I suspect that most people who have bought a 375 Ruger in the past 7-8 years wanted the power of the H&H in an inexpensive, easy carrying rifle. The five-grain advantage for the Ruger in powder capacity was considered expendable in trade for cutting off 2-4" of barrel from a longer H&H.

If one could get that in a controlled-feed round like the Ruger Alaskan or Ruger African, then people concerned with the price of a rifle would naturally turn to the 375Ruger over the 375H&H.

I'm a little different, although certainly concerned with the practical price of a rifle. For me the 375Ruger is a great choice for plains game and a potential replacement of the venerable 338WinMag, while still being legal for a buffalo in a pinch. Primarily as an antelope gun, the push feed vs. controlled-feed is not a deal breaker. I've had a couple of 338WM in Tikka that have been great: push-feed, slick, light, and accurate.

So the Mossberg is a timely entry into the realms of a serious hunting rifle. Initial reports have been positive on accuracy and workmanship. The company wants to be a player and folks on AR may want to applaud that decision. At less than half the price of a CZ, the Mossberg now joins the Howa 375Ruger at the entry level of an all-around African rifle, suitable for NA elk and bear as well. (Do any states in the US allow solids for hunting deer in thicker forest? This would seem a good use.) One of the Mossberg models even looks like the currently-unavailable Ruger Alaskan, with a pepper-laminate stock and short barrel.

quote:

(Do any states in the US allow solids for hunting deer in thicker forest? This would seem a good use.)

I have hunted almost exclusively with my Alaskan in 375R for the past 5-6 years. Even shot my wolf with it in 2011. Solids would not be my first choice but you can use any type bullet that you want in Montana. We have NO caliber or bullet restrictions.

I would suspect rather, that most serious (that hunt more than 500 miles away from home) hunters would likely not care to be seen carrying anything that said Mossberg on it.

When Remington or Winchester start building them that might change, but we are pretty sure that won't happen anytime soon.

Mossberg makes "Tools"...

Has anyone seen an example rifle out in the wild, or are they just prepped versions shopped out to the gun writers? So far, they look like vaporware.

For that matter, has anyone seen a regular Patriot? Fit/Finish comments?

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
I would suspect rather, that most serious (that hunt more than 500 miles away from home) hunters would likely not care to be seen carrying anything that said Mossberg on it.

When Remington or Winchester start building them that might change, but we are pretty sure that won't happen anytime soon.

Mossberg makes "Tools"...

Dang, Rich -- are you saying that you aint a serious hunter if you don't hunt 500 miles from Home or that no one in africa/us/texas/argentina/OZ... don't hunt with mossberg 500 (the second most popular shotgun on the PLANET) or use a mossberg 22, of various, nay even until national match accuracy, or a howa rifle (mossberg 1500) ... granted the 800/810 are rather ugly ...

but this is a bit much of the "rich doesn't approve therefore he'll invent stuff upon which to poopoo, yet not actually put himself out there as the source that might be frowned upon"

Sir, *I* have hunted more than 500 miles from home, with a mossberg varichoke, and stacked up my limit of birds.. and then cleaned up a badly wounded hog with the same, and shot any number of camp meat with a mossberg 22...

"Serious" hunters use the correct tool at hand, and if not, make due with what is available or can afford...

Best police shotgun ever made is a Mossberg 500.

The Remington 870 is a close second and maybe a bit nicer looking but the Mossberg is better overall gun IMHO.

The PD I worked for had the 870's in the cars but on the tactical team we could use what we wanted and my choice was the Mossberg.

The location of the safety being one of the main reasons.

If I had a penny for every round of 22 I have fired thru a Mossberg I could go back to Africa!!

Damn fine tool!

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
I would suspect rather, that most serious (that hunt more than 500 miles away from home) hunters would likely not care to be seen carrying anything that said Mossberg on it.

When Remington or Winchester start building them that might change, but we are pretty sure that won't happen anytime soon.

Mossberg makes "Tools"...

Dang, Rich -- are you saying that you aint a serious hunter if you don't hunt 500 miles from Home or that no one in africa/us/texas/argentina/OZ... don't hunt with mossberg 500 (the second most popular shotgun on the PLANET) or use a mossberg 22, of various, nay even until national match accuracy, or a howa rifle (mossberg 1500) ... granted the 800/810 are rather ugly ...

but this is a bit much of the "rich doesn't approve therefore he'll invent stuff upon which to poopoo, yet not actually put himself out there as the source that might be frowned upon"

Sir, *I* have hunted more than 500 miles from home, with a mossberg varichoke, and stacked up my limit of birds.. and then cleaned up a badly wounded hog with the same, and shot any number of camp meat with a mossberg 22...

"Serious" hunters use the correct tool at hand, and if not, make due with what is available or can afford...

I think it is his opinion about the 375 Ruger in general. This is what he stated in the 375 Weatherby thread,
I think if all the people who bought a 375 Ruger thinking it was a better hunting round than the venerable Holland got together at SCI next year and stayed at the same hotel, then left together to go to the convention on Day One, you could use a mini-van to take them.
Note: I have the 375 Ruger Guide Gun and I am real Happy with it.

700xcr--yes, his statement on the other thread shows a lack of appreciation for what the 375Ruger is. Enjoy your Guide Gun. My wife like her Alaskan.

quote:

Wookie76:
Has anyone seen an example rifle out in the wild, or are they just prepped versions shopped out to the gun writers? So far, they look like vaporware.

For that matter, has anyone seen a regular Patriot? Fit/Finish comments?

I've heard that the Mossbergs were selling better than expected, so maybe the problem is that people are waiting for a some kind of second production run.

Does anyone know the magazine length of the Mossberg Patriot?

I'm guessing that it is "short" like the Ruger Hawkeye, but specifics would help people plan on the kind of bullets that would be options.

Dang Jeff, I am saying just that. You have to take hunting serious to buy a 375 of any flavor. Three Seventy-fives are not the majority choice of guys shooting a white tail in-state once a year.

There is nothing, aside from big bears, that can make use of something that big and hard recoiling. Our esteemed Phil Shoemaker suggests a much smaller rifle for hunting Browns to his clients.

I have seen very few guys reporting of killing whitetails with them. 375's are generally considered an "enthusiasts rifle", and a sign of a reloader.

Mossberg is generally considered one of the absolute cheapest firearms available.
Without looking, name two models of centerfire rifles they currently offer. NO Cheating!!! From memory.

2. NPD345, firearms are "tools" to LEO as a rule. They don't get to go to the city council budget hearings and request the "tools" they want for on-duty carry. They are issued the absolute cheapest "tools" the city fathers think will do the job. You served on our PD for 30 years. What percentage of your fellow officers ever checked their carry shotguns out for a round of trap or skeet or sporting clays? In fact, what percentage of your fellow officers ever fired their service weapons, aside from qualification?

416 Tanzan,

If they make a 30-06 the rugers should all fit. Which is likely the reason they chose the shorty-ruger in the first place.

they didn't necessarily buy the cheapest, we had a voice in it fortunately. They actually outfitted us extremely well.

Unfortunately very few officers took the time to really go out and use the shotguns for anything other than qualifying with. Which was sad because they could of.

I liked the looks of the 870 better but preferred the position of the safety on the Mossberg.

They both blew the hell out of anything I pointed them at.

I guess as far as tools go my Craftsman wrench's do the same job as my Snap On's.

It is a fact, and a sad one, that a lot of officers did not practice outside of qual's with the tools given them. The better officers did.

The Mossberg's weapons I have owned have all been well made and reliable. I always got what I paid for.

Yes, Idaho, the standard factory loads of Ruger will all fit, but what about the High-BC long-ogive bullets like CEB-MTH? What about other calibers like 338WM? Will they handle the .338 265gn TTSX?

Idaho, The recoil on my 375 Ruger Guide Gun with the muzzle break is a push and not a heavy kicker. I know I am going to a raft for the muzzle break but it is pleasant to shoot. I have shot a mule deer doe on a damage control hunt with the 375 Ruger Hornady 270gr. chronographed out of my 20" barrel at 2777fps. This did less meat damage then the 270wsm traveling 3200fps with a 150gr.
Now I have handloaded a 300gr. Nosler Accubond traveling at 2590fps and a Woodleigh 350gr. PP at 2391 fps.

The magazine length is 3.36 " I have fired about a 100 rounds to date no issues very accurate MOA. The stock is very well designed and comfortable to shoot even the rifle is very light. The best $337.00 I have ever spent