375 H&H vs 375 Ruger for everything

[7MAG]

What caliber would be best for deer to elk, moose, brown bear and African dangerous game?

 

[Challer]

Both are sufficient for sure. In the field, I expect you will readily find H&H, the Ruger much less so.

 

[Jeff 907]

I agree with Challer. Both are capable of taking all. The issue is if you are not a hand loader the Ruger will be limited by ammo manufactures.

 

[USMA84DAB]

Give the .375 Ruger a hundred years and the ammo issue may be equal. Since SA law says you cannot have ammo for a weapon you have have no permission slip for, you will have to bring your own Ruger ammo for a long, long time yet.

My Alaskan with 20" barrel and standard length action carried awfully nicely in the bush - as opposed to a 24" barrel with magnum length action with the H&H.

Both get the job done. Panache or practicality? you choose which one scratches your itch.

Shot placement rules!

 

[machinistbutler]

They are both .375 caliber, they both shoot the same bullets.

375 works great for about everything.

Pick a rifle you like , either cartridge would be almost perfect.


The H&H has much more class and isn't a short stubby little thing though......

 

[TTundra]

Both are near equals in performance. Between the two, unless you are building a full custom rifle, I would find the rifle and features you are looking for, and even more so, the fit to dictate which cartridge. Synthetic vs wood, stainless steel, PF vs CRF, drop mag vs floor plate, safety style, stock design, weight, etc. Narrowing the features may help steer you to the offerings in each.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

If one of the two is no longer made in 20 years, it’s fairly obvious which one that will be. Not enough advantage to the Ruger for me.

 

[Captain Munro]

I can't speak for either, since I don't own one yet. So both! I'd like a Ruger Guide Gun in 375 Ruger and Kimber Caprivi in 375 H&H because its an iconic chambering.

 

[CBH Australia]

I've read numerous times that .375 H&H ammo is widely available across many countries and in the back country of some of those countries.
I'm also persuaded by the nostalgia aspect of the H&H because it's a Classic.

I own one and don't put it to good use but I hope too,

 

[mark-hunter]

The question comes down to availability of particular rifle and ammo in shops.
If considering eventual necessity to obtain ammo in Africa, hunting camp, then slight edge goes to 375 H&H.

 

[Ryan]

Performance wise, the Ruger wins by a hair. You can get 50-100 fps more out of the 375 Ruger typically. That said, the animal will never know. I used a 375 Ruger for a buffalo and a few plains game this past January. Zero complaints.

The 375 H&H wins for availability of brass and ammo, but I have honestly seen a lot of the 375 Ruger ammo on the shelves lately. It's Ruger brass that is tougher to find right now, but it is for everything.

 

[IvW]

H&H

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Let me think about this and I'll get back to you...........

 

[Ryan]

If one of the two is no longer made in 20 years, it’s fairly obvious which one that will be. Not enough advantage to the Ruger for me.

From a manufacturers standpoint the 375 Ruger wins that fight. It uses a standard instead of magnum action. Everyone makes a rifle in 30-06, in both right and left handed, but few make magnum actions, often only in right handed. Ruger is still selling it in lefty, which tells you it's selling well. And Savage and Mossberg are now chambering rifles in it. Makes me wonder who's next.