Opinions please: Pros/Cons of .375 Ruger vs .375 H&H

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Greetings akrifleman,

We might be neighbors of a sort, as presuming by your screen name, you live in Alaska.
I live in Anchorage (Rabbit Creek drainage).

Anyway and be that as it may, my opinion respectfully differs from yours, on some of your comments …..

1.
IE: “Take away Robert Ruark and the .416 Rigby is entirely forgotten”.

In my opinion, back in my teenage years (late 1960’s) while reading about this cartridge in Outdoor Life magazine, I am one person who definitely has not “entirely forgotten” it.
Also worth mentioning, Ruark was not the only noteworthy person, from the past who spoke highly of the .416 Rigby.
There definitely were some other, equally notable and historically significant people who, favored owned and repeatedly used this caliber, in Africa.
A.
Well known Author, Jack O’Connor had one built on a splendid Brevex Magnum Mauser action and used it in Africa.
My foggy old man memory has it that he had to turn the belt off of .460 Weatherby brass and then re-form it in a custom (RCBS ?) made die for the .416 Rigby cartridge, as proper brass was near impossible to simply impossible find, in those days.
I do not recall what he wrote about the projectiles he loaded for his particular rifle.
But, I suspect finding them and / or making them was not exactly a simple affair either.
But, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
So, O’Connor was able to hand load for and hunt with his .416 Mauser.
B.
Famous PH and also well known Author, John A. Hunter owned and often used what I believe was an original Rigby built one, on the very desirable, square bridge Oberndorf Magnum Mauser action.
About the time I was finally realizing that I would not likely find an affordable .404 Jeffery, I was also coincidentally reading his great book “Hunter” by J.A. Hunter.

His account of piling up an impressive stack of problem lions, throughout one single remarkable night, via his .416 Rigby repeater, inspired me to abandon my several year long quest for a Magnum Mauser in caliber .404 Jeffery then, to instead focus on the .416 Rigby cartridge.

Pictured below is my own, not so famous .416 Rigby caliber rifle.
It is primarily a CZ brand Model 550 Magnum.
I bought it for $800. USA dollars, more than 10 years ago, in Rogers, Minnesota.

Then, I had a professional Gunsmith cut the barrel to 24”, install a front sight to my liking, a barrel band sling swivel stud, reinforce the stock against splitting, install a gel type anti-recoil pad, weld on a larger bolt handle, install a Model 70 style “safety” shroud and tab plus, one or two other minor things that I don’t remember right now.
Someday I’d like to re-shape the cheek piece from the present tear drop shape into the classic oval shape and slim the forend just a tad as well.
Anyway, the only things I’ve shot with it so far are inanimate targets.
However, with good old original Hornady round nose 400 grainers, it is as accurate as any of the several .30-06 rifles that have come and gone from my possession, over this longass lifetime of mine so far.
C.
Another notable Author, John “Pondoro” Taylor wrote nothing but glowing accounts of how well suited this cartridge and the malleable steel jacket / lead core 410 grain bullets made for it were excellent for heavy dangerous game.
He mentioned also that the blunt shaped bullet with plenty of lead showing at the tip was an impressive one for the swift and sure crumpling of charging lions.

+

2.
“Only the release of the .416Rem in the late 80s revived it from its death throes”.

My recollection is that it actually was Bill Ruger who revived the .416 Rigby cartridge, by introducing his true magnum sized bolt action repeater, in that wonderfully powerful and what I contend is an iconic African cartridge.

+

3.
“and the converted BPE cartridges that became the Nitro Express series continued to have strong sales all along”.

I remember from back in the 1970’s and well into 1980’s that, there seemed to be nobody selling ammunition for most if not all of the flanged British nitro cartridges, (the .303 being a noted exception), nor any of the old British original .40 and larger bore rimless ones either (including the .416 Rigby).
At least the two areas where I lived at that time showed no ammunition for pretty much any of those wonderful old, time machines, on local retail shelves.
Also during those sad years, I recall seeing some very splendid, London and Birmingham built double rifles, in various large bore classic nitro calibers for sale, at ridiculously low prices, perhaps due to live ammunition and hand loading components both, having become difficult to impossible to find during those years.
If I wasn’t held back by the folly of my youthful foolishness during those times, I could have taken out a bank loan and bought some of those rifles.
By waiting until now to sell them, I could’ve been a free man today. LoL

+

4.
“The Jeffery was for labor, but continued to sell”.

This one statement of yours that I have quoted as #4 here, is difficult for me to understand.
I fully realize that I’m not the smartest guy around and so, it may be that my thick skull is to blame.
Nonetheless, I don’t understand what that particular sentence means.

Well anywhooo, I mean no disrespect.
It’s just that my experiences and observations in this topic apparently are significantly different than yours.
Also, I can’t figure out the one where you said—> “The Jeffery was made for labor” etc., etc.
No offense intended but, I just don’t understand that one.

I suppose I’ve rambled on more than perhaps I should’ve.
And so with that, I will stop here and be quiet for at least 15 or 20 seconds.

Kind Regards,
Velo Dog.

I have not read this entire thread but I belive Harry Selby extensively used the .416 as well. Disregard if he has already been mentioned.
 
I have not read this entire thread but I belive Harry Selby extensively used the .416 as well. Disregard if he has already been mentioned.

Good call Jon.
You are correct and thanks for reminding me.
I simply forgot to mention Harry Selby, another historically quite significant person from that bygone era of Africa hunting when the .416 Rigby rifles and ammunition were available and Selby used one regularly.
 

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Big rabbits!!


Indeed they were plus, very good curried and served with basmati rice, cucumber salad and garlic naan bread.

That said, I cannot myself claim anything more significant about these bunnies, because I did not even fire one shot that day.
I hunted that time with my friend Don “ 1dirthawker “ (whom you’ve met at the AH Dinner in Dallas a couple years ago).
And, he bagged every single one of them.
I’ve hunted snowshoe hare more than once with him and prior to those outings, I usually always managed to bag a rabbit here and there.

But now, when I have hunted with Don, he is so good at it that, the only time I see one is after he shoots it.
Perhaps I should change deodorant brands or something, because lately those hairy little hoppers have consistently avoided me, while simultaneously failing to notice Don aiming his .17 HMR rifle at them. LoL
Oh well, they are just as good to eat no matter who shoots them.
 
Greetings akrifleman,

We might be neighbors of a sort, as presuming by your screen name, you live in Alaska.
I live in Anchorage (Rabbit Creek drainage).

Anyway and be that as it may, my opinion respectfully differs from yours, on some of your comments …..

1.
IE: “Take away Robert Ruark and the .416 Rigby is entirely forgotten”.

In my opinion, back in my teenage years (late 1960’s) while reading about this cartridge in Outdoor Life magazine, I am one person who definitely has not “entirely forgotten” it.
Also worth mentioning, Ruark was not the only noteworthy person, from the past who spoke highly of the .416 Rigby.
There definitely were some other, equally notable and historically significant people who, favored owned and repeatedly used this caliber, in Africa.
A.
Well known Author, Jack O’Connor had one built on a splendid Brevex Magnum Mauser action and used it in Africa.
My foggy old man memory has it that he had to turn the belt off of .460 Weatherby brass and then re-form it in a custom (RCBS ?) made die for the .416 Rigby cartridge, as proper brass was near impossible to simply impossible find, in those days.
I do not recall what he wrote about the projectiles he loaded for his particular rifle.
But, I suspect finding them and / or making them was not exactly a simple affair either.
But, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
So, O’Connor was able to hand load for and hunt with his .416 Mauser.
B.
Famous PH and also well known Author, John A. Hunter owned and often used what I believe was an original Rigby built one, on the very desirable, square bridge Oberndorf Magnum Mauser action.
About the time I was finally realizing that I would not likely find an affordable .404 Jeffery, I was also coincidentally reading his great book “Hunter” by J.A. Hunter.

His account of piling up an impressive stack of problem lions, throughout one single remarkable night, via his .416 Rigby repeater, inspired me to abandon my several year long quest for a Magnum Mauser in caliber .404 Jeffery then, to instead focus on the .416 Rigby cartridge.

Pictured below is my own, not so famous .416 Rigby caliber rifle.
It is primarily a CZ brand Model 550 Magnum.
I bought it for $800. USA dollars, more than 10 years ago, in Rogers, Minnesota.

Then, I had a professional Gunsmith cut the barrel to 24”, install a front sight to my liking, a barrel band sling swivel stud, reinforce the stock against splitting, install a gel type anti-recoil pad, weld on a larger bolt handle, install a Model 70 style “safety” shroud and tab plus, one or two other minor things that I don’t remember right now.
Someday I’d like to re-shape the cheek piece from the present tear drop shape into the classic oval shape and slim the forend just a tad as well.
Anyway, the only things I’ve shot with it so far are inanimate targets.
However, with good old original Hornady round nose 400 grainers, it is as accurate as any of the several .30-06 rifles that have come and gone from my possession, over this longass lifetime of mine so far.
C.
Another notable Author, John “Pondoro” Taylor wrote nothing but glowing accounts of how well suited this cartridge and the malleable steel jacket / lead core 410 grain bullets made for it were excellent for heavy dangerous game.
He mentioned also that the blunt shaped bullet with plenty of lead showing at the tip was an impressive one for the swift and sure crumpling of charging lions.

+

2.
“Only the release of the .416Rem in the late 80s revived it from its death throes”.

My recollection is that it actually was Bill Ruger who revived the .416 Rigby cartridge, by introducing his true magnum sized bolt action repeater, in that wonderfully powerful and what I contend is an iconic African cartridge.

+

3.
“and the converted BPE cartridges that became the Nitro Express series continued to have strong sales all along”.

I remember from back in the 1970’s and well into 1980’s that, there seemed to be nobody selling ammunition for most if not all of the flanged British nitro cartridges, (the .303 being a noted exception), nor any of the old British original .40 and larger bore rimless ones either (including the .416 Rigby).
At least the two areas where I lived at that time showed no ammunition for pretty much any of those wonderful old, time machines, on local retail shelves.
Also during those sad years, I recall seeing some very splendid, London and Birmingham built double rifles, in various large bore classic nitro calibers for sale, at ridiculously low prices, perhaps due to live ammunition and hand loading components both, having become difficult to impossible to find during those years.
If I wasn’t held back by the folly of my youthful foolishness during those times, I could have taken out a bank loan and bought some of those rifles.
By waiting until now to sell them, I could’ve been a free man today. LoL

+

4.
“The Jeffery was for labor, but continued to sell”.

This one statement of yours that I have quoted as #4 here, is difficult for me to understand.
I fully realize that I’m not the smartest guy around and so, it may be that my thick skull is to blame.
Nonetheless, I don’t understand what that particular sentence means.

Well anywhooo, I mean no disrespect.
It’s just that my experiences and observations in this topic apparently are significantly different than yours.
Also, I can’t figure out the one where you said—> “The Jeffery was made for labor” etc., etc.
No offense intended but, I just don’t understand that one.

I suppose I’ve rambled on more than perhaps I should’ve.
And so with that, I will stop here and be quiet for at least 15 or 20 seconds.

Kind Regards,
Velo Dog.
Yes,
I'm up the road from you.


Good memory if you recall the article. This will refresh your memory about the O'Connor rifle. Even his article didn't stop the production of the ammo, despite his being credited with reviving it. In truth, (O'Connor) gave birth to the idea that ended up being the 416 Rem. It wasn't until after the 416 Rem that anyone started producing rifles or ammunition for the Rigby.
Good call Jon.
You are correct and thanks for reminding me.
I simply forgot to mention Harry Selby, another historically quite significant person from that bygone era of Africa hunting when the .416 Rigby rifles and ammunition were available and Selby used one regularly.
Yes, I already said Robert Ruark (who's book is about Harry Selby). Without his book Horn of the Hunter, the 416 Rigby doesn't end up on Jack O'Connor's desk.

You realize only like 300 416 Rigby's existed from inception until Bill Ruger started making them in 1991? He dramatically quadrupled the number extant.

Coincidentally, this is what I had posted. When the 416 Rem came out, it spurred Bill Ruger to release the 416 Rigby in the RSM in 1991. Two years after the 416Rem caught fire. Some folks who can't read then accused me of introducing the 416 Ruger into the conversation. I suspect they didn't know that somebody named Ruger can sell a cartridge named Rigby.

In the US 60s and 70s, all Safari ammo sales lagged, except the 458 Win, 375 H&H, and some Weatherby cartridges. Worldwide, that varied. But in 59 years, the 416 Rigby was 364 rifles, total.

Actually, everything was that way in the USA. Most historic calibers were very difficult to come by.
People hoarded old boxes of Union Metallic, Peters, and US Cartridge Co. Now, there is fresh brass available for even the rarest and most forgotten calibers.

The 404 Jeffery was the workman, sold and used a ton. It was the working rifle given to park rangers and anyone that didn't have a choice in the matter. Which is a bit ironic. Labor. Not great white hunters. Now of course, its become a darling.

I also have a 416 Rigby CZ550. I'm very pleased with it.

Perhaps we'll have to get a beer sometime.

No worries,
AK
 
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The 404 Jeffery was the workman, sold and used a ton. It was the working rifle given to park rangers and anyone that didn't have a choice in the matter.
I keep seeing this statement, yet where are all of these old rifles? They never seem to pop up for sale?
 
I keep seeing this statement, yet where are all of these old rifles? They never seem to pop up for sale?
I would guess that they are worn out and goes to the garbage bin rather then beeing sold, apparently they were very simple compared to the more high grade offerings from the same firms.

They were according to what I have read among used by the game controll units of Kenya, Tanganyika, Northern and Southern Rhodesia, Uganda, and Nyasaland. Since they were issued by the game and forest authorities as opposed to private property of the game wardens I assume that they might have ended up being scrapped rather then sold.
 
I keep seeing this statement, yet where are all of these old rifles? They never seem to pop up for sale?
I'm unaware of any time they were popular in the US. I'm only aware of their sales in Africa, British, and Germans. I wouldn't expect them to show up here.

My understanding is the British and German hunters had them available for quite some time, but in the USA the 458 Win Mag effectively killed a great many other DG cartridges, as we were a bolt action loving country at that time. We hadn't really appreciated doubles then, except in rare circles. And levers had been abandoned as weak. We had no use for singles until Bill Rugers #1 in the late 60s.

What I don't really understand is why the 404 Jeffery wasn't dime a dozen in the USA, as it well proceeded the 458 Win Mag, and was available in Mauser actions. They have had a resurgence here, but I *think* the CZ550 was the only working man rifle. All others were like Dakota's, Heyms, and custom affairs that I know of (somebody feel free to correct me).
 
Recent Information … 375 Ruger brass is currently “unobtanium” as in none to be found. 1x fired on GB is going for $3/piece. The only real option today is to buy Hornady factory and reload your own 1x/fireds - our PH’s are adamant that Hornady DG bullets are NOT recommended. The round is great, 100 fps faster than H&H but proving a challenge to find brass. 375 H&H bits and bobs are plentiful with a number of brand options.
 
Yes,
I'm up the road from you.


Good memory if you recall the article. This will refresh your memory about the O'Connor rifle. Even his article didn't stop the production of the ammo, despite his being credited with reviving it. In truth, (O'Connor) gave birth to the idea that ended up being the 416 Rem. It wasn't until after the 416 Rem that anyone started producing rifles or ammunition for the Rigby.

Yes, I already said Robert Ruark (who's book is about Harry Selby). Without his book Horn of the Hunter, the 416 Rigby doesn't end up on Jack O'Connor's desk.



Coincidentally, this is what I had posted. When the 416 Rem came out, it spurred Bill Ruger to release the 416 Rigby in the RSM in 1991. Two years after the 416Rem caught fire. Some folks who can't read then accused me of introducing the 416 Ruger into the conversation. I suspect they didn't know that somebody named Ruger can sell a cartridge named Rigby.

In the US 60s and 70s, all Safari ammo sales lagged, except the 458 Win, 375 H&H, and some Weatherby cartridges. Worldwide, that varied. But in 59 years, the 416 Rigby was 364 rifles, total.

Actually, everything was that way in the USA. Most historic calibers were very difficult to come by.
People hoarded old boxes of Union Metallic, Peters, and US Cartridge Co. Now, there is fresh brass available for even the rarest and most forgotten calibers.

The 404 Jeffery was the workman, sold and used a ton. It was the working rifle given to park rangers and anyone that didn't have a choice in the matter. Which is a bit ironic. Labor. Not great white hunters. Now of course, its become a darling.

I also have a 416 Rigby CZ550. I'm very pleased with it.

Perhaps we'll have to get a beer sometime.

No worries,
AK

Hello again Neighbor,

Thank you for the clarification.
I’m a little slow but now I understand.
Perhaps we after all, agree at least as much as we disagree, as is the case with most people who know each other.
And thank you for the excellent article reprint.
Since I am a shade tree fancier of global history (my wife is as well), I seriously enjoyed reading that bit of Rigby history.

On that note, although Rigby records indicate that they only built 169 Mausers in .416 Caliber before WW-II, and another 364 after the war = 533 total nonetheless, my opinion has it that their original .416 is an important part of Africa big game hunting history.
It compares to the concept that maybe only a few famous old west American Lawmen and Bandits alike, wore particularly large mustaches.
Even so, such whisker style is an icon of the remarkable characters who remain famous today.

I do not know the exact number of famous old west characters who groomed their whiskers just so.
But, I will guess less than 20 of them, perhaps much less ?
Anyway, that specific whisker style has become known as a “Gunfighter’s Mustache”.
Perhaps the .416 Rigby is to Africa big game hunting history what the gunfighter’s mustache is to the USA old west history.

With all that drivel, I do apologize to the OP and to all readers for my part in helping to derail this thread.

And with that, back to the Ruger vs the original H&H .375 Magnum.

My Parting Shot as it were:

If (huge “IF”) the original .375 H&H Magnum has a flaw, IMO it is that all 300 grain factory ammunition seems to be loaded a bit too fast @ around 2,550 fps, from 24” barrels.
I have shot this cartridge extensively over the many years that I have owned various rifles chambered for it, including several repeaters, one single shot and two double rifles.
Perhaps I’m just a wimpy flincher or perhaps at slightly lower velocity, there are less accuracy interfering vibrations.

But whatever the cause, I have found this remarkable cartridge to usually (usually) shoot tighter groups with 300 grainers leaving the muzzle at about 2400 fps than the same bullet loaded up to about 2,500 fps.
Reducing the velocity by 150 fps has made a noticeable improvement in accuracy and ever so slight reduction in recoil, in my experiences.

I have hunted in both Alaska and South Africa while using the 2,400 fps - 300 gr load, with nothing but perfect success.
Apparently the critters I’ve shot with it have all been unaware that I used slightly reduced velocity ammunition for them.
It is therefore that my opinion remains unwavering, in that the Ruger cartridge drives 300 grain bullets now 250 fps faster than necessary.
And so, I for one do not regard the Ruger cartridge as an improvement on the H&H cartridge.
But instead, I regard it as nothing more than an advertising success, however slight that success has boiled down to.

Be all of that as it may, perhaps one day we will meet in person and wether we agree or disagree, we can hopefully spend some time solving the world’s problems.

Cheers for now,
Elmer Dog.
 
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Hello again Neighbor,

Thank you for the clarification.
I’m a little slow but now I understand.
Perhaps we after all, agree at least as much as we disagree, as is the case with most people who know each other.
And thank you for the excellent article reprint.
Since I am a shade tree fancier of global history (my wife is as well), I seriously enjoyed reading that bit of Rigby history.

On that note, although Rigby records indicate that they only built 169 Mausers in .416 Caliber before WW-II, and another 364 after the war = 533 total nonetheless, my opinion has it that their original .416 is an important part of Africa big game hunting history.
It compares to the concept that maybe only a few famous old west American Lawmen and Bandits alike, wore particularly large mustaches.
Even so, such whisker style is an icon of the remarkable characters who remain famous today.

I do not know the exact number of famous old west characters who groomed their whiskers just so.
But, I will guess less than 20 of them, perhaps much less ?
Anyway, that specific whisker style has become known as a “Gunfighter’s Mustache”.
Perhaps the .416 Rigby is to Africa big game hunting history what the gunfighter’s mustache is to the USA old west history.

With all that drivel, I do apologize to the OP and to all readers for my part in helping to derail this thread.

And with that, back to the Ruger vs the original H&H .375 Magnum.

My Parting Shot as it were:

If (huge “IF”) the original .375 H&H Magnum has a flaw, IMO it is that all 300 grain factory ammunition seems to be loaded a bit too fast @ around 2,550 fps, from 24” barrels.
I have shot this cartridge extensively over the many years that I have owned various rifles chambered for it, including several repeaters, one single shot and two double rifles.
Perhaps I’m just a wimpy flincher or perhaps at slightly lower velocity, there are less accuracy interfering vibrations.

But whatever the cause, I have found this remarkable cartridge to usually (usually) shoot tighter groups with 300 grainers leaving the muzzle at about 2400 fps than the same bullet loaded up to about 2,500 fps.
Reducing the velocity by 150 fps has made a noticeable improvement in accuracy and ever so slight reduction in recoil, in my experiences.

I have hunted in both Alaska and South Africa while using the 2,400 fps - 300 gr load, with nothing but perfect success.
Apparently the critters I’ve shot with it have all been unaware that I used slightly reduced velocity ammunition for them.
It is therefore that my opinion remains unwavering, in that the Ruger cartridge drives 300 grain bullets now 250 fps faster than necessary.
And so, I for one do not regard the Ruger cartridge as an improvement on the H&H cartridge.
But instead, I regard it as nothing more than an advertising success, however slight that success has boiled down to.

Be all of that as it may, perhaps one day we will meet in person and wether we agree or disagree, we can hopefully spend some time solving the world’s problems.

Cheers for now,
Elmer Dog.
Makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

I, too, lately have been very interested in the history of the gun. Reading a book on Samuel colt and another on John Browning was enlightening about firearms from about 1860 through today.
 
After all the back and forth on the topic and discussions around ammo availability for 375 ruger, I called Swift today and ordered 4 boxes.

They apparently keep “extra” in the warehouse to fulfill back orders when necessary. (Makes me wonder how many other companies do this)

So, even though indicated out of stock on the website, they do indeed have an “undisclosed” amount in stock of 375ruger 300 grain A frame, and were happy to take my order.

So, in the last 4 weeks I’ve scored several boxes of Hornady, Buffalo Bore and now Swift as well as having a few boxes of brass. Ill leave it to y’all to argue availability and extinction of the caliber… At least until the next thread on this topic.
 
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I'm a 375h&h fan. Reasons already stated ad nauseam.

The Ruger cartridge is a solution in search of a problem as are several other new cartridges in the last decade.
 
They're really one in the same. There's really nothing wrong with the 375 Ruger. It's just that there was really never a need for it. It's hard to dispute that. Like I said about re-inventing the wheel.

Shorter action = No real benefit.

Beltless round = The 375HH doesn't typically have feed issues because it's not a giant cartridge like the 458WM or 458 Lott.

Shorter barrel = You could potentially make an slight argument here. Does a 2" off a 24" barrel really matter? I don't personally, think it does. Especially when you look at the 375HH as a short to mid-range round to begin with. Not long range. Why are we even going shorter? Are we trying to make a bush-gun?

Minimal velocity increase = Not worth speaking about.

It's not a bad round. Is it worth the extra work to find ammo and reloading supplies? That depends on the person I suppose. If you like it, go for it. If you reload and have the supplies, have at it. The fact it has "Ruger" at the end of it and is one of the only offerings in the Hawkeye, feels a little nepotistic and money-grabby to me.

There's a couple really iconic African rounds out there. Two of which are the 375HH and the 416 Rigby. Why they would reinvent them makes absolutely no sense. The 416 makes even less sense.
I think it’s pretty likely that the primary reason the 375 and 416 ruger exist was because ruger wanted to be able to drop the RSM while still being to offer a safari/Alaskan guide type cartridge in the standard length action.

The long magnum market is pretty niche. The new cartridges don’t offer anything the old ones don’t with the critical exception of ruger still chambering for them. With the end of CZ 550 production, there aren’t a lot of options for moderately priced safari rifles in magnum lengths. If Winchester ever drops the safari magnum, the 375 and 416 rugers will become much more attractive options for builds or chamberings on standard length actions.
 
I think it’s pretty likely that the primary reason the 375 and 416 ruger exist was because ruger wanted to be able to drop the RSM while still being to offer a safari/Alaskan guide type cartridge in the standard length action.

The long magnum market is pretty niche. The new cartridges don’t offer anything the old ones don’t with the critical exception of ruger still chambering for them. With the end of CZ 550 production, there aren’t a lot of options for moderately priced safari rifles in magnum lengths. If Winchester ever drops the safari magnum, the 375 and 416 rugers will become much more attractive options for builds or chamberings on standard length actions.
This has just been shown over and over not to be true. The ruger has a real, modest velocity gain over the h&h. It allows for a shorter barrel and action for same ballistics.

This obviously is not important to you. Awesome. But that is different than “the new cartridges don’t offer anything over the old ones”

If Ruger. Hornady. Federal just never made anything new they would die as companies. Is that what we want? Until laser guns are invented progress in ammunition will be incremental and most likely be small increases in velocity and efficiency in shorter barrels and actions (22 arc. 6 arc. 7 backcountry).
 
This has just been shown over and over not to be true. The ruger has a real, modest velocity gain over the h&h. It allows for a shorter barrel and action for same ballistics.

This obviously is not important to you. Awesome. But that is different than “the new cartridges don’t offer anything over the old ones”
Thats the key, any “improvement” is modest. And the need for increased velocity from big bore safari cartridges is pretty questionable.

I’m a cynic. I still believe ruger did this so they could squeeze more money out of cheaper actions (not worse, just cheaper to manufacture). Of course they wouldn’t get away with it if the cartridge couldn’t be advertised as having some sort of advantage over what they were replacing so they developed it with a modest velocity gain. Then they market a new rifle that they can produce more cheaply while extolling its benefits. That’s just business.

I’ve yet to see any evidence that the modest velocity increase or modest savings in length improve a hunter’s killing efficiency in even modest ways. But that’s not me saying it’s a bad cartridge or that you can’t buy one for just those reasons. However there are a lot of cartridges that offer improvements, modest or better, over others that have never taken hold or fallen by the wayside.

I support gun companies doing what they need to stay in business and I support innovation. That is, however, irrelevant to the question of whether or not the 375 ruger offers tangible advantages over similar cartridges.
 
Bascially, the .375 Ruger is a sales items, the .375 H&H is the real deal. The Ruger will disappear over time and hunters will keep the .375 H&H, as they have for a hundred years. The Ruger is only popular due to cost to make and that Hornaday makes the ammo. It is a sales plan only, no basis for need or filling a gap anywhere.

However, if you like it, shoot it.

375 ruger is not about performance. It’s about shoehorning a 375 h&h into a 300 win mag length action. And it’s working not because people like it but because it’s convenient to build. Just like how push actions are largely replacing CRF.

I see fewer and fewer production 375 h&h rifle models for sale. I see more and more production rifles in 375 ruger & 300 win mag for sale.

Ammo availablility still favors the 375 h&h, which is why i bought one, but i suspect that will eventually flip in favor of the ruger simply because that’s what rifles will be left.
 
375 ruger is not about performance. It’s about shoehorning a 375 h&h into a 300 win mag length action. And it’s working not because people like it but because it’s convenient to build. Just like how push actions are largely replacing CRF.

I see fewer and fewer production 375 h&h rifle models for sale. I see more and more production rifles in 375 ruger & 300 win mag for sale.

Ammo availablility still favors the 375 h&h, which is why i bought one, but i suspect that will eventually flip in favor of the ruger simply because that’s what rifles will be left.


No way... In this corporate world and tight economy, there is no point in debating the merits of a cartridge. The Ruger cartridges are excellent, but that doesn't matter, what matters is whether or not (probably not), the companies producing the platforms and components are willing to make long term commitments to the cartridge, DEFYING flighty market trends until they create a sustainable niche... in this day and age of corporate boardrooms and shareholder meetings, this is highly unlikely, unless they can create enough HYPE, as was done with the 6.5 Creedmoor... and that will never happen with a DG cartridge, as the demand is much, much lower. The almighty dollar will win out... the true believers in the firearms industry have all died out.
 
I bought a Savage Bear Hunter in 375 Ruger for my first safari last summer. It was a great choice for a 1-gun safari. Took 6 animals with it from various ranges including a cape buffalo at 25 yards and a kudu at 350. I traded it to a buddy who really wanted it, but I liked it so much I recently got a Gunwerks Skuhl in 375 Ruger. I'm taking to Alaska this fall for Moose and Grizzly and plan to take it Elk hunting as well as my next safari in July for 26. I really like the 375 Ruger; I have plenty of brass and loaded ammo. It's not terrible to find.
 

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