Ruger 1 375 H&H

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Ruger 1 375 H&H

Post by andym79 » 18 Feb 2019, 7:00 pm

Hi guys I recently bough a Ruger 1 in 45-70, it was for a good price. But for a reason, the barrel has been cut as short as legally allowed, the rifle is now a carbine and would be okay for something like a 30-30 but is no fun in a 45-70!

I have had a desire for the grandfather of magnums for a while, and a Ruger 1 would be a fine rifle for it. I am thinking a 22 or 24" barrel, heavy but not real heavy. I figure whilst it is capable on delivering a massive amount of energy, that in theory it should be quite a versatile round.

I assume 1:12 is the go for the twist. I am thinking of using 360 grains cast bullets and trailboss for fun or medium size game hunting and then letting her rip if I want to hunt something bigger!

I figure a near full case of Trailboss would get me 1200-1300 fps and that with all the case the 375 has that can easily hit 2100fps with more coal in the fire or even 2600fps with a 270 grain (jacketed of cause).

Anyway this is all guess work on my part, I guess what I am really asking is does anyone have experience of shooting heavies between 1000-2000 fps in the H&H and how accurate a cartridge is in when doing so at 100-300 yards?

I was considering a 38-55, I have one in a Winnie 94 and like it, but I figure I can load a 375 down but not a 38-55 up! However, before I put dollars in it I want to check if I should be able to get the same cast bullet accuracy from it as the 38-55.

Thanks
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Re: Ruger 1 375 H&H

Post by SCJ429 » 18 Feb 2019, 8:53 pm

I hope someone else chimes in as I have not tried reduced loads in a 375 but I have a Ruger #1 in 45/70 and 450/400 Jeffery. I have only used reduced loads in the Jeffery using lighter 300 grain running out at a little over 1200 fps. Accuracy is hard to chase compared to full power loads. I would say this would be similar to the 375 h&h.

If it were me I would rebarrel in a heavier barrel in 45/70 or 450 Rigby or even consider a 50 cal which would be just as accurate at 1200 fps but has a bigger pill. These calibers also work well with 18 to 20 inch barrels with not a lot of velocity loss

P.S. The 450/400 Jeffery is the grandfather of the new boy 375 H&H.
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Re: Ruger 1 375 H&H

Post by andym79 » 18 Feb 2019, 9:59 pm

Well I learnt something new the Daddy of the 375! but, the H&H is still the grand daddy of belted magnums isn't?

I do see your point about a low speed a 40 or 45 cal makes more sense, but they wouldn't be so good at the fast end with lighter pills.

Gee that thing has the longest neck I have ever seen on a cartridge, would give some great neck tension with a 2" bullet!
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Re: Ruger 1 375 H&H

Post by SCJ429 » 18 Feb 2019, 10:09 pm

I have some Bertram brass for the Jeffery and it is very easy to dent the necks with lube when resizing. Cool looking though.
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Re: Ruger 1 375 H&H

Post by SCJ429 » 18 Feb 2019, 10:13 pm

The belt was just a work around to thicken up an area to prevent head separation. It meant big magnum to people and then used by Roy Weatherby as a marketing tool. The 375 is a very capable case but you are knocking on the door of a big bore so why not move up.
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Re: Ruger 1 375 H&H

Post by duncan61 » 18 Feb 2019, 10:53 pm

The guide on the NT safari I did had made his own chambering by necking up the .375 case to .416 it makes it nearly straight.He was after the FMJ 400gn pill of the .416 with less recoil.I think the rifle was a Ruger safari Bolt action and it held 3 in the mag.One morning after we had shot our trophy buffs I sat on the roof rack with it and we came across an old scrub bull stuck in some mud and this rifle dispatched it easily and the recoil was manageable.I shot 3 out the 416 Rigby on the last day and that chambering belts hard
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Re: Ruger 1 375 H&H

Post by SCJ429 » 19 Feb 2019, 7:09 am

Ruger also have a 375 and 416 Ruger which would make finding a reamer easier. It is a modern high intensity case and while not as fast as a 416 Rigby or Weatherby, it is pretty close. The 416 can sting but not as badly as a 500 A Square or 505 Gibbs. I prefer shooting a 416 Rigby to my 378 Weatherby but that may have something to do with the Mark 5 stock design.
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Re: Ruger 1 375 H&H

Post by marksman » 19 Feb 2019, 7:56 am

the 375 weatherby is worth a look I recon, its a step up from the 375 H&H by a couple of hundred feet per second and you just shoot the 375 H&H ammo in the chamber to make the 375 weatherby cases :thumbsup:
I have heard kudu gunsmith from melbourne has the reamer and have been thinking about it for some time, still thinking but dont use my 375 H&H enough
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