Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Your Pick .375 Ruger, .375 H&H, .338 Win Mag, .416 Ruger For A Big Game Rifle?

Thanks, the 286 is another option. Have banged steel regularly to 600 with my 9.3 and 250 Accubonds so very comfortable with that combo.leupold CDS drives my friends crazy with that combo. They tell me the 9.3 is a 100 yard setup. 250 accubond at 2650 and a elevation turret prove otherwise.

sidepass,

Fwiw, Otto Bock said that he designed the 9.3x62mm chambering for farmers & ranchers to use for any dangerous game in the German colonies in Africa, that was suitable to be used in a cheap, bolt-action rifle (rather than a heavy/expensive double-rifle) AND that was suitable to routinely carry upon horseback rounds of one's farm/ranch. - In point of fact, the 9.3x62 can be fired FROM the saddle, if the stockman has a well-trained mount.
(After Mauser BA appeared in the German colonies, the same round became popular in Europe for moose, reindeer, red deer & wild boar.)

Fwiw, I bought my first rifle in 9.3x62 in BRD, when I was looking for a 9.3x57mm rifle for red deer & wild boar.
(After WWII, many a Kar 98 with a rusted/pitted bore was "freshed out to 9.3" & were often CHEAP to buy & quite suitable for any European game. =====> A gunsmith in K-town said that he didn't have a rifle in that caliber but suggested that, "- - - - it's big brother might be what you are seeking.").

Imvho, the 9.3x62mm is all the rifle that I need for anything that I'll ever hunt in this life.
(I'm planning a short trip to Africa this Fall for plains game & a Cape Buffalo I won't feel "under-gunned" with my rebored Model 760..)

yours, satx

I got the one that I could find in a reliable, economical, moderate weight, handy length, stainless, and left-handed rifle. That happened to be the 375 Ruger but I could be happy with any of the other chamberings in the same rifle.

I like the 375HH, that’s what I have but a ruger guide gun in 375 ruger would be a great gun as well. I got my 375 when I moved up to AK but only hunted with it once, I just use my 30-06 on moose and a 308 for black tails, Dalls and caribou.

Little bit off topic. But, This is why I went with 9.3 over 338-06 or 35 whelen.
Also, why is the 9.3 no on the list?

Of the three and your intended use, I say get the .338 Win. Mag. Load it full throttle with some 225 grain Barnes TTSX bullets and kill every thing in Alaska all season and every season. Do what I did long ago, find a used Mod. 70 "Stainless Clasic" and customize it. My 5 shot 8 lb. Mag na Ported beauty is the perfect Alaskan rifle.

The trouble with stores in Alaska's hinterlands as a barometer of availability of things is that you might also see stuff like 303 Savage, 225 Winchester, 30 Remington, or 8mm Rem Mag in one place or another, but that doesn't mean, quite obviously, that they are widely used and available in remote parts. It doesn't help that one or several of these offerings is stacked right next to the only load for the 270 Win.... with a 110 SP bullet. But if the remote village has a 'chain store' like one supplied by ANICA, or Alaska Commercial (especially), then you're more likely to see more standardized ammo offerings... generally in green and yellow boxes.

What does store availability matter in 2018? Can't you just do a one time, online order and be done?

Not to Alaska. It’s not that easy to get ammo, powder or primers shipped up here. It’s treated as hazmat and most won’t ship here like in the lower 48.

Hazmat applies to ammo? Who won't ship to AK?

Not to de-rail this thread, but Midway, Mid-south, Palmetto, ect won't ship ammo, primers, or powder here. There are limits as to an amount that can be placed on a barge out of Seattle and most carriers use USPS once items get to Anchorage for final delivery. Also, I have had orders changed to drop cleaning supplies. We are treated like a foreign country by alot of places since we are not part of the contiguous United States. Free shipping here usually comes with a surcharge, but thanks Whittakers, you don't.

I'm not aware of anyone that will ship powder/primers/ammo to me that is not located within the state of AK. Those within the state that will ship these items do so at a substantial markup above the already increased AK price. I don't make a living on shipping ammo/powder/primers to bush AK so someone else may need to correct me, but I'm confident I paid Hazmat on the last rimfire ammo I shipped via air freight. In addition to Hazmat charges, there are overall weight limits for air carriers for powder/primers per Hazmat shipment, something like 16 pounds total weight. It must be specifically packed and boxed in an approved box. Of course there are companies that will do this for you, but it adds to the cost quickly. Typically I package the powder/primers myself and then take them to air freight each time I visit Anchorage so as to limit the cost to the freight charge and Hazmat fee. Ammo I normally pack in my luggage, but weight limits sometimes adjust how I can best do that. There's nowhere I'd rather live, but bush AK requires additional consideration of the logistics involved in the shooting sports.

I shipped a case of ammo to Fairbanks 10+ years ago.
Went to the UPS hub.
Marked 5 sides of the box, "ORM-D"
paid for ground.
Listed contents as Rifle Ammunition LOADED
Tracked it to AK and trail stopped.
Went to USP and they said since it was Ammunition it was held in Alaska and put back on a plane and sent back to me.
When I asked why they said because loaded ammo couldn't be shipped via AIR.
To which I said, how's it comming back....
Uh, air.
So why not just leave it in Alaska?
So, they shipped it back to the hub and when I picked It up they told me I could have it repackaged by a HAZMAT tech with UPS and resend it...

I’ve never hunted Alaska or been to Africa, but in my mind the 375s make the most sense for an all round rifle. Legal for dangerous game in Africa and plenty for a big bear but without the recoil of some bigger rounds- not that it’s a lightweight in any way but it’s no 458 Lott behind the buttstock. If I was sticking to Alaska then I’d probably go with the 338, the 375 IMO isn’t needed unless you plan to one day take that rifle across the ocean.

Very well stated. I have “zero” intention of getting rid of my .375 AI, but likely would go .338 WM if hunting Africa were off of the agenda! memtb

375 for almost everything. I have a Ruger because it's cheaper than most H&Hs but consider them equal. I traded my old one in for a new one with a brake - what a difference - no wonder brakes are becoming so common.
Someday I will go to Africa and try my nerve on dangerous game, and I'll bring or rent a 458 Winchester African. People can make fun of me all they want.

I'd find a used Ruger stainless 375Ruger with 20" bbl and the model with the bbl band swivel thingy and put it into a McMillan.

My next rifle is going to be a Ruger Guide model in 375 Ruger. Seen them used in 300 and 338 win, but I'll likely end up buying new and drop it in a micky.

.375 H&H.

All are suitable, if it is for something dangerous go with the .416 if you can shoot it well. Drop the .338 and add the 9.3X62 if it is not elephant size.