The .375 Ruger is perhaps one of the most versatile cartridges to reload for hunting game from wild boar, deer, elk, moose, buffalo, and most African game including Elephant with a single rifle and with a myriad of bullets and weights from 200 grains to 300 grains. And can reach out as far or close as you like as well!
My experience with a reduced load I first developed was with Hornady’s 220 grain flat nose, originally designed for the .375 Winchester reintroduced in 1978. That flat nose bullet is no longer in production. I shot it in my Ruger African M77. Muzzle velocity was perhaps 1600 fps. and the recoil was much less than my 50 cal muzzleloader. I harvested a big plump red doe below with it at 50 yards and got full penetration. One shot through the heart and she dropped in less than 20 yards with little meat damage. The bullet was not recovered but based on the speed and energy, the bullet likely stayed 100% intact.
Today I load Speer’s 235 grain Hot Core for deer with 38 grains of SR 4759 powder that I worked up based on the 375 H&H cartridge load data. Deer and Black Bear beware… and low recoil with this slower moving bulldozer!
Muzzle velocity was measured at around 2135 fps and around an inch at 100 yards, energy at the muzzle is near to 2400 ft-lbs (100 yd energy 1850 ft-lbs) . Expect minimal radial blood shot meat damage with this slow heavy bullet. Because the shape of this bullet is similar to a round nose it is capable of expanding on deer size game at slower velocities. Reloading this powder does not require the use of any fillers to hold the powder to the primer. Ignition appears consistent no matter the angle. The reloader should work up a load starting low and working up to observe that there are no over-pressure signs. Every rifle is different. The point to drive home here is that bullets in reduced loads need to mushroom or be in a quasi-mushroom shape already at speeds less than say 1800 fps on impact or exceed 2000 fps on impact with a pointed bullet such as a spitzer.
In some recent research I have found two websites that have information that is useful to .375 Ruger owners. First is a Chuck Hawks article.
https://www.chuckhawks.com/reduced_big_bore_loads.htm
The second is Hawk, Inc. a maker of custom bullets that include flat and round nose bullets for the .375. A great find in my book for versatility.
All that said, there are bullets from many manufacturers from 250 grain to 300 grain in spitzer or round nose to use as full power loads on game larger than deer. I recently shot a 850 pound moose with Nosler’s 300 grain AccuBond™ because its sectional density was one of the best for penetration on tough animals. On the right is the 300 grain AB below.
It was a one shot kill at 100 yards using RL 15 powder and a MV of 2500 fps. The moose fell within 20 yards of the shot. The bullet was recovered under the skin on the far side and maintained 80% of its original weight.
Below is a 750 pound Bison that I took several years back with Noslers 260 grain AccuBond. One shot kill. Later a nice NH moose.
I met a Texan reading some of my early writings that wanted to hunt really big hogs. He hunts with a Ruger Rifle in .375 Ruger Cartridge.
Barnes still makes a 255 grain copper jacket lead flat point that you can experiment with for reduced loads as well. I found it at MidwayUSA, 50 for $48. On the expensive side! https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101041204
Good Hunting!
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