.375 Ruger

[Kylima]

For age and financial reason I have accepted an irresitible offer for my genuine .375 H&H, an actual museumpiece. I bought this rifle almost new in the late '60s
and now having no more African caliber, I have the sudden opportunity to buy a semi custom Ruger .375 H&H chambered with a Schmidt & Bender flightscope.
Rifle looks splendid. What is the general quality of Ruger? An African game rifle can do everything but misfire.
Someone an idea?

 

[Coal Dragger]

If you gave me a Ruger rifle, and an anvil and then asked me to place a bet on which would be more reliable...... I'd probably put my money on the Ruger.

 

[Kylima]

Splendid reply for quality. Question remaining, is it worth the equivalent of US$ 3000,- ?

 

[Craigman]

idk how much that scope is, but the rifle alone....new.... is under $1000....anywhere, even on the high side

 

[CraigC]

Doesnt' look like a thousand dollar rifle to me. Looks like the Ruger "Magnum" model 77, which was over $1600 fifteen years ago. The new ones retail for $2400.

http://www.ruger.com/products/m77MarkIIMagnum/models.html

 

[Coal Dragger]

Kylima,

Probably on the high side for a used rifle and scope. The rifle, when new, is in the $1800 range (realistic price) and the scope is probably in the $1200 range (Schmidt and Bender scopes are not my area of great knowledge). So you could for $3K US, probably buy a new outfit if desired. As for a fair price, well I don't know how hard it is for you to acquire a new Ruger and optics. If you like the rifle and scope, and feel it is a good deal then by all means buy it. If it were me I would offer say, $2500 for the package, given its used state, and see if the seller would accept it.

 

[Craigman]

sorry,

i was going by the title "375 Ruger" didnt read carefully enough. the stock did look kinda different, not like the "african" 375Ruger cal newer rifle.

 

[Kylima]

You guys have good expertise, I have no idea if African caliber - this is the H&H .375 magnum from Ruger with the Circassian Walnut stock.
Normally Ruger chambers in their own.375. However, I am e selfloader and are set up for the .375 H&H, which is an allround easy to acquire cartridge anywhere.
It retails at $ 2400,- as Craig writes. The scope is somewhere $ 1500. But actually I don't need any of this. Open sights are safer in the bush, and no kisses from Mr Weatherby when you have to make a fast pull.
But I know where I stand now, thanks all for your very helpful replies.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Ruger chambers for both their own new .375 Ruger which fits in a standard length action, and in the .375 H&H in their magnum action. For what it is worth the last time I saw a new Ruger Magnum in .375 new was a few months ago and it was priced at just a bit over $1800. Impact guns has them priced there as well (not that they have a stellar reputation).

If I were to pick between the two rounds I would most likely go for the H&H especially since the operating pressure is a little lower, and the case has more taper both of which should make for easier more reliable extraction. Especially in a hot climate like you will find in much of Africa. Plus ammunition is more commonly available, and so are reloading dies and brass.

 

[Welding Rod]

Like all Rugers, the quality is hit and miss. I almost bought a brand new 458 Lott Ruger Magnum about a year ago. However when I tried to run the bolt forward, any downward pressure on the bolt handle would cause the front of the bolt to tilt upward enough that it would run smack in to the the upper reciever and come to a screeching halt... about half way forward. One of the worst possible issues on a DG rifle. Damn shame too as it was on blow out from a big sports store for about $1,300(!) and had a beautiful piece of wood on it.

That said I have a Ruger Magnum in .375 H&H and it has been trouble free. But damn is it heavy, and the factory recoil pad is virtually useless. Beautiful rifle though. Nice trigger and safety movement.

 

[Kylima]

@ Welding Rod
When it's heavy, weight will absorb some of the recoil. Your reply confirms more or less my initial reservation. I will made the gunnery a suitable offer, if they do not accept I will order a custom one. Lothar Walther barrel, Mauser long action and the stock made by a specialist.

 

[Welding Rod]

If you find a nice Ruger, they can really be a great value. The good specimens are some of my favorite guns.

But obvious workmanship problems that should have been discovered at the factory by even a modest QC check seem to be too common. Some times I have to wonder if Ruger even does a final QC check on each gun. I have a really hard time believing they do.

Good thing is that if you can do a hands-on inspection, you should be able to make a pretty accurate assessment if it is a good one or not.

 

[BrocLuno]

Good luck, let us know how it turns out

 

[Kylima]

@ BrocLuno @ Weldin Rod

Thanks. I'll take the Ruger. Good piece of hardware and comes from 1st class gunsmith.
It lacks the velvet touch of the genuine H&H but here values in money are just incomparable. That's why I sold the H&H. If I was 20 years younger, selling the H&H was no option.