Number One and recoil

[Carl]

This fall I have casted some glances at a #1-H Tropical .375H&H in a gunshop in the neighbourhood. But I have read about the rifle and the caliber, and some people claim that with the #1-H the felt recoil is tough. I have shot several other .375, and did not find the recoil annoying - a heavy push but no kicking horse. What are your opinions?

Carl

 

[gewehrfreund]

I don't have a lot of experience with the heavy kickers, but whenever I've shot my 1H 375 with factory ammo, I have not found it overly punishing - standing, of course. Bench work is an entirely different proposition.

 

[Major T]

IMO ,there are many better choices for hunting the lower 48. I have had several bolt guns in this caliber (no No, 1s) and they are just much more than is needed. Africa is a whole other story. Jack

 

[cellar701]

I just bought a used one (No. 1AH) and have shot it a little. The recoil is stout but not punishing with factory loads. But, I am very careful shooting magnums off the bench: shoot a few, not a lot in a session; sitting upright so I can give with the recoil; I don't shoot them from prone.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

I've had both a Remington bolt rifle and now a No. 1 in .375. Load development from the bench means using a sandbag between shoulder and gun. Standing is not a problem at all. If you anticipate hunting from a blind, then a PAST recoil shield is in order. Otherwise, it should present no problem, it's a lot like shooting a light 12 gage O/U with heavy loads. Big push.

 

[luvs2hunt62]

I teach a youth and new shooters class at our local gun range, and you'll get as many opinions about recoil as there are people you talk to.
If you keep the stock FIRMLY IMbedded in your shoulder, you will be able to tolerate more recoil. I have several #1'S IN THE LARGE MAGNUM CALIBERS, AND THE RECOIL IS VERY TOLERABLE. LAST MONTH, I HAD 2 12 YR OLD STUDENTS ASK ME IF THEY COULD SHOOT MY "BEAR" GUN (THE 375 h&h) SO WITH PARENTAL PERMISSION, WE GAVE IT A GO. AFTER THREE SHOTS EACH, THEY BOTH DECIDED THAT THIS WAS AS MUCH FUN AS ANYTHING THEY HAVE EVER DONE. THE LESSON CONCLUDED WITH DAD'S PROMISE THAT A "B+" AVERAGE THANKSGIVING REPORT CARD WOULD BE REWARDED WITH A WILD HOG HUNTING TRIP, WITH THE GUN OF THEIR CHOICE. THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME DECIDING BETWEEN THE 300 WEATHERBY MAG AND THE 375 H&H.

 

[don44]

I sure love my #1 in 375 H&H.

 

[Watergoat]

Not shot 375 in a #1, but fired a fair bit through a pre-64 M70 Win. More of a push than a sharp kick. I love my #1 in 9.3x74R - big pussycat even from the bench. Stock design means a lot on the bigger guns. Straighter wood means more of a rearward push. More drop gets you vertical rise, which equals face slap. Lower velocity helps even more. 285 gr. leaving at 2400 is quite pleasant, at least to me. 180 gr at 3000 is an ouch.

 

[four70nitro]

I've shot a number of different rifles in .375 H&H and I don't think the No. 1 is very different than any of the others in the recoil department. None of them are much fun during long bench sessions at the range, but sitting or standing they are not unpleasant at all.

If you want a No. 1 in .375 go get it!


Dave

 

[txpitdog]

I have not shot the 375H&H, but I do have the 1-H in 458 Lott. After adding a pound of lead to the stock and a limbsaver butt pad, the rifle still recoils very heavily, even more than the limbsaver is capable of dampening.

I don't think the H&H recoils at the same level, but the 1-H tweaked to 11lbs and firing a 400gr bullet @ 2200fps is about all I care to handle.

 

[dfletcher]

I have the No1 in 375 H & H and 458 WM, Limbsaver on each. Maybe it's just the way they fit me but I find the recoil to be no problem. Straight back, big push. Not sharp, not a pain at all.

 

[Ruger1nut]

The 375 H&H is one of my all time favorite #1's. Recoil is not bad at all.

Good strong shove and not the hard whack of one of the 300 super mag's ect

Dave

 

[SteveRuger]

The 375 H&H is one of my all time favorite #1's. Recoil is not bad at all.

Good strong shove and not the hard whack of one of the 300 super mag's ect

Dave

+1.....
I have not meet a 375 H&H I have not liked! Great shooters!!

 

[Carl]

Thanks for your inputs - they are all appreciated!

Carl :)

 

[Mad Dog]

I bought a 1H 375 H&H mag, about 1 1/2 yrs. ago. I took it to Africa on a DG hunt, this last August. The gun does have a good shove, but can be easily mastered. I suggest putting a pachmyar decelerator recoil pad on it. I killed a tuskless cow elephant and a cow cape buffalo with mine. You will enjoy the gun.


Mad Dog

 

[Carl]

A picture of it. The first task would be to remove the scope and the ugly cartridgeholder. There is nothing wrong with the Bushnell Elite scope, but I prefer to use the irons, and if I'd use a scope. it would be an old El Paso Weaver K-4 in low rings. Big and high mounted scopes as the Elite tend to make recoil more punishing, as one loose the correct contact with the stock.

Carl

 

[mrbumps]

I was thinking of getting a 300 H&H, but after reading this thread, I may get a 375 instead. There is a pretty good deal on a new one locally. Been sitting on the shelf for over a year, so they may be motivated to sell!

 

[Carl]

Now I've seen and handled it. It has been carried a lot in the field, and the blueing is about 90%. By some reason the reciever has a reddish coppertone.

IMHO the rifle is too short and compact. The feeling would have been better with some inches longer barrel. The trigger pull was too light - 2 lbs pull is too less in a hunting rifle.

Supposedly I will take a look after another rifle. This particular one didn't catch my love. But still the Number One would be an attractive choice!

Thanks for your friendly postings!

Carl

 

[tom black]

A few years back I had a #1 in 45-70 with wood to die for. Call me a spastic coloned whimp but that little thing just beat the crap out of me. I now have a #1A in 7x57 that is a pleasure to shoot.
Tom Black

 

[mrbumps]

Well, this thread got the best of me. I stopped by by LGS and asked to see the 375 H&H he has had there for over a year. As he handed it to me he said he's had it too long and gave me a deal I could not resist. Has decent wood too. Now to get some dies and components!

 

[SteveRuger]

mrbumps,
I am sure you will enjoy it!

 

[wunbe]

mrbumps,

I have one for sale in the classifieds that it ready to go --decelerator pad and all.

wunbe

 

[mrbumps]

mrbumps,

I have one for sale in the classifieds that it ready to go --decelerator pad and all.

wunbe

Thanks, but I did buy the new one at my local shop. He has had it for a few years, so he let me have it for $700 to clear it out of the shop. It's walnut and blue, with some nice figure in the stock.

 

[MMichaelAK]

Good grab mrbumps.
My first Number 1 was a 1H in .375 H&H. Love that rifle but it started this itch...
:D

 

[dfletcher]

Now I've seen and handled it. It has been carried a lot in the field, and the blueing is about 90%. By some reason the reciever has a reddish coppertone.

IMHO the rifle is too short and compact. The feeling would have been better with some inches longer barrel. The trigger pull was too light - 2 lbs pull is too less in a hunting rifle.

Supposedly I will take a look after another rifle. This particular one didn't catch my love. But still the Number One would be an attractive choice!

Thanks for your friendly postings!

Carl

Older Rugers - and some other guns - get a "plumb" color after quite a few years. Has to do with the original bluing/manufacturing process. Some like it, I don't.

I would bet being older the trigger is readily adjustable so that 2 lbs can be changed. Due to the lack of a long receiver, such as found on the bolt and other rifles, the No1 will be shorter overall - you may find the barrel is just as long as those others. But I agree - if you're not "in luv" with the gun best to keep looking. Let us know the results please & good luck.