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

[375Fox]

Of course, it should have failed to cycle, the bullet should have rolled out the barrel, etc... but it ended up only the 375 H&H (Win M70) dropped the door and bullets on the ground.

I didn’t catch your attempt to cast shade on model 70s the first time reading. I had this issue on my model 70. It’s an easy fix you should identify in practice before the hunt. The difference of a model 70 in 375 H&H vs a 375 Ruger in savage or Mossberg is when a model 70 needs a repair it goes to the gunsmith. When a current production savage or Mossberg needs a repair it goes in the trash. They are built to be cheap not to last.

 

[akrifleman]

It’s overblown until your rifle shows up and your ammo doesn’t. Sight in your rifle at 100 and go hunt. Pretty simple. You generally will not see a 375 Ruger outside South Africa and Namibia.

Or if your rifle doesn't show up, or your luggage. Step out the door and you may get bit by a mosquito or a snake. Rifles made by Holland & Holland and Westley-Richards can break. There is always a chance something will happen. Life moves on. Having a rifle chambered in something made before 1938 doesn't ensure somebody can't knock it over and have it cartwheel down the road.

I didn’t catch your attempt to cast shade on model 70s the first time reading. I had this issue on my model 70. It’s an easy fix you should identify in practice before the hunt. The difference of a model 70 in 375 H&H vs a 375 Ruger in savage or Mossberg is when a model 70 needs a repair it goes to the gunsmith. When a current production savage or Mossberg needs a repair it goes in the trash. They are built to be cheap not to last.

That rifle worked for many years before the door spring failed. After the repair, it still works great. Yes, I still own my M70 Win in 375 H&H. That isn't shade; life does happen. Even with a proven battle tested rifle, which I love and will not sell. Nor my 300 H&H pre-64, which has a follower problem and is going in for some TLC.

I've had cheap rifles that are embarrassing, but refuse to quit. I've had to send back expensive rifles to be redone correctly. We tell people African hunting can be inexpensive, and then insist they purchase a rifle that costs tens of thousands to ensure it will never fail and be perfect for any occasion. Lots of people have taken them to Alaska and Africa, and they work. Why begrudge it? They are inexpensive, and they work. Only other people make them feel bad that they don't own a Heym/WR/H&H 416 Rigby or what

 

[Daisy]

Are you saying the H&h is at its peak?

 

[375Fox]

We tell people African hunting can be inexpensive, and then insist they purchase a rifle that costs tens of thousands to ensure it will never fail and be perfect for any occasion. Lots of people have taken them to Alaska and Africa, and they work. Why begrudge it? They are inexpensive, and they work. Only other people make them feel bad that they don't own a Heym/WR/H&H 416 Rigby or what

If a $400 Mossberg or a $700 Savage is the difference of hunting Africa or not then they should consider renting the PH’s rifle. You are the only one so far to suggest buying a rifle that is 10s of thousands of dollars. Used factory model 70s and CZ 550s do what is expected reliably and hold their resale value. What is more expensive the $1700 model 70 that you can resell in a week or the $700 savage that holds no resale value? I begrudge it because there are only 2 rifles that have let me down Savage and Thompson Center. You are also avoiding my main point. I have no emotional attachment to 375 Ruger or 375 H&H. They are both nearly identical cartridges for their intended use. However the only reliable factory rifle option for 375 Ruger is Ruger and the only readily available factory ammo is Hornady. I’ve repeated myself enough. It’s not a choice of 375 Ruger or 375 H&H cartridges. It’s a choice of only Ruger/Hornady or Winchester/CZ/Kimber/Ruger/Blaser/Sako and many others new and used paired with Federal/Barnes/Nosler/Hornady/Buffalo Bore and any other readily available factory ammo/bullet offering. There are quality rifle and ammo offerings in 375 H&H that will give it staying power. There is only one acceptable quality factory rifle and ammo combination for 375 Ruger.

 

[375Fox]

Are you saying the H&h is at its peak?

The 375 H&H is where it is. The 375 Ruger is a long ways from the days of paid gun writers saying it would overtake the 375 H&H.

 

[akrifleman]

If a $400 Mossberg or a $700 Savage is the difference of hunting Africa or not then they should consider renting the PH’s rifle. You are the only one so far to suggest buying a rifle that is 10s of thousands of dollars. Used factory model 70s and CZ 550s do what is expected reliably and hold their resale value. What is more expensive the $1700 model 70 that you can resell in a week or the $700 savage that holds no resale value? I begrudge it because there are only 2 rifles that have let me down Savage and Thompson Center. You are also avoiding my main point. I have no emotional attachment to 375 Ruger or 375 H&H. They are both nearly identical cartridges for their intended use. However the only reliable factory rifle option for 375 Ruger is Ruger and the only readily available factory ammo is Hornady. I’ve repeated myself enough. It’s not a choice of 375 Ruger or 375 H&H cartridges. It’s a choice of only Ruger/Hornady or Winchester/CZ/Kimber/Ruger/Blaser/Sako and many others new and used paired with Federal/Barnes/Nosler/Hornady/Buffalo Bore and any other readily available factory ammo/bullet offering. There are quality rifle and ammo offerings in 375 H&H that will give it staying power. There is only one acceptable quality factory rifle and ammo combination for 375 Ruger.

Acceptable to you.

The Howa, Savage, and Ruger owners I know are perfectly content.

The next guy looks down on your Win/CZ and says that is unacceptable rubbish. You have to have a Dakota or Hill Country to even set foot in DG country. The next guy says only a fine double in 470 NE will do. This line is arbitrary to you.

I own both, and I've not been left wanting for either. And you've seen there are others that feel the same way.

I've never lost money selling a used Savage. Up here, used M70s in 375 H&H were going for $700 from COVID to last year. Your darn right I picked one up.

Really, it's the Fudd factor with the 375 Ruger. It's simply a better design. Works great in short barrels, standard actions, and reloads beautifully. Jump right in, the water is great. If a Savage is for pi$$ing on, than rebarrel an M70 if you like, or buy a Parkwest or Satterlee Enjoy the 20" barrel, reloading without a belt, and all the accuracy you can stand. Rigby and Jeff brass vanished from the planet and came back too.

Anyway, I'm bored with this - fire away and enjoy the last word.

 

[Daisy]

If a $400 Mossberg or a $700 Savage is the difference of hunting Africa or not then they should consider renting the PH’s rifle. You are the only one so far to suggest buying a rifle that is 10s of thousands of dollars. Used factory model 70s and CZ 550s do what is expected reliably and hold their resale value. What is more expensive the $1700 model 70 that you can resell in a week or the $700 savage that holds no resale value? I begrudge it because there are only 2 rifles that have let me down Savage and Thompson Center. You are also avoiding my main point. I have no emotional attachment to 375 Ruger or 375 H&H. They are both nearly identical cartridges for their intended use. However the only reliable factory rifle option for 375 Ruger is Ruger and the only readily available factory ammo is Hornady. I’ve repeated myself enough. It’s not a choice of 375 Ruger or 375 H&H cartridges. It’s a choice of only Ruger/Hornady or Winchester/CZ/Kimber/Ruger/Blaser/Sako and many others new and used paired with Federal/Barnes/Nosler/Hornady/Buffalo Bore and any other readily available factory ammo/bullet offering. There are quality rifle and ammo offerings in 375 H&H that will give it staying power. There is only one acceptable quality factory rifle and ammo combination for 375 Ruger.

Does Buffalo bore not make 375 Ruger? Swift?

Also there you go glossing over the performance advantage.

4-6” less barrel can be a real advantage in the bush or in a dangerous situation.

 

[318AE]

375 Ruger is a solution to a problem that never existed. The 375 H&H is older than any of us on this thread, and will be alive and well long after all of us and this thread is long dead.

 

[DERIAN KOEKEMOER SAFARIS]

]][emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]" data-quote="CBeck" data-source="post: 0" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">

That’s great input. Likewise, I have a [emoji[emoji6]][emoji6] Ruger.

One of the big arguments against it on this forum is that you can’t get [emoji[emoji6]][emoji6] Ruger cartridges in Africa.

Do you find that to be true?

Yes sir that is true, we struggle to get. I load myself so if I see or hear about any .[emoji[emoji6]][emoji6] Ruger shells Im buying.
For me it’s a great caliber and does the same job.

 

[Odinsraven]

375 Ruger solves a problem that does not exist.

375h&h lower pressure....ammo availability world wide...wider choice of ammo manufacturers....I could go on but think that would be sufficient

 

[ldmay375]

375 Ruger solves a problem that does not exist.

375h&h lower pressure....ammo availability world wide...wider choice of ammo manufacturers....I could go on but think that would be sufficient

The 375 H&H and the 375 Ruger have the same SAAMI Maximum Average Pressure of 62,000 psi. The Ruger has a slightly larger case capacity.

 

[375Fox]

Does Buffalo bore not make 375 Ruger? Swift?

Also there you go glossing over the performance advantage.

4-6” less barrel can be a real advantage in the bush or in a dangerous situation.

Also out of stock and only sporadically available. The ballistic advantage was already discussed. It also means little when it will be paired with Hornady DGX. The 375 rem ultra mag and 378 weatherby also have ballistic advantages over the 375 H&H but have fallen mostly away for the same reasons as the 375 Ruger will.

The 375 Ruger Hawkeye has a 23” barrel btw. That’s in line with any 375 H&H. 375 H&H barrels are 21-25” from a number of manufacturers. 375 Rugers are 20-23” from what appears only 4 manufacturers. I don’t think you can point to a 375 Ruger rifle that’s 4”-6” shorter than my 21” barrel.

 

[318AE]

This is all the more ironic, given that Bill Ruger’s passion project and premier express rifle, the Ruger Safari Magnum, was released in 416 Rigby, and, you guessed it, 375 H&H. When Ruger made the best rifle they could, they made it in a 375 H&H.

 

[CBeck]

Not going to beat a dead horse, but despite any dislike for particular rifle brands or not, they choose to chamber in 375 ruger….they could have done H&H. The ammo shortages are always exaggerated. They are subject to the exact panic buying we saw with all calibers just a few years ago.

Ammo and brass is released and it is quickly bought in panic (probably due to threads like this)….It is a simple fact. You dont want DGX or DGS then reload whatever you like, or buy from other than Hornady!

My opinion, ruger has been making the rifle for 17 years now, and it has been said every year that it’s going away. There are more offerings today in factory ammo and rifles than there ever has been.

I doubt the H&H will ever be dethroned but the ruger variant is here to stay.

 

[whisk(e)y hunter]

They’re both great. Go with what suits you, use quality ammo, practice off sticks, dial it in, and have fun.

 

[375Fox]

Not going to beat a dead horse, but despite any dislike for particular rifle brands or not, they choose to chamber in 375 ruger….they could have done H&H. The ammo shortages are always exaggerated. They are subject to the exact panic buying we saw with all calibers just a few years ago.

Ammo and brass is released and it is quickly bought in panic (probably due to threads like this)….It is a simple fact. You dont want DGX or DGS then reload whatever you like, or buy from other than Hornady!

My opinion, ruger has been making the rifle for 17 years now, and it has been said every year that it’s going away. There are more offerings today in factory ammo and rifles than there ever has been.

I doubt the H&H will ever be dethroned but the ruger variant is here to stay.

View attachment 674836

You can find it but I don’t think ammo availability is exaggerated. Anyone without an opinion can decide for themselves. Hornady is the only regularly available option if you don’t reload.

375 Ruger Ammo for Sale | MidwayUSA

Shop 375 Ruger at MidwayUSA! We carry a wide selection of 375 Ruger at the best prices!

www.midwayusa.com

375 H&H Magnum Ammo for Sale | MidwayUSA

Shop 375 H&H Magnum at MidwayUSA! We carry a wide selection of 375 H&H Magnum at the best prices!

www.midwayusa.com

Appears out of stock at both Pendleton and Hendershots likely for lack of brass to load.

 

[CBeck]

You can find it but I don’t think ammo availability is exaggerated. Anyone without an opinion can decide for themselves.

375 Ruger Ammo for Sale | MidwayUSA

Shop 375 Ruger at MidwayUSA! We carry a wide selection of 375 Ruger at the best prices!

www.midwayusa.com

375 H&H Magnum Ammo for Sale | MidwayUSA

Shop 375 H&H Magnum at MidwayUSA! We carry a wide selection of 375 H&H Magnum at the best prices!

www.midwayusa.com

Appears out of stock at both Pendleton and Hendershots likely for lack of brass to load.
View attachment 674842
View attachment 674841

Again, not arguing. You can post out of stock all you like but there is plenty in stock. As I said, a product of panic buying….oh no, it’s out of stock and will never be again….get it while you can. Im sure the manufacturers love it.

As a matter of fact, I believe I saw a Pendleton post that said something like 375 stock is low….better get it, and it was gone. Good for them! Im thankful they produce it when they have brass.

There are 1000’s of rounds available. Like I said, dont like hornady, shoot it for practice and reload it. I can get on the computer right now and order more than my wallet will allow or safe will hold.

I dont have a dog in the fight, but the 375 ruger has advantages, higher velocity given same barrel length, can be built on a 30-06 action length, etc. There are disadvantages, yes

You make some good points about H&H availability, but be fair. The purpose of a thread like this is to evaluate pros and cons. Don’t tell people they can’t get it and it’s always sold out and the whole damn thing is going to disappear into oblivion.

You always make the argument what if your ammo doesn’t arrive….yes that can happen….Ive also had my rifle not arrive on a hunting trip before….anything can happen.

 

[375Fox]

Again, not arguing. You can post out of stock all you like but there is plenty in stock. As I said, a product of panic buying….oh no, it’s out of stock and will never be again….get it while you can. Im sure the manufacturers love it.

As a matter of fact, I believe I saw a Pendleton post that said something like 375 stock is low….better get it, and it was gone. Good for them! Im thankful they produce it when they have brass.

There are 1000’s of rounds available. Like I said, dont like hornady, shoot it for practice and reload it.

I dont have a dog in the fight, but the 375 ruger has advantages, higher velocity given same barrel length, can be built on a 30-06 action length, etc. There are disadvantages, yes

You make some good points about H&H availability, but be fair. The purpose of a thread like this is to evaluate pros and cons. Don’t tell people they can’t get it and it’s always sold out and the whole damn thing is going to disappear into oblivion.

View attachment 674843

I haven’t said 375 Ruger ammo is unavailable. The midway link I posted has Hornady ammo and nothing else in stock. I said the only choice is Hornady which is exactly what you posted. 375 Ruger is less about the cartridge and more about the Ruger rifle and Hornady ammo combination as the only current option if you don’t reload.

It is my opinion the 375 Ruger will fade just as other 375 DG calibers have. It’s only fair to talk about it if you are considering tomorrow. It might be 10 years or 20 years, but a lot of good cartridges have faded away.

 

[CBeck]

I haven’t said 375 Ruger ammo is unavailable. The midway link I posted has Hornady ammo and nothing else in stock. I said the only choice is Hornady which is exactly what you posted. 375 Ruger is less about the cartridge and more about the Ruger rifle and Hornady ammo combination as the only current option if you don’t reload.

Ok you win…I ordered buffalo bore 2 weeks ago, and Pendleton about the same, but yes…..today they are out…unless you want solids. Buffalo Bore has them

 

[375Fox]

Ok you win…I ordered buffalo bore 2 weeks ago, and Pendleton about the same, but yes…..today they are out…unless you want solids. Buffalo Bore has them

I’m not sure why you guys are making this about winning. It’s just a simple fact the 375 Ruger has very limited options in factory ammo and rifle manufacturers. I own two disappearing cartridges. The 300 H&H and 450 Rigby. The fact they are disappearing doesn’t make them less effective with the bullets I have, but I would caution someone considering them for a general purpose rifle. The fact I own one wouldn’t change my advice.