375 Ruger vs 375 HH

5 grains of water in higher case capasity, means higher velocity no matter what powder you use.

I have had no problem getting 2600 fps with 300 grain bullets in the 375 Ruger with my hand loads. That's at least equal to the H&H and more than a lot of factory loads.

Originally Posted by jsmcgregor

Everyone compares the two as being ballistically equlivelant. I think it's BS. Has anyone on here hand loaded a 375 Ruger with the same load and bullet as a 375 H&H? Hornady uses their "Special Powder" to achieve ballixtic equlivelants. I have a 3oTC which was advertised as the ballistic equilivelant of a 30-06. However, when hand loaded, the 30TC is a couple of hundred fps slower than the 30-06. I would imagine the 375 Ruger would be the same. I also think the lack of commercially available amunition does limit our choices. You can get 375 H&H from any ammunition manufacturer in a multitude of bullet configurations. You can only get .375 Ruger from hornady!

In barrels of the same length the ruger is a little better ballistically because the case has more capacity. Now the 30TC is another matter and it is just another version of the 308 win. Also all the 300 short mags there is a rem, win, and ruger version all are about the same with barrels of the same length with the edge given to win version. You can buy the special powder now for the 300 ruger. It is called hodgons superformance. I own the 300 ruger because I think it is the easiest to reload because of no rebated rim but I feel the win. may be the only survivor. It that happens I could ream out the ruger to 300 win short mag. if I run out of cases. As for the 375 ruger and the H&H I would pick the h&h if I did'nt reload and the ruger if I did.

Morning, I was reading through all the threads. I also own a 375 Ruger and yes was also struggling with ammo here in South Africa. This is the only reason I load my own, however this cartridge is becoming more and more popular here. At first I were only able to get ammo at VLC in Pretoria. But now there are about four retailers I know about here and one in Namibia that stocks ammo. There are a number of profesional hunters also using the 375 Ruger especially in the Limpopo province. I've got nothing against the H&H never owned one but hunted with one on a few trips. I believe life is all about choices. My rifle groups under 1" at 100 metres with 270 grain Barnes TSX, feeds perfectly shot after shot and I only had one shot kills with it. Our local powder however achieves lower velocities than factory ammo.

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

Morning, I was reading through all the threads. I also own a 375 Ruger and yes was also struggling with ammo here in South Africa. This is the only reason I load my own, however this cartridge is becoming more and more popular here. At first I were only able to get ammo at VLC in Pretoria. But now there are about four retailers I know about here and one in Namibia that stocks ammo. There are a number of profesional hunters also using the 375 Ruger especially in the Limpopo province. I've got nothing against the H&H never owned one but hunted with one on a few trips. I believe life is all about choices. My rifle groups under 1" at 100 metres with 270 grain Barnes TSX, feeds perfectly shot after shot and I only had one shot kills with it. Our local powder however achieves lower velocities than factory ammo.

Welcome to AH Dirty Harry! this is good info to know for Hunters using the 375 Ruger. Enjoy the site.

A 404 or 500 Jeffery would be nice on a M98

OK...now here is where the real experience jumps in. I have never been on Safari...but am planning one...I have owned only a few African rifles ( are you feeling the expertise here? ) but I gotta say....taking a 375 Ruger just ain't right!. You need...gotta have....won't do without.....it's blasphemy if you don't take the 375 H&H. OK..now I have spoken..ok guys.quit laughing.

Two good rifles. The tradition and heritage from the H&H and the young gun making a big splash in the Ruger. Make what you think is the best because it will be your rifle for the rest of your life so you will want to be proud of it. Both of them will kill whatever you hit correctly but please, for the love of our Lord, Do Not get the small man big gun syndrome. Too many people are getting it. 375 is personally too big for plains game but that just me. This post will spark a fire I know but its what I believe.

UX No No No, there is no such thing :-) its great for all plains game and most probably on of the best allrounders for a 1 rifle African safari IMO :-) Whatever happens make sure that what you get you are comfortable with shooting it, I have played with my H&H made 300 meter (300 + yard) shots and also 15 meter shots, its great do not get me wrong I have multiple clients using the 375 Ruger it works as well, I am however quite sentimental and will always go with the trusty H&H.

Heym88 I like your view,

Both are good it dpends on what you prefer, as far as velocities go, the faster it goes, the quicker it kills is a false believe....

My best always

i dont have a .375 of any type, but i like the .375 and .416 rugers in the alaskan rifle. i think its a very handy and compact light rifle for carrying. so even though i am a lover of the old calibres i would go for the ruger in this scenario . oh and by the way i always thought the .375H+H too small for a proper all round one rifle battery , the .416 rigby is of course the only real choice for this purpose.

Spike Noted the debate continues..........


My best always :-)

Originally Posted by Jaco Strauss

Spike Noted the debate continues..........


My best always :-)

Jaco as a good friend of mine in zim says YO LIVEN IT UP!!!!! followed by whatever choice description you wish to use !

The 416 Rigby is better all round gun, if you are hunting cape buffalo and elephant on a regular basis....otherwise no I would stay with the 375 H&H. Speed doesn't kill, bullet placement does.