.375 Ruger
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.375 Ruger: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle |
| Used For | Big Game Hunting, Dangerous Game |
| Case Design | Rimless, Bottleneck |
| Year Introduced | 2007 |
.375 Ruger: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Excellent stopping power for large and dangerous game
- ✔ Fits in standard-length actions
- ✔ Higher velocity than .375 H&H Magnum
- ✔ Good balance of power and recoil
- ✔ Versatile for various big game hunting scenarios
.375 Ruger: A Powerful Big Game Cartridge
The .375 Ruger is a powerful rifle cartridge designed for big game hunting. Introduced in 2007 through a collaboration between Hornady and Ruger, it was created to match or exceed the performance of the venerable .375 H&H Magnum in a standard-length action. The .375 Ruger offers impressive ballistics, making it suitable for hunting large and dangerous game in Africa, North America, and other parts of the world where powerful, reliable cartridges are essential.
Development and Design
The .375 Ruger was developed to address the limitations of the .375 H&H Magnum, which requires a longer magnum action. By using a beltless case design with a larger diameter, the .375 Ruger achieves similar or superior ballistics to the .375 H&H while fitting in a standard-length action. This design allows for increased powder capacity and higher pressures, resulting in improved velocity and energy.
The cartridge uses a .532-inch case head diameter, which is the same as the .30-06 Springfield family of cartridges. This allows the .375 Ruger to be used in existing actions designed for standard-length cartridges, providing manufacturers and consumers with more flexibility in rifle selection.
Performance and Applications
The .375 Ruger is capable of propelling a 300-grain bullet at velocities exceeding 2,660 fps from a 20-inch barrel, generating over 4,700 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. This performance makes it suitable for hunting all North American big game, including brown bears and moose, as well as African dangerous game such as cape buffalo and elephant.
Due to its high velocity and energy, the .375 Ruger offers a flatter trajectory compared to the .375 H&H Magnum, especially at longer ranges. This improved ballistic performance, combined with its ability to fit in shorter actions, has made the .375 Ruger popular among hunters seeking a versatile and powerful cartridge for large game.
Timeline of .375 Ruger Development and Milestones:
.375 Ruger Performance Characteristics
The .375 Ruger offers impressive ballistic performance, making it suitable for hunting large and dangerous game. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Velocity | 2,660 fps (300-grain bullet)
2,890 fps (270-grain bullet) Measured from a 20-inch barrel |
| Energy | 4,713 ft-lbs (300-grain bullet)
5,015 ft-lbs (270-grain bullet) Muzzle energy |
| Trajectory | 5.7 inches drop at 300 yards (300-grain bullet) When zeroed at 200 yards |
| Recoil | Substantial, but manageable for experienced shooters Varies based on rifle weight and configuration |
| Effective Range | Up to 400 yards for ethical hunting Depends on shooter skill and specific load |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .375 Ruger loads.
.375 Ruger: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .375 Ruger ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Big Game Hunting | 0-400 | Excellent for large game like elk, moose, and bear |
| Dangerous Game | 0-100 | Powerful enough for close-range encounters with dangerous game |
| Long-Range Shooting | 0-600 | Capable of long-range accuracy with proper loads and optics |
| African Plains Game | 0-300 | Versatile for a wide range of African game species |
| Target Shooting | 0-500 | Suitable for long-range target practice and competitions |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .375 Ruger is known for its high velocity and flat trajectory compared to other big-bore cartridges. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .375 Ruger
The .375 Ruger's powerful performance profile makes it suitable for a range of big game hunting applications:
Caliber Comparisons
To understand the .375 Ruger's place in the rifle world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .375 Ruger with other popular big game rifle cartridges. (Based on a 9 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .375 Ruger with other popular big game rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .375 Ruger with other popular big game rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .375 Ruger with other popular big game rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .375 Ruger
The .375 Ruger is a powerful rifle cartridge designed for big game hunting. This table compares the sectional density of various bullet weights for the .375 Ruger.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .375 Ruger | 270 | 0.274 |
| .375 Ruger | 300 | 0.305 |
| .375 Ruger | 250 | 0.254 |
| .375 Ruger | 225 | 0.229 |
| .375 Ruger | 350 | 0.356 |
Note: The .375 Ruger was introduced in 2007 as a joint venture between Hornady and Ruger. It offers ballistic performance similar to the .375 H&H Magnum in a shorter cartridge that fits in standard-length actions. The higher sectional densities of heavier bullets contribute to better penetration, making them suitable for large and dangerous game hunting.