Ruger M77 African, Trijicon 3-9 and Hornady Dangerous Game Review
- Thread starter BigUglyMan
- Start date
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I bet when they handed you the NEW KING you were thinking about me.
The first and only time. Actually I thought "Gatehouse would be so proud".
Then I went out and killed a bunch of stuff with it.
I can certainly testify to the merits of a barrel band swivel.
My Ruger African is the older model with the stud in the stock, and I"m really glad that I took the stock off before shooting to have a look.
On my rifle the swivel stud penetrated about 3/8" into the barrel channel leaving a wear mark on the barrel itself.
The stock was actually warped bearing against the barrel on the right side and more than 1/4" away from the barrel on the left side.
Now everything seems ok after trimming and pillar and glass-bedding.
However, at this time I am a bit hesitant to call it King of anything.....time will tell.
I can only hope the QC inspector was doing a better job when my #1 303 was built....
My Ruger African is the older model with the stud in the stock, and I"m really glad that I took the stock off before shooting to have a look.
On my rifle the swivel stud penetrated about 3/8" into the barrel channel leaving a wear mark on the barrel itself.
The stock was actually warped bearing against the barrel on the right side and more than 1/4" away from the barrel on the left side.
Now everything seems ok after trimming and pillar and glass-bedding.
However, at this time I am a bit hesitant to call it King of anything.....time will tell.
I can only hope the QC inspector was doing a better job when my #1 303 was built....
Hahah awww Gatehouse. And here I thought was the proof that would shut you up for a short spell
Incidentally my 375 Taylor feeds wide meplat bullets fine. I think maybe you need to trade up. Your "king" has been usurped.
Mine may feed them fine, just never tried, and don't really see the need, unless perhaps I was going to hunt elephant and needed a solid...But then I would use a bigger gun,anyway. And I don't plan on killing an elephant, anyway.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Not a glowing .375 Ruger review, one of my concerns with the .375 Ruger is it's case geometry. As mentioned by BUM, could be bullet issues, but large meplats haven't presented an issue in either of my .375 H&H's, feed like silk. Long live the real King. And here we go again!
Thanks for the great - and unbiased - report. And congratulations on the successfull hunt.
In my books if it doesn't feed reliably it is not good. The proponents of the Ruger would be singing a different tune if someone had been stomped due to the failure to feed. Or maybe not - there are lots of excuses, right? And it matters not one iota that it was a wide meplat bullet - IT DID NOT FEED!
I never was convinced about Ruger's offering, but now I am: after 98 years the H&H is still the best choice.
In my books if it doesn't feed reliably it is not good. The proponents of the Ruger would be singing a different tune if someone had been stomped due to the failure to feed. Or maybe not - there are lots of excuses, right? And it matters not one iota that it was a wide meplat bullet - IT DID NOT FEED!
I never was convinced about Ruger's offering, but now I am: after 98 years the H&H is still the best choice.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Pretty standard situation for hunting Zimbabwe, and a lot of Africa, gotta use what's available. Sounds like he had a great hunt too regardless, so I say all thumbs up for BUM. Appreciate the frank review of the .375 Ruger. I also shot my PH's Winchester M70 .30-06 with a Trijicon scope (Trijicon reps have been giving them free to a lot of PH's). I missed a ~300 yard shot on an impala while we were culling, shot high, like you BUM. Right over his back due to the illusion of reticle placement being too low. I'm sure if we used them more we'd get used to it, but there's MUCH better glass as you mentioned for the same price.
I've had 375 H&H rifles not feed properly with plain old round nose and spire point bullets.
THEY DID NOT FEED!
There goes your theory down the drain...
I've had 375 H&H rifles not feed properly with plain old round nose and spire point bullets.
THEY DID NOT FEED!
There goes your theory down the drain...
I haven't seen/heard anyone complain about a factory made .375 H&H not feeding. In fact, just about everyone who has ever had one says it feeds great. That was one of its, and the .300 H&H's claim to fame - they feed very well.
Yet you have had .375 H&H rifles not feed properly. Interesting...
BUM went to Africa and was forced to play the hand he was dealt rifle/ammo wise. Obviously, he had a successful hunt and we got the benefit of some pretty good, unbiased reviews.
In a perfect world, I'm sure he would have brought his own rifles and, prior to the trip, he would have tested them until everything was perfect.
I shoot a .375 Ruger out of a Mauser 98. I've fed it a fair number of different types of bullets and so far, feeding has been perfect.
I haven't tried any of the wide meplate bullets. If I ever do and they don't feed, I'll get the rifle worked on until they do.
My philosophy on feeding is spelled out in my signature line.
In a perfect world, I'm sure he would have brought his own rifles and, prior to the trip, he would have tested them until everything was perfect.
I shoot a .375 Ruger out of a Mauser 98. I've fed it a fair number of different types of bullets and so far, feeding has been perfect.
I haven't tried any of the wide meplate bullets. If I ever do and they don't feed, I'll get the rifle worked on until they do.
My philosophy on feeding is spelled out in my signature line.
This thread got me curious, of course, but I had no Hornady Solids to play with....THen I looked at the pic of the DGS
And thought- Hey, I've got some loaded up 300gr Hornady RN, and I've got a file..
So I filed 3 of them down to approximately the same meplat as the DGS bullets, although they admitedly are "rough" since I didn't smooth the burr on the nose off. Surely these won't feed? I loaded up the magazine and tried for function. Amazingly, they fed really well!
Video (crappy video form itelephone but video nonetheless) to follow.
And thought- Hey, I've got some loaded up 300gr Hornady RN, and I've got a file..
So I filed 3 of them down to approximately the same meplat as the DGS bullets, although they admitedly are "rough" since I didn't smooth the burr on the nose off. Surely these won't feed? I loaded up the magazine and tried for function. Amazingly, they fed really well!
Video (crappy video form itelephone but video nonetheless) to follow.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Good show, I have no doubt a good Hawkeye .375 can feed well. Nonetheless, the H&H presents the cartridge at the top of the magazine with a distinct nose up attitude towards the chamber. The taper is for a lot more than just the 'funnel effect'. A hundred years back, H&H knew what they were up to, for real. It's one damn fine Dangerous Game cartridge. A week and a half ago, my PH and friend stopped a full on charge at 12 feet following up a bow wounded buffalo, it was his first 'this might be it' bad charge. He had switched to a .375 H&H after I hunted with him, from .458 Lott / Win Mag, mainly just because he was ready to and prefers the .375 as he culls a lot. Basically, he wanted a well rounded tool, but one still capable of stopping. It had to be dead reliable however. I suspect in the future, he'll guide successful hunters carrying .375 Rugers. But you can bet your ass he'll be standing behind them with a .375 H&H. That sums up my sentiments on it all.
Nice feeding but it only holds 3!
Mine holds 6!
3+1 for the Ruger...But I've never shot an animal with the new King that needed more than one, anyway!
BUM - did you try and get a temporary export permit from Canada for your rifles and were refused? Did you absolutely need to get such a permit or is it simply a good idea?
I still have this issue of whether a permit is absolutely required or just a good idea to leave the country...
I have found that it is more of an issue in entering an African country rather than returning to Canada.
Too bad about the rifle being balky. It would not have made me happy if that happened to me. I myself would rather the outfitter shove a BRNO 602 into my hands than a short mag, but that is not the thrust of my question here.
It is sad that we go through all the exercises of choosing, building, working with and loading for our chosen rifles and then we have to use a loaner. I have been forced to do it several times.
One, its no fun with some rifle with a crappy foggy scope.
Two - it shows you not to rely on your favorite rifle or ammo that may never show up. Three - you better practice with iron sights and bad scopes and all types of rifles and calibers as you never know what you end up with on an important hunt.
Good for you BUM - next time, go to somewhere that still allows your rifles to come in.
I still have this issue of whether a permit is absolutely required or just a good idea to leave the country...
I have found that it is more of an issue in entering an African country rather than returning to Canada.
Too bad about the rifle being balky. It would not have made me happy if that happened to me. I myself would rather the outfitter shove a BRNO 602 into my hands than a short mag, but that is not the thrust of my question here.
It is sad that we go through all the exercises of choosing, building, working with and loading for our chosen rifles and then we have to use a loaner. I have been forced to do it several times.
One, its no fun with some rifle with a crappy foggy scope.
Two - it shows you not to rely on your favorite rifle or ammo that may never show up. Three - you better practice with iron sights and bad scopes and all types of rifles and calibers as you never know what you end up with on an important hunt.
Good for you BUM - next time, go to somewhere that still allows your rifles to come in.
That video is freaky.
