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

[375Fox]

Are only 200+ men allowed to hunt? People do have wives…many of which aren’t butch

You might consider running a recoil calculator on fast and light vs slow and heavy bullets and see the real difference in recoil. A wounded buffalo won’t care if it’s a man or woman holding the gun. You still have to choose bullets capable of proper penetration. Light and fast hasn’t earned that reputation. If a person can’t shoot full recoil loads adding weight to the gun or a brake or suppressor would be a much better option.

 

[TOBY458]

You might consider running a recoil calculator on fast and light vs slow and heavy bullets and see the real difference in recoil. A wounded buffalo won’t care if it’s a man or woman holding the gun. You still have to choose bullets capable of proper penetration. Light and fast hasn’t earned that reputation. If a person can’t shoot full recoil loads adding weight to the gun or a brake or suppressor would be a much better option.

I would also add, if you hand load, you can push a 300gr bullet at 2400 fps and get recoil down into a very comfortable range. I used a 375 H&H with 300gr TSX at 2450 fps on Australian buffalo and had absolutely no trouble at all with killing them. Also, if low recoil is your goal, buy a 9.3x62.

 

[Rifleman97]

Sounds like the H&H are selling dirt cheap.

Only in undesirable rifles. Winchester 70’s brand new in 375 h&h are getting scalped and sold for pushing double MSRP. Pre 64 in 375 h&h are going for 2500-4000 depending on condition and the other usual factors.

Whitworths and other lesser known ones go for little, but they go for even less in 308 and 30-06 from the few I’ve seen.

I personally vote 375 h&h just for ammo availability in Africa.

 

[generalzip]

You might consider running a recoil calculator on fast and light vs slow and heavy bullets and see the real difference in recoil. A wounded buffalo won’t care if it’s a man or woman holding the gun. You still have to choose bullets capable of proper penetration. Light and fast hasn’t earned that reputation. If a person can’t shoot full recoil loads adding weight to the gun or a brake or suppressor would be a much better option.

I’ll use whatever my PH is ok with

 

[generalzip]

Uh, a 375 H&H and a 375 Ruger use the same bolt face.

You didn’t understand what I said. It says a belt forces you to a larger bolt face with no added benefit. A 375 Ruger has the same bolt face and is able to fit into a shorter action because of it. Because of the stupid belt on the h&h the case is smaller diameter, thus longer and requires a longer action for the same case capacity. Hopefully that makes sense. Sometimes I’m not the best at explaining.

 

[Rifleman97]

You didn’t understand what I said. It says a belt forces you to a larger bolt face with no added benefit. A 375 Ruger has the same bolt face and is able to fit into a shorter action because of it. Because of the stupid belt on the h&h the case is smaller diameter, thus longer and requires a longer action for the same case capacity. Hopefully that makes sense. Sometimes I’m not the best at explaining.

I think I can word it better

The 375 Ruger uses the same bolt face as the 375 H&H. But, the widest diameter on the H&H is due to the belt, with the nominal rest of the case body being a much smaller diameter.

The Ruger uses the width of the belt for it's nominal case width, which allows for more case capacity per given length of case. Due to this, the case can be shorter while retaining the same case volume, and fit into standard length actions more easily.

Continuing from your point, bringing the powder supply closer to the primer makes the ignition closer to the center of the powder column, making it closer to the most extreme part of the powder supply. Because of this, ignition will be more consistent at lighting all of the powder in a reasonable time before it gets launched down the barrel. This makes the shorter fatter cases more efficient and more "inherently accurate" (not that it matters in the slightest outside of benchrest competitions, but it's interesting.) But, the more efficient part is what matters here.

Because the case is more efficient, it can burn less powder to achieve the same velocities. Burning less powder also means less recoil, as the powder getting flung forward also follows newtons laws on equal and opposite reaction. So the 375 ruger can achieve the same velocities as the 375 H&H, with less powder burnt, in a shorter action. It's a great little cartridge.

My vote overall still is for the H&H just for ammo availability for OP going to africa, however that is the only reason. The ruger is a really well designed round and deserves praise.

 

[DLSJR]

This post is a bit off topic, but since we’ve been discussing best bullets vs lesser bullets, some of you might find this post of interest. I just returned a few days ago from hunting buffalo on Hammond, in the Savé Valley Conservancy. My 81 year old friend shot a fantastic buffalo and I shot exactly the non-trophy, non-export bull I wanted, it was probably 12-13 years old, broomed with broken bosses exposing skull beneath the horn.

I only shoot what I consider premium bullets, favoring Barnes TSX, Trophy Bonded Bearclaws and Swift A-Frames. Even with these premium bullets, the 300 grain A-Frame my buddy shot his buffalo with, using my 375 H&H, as well as the 400 grain Bearclaw I used in my 416, the damage to those bullets was surprisingly extensive.

375, 300 grain A-Frame recovered from buffalo shot at 60 yards.

416, 400 grain Bearclaw at 30 yards. This bullet smashed the humerus of my bull at about 35 yards. The bullet was mangled, but the buffalo’s front leg flopped loosely, so it did its job. Bull went about 50 yards and fell over, dead. The TSX was an insurance shot from about 7-8 yards, unnecessary. I’ve shot 7 buffalo with 416, 400 grain Bearclaws and haven’t seen one so mangled, but it penetrated to the offside after destroying the knuckle at top of the humerus, so it definitely did its job.

There is no way in hell I’d shoot a DGX unless I had no other option.

 

[generalzip]

I think I can word it better

The 375 Ruger uses the same bolt face as the 375 H&H. But, the widest diameter on the H&H is due to the belt, with the nominal rest of the case body being a much smaller diameter.

The Ruger uses the width of the belt for it's nominal case width, which allows for more case capacity per given length of case. Due to this, the case can be shorter while retaining the same case volume, and fit into standard length actions more easily.

Continuing from your point, bringing the powder supply closer to the primer makes the ignition closer to the center of the powder column, making it closer to the most extreme part of the powder supply. Because of this, ignition will be more consistent at lighting all of the powder in a reasonable time before it gets launched down the barrel. This makes the shorter fatter cases more efficient and more "inherently accurate" (not that it matters in the slightest outside of benchrest competitions, but it's interesting.) But, the more efficient part is what matters here.

Because the case is more efficient, it can burn less powder to achieve the same velocities. Burning less powder also means less recoil, as the powder getting flung forward also follows newtons laws on equal and opposite reaction. So the 375 ruger can achieve the same velocities as the 375 H&H, with less powder burnt, in a shorter action. It's a great little cartridge.

My vote overall still is for the H&H just for ammo availability for OP going to africa, however that is the only reason. The ruger is a really well designed round and deserves praise.

Well said, and fair point.

I agree. If my buddy wanted a 375, I'd probably steer him toward the H&H , otherwise I'd offer to handload a Ruger if he wanted that and lived close by. I've reloaded a long time in a lot of calibers. The only rounds I load now are large calibers where financially it makes sense, and precision long range target or hunting rounds where I want to squeeze everyone once of performance out.

 

[generalzip]

This post is a bit off topic, but since we’ve been discussing best bullets vs lesser bullets, some of you might find this post of interest. I just returned a few days ago from hunting buffalo on Hammond, in the Savé Valley Conservancy. My 81 year old friend shot a fantastic buffalo and I shot exactly the non-trophy, non-export bull I wanted, it was probably 12-13 years old, broomed with broken bosses exposing skull beneath the horn.

I only shoot what I consider premium bullets, favoring Barnes TSX, Trophy Bonded Bearclaws and Swift A-Frames. Even with these premium bullets, the 300 grain A-Frame my buddy shot his buffalo with, using my 375 H&H, as well as the 400 grain Bearclaw I used in my 416, the damage to those bullets was surprisingly extensive.

375, 300 grain A-Frame recovered from buffalo shot at 60 yards. View attachment 689880View attachment 689879

416, 400 grain Bearclaw at 30 yards. This bullet smashed the humerus of my bull at about 35 yards. The bullet was mangled, but the buffalo’s front leg flopped loosely, so it did its job. Bull went about 50 yards and fell over, dead. The TSX was an insurance shot from about 7-8 yards, unnecessary. I’ve shot 7 buffalo with 416, 400 grain Bearclaws and haven’t seen one so mangled, but it penetrated to the offside after destroying the knuckle at top of the humerus, so it definitely did its job.

There is no way in hell I’d shoot a DGX unless I had no other option.


View attachment 689879View attachment 689880View attachment 689881View attachment 689882

There's just something about seeing a barnes bullet expanded that draws me towards them. I'd imagine the DGX would have looked quiet similar to that A-frame, perhaps with slightly less weight retention.

 

[Daisy]

Again you are choosing the shortest barrel on the Ruger compared to the longest barrel on the H&H to exaggerate the difference. It’s 20 vs 22 for standard short barrels and 23 vs 25 for longer barrels. 2” on both sides of the spectrum. I have no problem seeing why someone wants to use the 375 Ruger especially if they like Ruger rifles. It’s available in lower cost rifles and has slightly better ballistics. However, overall the 375 Ruger has more cons and the 375 H&H has more pros.

I agree with you on most.

I did say “2-5” on my barrel length difference. I know you shoot shorter h&h barrels which is a great option. I do feel like “most” don’t.

Also I shoot a very expensive rifle in Blaser r8 in 375ruger. Yes it is not off the shelf, but just like many here load their own ammo and modify or build their own rifles, it doesn’t take a large deal of effort to buy and shoot 375ruger in a high end rifle. Other notable hunters on this site have done the same with the Blaser r8.

I will fully admit that if I wasn’t super into guns and ballistics, and wanted off the shelf items only, the h&h is the best choice. Also the nostalgia factor is cool too.

 

[BeeMaa]

If anyone is exaggerating It is you.

375 Ruger was literally made to run in a shorter action and barrel than the h&h. It is its only reason for existing.

Show me the factory h&h with 23” barrel?

Most rugers are run at 20”.

Get a Blaser R8 in 375H&H with a 24” barrel and it will be about the same as a 375RUGER with 20” barrel. Best of both worlds.

 

[Rafiki]

375 Ruger was literally made to run in a shorter action and barrel than the h&h. It is its only reason for existing.

Show me the factory h&h with 23” barrel?

Most rugers are run at 20”.

This is a bit like measuring dicks but the Ruger RSM 375 H&H has a 23" barrel. Unfortunately ceased production on them but it is a factory rifle.

 

[Daisy]

Get a Blaser R8 in 375H&H with a 24” barrel and it will be about the same as a 375RUGER with 20” barrel. Best of both worlds.

I can always count on you Bee to pump up our favorite Blaser R8

 

[Deepfork]

Get a Blaser R8 in 375H&H with a 24” barrel and it will be about the same as a 375RUGER with 20” barrel. Best of both worlds.

Or instead.....I could get a Ruger African in .375 a Ruger Alaskan In .375, a Ruger African in 416, a Ruger Guide Gun in .416 plus a couple of boxes of ammo for each and I would still have enough $$$ left for a bag of burgers, a six pack and some ear plugs!

 

[BFaucett]

This is a bit like measuring dicks but the Ruger RSM 375 H&H has a 23" barrel. Unfortunately ceased production on them but it is a factory rifle.

Yep!

Ruger M77 RSM .375 H&H Mag

Cheers! Bob F.

 

[BeeMaa]

Or instead.....I could get a Ruger African in .375 a Ruger Alaskan In .375, a Ruger African in 416, a Ruger Guide Gun in .416 plus a couple of boxes of ammo for each and I would still have enough $$$ left for a bag of burgers, a six pack and some ear plugs!

For every hand, there is a glove. I'll be happy with mine and you can be happy with yours. Cheers.

 

[Odinsraven]

375HH lower pressure - availability of ammo - etc - can we not have a sticky on this - there is nothing the ruger brings to the discussion - that the HH has not solved a century ago - but - I will again rant

The dangerous game rifle was solved before the first war

Plainsgame was solved after the second war

thereafter 17Hmr is the only serious contrbution - as in the UK and Europe you have a 100 plus metre gun for rabbits and a 50m gun for foxes !

Just my thoughts - but been doing it long enough to know the above works

Indeed buy a plains game rifle in a military calibre - as you will have lots of cheap practice ammo

so 7x57 303 brit - 308 30-06 anything sold in FMJ then practice is cheap sell the brass - if you dont reload - and it works -

 

[ldmay375]

The 375 H&H and the 375 Ruger are both SAAMI 62,000 psi Maximum Average Pressure. The Ruger has a few grains more case capacity.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

For every hand, there is a glove. I'll be happy with mine and you can be happy with yours. Cheers.

The gloves of 375 ruger users…

 

[BeeMaa]

The gloves of 375 ruger users…

If the gloves don't fit...