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.375 Ruger: Modern Day Heavyweight
Enough cartridge for use on nearly any game, anywhere, the .375 Ruger is a modern heavyweight.
How the .375 Ruger is capable of taking the largest game:
- Slightly greater capacity than the .375 H&H Magnum.
- Capable of pushing a 300-grain bullet 2,600 fps.
- Hornady and Ruger partnered to create the cartridge.
- Made to work in Ruger actions, which couldn't fit full-length magnum cartridges.
The actions of popular rifles, such as the Remington Model 700, Weatherby Mark V and Winchester Model 70, are long enough to handle full-length belted magnums such as the .300 Wthby. Magnum and .375 H&H Magnum — but, with the exception of the expensive “Magnum” variation of the Ruger Model 77, the actions of Ruger bolt rifles are too short to handle them. So, rather than creating a more affordable version of the Magnum action, Ruger officials made the decision to team up with Hornady and introduce a magnum-performance chambering short enough for the company’s standard action. Maximum overall length of the .375 Ruger is 3.340 inches, which is the same as for medium-length belted cartridges, such as the 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag. Rim diameter of the case is also the same as for those cartridges, but its powder capacity is greater, due to a body diameter close to that of the .375 Rem. Ultra Mag.
More Ammunition Information:
- The Blistering Hot 30 Nosler
- The .280 Ackley Improved
- If You Had To Pick Just One Cartridge, What Would It Be?
- Loading the .308 Winchester
With a case capacity slightly greater than that of the .375 H&H Magnum, the .375 Ruger is about 100 fps faster than that cartridge, pretty much duplicating the performance of the .375 Dakota and treading closely on the heels of the .375 Wthby. Magnum. As readily available factory cartridges of the same caliber go, only the .378 Weatherby Magnum and the .375 Remington Ultra Mag. are faster. Capable of pushing a 300-grain bullet along at 2,600 fps, the .375 Ruger is plenty of cartridge for use on any game animal anywhere in the world, with the possible exception of the really big stuff, such as African elephant. Also in its favor is the fact that many excellent bullets of .375 caliber in both solid and expanding styles are available.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the December 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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