338 WM vs 338-375 Ruger

[tammons]

Well I now have a 375 Ruger and I also have a set of 338 RCM dies as I use the seater to seat 338-284 shells so I am set up to form 338-375 brass and seat bullets.

Besides the belt, what is the benefit of running a 338-375 Ruger vs a 338 WM. As I understand it the powder capacity of a 338-375 Ruger is between a 338 WM and a 338 Rum/Edge.

What sort of velocities are you getting compared to a 338 Rum/Edge ??

[efm77]

It has just enough more powder capacity over the belted case that with the right powder you should be able to get around 340 Weatherby ballistics with it. I don't know that for sure because I haven't tried it. I have thought a lot about it though and have even petitioned Hornady to commercialize the round as I think with the right powder and barrel length, 340 ballistics could be easily achieved and probably be nipping at the heels of the 338 RUM.

[tammons]

I also asked Hornady why they did not legit a 338-375 Ruger and they stated they already had the 338 RCM and the other end of the 338 spectrum was so well covered that they were not interested.

[efm77]

Not sure I really understand that answer from them. Did they not thing the short mag spectrum was already well covered? I think the 338 spectrum is probably the least covered. Look at how many 7mm's and 30's there are out there. Seems like a no brainer to me but that's just me. The top performers only include the 338 RUM, 338 Lapua, and 338-378 Weatherby (340 weatherby too) that are factory rounds. All of them are pretty hefty on recoil and cost. I guess their marketers are seeing something I'm not.

[tammons]

This was about a year or so after the 375 Ruger came out. From what I remember they said the market was covered or something like that.

I also had mentioned a legit 7mm-375 Ruger too. Said the same about both.

[geargrinder]

The 7mm and 338-375's are on my to do list.

It may be blasphemy, but I already have a Stiller action and McMillan stock waiting for the right barrel to come along.