375 Ruger a Dying Cartridge?

[Boone13]

I've been bitten by the bid bore nostalgic guide gun bug. Entirely to much time spent watching old Alaska and Africa hunting vids on YouTube I guess. I have no immediate need for one with no hunts planned outside of the lower 48 this year, but I just want one - a Ruger African / Alaskan / Guide in 375 Ruger.

My question is, why is there so little ammo on the market for them? I typically shoot copper, and I can't find a single box of Hornady Outfitter in 375 Ruger anywhere... Is this a shortage or is this the norm for this caliber? Am I better off going with another caliber?

 

[gbflyer]

Depending on your location, you might consider 375 H&H. A lot more ammo options.

 

[Pescetism]

Low/no stock is somewhat the norm for dangerous game cartridges especially with monos. I did a quick search and found plenty of lead core ammo though. I assume you don't reload but 375 Ruger brass can be made from 300 PRC fairly easily although there are neck wall thickness considerations. Don't know if they'd be willing to from a liability standpoint, but UM or another custom ammo manufacturer should be able to do that if they couldn't find 375 brass.

As the poster above said 375 H&H is far more likely to be available. Last I read it was still the most popular big bore cartridge in the world.

 

[RockAndSage]

Ruger has a particular advantage in keeping .375 Ruger alive: their guns give big bore access at blue collar prices. On gunbroker there are literally 5x the number of .375 Rugers available over .375 H&Hs.

As to ammo, it's plentiful, and because of the huge numbers of Ruger guns out there chambered in it, isn't going anywhere: https://ammoseek.com/ammo/375-ruger

Regarding copper monos, I didn't see any, but for a cartridge with this much availability, not seeing coppers is most likely an indicator of seasonal runs. Look again in the late spring to early summer, and you'll likely find a bunch.

If you want one, go for it. Price in a case of ammo or two in the beginning as part of the purchase, and you'll have all the ammo and brass you could ever ask for in that cartridge.

 

[Boone13]

Low/no stock is somewhat the norm for dangerous game cartridges especially with monos. I did a quick search and found plenty of lead core ammo though. I assume you don't reload but 375 Ruger brass can be made from 300 PRC fairly easily although there are neck wall thickness considerations. Don't know if they'd be willing to from a liability standpoint, but UM or another custom ammo manufacturer should be able to do that if they couldn't find 375 brass.

As the poster above said 375 H&H is far more likely to be available. Last I read it was still the most popular big bore cartridge in the world.

No I don't reload yet. 375 H&H is definitely a consideration, but man do they get long with the longer action and 22" or longer barrels. I really like the idea of the Ruger Guide with a standard length action and 20" barrel. Seems like it would be super handy. 375 Ruger appears to be slightly ballistically superior to H&H, though I doubt anything get hit with either would be able to tell the difference.

 

[Boone13]

Ruger has a particular advantage in keeping .375 Ruger alive: their guns give big bore access at blue collar prices. On gunbroker there are literally 5x the number of .375 Rugers available over .375 H&Hs.

As to ammo, it's plentiful, and because of the huge numbers of Ruger guns out there chambered in it, isn't going anywhere: https://ammoseek.com/ammo/375-ruger

Regarding copper monos, I didn't see any, but for a cartridge with this much availability, not seeing coppers is most likely an indicator of seasonal runs. Look again in the late spring to early summer, and you'll likely find a bunch.

If you want one, go for it. Price in a case of ammo or two in the beginning as part of the purchase, and you'll have all the ammo and brass you could ever ask for in that cartridge.

I didn't think of buying a case right away, that's a solid idea. A 200 round case will run me around $1000, found the rifle on GrabAGun brand new for $1153 (can't find a used one currently), $800-1000 for a used Accupoint or Razor 1-6x, and Alaska Arms rings for $175. Not a cheap purchase, but might as well do it right.

 

[Pescetism]

No I don't reload yet. 375 H&H is definitely a consideration, but man do they get long with the longer action and 22" or longer barrels. I really like the idea of the Ruger Guide with a standard length action and 20" barrel. Seems like it would be super handy. 375 Ruger appears to be slightly ballistically superior to H&H, though I doubt anything get hit with either would be able to tell the difference.

I agree, I think Ruger is the better option. My post wasn't to dissuade you, more that even if you can't find monos right now you should be able to find ammo or have it made.

For true "guide gun" distances I think a 16" option or a cartridge based on the SAUM/WSM case would make even more sense but I don't think we'll see that in a production rifle. There are wildcat cartridges that fill that niche but at much higher cost and no factory ammo ever.

 

[_S_R_]

If you’re not planning any hunts in Africa, why not think about downsizing to a .338 Win Mag? It’s big enough for anything, ammo is easier to find, and it’s more affordable.

 

[Luke S]

I hunted with a .375 Ruger for a while. If you want a cool old style Safari rifle that is one thing. If you want a practical gun for North America I'd pass. I can't point to any animals the .375 killed "better" than a .358 Winchester or .308. I killed my last grizzly with a suppressed 308. When I compare moose, caribou, black bears and grizzly kills I just don't see an advantage of the .375. The holes aren't much bigger and the penatration is all that different compared to my smaller calibers.
If you want a handy brush gun the Ruger Scout Rifle is a good option. You get iron sites and you could use a flush fit MDT mag to be more traditional. Wood stocks are an option. I took the scout rail off mine. I would suggest the 18 inch barrel version if you don't plan to suppress it. That short barrel is loud. Don't EVER shoot without ear pro. A friend did once and had painful ringing ears for days.
If a 308 is to small (it's not in my opinion)consider a Tikka in 30-06. I found one in a gunstore that had express style sites and a wood stock. It felt pretty traditional. And way more practical to hunt with.

If I could go back to 2017 I'd skip all my gun purchases except the 308. Extra money would have gone to another loaner 308 or 6.5 and lighter suppressors.

 

[Athens]

I see rifles and ammo, and the round sells well among those who have a use for such a thing. These aren't toys to wallop gophers and chucks on a Saturday in the off season.

The Hawkeye African is a nice trim and fast handling package at a very reasonable price. A lot of guys are taking them to Africa, and they have a following in Alaska in the stainless models. I would guess it has cut into sales of new H&H chambered guns like the Winchesters.

I'm curious as to what the gun writers here know about the current market.

 

[Boone13]

If you’re not planning any hunts in Africa, why not think about downsizing to a .338 Win Mag? It’s big enough for anything, ammo is easier to find, and it’s more affordable.

Well... I just picked up a brand new Ruger Guide in 30-06 about an hour ago. To good of a deal to pass up... And while 338 hypothetically would have covered both 30-06 and 375 type duties, I feel like 30-06 overlaps with 338 to much to be worth buying one in that cal now. When I buy another Ruger Guide/Alaskan/African it'll be in 375 Ruger.

This Ruger Guide is soooo nice. Super stoked to have it. I'm about to order 200rnds of Hornady Outfitter 150gr so I can get it to the range asap.

 

[_S_R_]

Well... I just picked up a brand new Ruger Guide in 30-06 about an hour ago. To good of a deal to pass up... And while 338 hypothetically would have covered both 30-06 and 375 type duties, I feel like 30-06 overlaps with 338 to much to be worth buying one in that cal now. When I buy another Ruger Guide/Alaskan/African it'll be in 375 Ruger.

This Ruger Guide is soooo nice. Super stoked to have it. I'm about to order 200rnds of Hornady Outfitter 150gr so I can get it to the range asap.

Congrats on purchase!
Careful with outfitter ammo. It’s rarely when guns shoot them accurately.

 

[Boone13]

Congrats on purchase!
Careful with outfitter ammo. It’s rarely when guns shoot them accurately.

Crap... Well I already ordered it. Fingers crossed it works well in my rifle.

 

[KenLee]

Crap... Well I already ordered it. Fingers crossed it works well in my rifle.

Outfitter ammo (not the superformance version) I've shot has been slow as molasses. 30-06 and 270

 

[Luke S]

I was just thinking of the Guide Gun in 30-06. I really liked mine in 375 Ruger. But until you go to Africa I think the 30-06 is all you need. I'd skip the muzzle break though.

 

[Boone13]

I was just thinking of the Guide Gun in 30-06. I really liked mine in 375 Ruger. But until you go to Africa I think the 30-06 is all you need. I'd skip the muzzle break though.

I haven't put it down since I got it home. Super cool rifle. It points effortlessly and the balance is perfect.

 

[Boone13]

I was just thinking of the Guide Gun in 30-06. I really liked mine in 375 Ruger. But until you go to Africa I think the 30-06 is all you need. I'd skip the muzzle break though.

All I need, 100%. But I still want a 375.

 

[BCsteve]

I like mine, it’s a Ruger Alaskan. Shot three moose with it so far.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I like mine, it’s a Ruger Alaskan. Shot three moose with it so far.

I think I’ve done like 7, maybe 8 moose at this point with my 375. It’s an HH though. I really wouldn’t mind having a Ruger Alaskan in 375 Ruger. The only reason I havnt is because a year or 2 ago I ended up with basically a lifetime supply of reloading supplies for the HH. I ended up making a trade and got like 16lbs of reloader 15, 4000 large rifle magnum primers, about 500 pieces of unfired brass and like 2500 bullets (partitions and accubonds 260g).

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I haven't put it down since I got it home. Super cool rifle. It points effortlessly and the balance is perfect.

A guide gun in 30-06 would be very cool. 30-06 is probably my favorite cartridge out there.