Craig Boddington was the senior contributing editor of our modern gun and ammunition caliber dictionary. Craig was involved in the development and testing of many of these and writes from first hand experience. This dictionary was written exclusively for Wholesale Hunter with unique information found nowhere else.
GUN CALIBER DICTIONARY
Rifle Ammo
375 Ruger
The 375 Ruger, a joint development between Ruger and Hornady, was introduced in 2006 in the Ruger Hawkeye. Its unbelted case has a .532-inch rim and base, the same as most belted magnums, simplifying manufacturing. Case length is 2.580 inches, allowing it to be housed in a standard (30-06) action. Design criterion was to equal 375 H&H ballistics in a shorter case. Because of the efficiency of the shorter, fatter case it actually exceeds 375 H&H performance; Hornady's 270-grain load delivers 2870 feet per second; the 300-grain load 2705. Introduction of the 375 Ruger was perhaps the most successful launch of a big-bore cartridge. Its ability to fit into a standard-length action renders it more affordable than most cartridges in its power range, with current options including Mossberg as well as Ruger. It is not as available as the 375 H&H, but fills the same niche: Powerful enough for the largest game, yet shoots flats enough for most hunting applications. — Craig Boddington
