important to me.

17 January 2023, 06:21

Michael Robinson

If I want different or more than the .375 H&H Belted Rimless Magnum Nitro Express, it is not going to be any other .375.

It will be something that begins with a 4.

17 January 2023, 22:37

foxhound

Had both, liked them both. I have a soft spot for classics, that is all I can honestly say
Rick

18 January 2023, 09:59

dougfinn

Both cartridges are pretty similar ballistically. I think I’d make my choice based on which rifle I like better.

21 January 2023, 22:06

AFRICAN LEADWOOD

These days I'd possibly choose the one for which components were likely to be more readily available, if the availability wasn't about equal or good enough. Here in SA this is becoming a real issue for some chamberings. Assuming I liked the rifles pretty much equally. I'm not really on the page of your rifle arriving and you ammo not arriving and needing to somehow source alternate ammo. If you do suffer that fate then use the camp gun. Others clearly disagree.

22 January 2023, 03:59

Atkinson

Its just conversation, and no real which is best!

Bottom line, if I had a 374 H&H I would not go out and buy a Ruger 375 Hawkeye, If I didn't have a 375 H&H and wanted a 375 caliber, Id buy the Ruger..Just saying, but do what suits you, you don't need all this sage advise to buy a rifle of any kind..bu what fits you and you alone..

23 January 2023, 00:14

drongo

quote:
Originally posted by kurtbe:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by chuck375:
375 H&H a classic cartridge. The Grace Kelly of rifles
^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^

The 375 Ruger was developed by Hornady for two reasons: so Ruger could chamber it in cheap rifles having 30-06 length actions; and so Hornady could market a new round to those who always have to have the newest, if not the best.
The H&H has history and romance along with great performance. It also comes in better rifles.

I will keep my H&H.

24 January 2023, 04:58

Longwalker

For practicality and efficiency, the Ruger is the winner. But If I wanted to be most practical and efficient, I wouldn't hunt animals in Africa, I have plenty to hunt near my home.
The .375 H&H seems like the right choice to me, because, well, because Africa...

25 January 2023, 03:15

6x6

Keep the Ruger. The rifle will be lighter weight and better handling. The cartridge easier to reload with NO belt.

25 January 2023, 07:43

jrigby416

From the time I was a little kid I'd always wanted a .375 H&H, .35 Whelen, and a .257 Roberts (I'm 71) and I have them amongst dozens of others. Nostalgia!!
My point being if it pulls your string, go with it. Critters won't know if their taken by a Ruger or an H&H. Enjoy either one.