.375 Ruger

The .375 Ruger I've used shoots extremely well, better than a medium bore factory rifle ought to. Recoil is a subjective matter, and what is tolerable for one person is not for another. Having said that, I would say that the recoil is exhilarating but not punishing, where as some of my .375 Ultra loads climb into the punishing range.
 
schlarry said:
Has anyone tried the new .375 Ruger, how does it shoot and how bad does it hurt?
Click to expand...

I tried one that a guy had at the range shortly after they came out. Shooting factory ammo (offhand) the rifle produced way less recoil than I was expecting (it was a Hawkeye) and was surprisingly accurate with iron sights (2" high but otherwise "on the mark" at 100 yards). It didn't "hurt" in the least bit.

The owner seemed pleasantly surprised by its accuracy as well.:)

Common sense would dictate that, if you're shooting off the bench, you'll want to use something like a Pachmyr or Limbsaver pad to help soak up the recoil. The recoil might best be described as a bit "slower" than, say, a .300 WM (not as "sharp", but somewhat "heavier"). It will add up if you shoot a bunch of rounds in a session.

Check some of the .375 H&H/African hunting postings, you'll see more discussion about how many rounds some guys will shoot in a typical range session.
 
I'd say recoil is a bit more snappy than the H&H. The H&H I used to have was so much different in many respects for balance and design that could be the difference right there.

The one I tried felt like top loaded 338 Win Mag loads. The recoil pad is quite thick and very soft to make it more forgiving in the Alaskan. I'd suspect the African is more harsh as the pad on that one was thinner and more solid.
The barrel comes up a fair bit on this one, in part I think it is due to the soft pad.

Our first loads with 260 AB's and 300gr Hornady RN's were both around the 1 1/4" mark. Hope to try Gatehouse's recipe and see if that doesn't close them up a tad.

Should be a dandy little rifle.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242742
 
I have purchased a .375 Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan. It is 8lbs 10oz with the scope, sling and swivels and three rounds in the magazine. The heaviest recoiling rifle I have had the most experience shooting is a .30-06. I have fired a .338 Win Mag in a light weight rifle and it was very uncomfortable. I put 40 rounds through my dad's .450 Marlin and it was ok. The .375 recoils heavily in my opinion, but not punishing. You certainly need to hang on to the rifle. My range trips have consisted of 15-18 rounds fired in a session in 3 round groups with time between for cooling and some cleaning. I shoot other calibres in between groups. 6mm, .257 Wby, .30-06, .223 etc... After a session of shooting with the .375 recently added, I certainly know that I have been shooting, shoulder is a bit tender, but not painful. I really love the rifle and the cartridge.
 
There has been plenty of threads on the Mighty 375 Ruger, New King of all the .375's;)

Suffice to say, it's accurate, easy to load for, and doens't recoil any more than it should. I don't find it a chore to shoot one bit.:)
 
Gatehouse said:
There has been plenty of threads on the Mighty 375 Ruger, New King of all the .375's;)

Suffice to say, it's accurate, easy to load for, and doens't recoil any more than it should. I don't find it a chore to shoot one bit.:)
Click to expand...

I understand that you are a big burly mountain man style sasquatch fella. You should be able to shoot one from each shoulder. Us medium sized men, find it a handfull, not insurmountable though, but a handfull for sure. Just kidding, you get used to the recoil, at least I do anyhow.
 
The one I shot was no different for recoil than the H&H I shot after it. Gun configuration and weight plays a role but it is pure physics when figuring out recoil. Accelerating a 300 grain bullet to 2600 fps causes the same recoil no matter whether Ruger or H&H follows the 375.
Most people aren't going to claim they enjoy shooting either much at the range.
 
I enjoy shooting my .375 Ultra (including prone), and I shoot it much more than my mouse guns. I guess Dave and I along with Gate, Noel, MTM, Camp Cook, Mbogo, and a few others who post here are in the minority.

With regards to the difference in recoil between the Ruger and H&H, it's difficult to quantify the difference in felt recoil between different stock designs, but I'll conceed that powder charges are close enough that there is unlikely to be more than 5 ft/lbs of difference between them.
 
Boomer said:
I enjoy shooting my .375 Ultra (including prone), and I shoot it much more than my mouse guns. I guess Dave and I along with Gate, Noel, MTM, Camp Cook, Mbogo, and a few others who post here are in the minority.

With regards to the difference in recoil between the Ruger and H&H, it's difficult to quantify the difference in felt recoil between different stock designs, but I'll conceed that powder charges are close enough that there is unlikely to be more than 5 ft/lbs of difference between them.
Click to expand...

Love to argue dontchya?:) Less than a dozen does not a majority make. But if you read my post real slow you will see where I said "most".:slap:
 
Boomer said:
I enjoy shooting my .375 Ultra (including prone), and I shoot it much more than my mouse guns. I guess Dave and I along with Gate, Noel, MTM, Camp Cook, Mbogo, and a few others who post here are in the minority.

With regards to the difference in recoil between the Ruger and H&H, it's difficult to quantify the difference in felt recoil between different stock designs, but I'll conceed that powder charges are close enough that there is unlikely to be more than 5 ft/lbs of difference between them.
Click to expand...

Count me in with the happy minority. A .375 is a lot fun, easier on the shoulder than most would think and probably the most versatile hunting caliber ever designed. Running up a high round count is rather easy.
 
Omega said:
Love to argue dontchya?:) Less than a dozen does not a majority make. But if you read my post real slow you will see where I said "most".:slap:
Click to expand...

I actually find comments like yours to be an urban myth.

Omega said:
Most people aren't going to claim they enjoy shooting either much at the range.
Click to expand...

Usually once folks quit believing what they read in magazines and actually shoot either 375 they find out that they are not the "Big Bad Monster" they were led to believe.
 
Last edited:
crazy_davey said:
I actually find comments like yours to be an urban myth.



Usually once folks quit believing what they read in magazines and actually shoot either 375 they find out that they are not the "Big Bad Monster" they were lead to believe.
Click to expand...


x2

Most peopel that have shot my 375's have been apprehensive, then they shoot it and realize it doesn't hurt. You won't forget you just shot a rifle, but it doesn't hurt...:)

It's fun to shoot- As fun as any 30-06/300. A 223 is fun in a different way, but shooitng one is not less enjoyable than the other.

I especially liek to take my 375 Ruger when I go to change targets at 100/200/300, and do quick shots at the 340 yard gong from offhand or taking a rest over a target stand. I hold at the top when I am at 100, then gradually hold lower as I get closer.:)
 
Last edited:
Shooting the Marlin 1895GS with hopped up loads is the worst kicking bastard there is, especially off the bags.
Btw, rifle weight and balance have a lot more to do with it then simply the caliber, as I said, the worst thing to shoot is that stupid runty Marlin Guide Gun.

I firmly believe that shooting my .416RM and .458Lott have improved my over-all shooting. You learn from shooting those bigger cartridges, that recoil is over-blown, exaggerated or whatever. Just use correct form and concentrate on your target, and they are great to shoot.
The .458 Lott is really fun to shoot.
I am shooting 500gr Hornady loads that Chrony 2235fps MV, which is a mild load for the Lott; it registers about 63 ft/lbs of recoil (if I remember rightly).

Second Edit: I have to check my load data and run the numbers on the recoil calculator at www.RealGuns.com...

It's why I constantly tell me people to stay away from muzzle brakes. Anyone can learn to shoot the bigger cal's with some time and effort and you realize that all that other stuff is not necessary or helpful. Many people that are recoil shy get that way from pre-conceived notions, without even time on the shoulder.
Everybody would benefit from shooting them in my opinion.

I have had guys that were terrified to shoot my .458 etc, but almost everybody is grinning after and the standard comment is, "Hey, that wasn't so bad!"
 
Last edited:
I am for sure getting more comfy with my .375 the more I shoot it. I was practising from field positions at luch hour today, ie kneeling and sitting. I had no problems hitting the chicken @ 200m and the 12x12 gong @ 300m every shot. Oh, I was using shooting sticks, as I just bought some and man o man, I really like them. Make hitting the turkey @ 385m with .257 Wby Mag a breeze.
The .375Ruger is one kickass cartridge!!!!
Anyone find the Hogue overmoulded stock on their Alaskan to get a little slippery feeling if your palms are damp??? This is my first Hogue rubber stock. I have never had a slippery feeling stock with a walnut stock and have not had the time with the synthetic stock of my .257 Wby to know if it is the same. I have only ever had walnut stocks until recently.
Speaking of Marlins, my dad's .450 recoil seems 'sharper' than the .375, even though recoil tables show the .375 to have about 10% more recoil measured in ft/lbs.
 
Last edited:
Stock design has much to do with percieved recoil, that's why the Marlin feels stronger than the .375. I haven't found the Alaskan to be particularly slippery, but I haven't shot it in the rain either. I think once you get used to it, it does feel a little different, that you'll be happier with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom