New rifle and cartridge

grayghost · #1 01-11-2007, 09:36 PM

Ruger has introduced a new beefed up cartridge: the .375 Ruger. Reports appear to give a thumbs up and I took a look at their new rifles on Rugers web site. I really like the looks of their Alaskan model. Retail price is $1,095. My only concern is ammo. I imagine it will be some time before you can find cartridges. I didn't see any listed on Midway or Cabela's last night. Anyone tried one yet? grayghost

Skyline · #2 01-11-2007, 11:25 PM

The info on this has been out for some time greyghost. I am taking the wait and see position. i won't be trading in my old .375 H&H anytime soon.

grayghost · #3 01-15-2007, 01:42 AM

I guess we'll wait and see how the rifle and Hornady ammo works out. A lot of the custom builders are talking about it. Good hunting, grayghost

Rapier · #4 01-15-2007, 01:04 PM

This is what I found, which is great, sounds pretty much like the 375x338 Win:

"A joint development between Hornady and Ruger, the .375 Ruger is a brand new case based on old case dimensions. It is a rimless case with rim and case body diameter of .532-inch, exactly the same as the time-honored rim and belt diameter of the .375 H&H case. Except that the .375 Ruger doesn’t “step down” ahead of the belt, so it starts out a bit fatter in the body, and has very little taper.

Kept full-length (2.8 inches) it would have greatly exceeded the .375 H&H in performance and would have been roughly similar to the .375 Remington Ultra Mag. This was not the intent; instead the case was chopped to 2.5 inches so it would fit into a .30-06-length action. The goal, therefore, was to equal .375 H&H performance in a “standard” (.30-06) case length. This would give Ruger a powerful and versatile cartridge that could be mated to their standard Model 77 Mark II action."

I do not think you have to wait to see if this will work or not. If you have a Classic Mdl 70 in 338 that needs a new barrel, there you go...
Ed

Skyline · #5 01-17-2007, 12:07 PM

Rapier.............I always take the wait and see on new cartridges. I wait and see how many of the manufacturers start chambering for them. I wait and see what comes out for factory ammo and how easy it is to get. But then, I always wait and see with new pick-up truck models and engines as well........

I guess I am just too cautious! ti

Rapier · #6 01-17-2007, 05:02 PM

What you have is a very old wildcat, one of a series (Chatfield-Taylor), based on the 338 Win Mag (375x338, 404x338 and 416x338). The reason for the wildcat was using big bullets in a standard length (30-06) action. It has long been established that the 375x338 will duplicate the 375 H & H using considerable less powder. Now you have the round with a headstamp.

The 375 H & H takes a long magnum action that rings the cash register very nicely. In effect you can buy or build a 375 Ruger for cheap compared to a 375 H & H. If you want to rebarrel a standard long action for a factory cartridge that is all but stamped H & H, a barrel and rented reamer is a lot cheaper than even a CZ in 375 H & H. Speaking as a rifle builder.

For those countries that demand that the gun markings and ammo match... this is the ticket. A win, win situation all round.

You may wait, but I see the light here. I was going to add a 375x338 or 416x338 Taylor to my Mdl 70 Classic. Right now it is a switch barrel 7mm Rem Mag and 338 Win Mag. I can add the 375 Ruger and have a 3rd factory chambering light, medium and heavy.
Ed

Skyline · #7 01-17-2007, 05:31 PM

Yes well I know all about them. I have had several rifles built in .416 Taylor, a couple of .416 Rigby's, .458's, several rifles in .375 H&H and .338 WM.

But, as I said, I have a perfectly good .375 H&H that shoots great and it has been many a mile with me. I personally could care less about whether I have a standard length action or not, whether the new one uses a bit less powder, or that it saves a few ounces of weight and has a bit shorter bolt throw........after several decades with the H&H version I should be use to it by now. So, I will just wait and see how it goes with the Ruger cartridge. It has its merits.

I don't like the new Ruger's so if I ever did just 'have to have one' I would get one put together anyways.

grayghost · #8 02-22-2007, 03:03 PM

How would you compare the recoil of your .416's to your .375? After visiting Zim and talking to several PH's, most seem to prefer the .416's extra power, especially for Elephant and Buff. Have you done anything to buffer the recoil on any of your large bores? Thanks for the time to answer, grayghost