The .375 Ruger has been around for years and like many of today’s modern cartridges was born out of an interest to exceed the ballistics of another long-standing cartridge. In this case, the .375 H&H Magnum. In 2007 Ruger and Hornady partnered to develop just such a unique cartridge and gave birth to the .375 Ruger.
Let me be the first to say, I am in no way knocking the .375 H&H Magnum. Afterall the cartridge has been around for over 100 years. Designed in 1912, the .375 H&H Mag has stood the test of time and is often touted as the most ideal all-around African hunting cartridge ever conceived.
Essentially, engineers designed the .375 Ruger to compete with the 375 H&H Magnum, yet have the advantage of having a beltless, rimless case that can function through a standard-length bolt-action rifle due to a shorter overall length.
The .375 Ruger case is rimless with a base and rim diameter of .532 inches. That’s the same diameter as the belt on belted magnum cases based on the 300 H&H Magnum and .375 H&H Magnum. This allows the cartridge to have a greater case capacity than a belted magnum case given cases of equal length.
Case capacity is 4 percent greater than the .375 H&H Magnum. Ruger intended the cartridge to be chambered in standard-length bolt-action rifles, therefore the case length was kept to 2.580 inches. Because of the burning efficiency of the shorter, fatter case with little body taper, a 60-degree shoulder, and slightly greater capacity, the .375 Ruger provides an advantage. As a factory load, it runs on average somewhere from 50 to 100 fps faster than the .375 H&H Mag with equal barrel length. It is definitely more efficient in a shorter barrel too.
375 Ruger Ballistics
Velocity
Basic velocity comparisons I have studied from tests out of a 22-inch barrel rifle:
- .375 H&H Magnum, Hornady 250 gr CX Outfitter, 2798 feet per second (Rifle, LAW M704)
- .375 H&H Magnum, Hornady 300 gr DGX, 2590 feet per second (Rifle, LAW M704)
- .375 Ruger, Hornady 250 gr CX Outfitter, 2905 feet per second (Rifle, Mossberg Patriot)
- .375 Ruger, Hornady 300 gr DGX, 2692 feet per second (Rifle, Mossberg Patriot)
As you can see in this example, the .375 Ruger velocities have surpassed those of the .375 H&H Magnum by just over 100 feet per second out of a rifle of equal barrel length and same ammunition types in every comparison.
Interestingly the .375 Ruger case is designated as “unique” with no stated parent case. However, the case has gone on to become the parent case for the .300 RCM, .338 RCM, .416 Ruger, 300 PRC, 7MM PRC, and the 6.5 PRC.
Hunting with .375 Ruger
Living in southern New Mexico I have hunted Gemsbok (Oryx) on a number of occasions. Seeing firsthand the tenacity of Oryx as a State Game Warden on the many hunts I patrolled on White Sands Missile Range I have nothing but respect for the animal. I wanted to give the .375 Ruger a sure enough field test on a tough critter despite having taken these striking African antelope with .308, 30-06, and .338-Win Mag over the years. To be clear, I have no hunting experience with the .375 H&H Magnum.
Hunters know the Oryx, as most African species, for their bullet resilience if the shot is not placed accurately. I have seen them travel for miles with a hit that would bring down most North American big game. Often, hunters never recover the game.
In the last six years I have been fortunate to take two Oryx in New Mexico via the .375 Ruger. In both cases I utilized Hornady’s 250 Gr CX Outfitter ammunition. The bullet and the cartridge performed wonderfully anchoring the Oryx on the spot.
375 Ruger for Cape Buffalo
While the .375 Ruger might not jump to mind as the first choice for a Cape Buffalo, I was determined to again put the cartridge to the test in August of 2024 while hunting the South African veldt. Pursuing the Cape Buffalo in the thorn bush tends to be a bit nerve racking. You have the very real possibility of coming within mere yards of an animal that will absolutely kill you.
Details of the Hunt
Hunting out of the Northern Cape near Kimberley, South Africa myself, two trackers, and a professional hunter had been after a herd of Buffalo all day that held a particular bull that I wanted. To make a long story short, just when we were about to call it quits for the day, we found ourselves within throwing distance of the herd.
My bull crossed through a slight opening at 30 yards and I placed a shot directly through his left shoulder and then quickly followed up with a second shot. These two shots were about four to five inches apart on the bull. One of the two shots we learned later had penetrated the heart and lodged in the off-side shoulder. The Hornady Outfitter, 250gr CX bullet had performed wonderfully with perfect penetration and mushroom. Both trackers commented they did not believe my ammo would perform so well and that they had never seen a buffalo bull go down so hard.
Of course, there are dozens of calibers that would have performed just as well. A bit of luck perhaps? Maybe, but there is little doubt that the .375 Ruger cartridge is a real contender for heavy game. Even the Hornady 250 gr CX Outfitter ammo with its copper alloy bullet and controlled expansion design, that many would consider light for Cape Buffalo did its job wonderfully.
Rifle used on the Oryx and the Cape Buffalo? As basic as you can get, Mossberg’s Patriot, 22-inch barrel, chambered in .375 Ruger.
Factory ammo offerings available in .375 Ruger
There are of course additional factory offerings in .375 Ruger aside from the 250 gr CX Outfitter to include:
- Hornady 270 Gr InterLock SP-RP (Spire Point-Recoil Proof)
- Hornady 300 gr DGS (Dangerous Game Series)
- Hornady 300 gr DGX Bonded
My understanding is that Swift, Double Tap, Buffalo Bore, and perhaps others also produce limited runs of .375 Ruger ammo. Although, at the time of writing, I can’t find availability in these brands anywhere.
Another sidenote worth mentioning I found while testing .375 Ruger ammo — the Hornady 250 gr CX Outfitter had notably less felt recoil than the heavier bullets and provided better overall accuracy out of the Mossberg Patriot.
Final Thoughts
The .375 Ruger may first appear to be somewhat redundant. But as with many newer cartridges of today should be considered as a positive upgrade of .375 magnum cartridge family. The .375 Ruger certainly provides a beltless, rimless case that can function through a standard-length bolt-action rifle and all while providing higher muzzle velocities.
However, if you want a more versatile, proven .375 Magnum for big game, the tried and true .375 H&H Magnum with its decades of worldwide success and extensive options for ammo selection and availability is hard to beat.
In the end perhaps it is as simple as old versus new. For the old school Africa hunters, the .375 H&H Mag will never be discounted. For the hunter leaning towards the newer side of the fence, the .375 Ruger may just fit the bill perfectly.
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