Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Bullet choice for .375 Ruger

Looking for a new, do-all bullet for the .375 Ruger. I've used up my stock of 250gr Sierra and 260gr Accubond, and both are wonderfully accurate in my rifle but neither has impressed in the penetration department. Killed a decent size bull elk a few years back at 200 yards with the AB, put a couple in the chest broadside and another quartering away. None made it through, but the bull only made it 20-30 yards. Still, would have liked to see an exit.

Drew a moose tag this year, and the 7-08 Vanguard I'd been planning to use just won't shoot worth a schitt, so I gave up and pulled out the .375 again. Chrono'd my old 260 loads, found they were only loafing along at about 2600 fps. Loaded them up to 2750, they shot beautifully. Also put together a Sierra 250gr load at 2800 that damn near shoots through the same hole, so I was ready to go. Shot a bull last weekend at less than 100 yards. He was no monster, damn near passed on him but had promised myself I'd take the first good legal opportunity. Anyway, first shot barely quartering too, put a 260 tight behind the shoulder. He ran and I hit him again, quartering away pretty hard. Hit too far back, just catching the rear quarter and continuing on forward. This bullet was recovered just at the lungs. He stopped running and gave me another broadside shot, so I hit him again, 250 Sierra this time, entering about 3 inches from original shot entry hole. This bullet broke a rib on entry, just nicked one on the offside and stopped under the membrane covering the ribs. Only shot that exited was the original.

Obviously it worked well enough, but not exactly what I'm looking for. A week previous, i had an opportunity at a stud of a bull,probably a good 3-400 lbs heavier than the one I shot,at a range of 300 yards and very narrow target window. I would have had to take him quartering to me, right on the shoulder. I didn't want to try the shot and waited for a broadside opportunity that never came, and he vanished into the trees. I wonder now how that shot would have turned out, thinking maybe not too good. I'd like a bullet I can count on to break a heavy bone like that and still carry deep enough to finish the job. The 250 TTSX looks interesting, if I can find any. Anything else you'd suggest?

The two expanding .375 bullets I've seen the most consistent results with over the years are the 300-grain Nosler Partition and, with somewhat fewer samples, the 270-grain Barnes TSX.

These were from various .375 cartridges from the H&H on up.

The 270gr TSX is a great bullet.

Yep--and so is the 300-grain Partition.

Both are great choices!

We used alot of the 270 X and the 270 Failsafe from the H&H on plains game. I used the 300 sierra on a cow elk from the H&H too. right now, on gunbroker, there are several makes of soft nose 300gr. Almost nothing for 270 grain. Good luck to you pard!

Swift A-Frame, in 250gr, 270gr or 300gr, depending on what you are hunting and what your rifle shoots accurately.

I've been using the 250 TTSX in my .375 Ruger. I've shot three bull moose with that combo.

Did you recover any bullets or all full penetration?

I have use the 270 grain TSX on a couple of moose and my son used it on one. No complaints as to accuracy and penetration.
If my shots were going to be 300 yards and beyond, I would give the Barnes 270 grain LRX a try.

I use 260 grain Hammer bullets in my 375 Ruger and always get two holes and a very dead bear when I shoot. I have never recovered a bullet so I can't tell you about weight retention, does not matter to me as the bear expire quickly.

250 TTSX or a similar weight offering from Hammer Bullets! memtb

I exclusively use 286 NPs in my 9.3x62 and think a 300 NP would serve 99.9% of your hunting needs.

I have used both the Barnes 270 TSX and the 250 gr. TTSX in my .375 Ruger. Both performed exceptionally well. If being used for large plains game, the better BC of the 250 gr. bullet may be a slight advantage.
In Africa, I used the TTSX on game from Springbok to Sable and Lion, and I have used the 270 gr. TSX on Nilgai and Asian Water Buffalo.

I've got a box of 300 grain nolser partitions--if you're interested---pm me

Only recovered one after it punched through the on side humerus joint and recovered against the off side hide. Shot was at 350 yds from my 20” Ruger Alaskan.

I'm sure that MD has it right, as usual - way more experience than me. I have a 375 H&H AI that would be similar to your 375 Ruger in performance. I have some bullets that may likely be out of production - a 300 grain Barnes GR-X - only a few of those. Some 300 grain Combined Technology (are they not similar to the Nosler 300 Partition???) and some 260 grain Partitions. I would have to see it to believe that a moose or elk would stop the 260 partition bullets in the 375 H&H AI or the 375 Ruger.

But in your request, you're asking for a do-it-all bullet. I would assume you're including something tougher than a moose. My preference would be the 300 gr Partition (or CT), because I have a lot of experience with partitions and they have never failed me. I have had little experience with Barnes TSX and I was not happy with the little experience I have had - great penetration, but not so great effect on the game.

With the bullets I have on hand, I'd take the 300 Combined technology bullets, for a do-it-all in my 375 H&H AI. But like you, I'd be asking an expert like MD for advice, first.

I had a Ruger African in 375. I never killed anything with it, just shot it off the bench at steel plates.
Here is some bullets I shot into a stack of magazines at about 25 yards. The 250gr. TTSX weigh 233gr, 247gr, & 248gr. The 300 TSX weigh 299gr. & 314gr. The 314gr. Has pieces of paper lodged in between the pedals.
I believe the 250gr. was close to 3000fps.


When I bought the rifle I googled and read everything I couldn’t on handloads. This link has some good info in it
https://forums.outdoorsdirectory.co...g/68345-375-ruger-barnes-300gr-tsx-rl-17

Here's a Barnes 270 gr. TSX, fired from my .375 Ruger, and recovered from a Nilgai shot at a range a bit over 200 yards. Perfect bullet performance- hit was behind the shoulder, and the bullet recovered under the hide on the far side. Nilgai was DRT.

I killed a bull moose at 290yds with the 250g ttsx, it didn’t open that much at all. It’s interesting to see what they do at close range.