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

[375Fox]

Seems like the increased performance is always called a “wash,” while the ammo issue is catastrophic in favor of the h&h.

375 Ruger is a significant increase in performance. Using a shorter barrel for same performance or a supressor is a big step up for a modern cartridge.

AND

Ammo is more available for h&h.

See. That wasn’t so hard.

Based on some of your answers it apparently is that hard. The 375 Ruger is a moderate increase in ballistics over 375 H&H. A 378 Weatherby is a significant increase in ballistics but no one defends that as a major advantage hunting dangerous game. The simple fact is a 375 Ruger is really only offered in Ruger rifles for reliable factory rifles and only widely offered in Hornady DGX/DGS ammo. Unless you go the custom route on both rifle and ammo the 375 Ruger is really a choice of Ruger/Hornady vs multiple options. The 375 H&H is and was made by a large number of gun manufacturers. 375 H&H ammo is made by several manufacturers and offered in a number of bullet choices. There is nothing wrong with the 375 Ruger Cartridge but I don’t expect it to have staying power in the future. The 375 H&H won regardless of some of the 375 Ruger’s advantages.

 

[Daisy]

Based on some of your answers it apparently is that hard. The 375 Ruger is a moderate increase in ballistics over 375 H&H. A 378 Weatherby is a significant increase in ballistics but no one defends that as a major advantage hunting dangerous game. The simple fact is a 375 Ruger is really only offered in Ruger rifles for reliable factory rifles and only widely offered in Hornady DGX/DGS ammo. Unless you go the custom route on both rifle and ammo the 375 Ruger is really a choice of Ruger/Hornady vs multiple options. The 375 H&H is and was made by a large number of gun manufacturers. 375 H&H ammo is made by several manufacturers and offered in a number of bullet choices. There is nothing wrong with the 375 Ruger Cartridge but I don’t expect it to have staying power in the future. The 375 H&H won regardless of some of the 375 Ruger’s advantages.

Won for you. Not for me.

I’ll take the shorter barrel any day.

 

[HookMeUpII]

I seem to remember that the .375 Ruger's claim to fame, was it's ability to fit, and function in a standard length action?

I always thought it was the fact it was belt-less.

I did see someone in this thread mention that. It is a long-action vs magnum action. The difference is minimal. About 0.5" or so?

Like someone else said, if 0.5" is the difference between someone short-cycling the bolt and not...you may have bigger problems to figure out.

 

[375Fox]

Won for you. Not for me.

I’ll take the shorter barrel any day.

The 375 H&H cartridge won. That’s just a fact. Ammo availability, number of ammo manufacturers, and number of rifle manufacturers are the criteria. There are a number of “superior” cartridges that have faded away over the years. The 375 Ruger might take longer but it’s on that path.

 

[akrifleman]

The 375 H&H cartridge won. That’s just a fact. Ammo availability, number of ammo manufacturers, and number of rifle manufacturers are the criteria. There are a number of “superior” cartridges that have faded away over the years. The 375 Ruger might take longer but it’s on that path.

A fact, or an opinion? Won what, exactly? Miss Popularity contest?

Even the most obscure cartridges that vanished from the planet, like the 416 Rigby and the 45-70 Govt, suddenly rise like Lazarus when some gun writer waxes poetically. They then become the darling of everyone who swoons with nostalgia for a time that never existed.

The 375 Ruger sells well. It is available from Ruger, Savage, Howa, Mossberg. Mid and high end gun makers continue to show new ones.

Some day, some other Fudd will be looking back on the glory days of the 375 Ruger, and bitching about the 375 Ultra Precision Uber Backcountry Plus Plus and want to go back to a cartridge that works perfectly, without any issues.

 

[375Fox]

A fact, or an opinion? Won what, exactly? Miss Popularity contest?

Even the most obscure cartridges that vanished from the planet, like the 416 Rigby and the 45-70 Govt, suddenly rise like Lazarus when some gun writer waxes poetically. They then become the darling of everyone who swoons with nostalgia for a time that never existed.

The 375 Ruger sells well. It is available from Ruger, Savage, Howa, Mossberg. Mid and high end gun makers continue to show new ones.

Some day, some other Fudd will be looking back on the glory days of the 375 Ruger, and bitching about the 375 Ultra Precision Uber Backcountry Plus Plus and want to go back to a cartridge that works perfectly, without any issues.

If you have to list savage, howa, mossberg in the top (and only?) 4 rifle manufacturers you’re avoiding admitting what’s glaringly obvious. It’s a disappearing cartridge due to lack of quality rifle and ammo options. I’m sure cheap rifles sell well for a novelty item at the range but I’ve yet to read a hunt report where one of those rifles was used and wouldn’t consider trusting a hunt to one.

 

[akrifleman]

If you have to list savage, howa, mossberg in the top (and only?) 4 rifle manufacturers you’re avoiding admitting what’s glaringly obvious. It’s a disappearing cartridge due to lack of quality rifle and ammo options. I’m sure cheap rifles sell well for a novelty item at the range but I’ve yet to read a hunt report where one of those rifles was used and wouldn’t consider trusting a hunt to one.

My wife took hers to Africa in August of 2023. I was expecting her Kudu and the other dead animals to complain about the lack of availability, but they all expired before they had a chance. I guess her 7.5 ft sq black bear and caribou failed to mention it as well.

Of course, it should have failed to cycle, the bullet should have rolled out the barrel, etc... but it ended up only the 375 H&H (Win M70) dropped the door and bullets on the ground.

 

[Tom Leoni]

From what I hear in the industry, the .375 Ruger is flagging in popularity, while the .375 H&H remains as hopping as it has been in the last 113 years.

As a 25-year industry professional, I know the dual effect of 1) pressure from management to introduce new product every year and 2) launching expensive marketing campaigns to promote it, often with hopeful/dubious statistics to back it all up.

I'm only half joking when I say that every useful big-game cartridge had been invented and perfected by 1930. With the exception of bonded bullets (and the variations thereof), there have been no real, earth-shattering innovations in the big-game cartridge world. For all practical purposes, a 6.5x55 is just as good as a 6.5 Creedmoor, a 7x64mm just as good as a 7mm RM, a .300 H&H virtually as good as a .300 WM, a .30-06 is (at least) just as good as a .308 and a .375 H&H just as good as the .375 Ruger, and far more widely available.

This is not to say that when the bug of a new caliber bites you, you shouldn't jump on it. I for one am always looking for excuses to buy myself another rifle, but if you are as marketing-skeptical as I am, I'd have a "wait and see" attitude about the claims of new cartridges, especially when compared to something proven and established.

 

[375Fox]

My wife took hers to Africa in August of 2023. I was expecting her Kudu and the other dead animals to complain about the lack of availability, but they all expired before they had a chance. I guess her 7.5 ft sq black bear and caribou failed to mention it as well.

Of course, it should have failed to cycle, the bullet should have rolled out the barrel, etc... but it ended up only the 375 H&H (Win M70) dropped the door and bullets on the ground.

I don’t expect an animal to complain about my 300 H&H over my 300 win either but doesn’t mean the ammo availability is there to recommend someone getting one as a general purpose rifle. 375 Ruger isn’t here for the long term. Also a kudu isn’t dangerous game, doesn’t really matter what rifle shoots the bullet. No one is in danger from a rifle failure if you are willing to take the risk.

 

[akrifleman]

From what I hear in the industry, the .375 Ruger is flagging in popularity, while the .375 H&H remains as hopping as it has been in the last 113 years.

As a 25-year industry professional, I know the dual effect of 1) pressure from management to introduce new product every year and 2) launching expensive marketing campaigns to promote it, often with hopeful/dubious statistics to back it all up.

I'm only half joking when I say that every useful big-game cartridge had been invented and perfected by 1930. With the exception of bonded bullets (and the variations thereof), there have been no real, earth-shattering innovations in the big-game cartridge world. For all practical purposes, a 6.5x55 is just as good as a 6.5 Creedmoor, a 7x64mm just as good as a 7mm RM, a .300 H&H virtually as good as a .300 WM, a .30-06 is (at least) just as good as a .308 and a .375 H&H just as good as the .375 Ruger, and far more widely available.

This is not to say that when the bug of a new caliber bites you, you shouldn't jump on it. I for one am always looking for excuses to buy myself another rifle, but if you are as marketing-skeptical as I am, I'd have a "wait and see" attitude about the claims of new cartridges, especially when compared to something proven and established.

We agree. We purchased it because it fit her well, and made for a great boat gun. I was always kinda disappointed it wasn't an H&H, but it turns out it was a fine cartridge to load for.

I don’t expect an animal to complain about my 300 H&H over my 300 win either but doesn’t mean the ammo availability is there to recommend someone getting one as a general purpose rifle. 375 Ruger isn’t here for the long term. Also a kudu isn’t dangerous game, doesn’t really matter what rifle shoots the bullet. No one is in danger from a rifle failure if you are willing to take the risk.

Who said DG? She'd likely use something bigger than a 375. The 375 Ruger is just her "girls gun" for everyday use.

 

[375Fox]

Who said DG? She'd likely use something bigger than a 375. The 375 Ruger is just her "girls gun" for everyday use.

What do you think the purpose of 375 Ruger and 375 H&H are? I don’t have an emotional attachment to either cartridge, but it’s a simple fact that 375 Ruger offerings are limited. It’s a cartridge in decline from its marketing peak against the 375 H&H.

 

[Beck]

.375 H&H has better ammo availability if your ammo is lost in transit. .375 Ruger is standard action, and it can push bullets about 100 fps faster. If you go with a .375 Ruger I would definitely buy a ruger over a Savage or a mossberg. .375 H&H I would look for a Sako or a CZ.

 

[akrifleman]

What do you think the purpose of 375 Ruger and 375 H&H are? I don’t have an emotional attachment to either cartridge, but it’s a simple fact that 375 Ruger offerings are limited. It’s a cartridge in decline from its marketing peak against the 375 H&H.

Little stuff like Eland, Moose, Kudu, black bears and the like.

So it isn't at its peak. I just purchased brand new 38-55 and 358 Win brass. And the 375 Ruger is now a parent of several cartridges. It will be around for a long time. We found it on the shelves in Africa without problem. Sure it was three boxes to twenty Ruger/H&H. I managed to go with my 475 Linebaugh, and I'm not going to see it on the shelf. Manufactures have no trouble cranking out obscure brass anymore. The problem right now is just getting raw materials. Silly argument for a crowd that collects rare calibers.

 

[BJH65]

If you have to list savage, howa, mossberg in the top (and only?) 4 rifle manufacturers you’re avoiding admitting what’s glaringly obvious. It’s a disappearing cartridge due to lack of quality rifle and ammo options. I’m sure cheap rifles sell well for a novelty item at the range but I’ve yet to read a hunt report where one of those rifles was used and wouldn’t consider trusting a hunt to one.

On my last African Safari, I had an opportunity to checkout my PH Derian Koekemoer Safaris limited edition Howa 375 Ruger with iron sights and a Leupold 2-7 scope.

This is his loaner rifle for Cape buffalo and many of his clients that chose to rent a rifle
have successfully used it on buffalo. Also read a fairly recent hunt report on AH where another hunter used a Savage 375 Ruger to take a nice Cape buffalo. I personally would use a Ruger, Howa and Savage 375 Ruger without question on DG.

I have seen a couple high quality new old stock Montana Rifle Co 375 Rugers…seem like very nice rifles. Agreed, very few high quality custom rifles made in 375 Ruger. If one desires a 375 Ruger, it should not be an insurmountable problem to secure enough ammunition to last one’s lifetime.

 

[thriller]

H&H is great more options in my opinion. I think you will find you use it more than you would think. That’s what I have found using mine.

 

[ldmay375]

I seem to remember that the .375 Ruger's claim to fame, was it's ability to fit, and function in a standard length action?

This was what first attracted my attention to the 375 Ruger. No regrets. I have and had prior to the 375 Ruger, plenty of 375 H&H's in various barrel lengths blued and stainless. The 20" stainless 375 Rugers are my favorite .375 rifle/cartridge combination. The same applies for me regarding the .416 Ruger.

 

[CBeck]

Good day sir, I own a Howa .375 Ruger and many of our clients used it to hunt their Cape Buffalo with and have many guys with an H&H. they both bring great quality to the table the one is not better than the other, with the Ruger you have that little more power and it does make a difference in the long run when you go in deeper detail, not taking any away from the old H&H.
In my personal and professional opinion I would never sell my Ruger that rifle is a buffalo killer the penetration you get on thick skin animals is phenomenal, again just my opinion I would go for the Ruger.
regards Derian Koekemoer

That’s great input. Likewise, I have a 375 Ruger.

One of the big arguments against it on this forum is that you can’t get 375 Ruger cartridges in Africa.

Do you find that to be true?

 

[akrifleman]

That’s great input. Likewise, I have a 375 Ruger.

One of the big arguments against it on this forum is that you can’t get 375 Ruger cartridges in Africa.

Do you find that to be true?

I always think this is a bit overblown. Many people travel there with all sorts of oddities that are never on shelves. The argument is that there is sure to be 375 H&H under a couch somewhere. How using ammo you've never used in your particular rifle is a winner escapes me.

Worse case, the PH is sure to have a loaner. I found 375 Ruger on the shelves in SA. I do understand some places have not seen it. It certainly will not be as common as 375 H&H on a shelf.

 

[Rare Breed]

In the early stages of considering another trip to Africa and possibly Cape Buffalo and plains game. Not looking to spend $ thousands on a rifle I may or may never use. I reload several calibers and could load either .375. Mossberg, Ruger, Savage rifles available in the .375 Ruger. Thoughts?

The only concern about Ruger is its tendency to a reloading jam well described by Buzz Charleton in his book Tall Tales if you short stoke it meaning under stress you pull and push the bolt before the sear steps in. I will never own one due to this

 

[375Fox]

I always think this is a bit overblown. Many people travel there with all sorts of oddities that are never on shelves. The argument is that there is sure to be 375 H&H under a couch somewhere. How using ammo you've never used in your particular rifle is a winner escapes me.

Worse case, the PH is sure to have a loaner. I found 375 Ruger on the shelves in SA. I do understand some places have not seen it. It certainly will not be as common as 375 H&H on a shelf.

It’s overblown until your rifle shows up and your ammo doesn’t. Sight in your rifle at 100 and go hunt. Pretty simple. You generally will not see a 375 Ruger outside South Africa and Namibia.