Do I really need a .375 H&H ?

How sad it must be to have to choose an inferior cartridge, just to save a few bucks.

How much sadder must it be for a gunmaker to introduce a redundant cartridge like the .375Ruger, simply so they could then discontinue their proper magnum-length action...just to save a few bucks.
 
How much sadder must it be for a gunmaker to introduce a redundant cartridge like the .375Ruger, simply so they could then discontinue their proper magnum-length action...just to save a few bucks.

I don't think Ruger is too sad about the huge interest that has been shown for the New King. :) I don't know why anyone would claim to be sad that 375h& h +++ performance was made available in a standard length action.

The Ruger was never redundant, just the opposite. It is capable of doing what the H&H cannot do. It's modern design improves on the H&H in all respects.
 
The way I see it, the Ruger exists for a couple of reasons, related to marketing and to production logistics.

First, it's got the name "Ruger" stamped on it. When Bill Ruger was alive, it was often reported in the press that he really, really wanted his name on a few cartridge cases. Why not? Good advertising and exposure FOR RUGER...nothing wrong with that.

Second, it's "new and improved". Like most other instances where this catch-phrase is applied, we have a product different from an existing item in relatively tiny details. It doesn't perform better, or worse, it just does the same thing slightly differently. When they brought it out they didn't even suggest they were trying to surpass H&H performance, just that they were trying to match it...but in a standard-length action.

And that's the kicker. With the new stubby cartridge, they could quietly drop the lovely magnum action and manufacture only the standard m77/Hawkeye actions. Simpler, cheaper, better in every respect...FOR RUGER! That's why it exists. The marketing geniuses and spin doctors get to work and convince folks that they "need" an action with a minutely shorter bolt throw, because otherwise they'll be trampled and gored by every critter they shoot at while they laboriously haul their bolt handles back and forth those few extra millimeters. Or that they will short-stroke their old long actions, resulting in certain death or at least dismemberment.

So someone will say "But wait! I can now get H&H performance in a cheaper, standard-action gun!" I once thought this was the selling point...frankly, the ONLY selling point...of this cartridge. A newish shooter, or perhaps a "new-age" shooter, would not miss the H&H simply because he could now duplicate it in a cheaper, more easily available gun. But now on this and other threads I find that brass for the "new bling" costs much more! So, if it costs more to shoot, the benefit of the cheaper gun goes away...except, of course, FOR RUGER, who sold you that gun.

I think I may have the next advertising campaign for the Ruger cartridge all worked out. I'll send it in to them and see what they say. I can see it now...that classy old-timey Ruger logo and eagle across the top of the page...a couple of bearded outdoorsmen gripping their rubbery riflestocks as they peer over a rocky ledge at a monster moose, huge elephant or stately red stag...and across the bottom of the page, the slogan:

"RUGER. WE'RE JUST AS GOOD...SO WE'RE BETTER!"

Ka-ching! :)
 
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The way I see it, the Ruger exists for a couple of reasons, related to marketing and to production logistics.

First, it's got the name "Ruger" stamped on it. When Bill Ruger was alive, it was often reported in the press that he really, really wanted his name on a few cartridge cases. Why not? Good advertising and exposure FOR RUGER...nothing wrong with that.

I'm surprised that some people think that somehow it's wrong for a business to introduce products, market them, sell them and make money. That's what businesses do!!!

Second, it's "new and improved". Like most other instances where this catch-phrase is applied, we have a product different from an existing item in relatively tiny details. It doesn't perform better, or worse, it just does the same thing slightly differently. When they brought it out they didn't even suggest they were trying to surpass H&H performance, just that they were trying to match it...but in a standard-length action.

To actually be correct, they originally wanted H&H performance in a standard action and a 20" barrel.

And that's the kicker. With the new stubby cartridge, they could quietly drop the lovely magnum action and manufacture only the standard m77/Hawkeye actions. Simpler, cheaper, better in every respect...FOR RUGER! That's why it exists.

Better for consumers, too. And of course it's a good business move. See above to explain what businesses do!

The marketing geniuses and spin doctors get to work and convince folks that they "need" an action with a minutely shorter bolt throw, because otherwise they'll be trampled and gored by every critter they shoot at while they laboriously haul their bolt handles back and forth those few extra millimeters. Or that they will short-stroke their old long actions, resulting in certain death or at least dismemberment
.

Can you find us some Ruger marketing literature that actually says that? I think you are just making that up, as I have never heard Ruger make any claims to that.

So someone will say "But wait! I can now get H&H performance in a cheaper, standard-action gun!" I once thought this was the selling point...frankly, the ONLY selling point...of this cartridge. A newish shooter, or perhaps a "new-age" shooter, would not miss the H&H simply because he could now duplicate it in a cheaper, more easily available gun. But now on this and other threads I find that brass for the "new bling" costs much more! So, if it costs more to shoot, the benefit of the cheaper gun goes away...except, of course, FOR RUGER, who sold you that gu
n.

You learned that brass was much more from a few threads, but never actually looked into it yourself? This is laughable. We are talking peanuts here, even if a difference exists. We are talking a few pennies per case.

I think I may have the next advertising campaign for the Ruger cartridge all worked out. I'll send it in to them and see what they say. I can see it now...that classy old-timey Ruger logo and eagle across the top of the page...a couple of bearded outdoorsmen gripping their rubbery riflestocks as they peer over a rocky ledge at a monster moose, huge elephant or stately red stag...and across the bottom of the page, the slogan:

"RUGER. WE'RE JUST AS GOOD...SO WE'RE BETTER!"

Not "just as good"- it is indeed a better cartridge. The H&H used to be known as the "most versatile cartridge" because it would handle all animals, big and small. The Ruger does that too, except with higher velocity (or lower pressure if you wish) and is more versatile because it can be chambered in more rifles.

Bottom line is that Ruger accomplished what they set out to do- and ended up with the fantastic 375 Ruger cartridge, which does everything an H&H can do, and more. Ruger made good quality, affordable rifles in .375 available to hunters, and the hunters responded in droves, buying far more than Ruger ever anticipated. It's a win for Ruger and a win for us, the hunters and rifle enthusiasts. And t truly is, the NEW KING.

And for the banana fans:

:dancingbanana::dancingbanana:
 
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Give it up Gatehouse, it's gasping it's last breaths as I type this..........If you think the Ruger will sell more cause they're cheaper maybe you should check out the Zastava .375 H&H line up........same quality on a real 98 action for less money. The last box of Horn 375 Ruger brass I saw was something like 79 bucks for 50 at WSS, around the corner was R-P bags of H&H for 49 bucks, I make that 60% more expensive...........yep a few pennies. For several years now you have been pointing out all the new rifle manufacturers that have adopted the dead prince, and yet I have never seen one in a rack anywhere, and I do get around. Are the two you reported last year offering them this year....I doubt it. All your hype and still no other ammo manufacturer in making brass for it, that is a real bad sign.........been around for what 8 or 9 years now and still only Hornady brass for it...tch tch tch.
The life is slowly ebbing from the almost still born infant......death looms nigh.....it is inevitable.....all efforts have been exhausted and still, life slips ever so slowly away....maybe it was never meant to be, in the big scheme of things.....Grandfather, in all his untarnished glory despite his years, looks on from his throne, it just wasn't meant to be, the false prince shall never be an heir to the throne.......c'est la vie.!!!
 
Ok, I know "need" is a relative term and "want" is really all the justification anyone needs as long as you can afford the thing(s) you want.

I have always wanted a .375 H&H. There's just something about the cartridge that has always called to me. I have shot one several times, and witnessed how effective one can be on a moose...pretty much the definition of "bang - flop"! That being said, I've had the same results with my .338 WM every time.

I suppose I already have the bases covered for anything I'll ever hunt in N America (I don't hunt any bears) with a .223, 7mm RM, 30-06, .35 Rem and the .338 WM, but for some reason I still want a .375 H&H...am I being unreasonable?

With a .338, NO!
 
i don't see why people say the 375Ruger brass is more money. i just picked up 2 boxes of 375Ruger brass 50ct/ea @ 54.99 a box
Hornady 375 H&H 79.99$ 50ct
Remington 375 H&H 82.99$ 50ct


that's right from Prophet River's web site
 
Give it up Gatehouse, it's gasping it's last breaths as I type this..........If you think the Ruger will sell more cause they're cheaper maybe you should check out the Zastava .375 H&H line up........same quality on a real 98 action for less money. The last box of Horn 375 Ruger brass I saw was something like 79 bucks for 50 at WSS, around the corner was R-P bags of H&H for 49 bucks, I make that 60% more expensive...........yep a few pennies. For several years now you have been pointing out all the new rifle manufacturers that have adopted the dead prince, and yet I have never seen one in a rack anywhere, and I do get around. Are the two you reported last year offering them this year....I doubt it. All your hype and still no other ammo manufacturer in making brass for it, that is a real bad sign.........been around for what 8 or 9 years now and still only Hornady brass for it...tch tch tch.
The life is slowly ebbing from the almost still born infant......death looms nigh.....it is inevitable.....all efforts have been exhausted and still, life slips ever so slowly away....maybe it was never meant to be, in the big scheme of things.....Grandfather, in all his untarnished glory despite his years, looks on from his throne, it just wasn't meant to be, the false prince shall never be an heir to the throne.......c'est la vie.!!!

I guess you get around to WSS...But not Prophet River or Nechako which is selling Ruger brass for much less. :)

You guys have been predicting the demise of the NEW KING for years now....It's only getting more popular, and isn't going away. :)
 
I guess you get around to WSS...But not Prophet River or Nechako which is selling Ruger brass for much less. :)

You guys have been predicting the demise of the NEW KING for years now....It's only getting more popular, and isn't going away. :)

Only in your mind............


That's the best come-back you can muster after such an eloquent dissertation........................:D;)
 
Did you not buy a 375Ruger to do your own testing?

Not yet, can't find an African, which I really like the fit and feel of..............my son has one, and I really like the rifle.
By the way R34, I have never bad mouthed or hated the 375 Ruger, I have just stated the obvious, that it is dying, and that it will never dethrone the H&H as the most popular medium bore cartridge...........I do hate the Horn brass which is all that is available for it, but I have solved that problem as well (a thread last fall about making brass from 300 WM, it worked out 100%).
 
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