A search on the web by a hunter asks;
Is the .375 Ruger a good brown bear gun?
The .375 Ruger is used world wide to take many dangerous and non-dangerous game species. Here in North America, I believe it excels at taking giant Kodiak brown bear.
It has 6% more powder case capacity than the mighty .375 Holland and Holland Magnum, made famous in Africa. The .375 Ruger is not a belted cartridge and easily feeds in a standard length bolt action. Racking a second round is faster perhaps than the Holland round. And you just may need it.
I have owned and hunted with this rifle caliber in the Ruger M77 African for several years. I love it!
Below I was in training for my Newfoundland Moose Hunt with it in my Bog Death Grip. I was shooting 300 grain Nosler AccuBonds at 150 yards.
It did the trick with one shot on this smaller antlered adult bull moose at 100 yards in a 20 -30 mph snow squall. He stood bewildered for a moment and fell dead right there (DRT as they say). With a Pachmayr Decelerator Recoil Pad, its like shooting a 30-06. Free standing the recoil is more of a hard push. Accuracy? It shoots sub-MOA, less than an inch at 100 yards.
Shot placement, is key.
On brown bear I would opt for a Hornady DGX (Dangerous Game Expanding Load). It costs about $70 dollars for a box of 20 rounds. I shot some DGX while testing the Ruger African at 50 yards on a bench rest. All three rounds in the same hole. That put a smile on my face!
https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/375-cal-.375-300-gr-dgx-bonded#!/
Remember, A bullet in the foot of a brown bear will just enrage him. You have to place that bullet in the heart/lung area. Head brain shots are not recommended. Besides, you can’t enter a blown apart skull in Boone and Crocket record book. Practice with at least 3 shot fast groups to learn to work the bolt. If the bear is closer than 50 yards, you may likely need that skill.
Below are some questions the experts in Alaska answer.
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=kodiakbear.ko+
Hope that helps!
Good Hunting!
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