.375 rifle - which is best?

geologist said:
I've always thought of the tapered case of the H&H as an asset for a dangerous game cartridge where it's easy extraction even in very hot or dirty conditions, especially with the powerful camming action of the Mauser action, was added insurance for positive feeding and extraction under situational pressure and adverse conditions.
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We often hear that the H&H tapered case shape aided in feeding and extraction, and I'm sure it was important 100 + years ago. But look at the case designs of almost all the other cartridges we use- 308, 30-06, 300 WBY and so on. None of them have the same shape. Every belted magnum cartridge based on the H&H was blown out to remove the taper. And they all feed and extract just fine. :)
 
Gatehouse said:
We often hear that the H&H tapered case shape aided in feeding and extraction, and I'm sure it was important 100 + years ago. But look at the case designs of almost all the other cartridges we use- 308, 30-06, 300 WBY and so on. None of them have the same shape. Every belted magnum cartridge based on the H&H was blown out to remove the taper. And they all feed and extract just fine. :)
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With game that is unlikely to kill me I agree.

For big, toothy, clawy, tramply animals that can and will kill me if they get to me I would prefer to stack everything I can control in my favor. So I prefer an express sighted, CRF in a flawless feeding powerful cartridge that I can shoot well.

The .458 Win Mag is slightly tapered too.
 
geologist said:
With game that is unlikely to kill me I agree.

For big, toothy, clawy, tramply animals that can and will kill me if they get to me I would prefer to stack everything I can control in my favor.

The .458 Win Mag is tapered too.
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Well, cartridges like the 7.62x51 (308) and 5.56 (223) were designed for combat, and need to feed and extract. They don't have anywhere near the taper of the H&H.

But-It's important to feel confident in your tools, and if the case shape gives comfort, it's as good a reason as any to use it. :)
 
geologist said:
With game that is unlikely to kill me I agree.

For big, toothy, clawy, tramply animals that can and will kill me if they get to me I would prefer to stack everything I can control in my favor. So I prefer an express sighted, CRF in a flawless feeding powerful cartridge that I can shoot well.

The .458 Win Mag is slightly tapered too.
Click to expand...

Sent you a 'related' PM but your 'pattern' is apparently full.
 
Gatehouse said:
Well, cartridges like the 7.62x51 (308) and 5.56 (223) were designed for combat, and need to feed and extract. They don't have anywhere near the taper of the H&H.

But-It's important to feel confident in your tools, and if the case shape gives comfort, it's as good a reason as any to use it. :)
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Agreed, it is important to be confident with your rifle/shotgun/handgun.
 
My thoughts on .375s doing what they're supposed to, the H&H wins for me, for pragmatic usage. The taper is a feeding and extraction benefit but it's the last 5% of the bell curve stuff, the .416 Rigby has a vaunted history and is shaped more like the Ruger. But it does feed slicker than any other round I've used, and I've used a few, I really enjoy working a well broken in .375 H&Hs bolt and chambering a round. That nose up tilt and taper scoots them into the dark hole like they jump in there.

Go to Africa and you can get ammunition with ease, yes, that applies to the minority of .375s but it's what they're meant to do. Your PH will have a dozen or more boxes of .375 H&H each missing four to twelve rounds left behind by previous clients. The H&H usually gains a round down in the magazine aside from in the Model 70, due to the taper. My RSM will fit five H&Hs down or four Rugers, I like the extra round. The Ruger is well designed but its claim to fame of fitting in a standard action also applies to the H&H, for whatever reason this is often conveniently ignored (Rem, Win, Zastava, Sako, and on put .375 H&Hs in standard actions from the factory).

Would I hunt with a Ruger? Absolutely! Biggest Grizzly bear I've guided was taken with one, backed up by my .375 H&H. And we all know Gate's long running amusement campaign is in jest and fun (well it appears some don't), and I'd miss it honestly if it stopped. Both are good, just ask yourself what you want from it, if you're never going to the dark parts of the dark continent it probably really doesn't matter. There's a far greater selection of factory .375 H&H rifles and ammunition, and can be found cheaper than the .375 Ruger offerings (Zastava). Ballistically they're twins, slight edge to the Ruger in standard action due to seating depth, in longer actions like the RSM the H&H equals or gains a slight edge. But if you put the Ruger in an H&H RSM / Magnum action (not possible without rebarreling and who would) it would gain a 30-100fps lead again.

Makers of .375 H&H and I'll be missing many of the more obscure and off continent makers,

-Federal
-Winchester
-Remington
-Dynamit Nobel
-Nosler
-PPU
-PVRI Partizan
-Hornady
-RWS
-Buffalo Bore
-Hendershot
-Custom Cartridge
-Barnes
-Armscor
-Kynoch
-Choice Ammunition
-Hunter
-DoubleTap
-....More, African, Australian loadings etc excluded.

.375 Ruger

-Hornady
-Maybe a couple of the boutique makers? Couldn't find it on Buffalo Bore.
 
i will disagree on one point Angus: when the 375 ruger came on the market the 375hh rifles where more expensive than the ruger combo offered.

and as lefty there is no way i can get a cheap 375. situation has changed for sure and zastava are again available but were not for a long time.

now if you can find a stainless action in 375 hh on the market today that is less expensive than the ruger let me know ...
 
Swift is also making ammunition for the NEW KING, using A-Frame and Break Away Solids. I've no experience with the break Away bullets, but they look cool. Be interesting to hear some field reports on thm.
 
i built a 375 H&H just cause its a cool looking round. no better no worse than the ruger. used a rem 700 action and the H&H fits fine with no additional work.
 
first shot 485 yards with the 375 Ruger. Try that with an H&H!

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Ardent said:
My thoughts on .375s doing what they're supposed to, the H&H wins for me, for pragmatic usage. The taper is a feeding and extraction benefit but it's the last 5% of the bell curve stuff, the .416 Rigby has a vaunted history and is shaped more like the Ruger. But it does feed slicker than any other round I've used, and I've used a few, I really enjoy working a well broken in .375 H&Hs bolt and chambering a round. That nose up tilt and taper scoots them into the dark hole like they jump in there.

Go to Africa and you can get ammunition with ease, yes, that applies to the minority of .375s but it's what they're meant to do. Your PH will have a dozen or more boxes of .375 H&H each missing four to twelve rounds left behind by previous clients. The H&H usually gains a round down in the magazine aside from in the Model 70, due to the taper. My RSM will fit five H&Hs down or four Rugers, I like the extra round. The Ruger is well designed but its claim to fame of fitting in a standard action also applies to the H&H, for whatever reason this is often conveniently ignored (Rem, Win, Zastava, Sako, and on put .375 H&Hs in standard actions from the factory).

Would I hunt with a Ruger? Absolutely! Biggest Grizzly bear I've guided was taken with one, backed up by my .375 H&H. And we all know Gate's long running amusement campaign is in jest and fun (well it appears some don't), and I'd miss it honestly if it stopped. Both are good, just ask yourself what you want from it, if you're never going to the dark parts of the dark continent it probably really doesn't matter. There's a far greater selection of factory .375 H&H rifles and ammunition, and can be found cheaper than the .375 Ruger offerings (Zastava). Ballistically they're twins, slight edge to the Ruger in standard action due to seating depth, in longer actions like the RSM the H&H equals or gains a slight edge. But if you put the Ruger in an H&H RSM / Magnum action (not possible without rebarreling and who would) it would gain a 30-100fps lead again.

Makers of .375 H&H and I'll be missing many of the more obscure and off continent makers,

-Federal
-Winchester
-Remington
-Dynamit Nobel
-Nosler
-PPU
-PVRI Partizan
-Hornady
-RWS
-Buffalo Bore
-Hendershot
-Custom Cartridge
-Barnes
-Armscor
-Kynoch
-Choice Ammunition
-Hunter
-DoubleTap
-....More, African, Australian loadings etc excluded.

.375 Ruger

-Hornady
-Maybe a couple of the boutique makers? Couldn't find it on Buffalo Bore.
Click to expand...

Weatherby Vanguard S2

http://www.weatherby.com/vanguardr-synthetic-375-h-h.html

My next gun!
 
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