375 Ruger Fan Intro

Hi,

Joined AH about a week ago but have been a casual reader for a few years. Just by reading on this site, I learned a lot and used the info to book a very successful hunt to Zimbabwe.

I'm from US and have lived from one end of the country to the other, courtesy of having a dad in the US Air Force. Got my start in shooting, reloading and hunting while a youngster in Spokane, Washington. Hunted in the midwest in Ohio and Missouri. Most of my hunting as an adult has been in Louisiana and Texas. About 15 years ago, got the urge to go elk hunting in Montana and got hooked. Try to get to Livingston, Montana every other year or so. Last year, for my 55th birthday, tried an Alaskan brown bear hunt. Had 10 days of beautiful sunshine and only saw a few bears at a distance. This year, went cape buffalo hunting on my birthday in Zim. Got very close to them, almost every day, but didn't close the deal. Took several plains game animals and will go back again. Biggest thrill was having one of my daughters along for the recent hunt in Namibia and being with her as she took her first animals ever. She's hooked for life, I think.

I've now hunted twice in Namibia and once in Zimbabwe. I guess one thing unique about me is I actually have lived and worked in Africa a fair amount of time. I was in Angola for about 5-1/2 years and now in Nigeria a little over 3 years. Unfortunately, not too many hunting opportunities in either country. Just need to take more time off and take advantage of being on the continent and do more hunting. Still need a buf and a kudu!

As you can guess, I like the 375 Ruger. I found an Alaskan model w/ laminated stock and 23 inch barrel a few years ago and jumped on the deal. Most Alaskans have 20 inch barrel, but I really wanted one with 23 inch. I load it with 300 grain Swift A-Frames and like the performance. I'm pretty fond of Rugers, as I have a bolt actions in 223, 338 Win Mag and 7mm mag too. Add in a few Browning's, Winchesters and Remingtons and I have enough to cover everything I want to hunt. I also do a little archery hunting and took a nice P&Y elk in Montana a few years ago.

Elk hunting is an addiction all in itself.

Great intro. Enjoy your time on then posting side.
Welcome to AH.

oh yeah, hunt reports???

Welcome to AH 375 Ruger Fan! Glad to have you here enjoy the site. Feel free to post some reports of the hunts you've already done with lots of pics we love pictures.

Welcome! That was a nice intro. I too am a big fan of Ruger and have been all my life. I'm now working with both .375 & .416 Ruger in order to prepare for a safari to Caprivi Strip in Namibia this year and Zambezi Valley in Zim next year. Everyone likes to hear hunt reports here so post away!
Regards,
Philip

I guess I did things bass ackwards. I posted my hunting reports earlier this week and just getting around to my intro today. Posted reports on the Hunting Reports forum, one for Zimbabwe w/ John Sharp and the other in Namibia with Hunter's Namibia Safari.

Phil, good luck with the hunt in the Caprivi Strip. I'm doing a photo safari (or recon work for a future hunt) in August with my wife and some non-hunting friends to Vic Falls and then into Chobe Nat'l Park in Botswana. I've been told there are lots of kudu and sable in Chobe and also way too many elephants.

Welcome to the Africa Hunting site. Great intro and if you looking for Buff and Kudu you are looking in the right place. Some great Outfitters on here.
Kind Regards
Wikus Coetzee

"I found an Alaskan model w/ laminated stock and 23 inch barrel a few years ago and jumped on the deal. Most Alaskans have 20 inch barrel, but I really wanted one with 23 inch"

hi, i thought the alaskan had a 20 inch barrel and synthetic stock, and the african had the 23 inch barrel and wood stock, was wondering what yours looks like?

Welcome to AH 375 Ruger Fan! Glad to have you on the posting side! Wonderful intro and nice to have you with us.

spike.t said:

"I found an Alaskan model w/ laminated stock and 23 inch barrel a few years ago and jumped on the deal. Most Alaskans have 20 inch barrel, but I really wanted one with 23 inch"

hi, i thought the alaskan had a 20 inch barrel and synthetic stock, and the african had the 23 inch barrel and wood stock, was wondering what yours looks like?

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Stainless finish with the black laminated stock. I debated for a couple of years whether to buy an Alaskan with 20 inch barrel and the Hogue stock or buy the African with the blued 23" barrel. I really wanted stainless with the longer barrel and almost bought a Howa (one of the few other makers chambering 375 Ruger). Then I saw an ad on Gunbroker for a 23" Alaskan with laminated stock. My 338 is stainless with black laminated stock and I like the look. I actually emailed and phoned the seller to double check on the facts, because I wasn't aware that a Ruger Alaskan was available. Apparently, they made a few in this configuration. I've been very happy with it.

thanks for the info. any chance of a photo ?

spike.t said:

thanks for the info. any chance of a photo ?

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Well, I'm in Lagos and the gun is in the safe in Louisiana. Came up with a couple of photos from my brown bear hunt a few years ago, but you've got to look hard to see the rifle. I did find a stock photo and ad for one.





Ruger 17101 M77 Hawkeye Alaskan 23S 375 Ruger
http://www.gunsamerica.com/921727605/Ruger-77-Alaskan-375-Rug-23-SS-Laminate-17101.htm

looks like I didn't attached the photos correctly, will have to work on that

Welcome!

And looking forward to the photos.

Welcome to AH , I also have the 375 ruger alaskan 20"
I load 300 gr Barnes going at 2450 fps and it worked perfectly on buff

Keep well looking forward on future posts on reloading I would like to know how what the velocity is on your rifle with the extra 2 " on the barrel

Welcome to AH!

Haha sory for the calculation error ,I know 1" is nothing between friends unless you take it away from him

Thank you for all the details will look in to it I would like to get some more velosity out of my gun but our somchem powders are not as good as some of the powders you guys have

I am not a big fan of the laminated stock and muzzle break on the guide gun prever the rubber stock on the Alaskan

Keep well

"There is also a good 2 part article on re-barreling/convert a CZ 550 FS in 9.3 mm to a 375 Ruger".

......ruining a perfectly good 9.3...... ......

Ryno Botma said:

Haha sory for the calculation error ,I know 1" is nothing between friends unless you take it away from him

Thank you for all the details will look in to it I would like to get some more velosity out of my gun but our somchem powders are not as good as some of the powders you guys have

I am not a big fan of the laminated stock and muzzle break on the guide gun prever the rubber stock on the Alaskan

Keep well

Click to expand...

Ryno...............I agree with you that the laminated stock and muzzle break on the Guide Gun are different looking. A utilitarian look to it. They are good guns, just not real attractive, in my opinion. The laminated stock on my Alaskan is more in the classical sporter style. As far as the Hogue synthetic stocks, it seems the reviews are pretty split. People either love them or hate them. I happen to like them, the feel is good and the recoil pad is very good. Recoil pad is mostly non-existent on most Rugers.

Photo of the Ruger 17101 M77 Hawkeye Alaskan w/ 23" inch barrel in 375 Ruger w/ black laminated stock