Another 375 Ruger thread

[Bandera]

You hear is another 375 Ruger thread.
Planning on hunting Buffalo in June of 2025.
I can reload and use a Barnes the Hornady DGX, Sp-RP or Cutting Edge Bullet.

Let talk about factory ammo
I could use the Hornady factory loads.
Either the 270 grain SP-RP load
Or the 300 grain DGX load.

The 270 grain has an advertised specs of
MV 2840 ME 4835 drop -1.5
100 yard V 2600 E 4052 drop 0
The 300 grain
MV 2660 ME 4713 drop -1.5
100 yard V 2344 E 3660 drop 0

Thoughts on these two loads?
Real world preformance?

I see quite a few people using the 270 375 H&H load for Buffalo.

 

[USMA84DAB]

I have not shot a buff with .375 Ruger. I have shot in CMP/military high power matches. I have hunted a couple of decades. I have shot:
- a Giraffe bull (about twice the size/weight of the buffalo) at 100 yards - bullet stopped an inch past the heart, 2nd round went into the shoulder/did not penetrate the lung cavity as adrenaline had kicked in for his 40 yard sprint to the ground - a third round finished him
- a Zebra stallion at 110 yards - 1st round dropped him (perfectly on the chevron), he got up and 2nd round broke both shoulders, 3rd round at 2 yards finished him
- Oryx at 50 yards - one shot, 100 yard tracking
- Kudu at 50 yards - one shot, no tracking
- Gemsbok - 253 lazered - one shot, dropped in tracks, 2nd shot to finish when we got there
- Blue Wildebeest - 70 yards - one shot - 400 yards of tracking later we found blood/lung tissue 5 yards from where he fell over - perfect shot through the boiler room
- Impala - 70 yards - one shot drop in tracks
- Baboon - 200 yards running away - one shot
- Baboon - 35 yards sitting - one shot

All of these were Barnes 270gr TSX - some Buffalo Bore, some my reloads. My 20" barreled Ruger Alaskan is a "fast" rifle, firing a QuickLoad recipe that is supposed to make 2611 FPS at 2714 FPS

When I get to go back for a buff, I plan to use a .495 A-Square with a 570 grain projo. If I was using the .375 Ruger, I would go for 300gr projos (TSX followed by solids). I intend to play with 350 grain projos, but have not gotten there yet.

I can reload .375 Ruger with Hornady 270gr SP-RP for $3.13 per round (the first time - the other 9 uses of the cartridge case are tallied at $1.53, or averaged across 10 firings, $1.69 per round). I just looked up .375 Ruger 270gr on AmmoSeek and it is selling for #3.43/round. The Hornady 270gr SP-RP is fine for deer here in the US, but I would rather go to Africa with the Barnes 270gr TSX, or the 300gr.

YMMV, however, I think worrying about the muzzle velocity is not meaningful. As long as you are in the window for your bullet of where it will open up effectively - not driving it too fast, as in a Weatherby cartridge - not so slow that it won't open up - then get the turret dial for your Leupold scope and just practice more. The Blesbock was my toughest shot - off a tree limb, as I could not get steady enough off the sticks - I dialed it to 250 and hit perfectly. The velocity didn't matter because the dial compensated for it. 250 yards barely began to factor in trajectory anyway. Will you take a shot at a buffalo at 400 yards? That is where I see .30-06 like trajectories (like the .375 Ruger) begin to diverge noticeably due to velocity differences - and this is where the spitzer boat tail starts to beat the flat base bullets.

I selected my loading with the 1st priority being below 62,000 PSI in Quickload, then took the 2nd harmonic sweet spot. I gave up the blazing fast FPS and the other 3,000 PSI the steel will take as a safety margin for Murphy. The 2714 FPS has killed all I have hit with it very dead even if I added additional rounds for finishing the animal to spare it misery.

The Hornady box label ballistics are fired from a 24" barrel if I recall correctly, so factor that into the equation. You will need "Minute of Cape Buffalo" accuracy - pretty easy to get at 100 yards. Pick a load you can get, that shoots well in your rifle, and practice perfectly a shit ton!

Hope some of this drivel helps you weigh things out.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

For buffalo, 300 gr DGX Bonded. Really, for everything else, 300 gr DGX Bonded. Keep it simple.

 

[hoytcanon]

The SP/RP is too soft of a bullet for Buffalo. It would be fine on PG and cats. Go with the 300 grain TSX or A-Frame for an all around bullet... you gain very little in trajectory with.the 270 grain bullets over the 300 grain bullets. If you want a flatter bullet for PG, I would look to the 260 Accubond or 250 TTSX... having said that, I am using the 235 TSX in my .375 WSM, because they turned out to be very accurate and plenty for PG, Buffalo is not on the menu for the next trip.

 

[TOBY458]

What kind of rifle is your 375 Ruger? If you haven’t already obtained the rifle itself, you would be much better off with a 375 H&H. Far more choices in factory loads, and brass is much easier to obtain, if you’re a hand loader. The Hornady bullets have a rather bad reputation for buffalo hunting. In the 375 Ruger, or any other cartridge, you would be much better served with Swift A Frame, Barnes TSX or Northfork bullets.

 

[WI-2021]

What kind of rifle is your 375 Ruger? If you haven’t already obtained the rifle itself, you would be much better off with a 375 H&H. Far more choices in factory loads, and brass is much easier to obtain, if you’re a hand loader. The Hornady bullets have a rather bad reputation for buffalo hunting. In the 375 Ruger, or any other cartridge, you would be much better served with Swift A Frame, Barnes TSX or Northfork bullets.

As the owner of several .375 Rugers, I'll second the recommendation of going with the H&H just for ammunition options and availability. I went with the Ruger simply because I'm left-handed and found a great deal on them. I'm sticking with it because I have quite a bit of ammo stockpiled, and I'm still left-handed. Mine are just for fun at this point and shoot well with the Hornady ammo. If I were hunting buffalo, I might look for other bullet options.

In addition to Hornady, Buffalo Bore offers a few loads.

 

[Pablo]

FWIW, I used the Hornady 270 SP-RP in July and killed 6 plains animals with 6 shots. I asked my Outfitter his thoughts on my Ruger for buff. No hesitation and he said definitely no problem with a 300 gr bullet. We did not get down to brass tacks with bullet selection however. I would say to use a bonded bullet as mentioned. I’m going to follow this thread, as I will be going back for a buff in a few years.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

What kind of rifle is your 375 Ruger? If you haven’t already obtained the rifle itself, you would be much better off with a 375 H&H. Far more choices in factory loads, and brass is much easier to obtain, if you’re a hand loader. The Hornady bullets have a rather bad reputation for buffalo hunting. In the 375 Ruger, or any other cartridge, you would be much better served with Swift A Frame, Barnes TSX or Northfork bullets.

The bad reputation for Hornady was from the original DGX bullets. The newer version, the DGX bonded seems to have cured the problem and makes for an acceptable hunting bullet.

I agree with you that a bullet like a Swift A Frame is a preferred bullet.

 

[Bandera]

The rifle is the Ruger Hawkeye African. Being left handed I went with an available 375 Caliber. I do reload so that is not an issue. Of course you look for months and nothing and then after you purchase a rifle several more come up for sale.
I have shot the Hornady 270 grain and 300 grain factory ammo and my 270 grain practice loads. Nothing on Game yet. Planning on late season deer hunt with the 375 and a hog hunt in March. I know it is over kill on hogs and deer.

My last trip I used a 308 on plains game, 165 grain load one shot kills with no tracking on Zebra, Wildebeest, Warthog and Impala. Most at around 150 yards. The TSX did not expand on the Impala. Front chest shot with bullet lodging on the tailbone.
Back to the 375 Ruger. I am aware of the reputation of the early DGX bullets and them being unreliable.
The current batch of DGX in the 375 or any other caliber, how are they performing?

One reason for my interest in the DGX is that, I am a partner in Shooting Range, we have a collaboration with a local gun store that we send them gun purchases and we buy at cost. So I get a very good price on the 375 Ruger Ammo.

I looked at the Cutting Edge Bullets. They seem to be a good bullet. But not much information on how they preformed on Buffalo. A person did leave a review on accuracy and they he planned to use them on Buffalo. There was no follow up review?
Swift A Frame 300 grain seems to be out of stock in places.

 

[Philip Glass]

You hear is another 375 Ruger thread.
Planning on hunting Buffalo in June of 2025.
I can reload and use a Barnes the Hornady DGX, Sp-RP or Cutting Edge Bullet.

Let talk about factory ammo
I could use the Hornady factory loads.
Either the 270 grain SP-RP load
Or the 300 grain DGX load.

The 270 grain has an advertised specs of
MV 2840 ME 4835 drop -1.5
100 yard V 2600 E 4052 drop 0
The 300 grain
MV 2660 ME 4713 drop -1.5
100 yard V 2344 E 3660 drop 0

Thoughts on these two loads?
Real world preformance?

I see quite a few people using the 270 375 H&H load for Buffalo.

Do yourself a favor and get some Barnes TSX loaded for your .375 Ruger. Excellent performance and no need for solids. I use Safari Arms to load mine.

 

[Bandera]

Decide to go with the 300 grain Barnes TSX. My practice rounds have been cheap 270 grain bullets loaded with 70 grains of H414. The 300 grain load will start at 70 grains and work up to the most accurate load.

I considered the Hornady DGX load but it is not available at the moment from either of my whole sellers. Guess folks are buying up ammo prepping for upcoming hunts.

 

[USMA84DAB]

Might want to find a buddy (or buy) QuickLoad. Cheaper than laddering the loads to find the harmonic sweet spot. But, if you just wanna shoot, then that is OK too!

 

[RLL]

Decide to go with the 300 grain Barnes TSX. My practice rounds have been cheap 270 grain bullets loaded with 70 grains of H414. The 300 grain load will start at 70 grains and work up to the most accurate load.

I considered the Hornady DGX load but it is not available at the moment from either of my whole sellers. Guess folks are buying up ammo prepping for upcoming hunts.

I’m a big fan of the cutting edge raptors and Hammer 299gr. Both have served me well on 1 gun safaris. I can share load data on mine if you want to talk.

 

[hoytcanon]

Decide to go with the 300 grain Barnes TSX. My practice rounds have been cheap 270 grain bullets loaded with 70 grains of H414. The 300 grain load will start at 70 grains and work up to the most accurate load.

If you go to a heavier bullet, reduce your powder and work up again to avoid over pressure... having said that, I have not looked at the published data for that load, but it is a good rule of thumb.

 

[Bandera]

If you go to a heavier bullet, reduce your powder and work up again to avoid over pressure... having said that, I have not looked at the published data for that load, but it is a good rule of thumb.

Thanks, max charge is 78.5 grains.

 

[hoytcanon]

Thanks, max charge is 78.5 grains.

10-4... but a good bit of info for the onlookers.

 

[375Ruger416]

Decide to go with the 300 grain Barnes TSX. My practice rounds have been cheap 270 grain bullets loaded with 70 grains of H414. The 300 grain load will start at 70 grains and work up to the most accurate load.

I considered the Hornady DGX load but it is not available at the moment from either of my whole sellers. Guess folks are buying up ammo prepping for upcoming hunts.

Good choice. That’s what I’m going with. I’d prefer either TSX or A-Frames if I had the option. If I hand loaded, I’d give the Hammer Hunters a try too.

So far, I’ve only found factory Barnes ammo for my Blaser R8 and haven’t mounted a scope yet. Got to get it done this weekend!

 

[Tex .416]

Might want to find a buddy (or buy) QuickLoad. Cheaper than laddering the loads to find the harmonic sweet spot. But, if you just wanna shoot, then that is OK too!

Having used QL and doing extensive testing back when I shot competitively, I disagree. QL is very general guidance, just like a reloading manual. Every rifle, barrel, lot of bullets, brass, powder, and primer is its own unique combination. QL gives insight on where to start, but then testing yields the best load for that rifle and combination of components. Also, test in different temperatures as that affects loads.

 

[1dirthawker]

bandera,

i have used the 375 ruger on moose, brown bears and caribou.

in the barnes triple shock, i would use a 270gr. they move enough faster to do a better job of expansion than the 300 gr barnes.

the swift A frame is a great bullet if you can find em. the north fork bullets are AT LEAST as good and maybe better. and they seem to be easier to find.

the Hornady bonded DGX bullet is a decent over the counter bullet as well.

i would not be afraid to use ANY of my recommendations above on a brown bear or a buffalo. i HAVE seen 300 gr triple shock bullets that did not open up very well when they hit the buffalo (speed thing i believe) but...it did kill the buffalo because the shot was very well placed.

my 2 cents

 

[Bandera]

bandera,

i have used the 375 ruger on moose, brown bears and caribou.

in the barnes triple shock, i would use a 270gr. they move enough faster to do a better job of expansion than the 300 gr barnes.

the swift A frame is a great bullet if you can find em. the north fork bullets are AT LEAST as good and maybe better. and they seem to be easier to find.

the Hornady bonded DGX bullet is a decent over the counter bullet as well.

i would not be afraid to use ANY of my recommendations above on a brown bear or a buffalo. i HAVE seen 300 gr triple shock bullets that did not open up very well when they hit the buffalo (speed thing i believe) but...it did kill the buffalo because the shot was very well placed.

my 2 cents

I have been in contact with my PH, he 100% recommends the Barnes TSX 300 grain, also stated the Barnes 270 would do the job. During our communication, I also stated my preference on distances and hunting style.