375 Ruger Brass

I'm getting 2800 FPS with 270gr Speers out of the 23" barreled African, using R 15 and IMR 4350. The R 15 is far more accurate, all else being equal.

I've switched to 260 Accu Bonds, but have not clocked them yet, as I'm working on an ideal load in my old FN action SAKO 375 Wby. I didn't need the 375 Ruger, but I also couldn't resist it.

I expect to find that 2850-2875 FPS will be about MAX for the Ruger, while I get 2940 out of the 375 Wby with ease. I'm sure that whatever is hammered with either won't know any difference.

As to QD mounts, I have two sets of Warnes for the 375 Ruger, and I'm getting good repeatability with both scopes/rings sets. I have a 2.5X8 VariX III and a new Burris FFII 4.5X14 mounted in the Warne rings. I get about 0.5" variation from original zero at 100 yards when switching back and forth. I put the steel Weaver bases and Cabela's (Warne) QD rings on the 375 Wby and a 3X10 Burris Euro Diamond and 2X7 Leupold VariX II. I get about 1.0" - variation from original zero from this set up.

I like the QD mounts, as both rifles have excellent open sights...the Sako has one standing/one folding. Either rifle would be a great worldwide one-gun-hunter choice, IMO. I have convinced myself that I NEED an Alaskan. They are :cool: :cool: :cool: (I know...I need help far more than the Alaskan:runaway: )
 
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Bruce just say the word and I bet my Brother in law will get all over your African model when you change to the Alaskan. Although he does like the Alaskan more.

If that doesn't pan out I am sure we can talk Dave into buying it.

Clark can the trigger be adjusted ?
 
Noel said:
Bruce just say the word and I bet my Brother in law will get all over your African model when you change to the Alaskan. Although he does like the Alaskan more.

If that doesn't pan out I am sure we can talk Dave into buying it.

Clark can the trigger be adjusted ?
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If I were to buy one, which I don't think I will, it would be the Alaskan.
 
Noel said:
Bruce just say the word and I bet my Brother in law will get all over your African model when you change to the Alaskan. Although he does like the Alaskan more.

If that doesn't pan out I am sure we can talk Dave into buying it.

Clark can the trigger be adjusted ?
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"Change"? Waddayamean, "change"?:eek: I want BOTH!;)
 
luv2safari, that was a very informative blurp concerning the QD rings. I've recently adopted an m70 in 375 and am strongly considering the quick detach mounts. I much prefer getting a product review from someone like yourself that a store salesman. Not wanting to take anything away from salespeople, but your opinion is not sales driven. Thanks :)
 
It is possible to smooth and adjust the trigger weight. i have the instructions on how to do it, but I doubt I will do it myself. I've replaced triggers with TImneys, but dont' feel comfortable playing with triggers other than a swap wiht minor adjustment like on a Timeny. I'll send it to a gunsmith after I play around wiht the rifle a bit more.

I think luv2safaris about velocities sound accurate, I will see how it works with the 20" barrel.
 
gitrdun,

Thanks! I'll post my disasters here, also. They are many and might save you folks some hard earned $$$.

I didn't mention that I have used Talleys and Leupold post & cam type QDs, also. The Talleys were good, about like the Warnes, but the Leupolds have not been what I expected. They are OK...just OK. Some work much better than others, I find. It appears to be a question of production consistency.

Gatehouse,

I installed a Timney in my older SS Rugger 77 MKII 338 and brought my 100 yd-3shot groups down from 1.25" to .75" with nothing else changed. They are easy to install; just be careful in taking off too much meat at the safety when fitting...go SLOW!
 
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Yup, I've installed Timneys- Not too difficult. I mean that I won't adjust the existign Ruger trigger myself, I hear that it isn't complicated if you know what you are doing, but-- I don't really know, so....:D

I suppose I could always attempt to adjustment and when I screw it up order a Timney!:D

How is the trigger on your African?
 
The trigger is OK for a safari rifle, since most shots are relatively close when using a bigger bore. I don't like a light trigger when things get fast and close.:eek: It would not be my cup-o-tea for plains game in a place like Namibia or East Cape. It breaks at just one of "those" hairs under 5 pounds. Timney Time!:rockOn:

Have you checked out the 375 brass yet? My once fired brass is nice and uniform...good quality brass, it appears.
 
It looks liek the sun has come out, so maybe I'll go outside and take some shots over the chrono!

In the mean time, here are some pics to keep everyone happy, becuase we all like pictures!:)

IMG_1003-copy.jpg


Left to right:

223 Remington, 22-250 ackley Improved, 30-30 Winchester, 308 Winchester, 303 British, 30-06 Springfield, 7mm Remington Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum, 300 Remington Ultra Magnum, 375 H&H, The Mighty 375 Ruger



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300Winchester Magnum, 300 Ultra Magnum, the Mighty 375 Ruger, 375 H&H
 
Had a chance to shoot a .375 Ruger this afternoon (300 grain Hornady factory load) out of a Ruger Hawkeye.

All I can say is " I may have to get me one of those!" :D :evil:

The rifle was surprizingly light and yet quite managable. The recoil was a lot less than I expected (I've been thumped harder by my 45-70 Marlin). I had no trouble hitting within ~3" of my POA at 100 yards (standing) with the express sights. It is probably punishing if shot off the bench (It has a pretty skinny recoil pad), but shooting it standing was very reasonable.

Nice rifle!
 
Looks like the COL is very important to keep short and the bullet is therefore seated deep into the cartridge. Too bad you wouldn't be able to use all that space for powder. My 375 RUM suffers the same, but more for recoil than action length or anything else. Are those factory loads haevily crimped?
 
Gatehouse said:
It looks liek the sun has come out, so maybe I'll go outside and take some shots over the chrono!

In the mean time, here are some pics to keep everyone happy, becuase we all like pictures!:)

IMG_1006-copy.jpg


300Winchester Magnum, 300 Ultra Magnum, the Mighty 375 Ruger, 375 H&H
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Where's the .375 RUM? A much better cartridge and the real king.
 
Using the iron sights from the bench:

2" group at 100 yards, which I suppose is okay, but I am sure a better shooter could do better.

Velocity of the 270gr Hornady factory load was around 2520 fps average, well below the advertised spec of 2840 form a 23" barrel. When you think that I used a very mild load of H4350 and a 300gr bullet and achieved around 2400fps, the factory ammo is not too impressive, really!!:)

Interestingly, in a John Barsnes article, he got 2845 from a 23" barrel.

Chilly, the bullets are not too heavily crimped. You wouldn't want to sea that bullet too much further out, you would run out of magazine space. Judging by the noise made when the cartridge is shaken, there seems to be lots more room for powder in there!:)

Recoil is noticeable, but not really bad.

I *must* fix the trigger. I have excellent triggers on most of my rifles, and now cannot do my best work wiht a creepy, heavy trigger!:)
 
Gatehouse said:
The Mighty 375 Ruger
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Gatehouse said:
375 Ruger= The New King of the .375 Caliber cartridges!
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Clarke olde boy ........ you're taking this 375 thing WAAAAAAAY too serious. :popCorn:

It's only a 375 Rewger .... it's good but probably NOT mighty, and if you think this new Rewger is going be the NEW KING of the 375s taking that spot from the H&H, well .......... dream on. :rolleyes:


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