First safari rifle: lefty 375 Ruger

[Hunt anything]

Owen, I originally got a VX-6 2-12, it’s to big and I can’t stand the huge windage turret that’s sticks off the side, idk why any hunter would need that. But I also think a 1.5-5 is also to under powered as I may take mine on an elk hunt and I would want more that 5x for plains game also. I think I’m going to do the same as “Bandera” and go with the Vx5 2-10, it doesn’t have the windage turret and should be able to do elk, plains game, and buffalo. Balance is pretty good, little barrel heavy but does not seem to bother me.

I have a VX 6 1X6 on my.375 Ruger, if I had it to do over again I would go with a 2X10 VX 5 as well.

 

[CBeck]

I am jealous of this stock! What kind of sling is that?

Thank you sir. It’s a leather and canvas sling that I make.

Thread 'Luxury Leather Sporting Accessories'

Feb 9, 2022

I had a thread going earlier titled possibles pouch which has morphed into more than just the pouch so I thought I would start a thread covering the full set.

Basically, I thought it would be meaningful to create and use my own leather hunting accessories. I like nice leather gear and I know many of you do as well so I hope you enjoy…

And since each handmade piece needs a good backstory this is the one I’m going with… Each item is hand stitch by Sir August Beckwith III or “Pithy” as he is affectionately known by his friends as he is seldom seen without his Willis and Geiger pith helmet...

• CBeck
• Replies: 92
• Forum: Hunting equipment, gear & optics

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[Bandera]

Rifle looks awesome! Where did you find that recoil pad that fit without fitting?

It is a Hogue prefit. I do not recall the part number.

 

[Owen89]

Owen, I originally got a VX-6 2-12, it’s to big and I can’t stand the huge windage turret that’s sticks off the side, idk why any hunter would need that. But I also think a 1.5-5 is also to under powered as I may take mine on an elk hunt and I would want more that 5x for plains game also. I think I’m going to do the same as “Bandera” and go with the Vx5 2-10, it doesn’t have the windage turret and should be able to do elk, plains game, and buffalo. Balance is pretty good, little barrel heavy but does not seem to bother me.

What would be your (and anyone elses really) take on a VX3 2.5-8? Is the low end too high for a DG rifle?

 

[RLL]

What would be your (and anyone elses really) take on a VX3 2.5-8? Is the low end too high for a DG rifle?

After a few of these hunts and using various scopes, Leupold, Maven, Trijicon, S&B, & Swaro, I give preference to 1 or 1.5x on the low end. I like shooting with both eyes open and this seems to make it easier for me.

That said, I have used a 2-12x with success on buff and having a bit more magnification past 6 or 8x is nice when a PG opportunity presents itself. I never felt like 2x on the low end was a limiting factor…

 

[Bandera]

With the 2-10 that I have on my rifle the scope is still usable on 2X up close, 15 feet.
I would recommend taking a peek through the scope that you want to see if it is usable up close.

 

[WI-2021]

To start, I'll say that this is my first post here and the quality of information found on this forum is top notch. The discourse I've come across is something that is very much lacking in life these days and it's refreshing.

It all seems to have started when I began reading my dad's collection of Safari books and it has me looking at getting a Ruger Hawkeye African in 375 Ruger as my first rifle of this size.

I don't have a trip booked for DG at the moment and but I do have plans for a plains game hunt (would be my first) to RSA in 2026, I plan to use my 30-06 on that hunt.

The 375 is more of a want purchase than need at the moment...but I'd like to take the time to get used to the rifle over a few seasons.

Ruger makes just about the only factory rifle for lefties with CRF that I can find and it just so happens to match a Ruger I already own in 30-06 (which is a plus for style reasons), but for ammo availability during trips I'd rather have a 375 H&H. The lefty Winchester M70s I see on GunBroker quickly get bid out of my budget however.

I have fired an H&H (it was 8.5lbs loaded out and I shot from the bench) and found the recoil to be quite manageable to my surprise, 270gr loads I believe. True to the slow "push" adage in my experience. Is the 375 Ruger recoil really a lot sharper as is frequently mentioned?

What other upgrades for the Ruger would be advised?

I plan to swap the trigger, recoil pad and perhaps add some weight to the stock to help it balance better/temper recoil. The Ruger feels a bit barrel heavy.

One upgrade I am not sure about is bedding the action. Will bedding help prevent damage to the stock? I have read some instances of cracked stocks in these rifles.

Thanks,
Owen in Houston

Welcome! As a fellow lefty, I feel your pain. I've also never been to Africa, but my first trip is coming up this year. About 10 years ago-ish, I got the idea that I wanted a "big" rifle. At that time, .375 qualified as big to me, and CDNN was clearing out the original versions of the .375 Ruger Africans and Alaskans without the muzzle brakes. I wasn't sure if I could handle a .375, but I ordered an African to try out, figuring I could get most of my money back if I didn't like it. After trying it out, I promptly ordered an Alaskan to go with it, intending to then turn the African into a .458 someday. I still haven't done that, but who knows, maybe someday.

As far as recoil, yes, it does, but not too bad. I really don't find it much more substantial than the 12 ga. slug guns I grew up hunting deer with. That said, I'm somewhat ashamed to admit I've never fired a .375 H&H, so I can't really compare. I did eventually add 1" Decelerator pads to both of mine, which helped greatly, but they weren't overly objectionable to begin with.

Both of mine have been glass bedded, but that was just a precaution. I haven't had any stock issues. Triggers aren't great, but I haven't messed with them since they're good enough and I didn't want to invite problems. My African weighs about 7.75 lbs bare, which I think is a bit light, but it's fine with a scope (Leupold VX-R 2-7) on it. My Alaskan goes a little over 10 lbs with a Vortex 2.5-10 and a Rex MG7 on it, but I don't recall the bare weight.

Both shoot well, at least as well as I can shoot a .375 off the bench, and would be plenty accurate for any hunting use. They've both been totally reliable, but a Ruger .308 Scout that i used to have had issues with the spring-loaded ejector not moving into position quickly enough.

I too would prefer the H&H, but got a good enough deal on my rifles that I chose the Ruger. As lefties, we sometimes have to choose what's available to us. That said, I'm in the midst of building a semi-custom .375 now, and chose to stick with the Ruger, mainly since I now have a pretty good supply of ammo. Starting from scratch I'd have chosen the H&H.

I'd buy it and shoot it stock. You may want to upgrade the recoil pad, and I'd glass bed it and maybe add pillars just to be safe (mine don't have pillars added). I wouldn't replace the trigger, and would only add weight to the stock after you've scoped it and used it for a while.

If you're taking a rifle to RSA next year and plan to hunt DG in the future, why not plan to take the .375 and try it out, once you've proven it out? Seems like a good way to get some trigger time with it.

 

[Owen89]

With the 2-10 that I have on my rifle the scope is still usable on 2X up close, 15 feet.
I would recommend taking a peek through the scope that you want to see if it is usable up close.

I think checking out the scope at a retailer is a good idea and something I'll definitely do. @RLL makes a good point that the extra magnification would be ideal for PG if an unplanned opportunity arises.

At present, I see this build as more of a "do it all" with the occasional DG and honestly, I can buy another scope with a true 1x later if I feel the need. Good to hear that the 2x range is suitable for closer in work as well.