375 H&H or 375 Ruger??

I've had both...well, still have the H&H. The Ruger was not as much fun to shoot, I find the recoil very sharp. The H&H is more of a push and doens't hurt as much. For me, the ballistics on game is too close to call, but I coundn't justify having a gun (Ruger) that was no fun to shoot. I hated shooting it at the range. The H&H is more enjoyable to play and practicse with. Probably has more to do with the gun then the round...but that's my experience.

Your H&H probably weighs more...Same bullet and virtually the same velocity will create the same recoil. Felt recoil is more due to rifle/stock/recoil pad
 
Your H&H probably weighs more...Same bullet and virtually the same velocity will create the same recoil. Felt recoil is more due to rifle/stock/recoil pad
Sooooooo true!

I have a Boyds laminated w/Decelerator on my current version of THE ORIGINAL 375 SHORT MAG. Forend has been shortened and hollowed out as well as the butt, so it's only 9lb scoped, but still it's very easy to shoot. Stock shape and size make a lot of difference.

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This was interesting to me, as I haven't' tried 350gr bullets in my 375 Ruger yet. Although I don't know what I need 350 gr bullets for, anyway:D

I tried the 380 gr Rhino in the .375 Ruger and found the velocity in the 2150-2180 range from the Alaskan. These loads were worked up in the dead of winter with the temperature hovering around the mid -30s, so on a warm summer day it might make 2200. While this is the velocity sought by the African PHs in their protection loads, it falls short for a "does it all well" cartridge. The 350 gr Woodleigh would be a better choice for the Ruger and I see no reason why it wouldn't make 23-2400 or the equivalent of my Ultra loaded with the 380s. The close range punch of the 350s is sufficient for any emergency that needs to be solved with gun fire, and the drop at 200 would be insignificant with a 150 yard zero.

I have a couple of boxes of 350 gr PPSNs on my bench and 21 prepped Ruger cases, but my pal who owns the Ruger is an alumni of the "faster is better" school, and is pretty much married to the 260 gr AB. I still haven't got around to setting up my bullet testing box, but when I do I expect I'll be able to change his mind.
 
Felt recoil is more due to rifle/stock/recoil pad

Yup.My 373 Ruger weighs in the neighborhood of 7.75 pounds bare. With the traditional Ruger 'recoil pad' it is very, aaahh, ''lively' at the bench. A 9.25 pound N0.1 plus scope/rings, in either chambering, should be noticeably more cooperative. Mine'll probably gain a pound or so with a real pad, bedding, and scope/rings. That'll settle it down some.:)
 
I've had both...well, still have the H&H. The Ruger was not as much fun to shoot, I find the recoil very sharp. The H&H is more of a push and doens't hurt as much. For me, the ballistics on game is too close to call, but I coundn't justify having a gun (Ruger) that was no fun to shoot. I hated shooting it at the range. The H&H is more enjoyable to play and practicse with. Probably has more to do with the gun then the round...but that's my experience.

I would have to agree with this statement. I to found that the Ruger had a little more snap to it.

Anybody recommend a certain brand of rifle? I was looking on the Winchester website and the Model 70 Safari looks quite impressive!!

I just purchased a Model 70 Safari and so far it's a great gun. Granted it is a big heavy (10lbs with scope) it balances very well. I would recommend one. I also considered the CZ550 Magnum but the Model 70 seemed to be a nicer gun.

Your H&H probably weighs more...Same bullet and virtually the same velocity will create the same recoil. Felt recoil is more due to rifle/stock/recoil pad

I traded my 700XCR 375 H&H for my Ruger Alaskan. I did find the recoil to be a little heavier with the Ruger and it weighed about 9.25lbs scoped compared to my 700 at 8.5lbs scoped. I suppose that the stock design has some effect on recoil, but I did have 2 different stocks for my Ruger and the recoil never felt any different. I now have a new Model 70 Safari and yes it weighs more, but is not quite as snappy as the 375 Ruger to shoot. This is just my personal observation.:)
 
both will hammer anything that creeps crawls or walks on the side of the pond...
378 wby is my hammer of choice. if i need bigger ill go with my 416 wby.
 
I chose to go with the .375 Ruger because it's a better fit than the .375 H&H to a Mauser 98 action(1955 vintage JC Higgins M50 that started life as a .270 Win) . I ended up with a rifle that weighs 9.25 lbs all up. It has a 21" McGowan barrel and will shoot 260 Accubonds at 2850 fps with a max load of RL15.

It's a bit of a handful off the bench due to the 50's-style stock with it's excess drop at heel and the small area of the butt. Maybe someday I'll restock it but for the time being it serves my needs.
 
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