Out with the old in with the new .375 Ruger

[taylorce1]

I've got this old M70 XTR rifle in 7mm Rem Mag that I've never warmed up to. It shoots good enough what little I've shot it, but I just never took it out of the safe. So I got an itch for a new rifle and I've been wanting an .375 H&H for a while now I decided to get as close as I can to owning one with what I've got.

I thought about a .376 Steyr but due to the rim diameter being smaller, I decided on the .375 Ruger. Every smith I've talked to said I shouldn't have too much problems converting my rifle over to the Ruger. It was recommended several times just to sell my rifle and use the money to buy a Ruger Hawkeye, but I just can't bring myself to part with this rifle.

When it is finished I'll have a .375 Ruger with a 24" #4 contour barrel, factory take off front and rear sights, two cross bolts, 2nd recoil lug, matte blued finish, and a full length glass bedding. The whole job is going to run about $530 total for the work as I already have the barrel blank. Thought you guys might like some before pictures of my rifle before it gets sent off next week to the smith for the re-barrel job.

I'll post pics of the finished product and some range reports in 5-6 months hopefully.

 

[Scorch]

Glad you finally settled on which action to use. As a long-time fan of the 375 H&H, I'm curious about the 375 Ruger and interested in seeing a range report when it's done. BTW, that stock is beautiful.

 

[taylorce1]

Glad you finally settled on which action to use. As a long-time fan of the 375 H&H, I'm curious about the 375 Ruger and interested in seeing a range report when it's done. BTW, that stock is beautiful.

The stock is the whole reason I bought this rifle in the first place, as I've never been interested in this caliber. $250 price tag didn't hurt either. I always had it in the back of my mind to do something with this rifle, I just didn't know what I wanted.

Before anyone says something my Gunsmith and I think the stock already has crossbolts, but the grain on the plugs doesn't line up with the stock. I guess the last guy didn't pay attention to the details when he installed them, they will be replaced with ebony plugs and if they are just dowels the cross bolts will be added.

I plan to refinish the stock next winter as a project as it does have some slight dings in it from honest use, but nothing that can't be fixed. I'd like to have some one do a nice 4 panel 22-24 LPI checkering job on it. I'm going to attempt covering the recoil pad with leather as well.

 

[dangerclose]

This might be the ticket for me as well. I have a remington 700 BDL 7mm mag sitting around that I would like to change to something like this. Hmm..

 

[taylorce1]

Just a little update! My smith is going to be shipping my new .375 Ruger back to me this week. 11 Jan from when I first posted on this build and I hadn't even shipped the rifle off for the barrel job. 5 Feb and my smith contacted me said he was done test firing the rifle and would clean it up and ship back to me this week. I hope to have some Pics posted by next week of the .375 and a range report shortly after that.

He was so quick I haven't even picked up a scope, rings or bases yet. Componets for loading this cartridge has been even harder to find. No problems with bullets, dies, or primers, but trying to find new or once fired brass has been a pain it is usually out of stock. I'll probably break down and buy some factory loads to start building my brass stores. It will be the most expensive factory ammuniton I've ever purchased.

 

[rr2241tx]

Beautiful furniture! Amazing turnaround by the GS as well. You might as well get used to the price of .375 Ruger factory ammo. It is loaded with a new, proprietary, single application powder and you won't be able to duplicate the ballistics with handloads for the foreseeable future. Not that that will be a terrible problem, 4,000+ foot-pounds should be sufficient for anything it would be legal to shoot a .375 at in the first place.

rr2241tx

 

[taylorce1]

You might as well get used to the price of .375 Ruger factory ammo. It is loaded with a new, proprietary, single application powder and you won't be able to duplicate the ballistics with handloads for the foreseeable future. Not that that will be a terrible problem, 4,000+ foot-pounds should be sufficient for anything it would be legal to shoot a .375 at in the first place.

You know you are not the first person to state this to me. I've got some data that shows I can duplicate factory loads. Factory Hornaday ammuntion produces better than 2800 fps with a 270 grain bullet and 2600 fps with the 300. I don't know what length of barrel Hornady used for their testing. My data that I've got was with a 23" barrel Ruger and they had loads in the 2800 and 2600 fps range with the same bullets. My barrel is 24" so I may even get a little faster, not much though, and only if the accuracy is there.

I went with this cartridge because I wanted an H&H but didn't have the action for it, sure I could have bought a new rifle but where is the fun in that. I'm sure I can wring H&H performance out of this cartridge even if I don't reach Ruger velocities. I think your right, it will definatly kill anything I want to hunt with it as long as I put the bullet where it belongs.

Warning! Notes: A Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye African rifle with a 23-inch barrel was used to test the handloads. Hornady cases and Federal 215 Large Rifle Magnum primers were used throughout. Case length was 2.580 inches, and overall cartridge length was 3.340 inches. Maximum SAAMI pressure is 62,000 psi. Temperature during testing was 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.

270 Barnes Triple-Shock Hodgdon H-414 81.0 2,795

270 Barnes Triple-Shock Hodgdon H-414 83.0 2,851

270 Barnes Triple-Shock Hodgdon H-414 85.0 2,912
Remarks: maximum, approach with caution

285 Speer Grand Slam Hodgdon H-414 80.0 2,772

285 Speer Grand Slam Hodgdon H-414 82.0 2,820

285 Speer Grand Slam Hodgdon H-414 84.0 2,880
Remarks: maximum, approach with caution

300 Swift A-Frame Hodgdon H-4350 77.0 2,511

300 Swift A-Frame Hodgdon H-4350 79.0 2,577

300 Swift A-Frame Hodgdon H-4350 81.0 2,620

300 Swift A-Frame Hodgdon H-414 78.0 2,701

 

[srtrax]

Taylorce1: Thats going to make a fine rifle. I was going to say something about the recoil pad but your on the right track with a leather covered one and the ebony covers for the cross bolts will add a lot of class to that rifle. Neat project, and itll get pulled out of the safe now! Will watch this post for what you think of the Ruger 375...

 

[taylorce1]

Srtrax: How are those bullets working out? Haven't loaded yours yet. Thanks for the compliments I can't wait to finish this project. Found out I'll have to do a little metal work myself on the bottom metal as the trigger guard and floor plate couldn't be matte blued. Guess I'll have to try some GunKote or somthing to go along with the stock work.

 

[srtrax]

As far as the bullets go, probably about a few weeks before deer season, no need to get in a hurry! Thank You for the trade, i think they'll do fine in the338/06. Do you have a link on how to do the recoil pad, i know there is one on another forum but have not been able to find it so as to bookmark it.

 

[pinotguy]

Let us know how that leather covered recoil pad goes. I'd almost like to see that discussed in a seperate thread. I've always loved this feature but the few places that offer it charge an arm and a leg. Do you have any experience with similar projects? How do you plan on approaching this?

Everything else looks and sounds good.

 

[bigbird34]

All I can say ...

:d:d:dsweet:d:d:d Bb34

 

[taylorce1]

Do you have any experience with similar projects? How do you plan on approaching this?

Don't have any experience at all. Read a few post on other forums on how to do this, but I'm still pretty much out in the dark. My mother did teach leather craft to 4H kids when I was growing up so I'll beg her for help if I get in a bind. I have a friend who does a pretty good job building saddles as well I'll bet between the three of us we can figure it out. Still I expect to ruin a bunch of leather until I get it right.

srtrax, I found that link you were talking about, at least I think I did. The only problem was it doesn't work anymore.

 

[srtrax]

Sorry to be so slow to respond, out of town for a few days. Thats the same one i found and couldnt get it to work. After a nights rest i'll look again and if i find it -i'll post! nite-nite!!!

 

[taylorce1]

Well I got the card in the mail today telling me I need to go to the post office and pick up my new rifle!

 

[srtrax]

Pictures please...

 

[taylorce1]

Ok here is some fresh gun porn for everyone. I'll try and take some better pictures later when I'm able to get outside in some better light.

 

[srtrax]

TMT did a nice job on that barrel, the contour is fitting to the rest of the rifle. Did the ebony crossbolt plugs get put in also, they look darker then the before pictures...ENJOY!

 

[Scorch]

taylorce1-
I can't see those pics very well. Can you just send me the rifle so I can "get a good look at it"?

Very nice, very nice!

 

[taylorce1]

TMT did a nice job on that barrel, the contour is fitting to the rest of the rifle. Did the ebony crossbolt plugs get put in also, they look darker then the before pictures...ENJOY!
Yesterday 05:53 PM

Yep, I went ahead and had the ebony plugs put in, they don't shine very well in the picture because there is no finish in those spots. Have to shoot it first but I promise I'll refinish the stock as soon as I figure out how to cover the recoil pad.

I can't see those pics very well. Can you just send me the rifle so I can "get a good look at it"?

Scorch, I'll send it to you as soon as you agree to pay my S&H fees!