advise on 375 ruger

[beaslayer6]

So someone please school me on the 375 ruger. Is it worth buying over the old stand by 375 h&h. Im planning and kodiak bear hunt next year.

[700xcr]

I have the 375 Ruger Guide Gun with the 20" barrel.  Standard action versa long action. Easy to load for. Short and easy to get around brush. Fast to get on target and recoil is very manageable. Just a push versa sharp recoil with muzzle brake. No muzzle lift. Very accurate. I have two loads that I have worked up.
1. 300gr. Nosler Accubonds traveling 2590fps. averaged with a 1/2" 3-shot group at 100yds.
2. Woodleigh 350gr. PP traveling 2391fps. averaged with just under an 1" 3- shot group at 100yds.
Cases are available in my area. Found RL17 powder works best with Winchester Large Magnum primers works really well and are available in my area too.

[BullMagnet76]

I own a Ruger Guide gun as well.  Very happy with it.  Averages 200 fps faster than an H&H.  I shoot 260 gr Nosler Accubonds with Hybrid 100V powder and Federal Large Rifle Magnum match primers, groups awesome.  Highly Recommend!!!!

[BULLBLASTER]

I don't thin you can go wrong with any of the bigger 375s. Be it hh or ruger or rum or wby. Mostly all 375s are made of lots of awesome!

[beaslayer6]

I have been looking at the guide model. Good to hear it shots good.  Thanks guys

[Bofire]

If I were to buy a 375 it would be an H&H.
Carl

[MountainWalk]

Savage also chambers a rifle in 375 ruger.  The 375 ruger has really come into wide acceptance up in AK. For good reason. You'll dig it.

[beaslayer6]

that was my next ? how hard is the ammo to get for it?

[700xcr]

Yes, Savage, Howa  and Mossberg along with Ruger chambers the 375 Ruger. I went with the Ruger because the 1 and 12  twist to stabilize heavier weight bullets. For the big stuff I load a 350gr. Bullet makes the KO factor better and puts the 375 caliber to the next level. Like a 416 caliber. If I wanted to shoot a lighter bullet I would of went to a 338 or 35 caliber.

[700xcr]

Sportsman's Warehouse in area has 15 boxes of ammo on the self. Griggs Department Store has at least 5 boxes and noticed Ranch and Home have several boxes of factory ammo.

[beaslayer6]

I have two 338s rums. I'm just not sold on them for giant bears. A 375 bullet is way heavier and packs one hell of a punch.

[Cougartail]

The caliber is less important than being able to shoot it accurately. Well known guide Phil Shoemaker takes guys out with 270s on up. He recommends a 30-06 with premium bullets or better only if your marksmanship doesn't suffer.

That being said I like the shorter rifles like the "guide gun" when going through the alders. A 338 is more than enough.

[BULLBLASTER]

I have two 338s rums. I'm just not sold on them for giant bears. A 375 bullet is way heavier and packs one hell of a punch.

A 375 ruger and a 338 rum are within 50-75 fps for a 300 grain bullet. You get more frontal area is greater on the 375 tho. I'd imagine with good sturdy bullet they would perform similar.
Not at all trying to talk you out of a 375 but it really isn't all that different than your 338 rum 

I shoot 260 partitions out of my H&H at 2700 fps.

[yorketransport]

Unless you're specifically looking for a classic caliber, get the 375 Ruger. It gives all the performance of the H&H in a less expensive and more compact gun. Price brass and ammo for the H&H compared to the Ruger. Then take a look at the price of the guns. For a working gun, I think the Ruger is pretty hard to beat.

I've had a Ruger Alaskan for just about 9 years now and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I only had my 375 H&H for about 2 years before I traded it off. With a 2.5-8x VX 3 mounted on the Ruger, it's my absolute favorite all round hunting rifle. It has a trajectory very similar to a standard 180gr bullet load out of a 30-06, so it's an easy 300 yard rifle without having to dial or hold over the body of an elk. And it gets the performance of the H&H from a 20" barrel. It's hard not to love!

Having said all of that, if you're willing to spend the money on a classic "safari" rifle, then the H&H is the only real option.

[700xcr]

Unless you're specifically looking for a classic caliber, get the 375 Ruger. It gives all the performance of the H&H in a less expensive and more compact gun. Price brass and ammo for the H&H compared to the Ruger. Then take a look at the price of the guns. For a working gun, I think the Ruger is pretty hard to beat.

I've had a Ruger Alaskan for just about 9 years now and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I only had my 375 H&H for about 2 years before I traded it off. With a 2.5-8x VX 3 mounted on the Ruger, it's my absolute favorite all round hunting rifle. It has a trajectory very similar to a standard 180gr bullet load out of a 30-06, so it's an easy 300 yard rifle without having to dial or hold over the body of an elk. And it gets the performance of the H&H from a 20" barrel. It's hard not to love!

Having said all of that, if you're willing to spend the money on a classic "safari" rifle, then the H&H is the only real option.

I have a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36mm with low Alaskan Arms quick detach rings on my 375 Ruger Guide Gun and love it. Like you said it is capable of hitting game out to 300yds or so. I call it my over grown 30-06 on steroids. 300gr. Nosler Accubonds for any North American game. Woodleigh 350gr. PP even steps it into another class.