375 Ruger ballistics...

[AJMD429]

I was musing about 308 Winchester's "long range" abilities, and noted the Hornady 165 grain GMX at 2,720 fps zeroed at 200 yards is down 48.1" at 500 yards and going 1,999 feet per second for 1,231 ft-lbs of energy. (they also list a 2,610 fps load that is going 1,723 fps at 500 yards and drops 54.1 inches, delivering 1,088 ft-lbs).

Pretty impressive, but the 375 Ruger shoots a 250 grain GMX at 2,890 feet per second, and only drops 43.6 inches at 500 yards, is still going 1,911 feet per second, and delivers 2,027 ft-lbs of energy. That's a lot more thump (TKO at 500 yards 25 versus 14), with a slightly flatter trajectory.

.....plus, it makes just a mite bigger hole, and that's always a good thing...

With the Hogue stock on my Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan, I can't tell all that much difference versus my 308 Savage 'Hog Rifle'.

Amazing the 375 Ruger really just gets labeled an Ackleyized 375 H&H (which is true), but then is treated like all it is good for is up-close dangerous game...

True, at close range there is no contest; 2,771 ft-lbs (momentum 64, TKO 19) for the 308 at the muzzle versus 4,636 ft-lbs (momentum 103, TKO 38) for the 375 Ruger, but it really is way more than a short-range powerhouse.

[ollogger]

For years I had a 375 H&H & shot a lot of game with it & also shot a lot of steel out to 500 yd
If I ever had to pick just one gun I would take a long look at the Ruger 375, it would be 38-55
with cast loads or a real thumper for large game & yes it can reach way out if need be with
power to spare!



Brad

[Blaine]

For years I had a 375 H&H & shot a lot of game with it & also shot a lot of steel out to 500 yd
If I ever had to pick just one gun I would take a long look at the Ruger 375, it would be 38-55
with cast loads or a real thumper for large game & yes it can reach way out if need be with
power to spare!



Brad

I'm NOT disagreeing with you...but, it would be a heavy EssoBee to carry around.
(Having said that, I still want to take my 12# sharps hunting someday )

[AJMD429]

True, at 8 pounds, the Alaskan ain't no lightweight 'mountain gun', but it's sure fun to shoot....! There are models weighing less (the 'African' is half a pound less, and CZ or somebody made an even lighter one, but I don't know if the recoil penalty is great or not).

[ollogger]

Seems the ones I had weighed about 10 lbs. or more but they seemed light compared to
a 20 - 25 lb. chainsaw, nowadays a 94 is about right






Brad

[piller]

Funny how some cartridges get labelled as short range when they are truly capable of good performance out to ranges that most people cannot make accurate shots under field conditions. I haven't been around many people who can humanely take game at 500 yards. Not saying that it is impossible, just that it is probably less than half of the average hunters who could do it. The .375 calibers all have a good reputation as far as I have heard.

[AJMD429]

The .375 calibers all have a good reputation as far as I have heard.

From what I've heard cast boolits are super-accurate thumpers at more realistic hunting ranges and moderate velocities, whether from 375 Ruger, or 375 Holland & Holland...