If i owned a gunstore in Alaska i'd put my money on the 375 Ruger, the price is rite and it is handy like the guide gun. 5 yrs from now you wont be able to sell that stainless h&h you just paid too much for, cause everybody will be packin a ruger

I'd buy a Marlin Guide Gun, and shoot 500gr bullets about 1800fps...Brian Pearce killed two Cape Buffalo with one shot with that sort of load.

You can't do that with the 375R, and you'll never work the bolt and get a second shot off as fast as I can empty the Marlin.

I predict Ruger will sell less than one-thousand of them by end of 2008.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
I predict Ruger will sell less than one-thousand of them by end of 2008.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

Rich,
You are a buddy... but don't place any money on that prediction.. they've already sold everyone they make, and there's backorders

jeffe

I'll second what Jeffeosso said. I just put in an order for my Hawkeye Alaskan today. I've been waiting 2 months for them to come off backorder, and I got the first one that was available.

Everybody already got a guide gun. that was the 405 corbon fp pen which is what i shoot . cronys about 1800 from 18in tube. some , not all, guide guns have problems. my biggest problem with gg is not fun to shoot; even with light loads the trigger guard always smacks the pussy finger. stainless rugers have very good rep in Alaska and brown bears on the abc islands seem to be more prevelant than ever. now im not anti h&h but weve needed a good bolt stainless carbine in a serious cal for a long time that doesnt have to be sent to a gunsmith to get what you need and the ruger is pretty close to that gun

........Not to argue with you ISS but when you already know where you are goin to be useing it , and what you will need it to do , then you walk into a shop and here are these rifles that look essespecially built to that purpose ,,,It is an unbelievable no brainer.....The 375 Ruger Alaskan , may be the best all around Alaskan big game rifle ever made !!!!! And I absoulutely like , enjoy , recomend , and occasionally rely on the 3and six bits ...

Guess there is a reason Ruger named them the Alaskan rather than the Idahoan.

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
The 375 Ruger Alaskan , may be the best all around Alaskan big game rifle ever made !!!!!

At least on paper and in most peoples dreams of what they can do in the field.
VERY few of the average hunter can hit ANYTHING at above 200 Yards.
Inside, a .375 on the 06 case would is a lot better. Lower recoil, alowing a lighter rifle, and with a magazine capasity of 5 in stead of 3 - and when The big brown is up close, I'd rather have that, than a few extra footpounds...

But I also think that most people will choose the Ruger above the H&H in the future - at least those who does not dream of Africa....

I predict a lot of Americans will buy one, either for Alaska or dreams of Alaska. I think that the weight of the current rifles will result in a fair number of used ones on the market due to more recoil than expected.

For the African hunting crowd I dont think it will ever come close to getting as much use as the H&H. I doubt it will catch on there to the point where you can rely on ammo availability in those countries. I think thats an important consideration for many hunters.

I think a big key to its success is a better choice of factory ammo and other rifles chambered in the round.

Unlike some people, I do not accept advertising claims as truth.

I'll wait and see.

When a few thousand people have provided their opinions on how the gun and cartridge work on their hunts, I might consider getting one.

Until then, I'll stick with my Model 70 .375H&H.

George
P.S. Unless they've changed their sales model, Ruger provides their product to dealers on consignment. That means the guns are only ordered, not bought and paid for. It also is the reason there are so many Rugers on dealers' racks.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
I predict Ruger will sell less than one-thousand of them by end of 2008.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

Rich,
You are a buddy... but don't place any money on that prediction.. they've already sold everyone they make, and there's backorders

jeffe

Jeff, I think that the Ruger .375 will indeed be a hot seller for awhile but ultimately, I think Rich is correct. It was a good concept. It's just 100 years or so to late. Not many guns are sold over .308 caliber and there are an awful lot of H&H's out there already. In the end, I think the .375 Ruger will fare as well as the .416 Reminton has.

Dave

quote:

In the end, I think the .375 Ruger will fare as well as the .416 Reminton has.

Dave

Dave

There are a couple of differences. Firstly there is just something about Remington and big bores.

Secondly, I will bet the vast majority of big bores are purchased and used as toys. 416 has the problem with a lack of Hornadys etc as compared to the 375 bore.

Thirdly, in the smaller calibres Ruger is a much bigger seller than CZ. However, the CZ was the cheap wood 375 so had somewhat of a cornered market but now there is Ruger in wood and for a lot of people Made in USA has an attraction.

From all the Alaskans I have talked to there were quite a few 375 Rugers used in the field this fall and everyone has glowing tales to tell.
That sort of recommendation sells guns up here.

Phil, are people using factory ammo? Curious to see how its performing in the field. Heard good and bad about Hornady 375 bullets.
Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by dean119:
I predict a lot of Americans will buy one, either for Alaska or dreams of Alaska. I think that the weight of the current rifles will result in a fair number of used ones on the market due to more recoil than expected.

For the African hunting crowd I dont think it will ever come close to getting as much use as the H&H. I doubt it will catch on there to the point where you can rely on ammo availability in those countries. I think thats an important consideration for many hunters.

I think a big key to its success is a better choice of factory ammo and other rifles chambered in the round.

I agree with this completely! The Alaska models will sell far more than the African models. I think this rifle is just about perfect for Alaska, but like Dean, I don't see it getting too popular in the African crowd!
I predict, about 80% of the 375R rifles will end up in Alaska, or in the hands of those who hunt Alaska. There are those however, like me, who will continue to use the old tried & true 375H&H rifles in Alaska as well, and not change to the little rifle till the cartridge list chambered in it lengthens! I like the rifle, but simply don't need, or want the cartridge!

I agree 100%. The main difference between the H&H/Ruger is the gun that it can be housed in.

The Ruger is a working man's rifle that will do anything you need it to do.

It's a no brainer, that is, unless you try to use too much brain. Then the history and nostalgia creep into the picture.

I think a 416 Ruger would be a great addition to the line up. That would be a great entry PH rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
From all the Alaskans I have talked to there were quite a few 375 Rugers used in the field this fall and everyone has glowing tales to tell.
That sort of recommendation sells guns up here.

There seems to be quite a demand for them around here now too. The guys I know that hunt bears with dogs in the spring are totally pumped on the Alaskan....especially after seeing and handling my African. I expect they will generate quite a few orders between them.

Cheers,
Canuck

If its not picked up by other mainstream manufacturers it'll wain. If the revitalised M70's come chambered for it and a few more jump onboard ... then it'll definately succeed. Personally right here and now ... I'd get a 375Ruger over the H&H in a flash.
Cheers...
Con

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
Guess there is a reason Ruger named them the Alaskan rather than the Idahoan.

Probably because they actually get used up here . . .

lalalalalaa
"who would be stupid enough to buy a 308 when the 30-06 has been around for 50 years already, and does the same thing"

"why, who would take a wildcat like the 458 lott to africa"


"hah, no one will even buy the 300 win over the 300 hh"

"what, you are kidding right, a 450 marlin when the 45/70 is such a great round in the same gun"

"bah, who will buy a .416 bullet, when everyone knows the proper small 40 is either .410 or .423"

"bah, who needs a 7x57 when the 45/70 is a superior round"

"30-06? who needs it, the 30-40/303/8x57 is exactly the same thing"

"375 HH? why bother, when we have the 450/450 for 20 years before"

In other words , nostalgia is nothing but an "anti-fad" until it's the next...

Oh, yeah, btw, hornady still makes 376 steyr brass, but winchester has dropped the 300 hh...

go figure

quote:

I predict Ruger will sell less than one-thousand of them by end of 2008.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

Will any maker sell one thousand 375 H&H rifles?

quote:

In other words , nostalgia is nothing but an "anti-fad" until it's the next...

l-u-d-d-i-t-e-s



Cheers,
Canuck

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
I predict Ruger will sell less than one-thousand of them by end of 2008.

Willing to put your money where your mouth is? A friendly wager perhaps?

quote:

Guess there is a reason Ruger named them the Alaskan rather than the Idahoan. Smiler

Pretty funny. I just bought an Alaskan, and will buy an African to boot when I can find one with interesting wood. For that matter, I suppose I could buy a battery of best rifles if I wanted to, but that darned Ruger Hawkeye really fits my hand. Quite a shame Ruer didn't put a halfway decent piece of wood on the African--they'd sell a freight car load to folks going to Africa (and might anyway).

I don't forsee the 375 Ruger reaching a tenth of the popularity of the 375H&H. It's basically a copy cat round with no appreciable ballistic advantage.

Fjold,

perhaps not, but the number of 375H&H's built during 2008 will be several times the number of 375R's. Anybody care to make a small wager on the number of other manufacturers offering the 375R; I mean actually showing one, at the SHOT Show in February?

The popularity of a cartridge is assured only, and ONLY when the rest of the big companies jump on the bandwagon...and nobody has heard anything yet. Ruger is smart, not offering the 375 H&H RSM in a plain-jane model that could compete, pricewise with their Hawkeye. Good marketing ploy, since it keeps the faithful from straying.

Of course, that can backfire, if you don't like the feel of the Ruger, you won't be buying the 375R will you? That will be the killer, IMHO.

There seem to be three opinions here:
1. A few rabid supporters...these guys think this is the neatest thing since store-bought bread.
2. A few equally rabid detractors...these guys (me included) don't see anything to recommend it over a 375H&H
3. About 99.99% of the members here...they could give a s--t. That's the group Ruger needs to win over.
They're looking at the marginal advantage of the R and not seeing much for a cartridge with a working
pressure nearly 10,000cup higher and wondering what the fuss is all about.

There's nothing wrong with the cartridge, there just isn't anything to recommend it over the H&H...inertia is the big killer in the gun market. Long guns are not a growth industry anymore.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

I agree with the guy who said this will replace the 338Win Mag.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Fjold,

There seem to be three opinions here:
1. A few rabid supporters...these guys think this is the neatest thing since store-bought bread.
2. A few equally rabid detractors...these guys (me included) don't see anything to recommend it over a 375H&H
3. About 99.99% of the members here...they could give a s--t. That's the group Ruger needs to win over.
They're looking at the marginal advantage of the R and not seeing much for a cartridge with a working
pressure nearly 10,000cup higher and wondering what the fuss is all about.

There's nothing wrong with the cartridge, there just isn't anything to recommend it over the H&H...inertia is the big killer in the gun market. Long guns are not a growth industry anymore.
.

.4 The people that understand that we don't really need a long tapering case to feed and extract anymore, since the Ruger has proven to feed and extract very well, and that we can get H&H ++ performance form a shorter cartridge, so it's easier to chamber in some rifles.

Also, the Ruger runs at similar pressure tot he H&H. SAAMI specs for 375 Ruger and H&H pressure run about the same at 62 000 PSI

PS It's just another alternative. Try to remember that. Also, try to remember that you have never shot a 375 Ruger

dbl tap

quote:

Originally posted by Gatehouse:

.... understand that we don't really need a long tapering case to feed and extract anymore, since the Ruger has proven to feed and extract very well, and that we can get H&H ++ performance form a shorter cartridge, so it's easier to chamber in some rifles.

Also, the Ruger runs at similar pressure to the H&H. SAAMI specs for 375 Ruger and H&H pressure run about the same at 62,000 PSI.

PS It's just another alternative. Try to remember that. Also, try to remember that you have never shot a 375 Ruger

Rich, you do need to clear up your confusion over outdated CUP data for the .375 H&H versus accurate and modern data in PSI for the .375 Ruger.

I also second the slick feeding of the .375 Ruger in the Hawkeye, right out of the box.
My pretty African first run rifle had a sharp edge on the chamber entrance that made it a little rough, but polishing this took care of the brass scratching.

The later run Alaskan rifle I got was perfect right out of the box regarding feeding. Flawless.

quote:

I also second the slick feeding of the .375 Ruger in the Hawkeye, right out of the box.

+1

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
They're looking at the marginal advantage of the R and not seeing much for a cartridge with a working
pressure nearly 10,000cup higher and wondering what the fuss is all about.
..Rich

10,000 what?
55,000CUP it more or less 62,300PSI (62366, i just checked CIP) ....

or exactly the same.

but, <clears throat> please remember that the "marginal" advantage is in a 20" ruger vs a 25" HH ...

sure you could do the same for a 30-06 ... looky, a 20" barrel runs just slightly faster than the 308" ... no, wait, that's the OPPOSITE of what you are saying... as the 308 is the new kid.

the 375 ruger case is larger, but, interesting enough, EXACTLY the same maximum diameter as the 375HH, it just doesn't suck in .020 and taper from there

It is shorter, which when building a rifle, is VERY important, to the tune of about $1000, custom bottom metal and all, as compared to a 375 HH


Oh, but then again, I am biased ON 3.35" rounds.. I've invented or made the first one of 5 (416 AR, 458 AR, 470 AR, 500 AR and I built the first 550 express) .. I GET the "Same capacity, shorter round" concept...

Just like a 458 win vs a 450 NE 3.25" .. same (possible) ballistics, an inch shorter...

If you take the CZ 550 Mag in 375 Out of the picture, WHO in the US builds 1000+ 375 HH in a CRF?

NO ONE

Do i think the ruger will obviate the HH? Nah, but I am about to sell some HH brass and dies.

Like the .284 Win I can hear some one say
"But think how much more performance you can get out of it in a longer action".
Only on this forum do the big bores get much more than a passing glance.

it would be interesting to see if Ruger will release sales numbers for the two. Of course, we have to figure Remington probably made more than a dozen, and Savage made three or four, and how many did Winchester build? Or Sako, or CZ, or Chapuis, or Merkel, or H&H, or the custom builders...?

For the 375R to be anymore than a curiousity, somebody besides Ruger is going to have to chamber rifles, and somebody besides Hornady is going to have to make brass and ammunition.

No sign of either yet...

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:

Do i think the ruger will obviate the HH? Nah, but I am about to sell some HH brass and dies.

How much do you want for the brass? What kind of dies? I already have dies but I have multiple .375s and I like tools because you can never have enough tools. Tools are good, brass is good, things go BOOM are good.

Oh. If anybody has brass like the .375 on the left here I would like to buy it also.

quote:

For the 375R to be anymore than a curiousity, somebody besides Ruger is going to have to chamber rifles, and somebody besides Hornady is going to have to make brass and ammunition.

No sign of either yet...

...

Probably fair to say that there is no sign of either yet, since the cartridge is barley a year old.

I bet the rest of the manufacturers were completley caught off guard, and I also bet that some of them (maybe Savage?) are eyeballing it and thinking "You know, we could get into that market now"

quote:

Originally posted by Con:
If its not picked up by other mainstream manufacturers it'll wain. If the revitalised M70's come chambered for it and a few more jump onboard ... then it'll definately succeed. Personally right here and now ... I'd get a 375Ruger over the H&H in a flash.
Cheers...
Con

I agree recently sold my .375 H&H cz 550 to heavy for a .375 and I was not really using it, I tend to go for my .338 ruger or my .416 Rigby.

If I get another .375 it'll be a ruger, now to decide between the African Alaskan thats hard...........the African I though was a beutiful gun and the Alaskan just plain practical. It should be ahit with Sambar hunters in our country.

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
Unlike some people, I do not accept advertising claims as truth.

I'll wait and see.

When a few thousand people have provided their opinions on how the gun and cartridge work on their hunts, I might consider getting one.

Until then, I'll stick with my Model 70 .375H&H.

George
P.S. Unless they've changed their sales model, Ruger provides their product to dealers on consignment. That means the guns are only ordered, not bought and paid for. It also is the reason there are so many Rugers on dealers' racks.

Me, too.

.....I guess I,m going to have to hurry up and buy a 375 Ruger ... but like I said in the spring ,the ruger rifle is what will make the round...Not that the round can,t stand on its own ....I,ve had alot of different 375 H&H,s around 8 or 9 of them ...Liked everyone of them and shot game with all but 2 of them ....But the only ones that were as nice to lug around and aim as the Ruger Ak.holds were 2 different # 1,s and they were heavier ....I can,t understand what all this rootin and bellerin over a Great rifle cart. combination is .....I doubt anything haywire is going to happen to the H&H ..But for my purposes the Alaskan or even the African will serve me better....And what is anyone going to hunt that the Hornady bullets won,t kill ????? I,ve had Hornady bullets break up in a few animals , but , ya know how I found that out... It killed the game and was discovered while I was butchering the meat.....As long as the factory ammo is accurate enough I would be completely happy hunting with it....And that includes the 270 gr soft point on bear up close and moose also ..... And Bent , possibly the bulk of hunters can,t .. But most of the people I hunt with are very at ease with 200 yrd shots and sevral are reliable to 400 plus...Not to brag but myself included ... Provideing something other than a 458 or larger to take the shot with ......375 Ruger Alaskan will be a no problem 400 yrd wolf rifle with the 270 gr load or a like a 250 -270 gr GS ,HV or Accubond....ECT . hand load @ 2700 fps or better.....The Accubond has worked well on brown and black bear so far......Remember , Hornady was a primary source of bullets for the 375 H&H up here for a long time .....

I might at some point build a .375 Ruger but I think the rifles the are building right now are ugly. Was thinking about it over coffee on this fine morning and it might be a good use for an Ed Brown action I have kicking around that doesn't have a purpose yet. Might be interesting. But if anybody decides to abandon any Holly and Holly girls I would like to buy your brass.