Have seen both put to use 375 magnum and 45-70. If you do not mind recoil either is a fine round for big animals. The 375 magnum will reach further and the recoil can be moderated with some lighter factory loads for some uses. The. 45-70 in the Marlin can be a great close medium....and again with the right factory ammo, and pad recoil can be reduced for other uses. Muzzle brakes are fine for practice as long as everyone one nearby is protected - personally do not like them in the field. I went with a custom Marlin 45-70 after a Marlin 45-70 use for a grizzly in camp. Others have done close work with 375 magnums, 338 magnums, 35 Whelen, 30-06. 300 magnums, and 30-30. All work and will make the best of my 30-30 if needed but feel better with the 45-70...quick, and with a llight rail out front for when things need to be sorted in low light. Perhaps decide by which one you will enjoy practice with the most. Best on deciding.

 

I love Rugers and think you can't go wrong buying one of their bolt guns, but I would not really consider it as an alternative to the SBL. I would keep looking until you find what you really want.

 

I also shot the 416 Ruger as did my 84 lb. wife. Ammo was $5 a pop at the shoot and it
was a pretty stout cartridge. I don't think I'd want that as a primary due to the recoil.
But if I lived in Alaska it might help me sleep better at night.
It seems most Dangerous Game is taken at very close range and that makes the
bigger bores more practical.
400 grain bullets travelling at 2400 fps from the muzzle with 5115 ft/lbs. of energy is
pretty honking powerful.
The 45-70 seems like a good round as well tho.
Cost of the Ruger is a grand at the show price. Cheapest I have seen the SBL is $1,500
on Gunbroker and that is not the Buy it Now price.
Decisions....Decisions....

 

It almost sounds to me you prefer the Ruger and should go with that. Then save up some more, and keep your eyes open for a Marlin in 45-70 later as another added choice in the closet. I like all kinds of rifles and use them all depending on game, location/terrain, and just plain what mood I'm in that day, ha! Variety is the spice of life... :biggrin:
Good luck to you!

 

I do like the Ruger but also the Marlin. But I know that the Marlin will need work right out
of the factory box. I will also have to pay a crazy premium for an SBL.
I can find new GBL's all over and for cheap money, but I really want stainless.
The LGS selling the Ruger told me he could sell a dozen SBL's in a week if he had them.
He would also charge $200 more for them as he tends to always be expensive.
Levers are great but they have to be available and for MSRP, not with $500-$1k premiums!

y other option is to just buy a 416 Ruger Guide Gun and that will wallop anything living
on the planet. Same specs as a 416 Rigby in a smaller case.
I shot one with no muzzle brake but would not want to shoot from a bench with that
gun.

 

I love some of the Ruger's too. But in my opinion the muzzle brake looks fugly on that rifle ! You cant really compare Apples to Oranges can you ? Shooting costs are going to be worlds apart also....Right ? I think a bolt rifle is appropriate for some as an alternative to a lever gun , but if it were me it wouldn't be THAT rifle. Maybe a Savage Alaskan Bush rifle ? They are less expensive, accurate as all hell , and comes either blued or stainless..... In 375 Ruger of course ! Just a thought leaning towards utilitarian.................And they look real good too !

 

The 375 Ruger pack the same power as the vaulted 375 H&H, but in a shorter action and a shorter barrel, thus a quicker handling rifle. I have an 1895 GS and love the rifle, but being 5'7" and not having ape length arms, the lever throw is long to me as well. I also, can work a bolt just as fast as my lever. That big dia bullet in the 45-70 can be lethal to any animal on the planet, and Vince Lupo has proven that. You can read his stories on the Garrett ammo web site. The 45-70 can be shot in all sorts of power levels, in pre loaded ammo. Factory fodder, like Remingtons are pretty mild, and you can go up from there from a dozen different companies. I am not sure the Ruger 375 has such support yet, and with you not handloading you have one level available, and that's full power. Something to consider. The Ruger will have more usable reach without a doubt, but then you need to decide if you NEED the reach. As for the stainless, I'd get a regular stainless guide gun, and convert it like many have done before the SBL came out. The large loop lever, and long mag tube are available, at least they used to be. You might also be able to pick up a laminated stock, I am sure all for well under the ridiculous $1500.

 

Just a thought ? The SBL (I have one) and the big loop lever does increase slop and throw length. I prefer the regular style Loop as on the GS over it. There is just too much room in that big loop to keep a short stroke. Now if I was a big handed glove wearing hunter I might feel different ? I wouldn't be so quick to give up yet , nor would I get stuck on the SBL only. Ive had a 1895GS REP rifle and it was just as good as anything else !!! That is minus the coveted JM stamp. I would have NO hesitation to buy a GS REP and convert it to pistol grip and large loop if that's what blows yer skirt up. I know how it is to want a SBL and not be able to find one. I bought a 1895GS REP and then a 1895GS JM before a JM staped SBL finally came along a year later. I hit that buy it now button on GunBroker for $1000 so fast and hard my finger still hurts ! My point to all this ? I just had to have a SBL too , and nothing else would do.....now I have both and am ditching/changing my Big Loop lever for a straight stock and regular GS style finger lever. The best of both worlds....lol.

 

I tried the GS in 45-70 and didn't like the feel of the smaller lever. But I'm also 5'7" and have short arms.
I'm also tired of all the BS surrounding getting an SBL. I will still buy one eventually but
for now the Ruger is a good deal and has everything I need.
The muzzle brake plain works so dialing in the gun should be a breeze compared to no brake.
You can't hunt with the brake as it will blow your ears clean off.
My wife and I both shot the 300 Win mag with the brake and it really reduces felt recoil
A LOT!
That said if you are standing behind and to the side of the shooter the blast will wallop you
like a stick of dynamite going off!
The 375 Ruger would be a lot louder.

I'm still debating it and the ammo isn't bad $50 for factory Dangerous Game loads
2660/4713 at the muzzle 300 grain and 270 grain.
It's not cheap but you don't plink with it either.

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 375 Ruger :: 375 Ruger 300 gr DGX® Superformance®

The 416 Ruger is very tempting but it's a Elephant Gun. I shot one and it kicks like one.

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 416 Ruger :: 416 Ruger 400 gr DGX®

 

Both are cool guns. I don't really see alot of ways to compare the two except for maybe your intended roll for either one. If you hunt larger game at close ranges, either caliber will do. The lever is faster but not by a country mile. 45-70 might not kick quite as much as the 375. Both have fairly good sights for close work. Hard decision for sure.

 

I like my 45-70 but I'd have to go with the Ruger in this case. Great Ruger rifle in a Ruger caliber. The only thing that could make it better would be if it were a No. 1

 

I've wanted the SBL for a long time but I really dislike gouging on the part of
Gunbroker sellers. No dealer has any in stock nor is there a delivery date.
Marlin will make more SBL's so hopefully there will be more since it's such a
popular gun.
The 45-70 is a sweet cartridge. I'm still undecided...

 

A fellow I work with sold his 444 and bought the 375Ruger. He just loves it! Primo Elk rifle, in his book, and any other big stuff.

Jeff

 

Yeah it's a pretty amazing round and lots of factory ammo for it available.
it's the #1 seller for Ruger in the 375 Ruger caliber.
I really want to like the 416 Ruger but after having shot one it's not all
that pleasant to shoot. But for Big DG it'll take down an elephant.
No elephants where I live tho.
I just wonder if the 375 has enough Oomph! to take down a charging bear.

 

What are you planning to use it for? I like Rugers but that thing is just plain ugly. I'm a function over form guy but whoosh. :ahhhhh:

For a grand? Me? If it was a big bore I wanted I'd find an older used 1895. No it isn't stainless but blued guns have been doing just fine for a buncha years.

Figure $500-600 for the gun, less if you watch. Lop the bbl off to your desired length will run ya ~$100. Moderate scope setup $300-400. You could have the butt stock cut down and a grind-fit-recoil pad done for probably $100-200 (or do it yourself if possible).

 

I'm planning on heading up to Alaska next year and hunting with a guide. I'd like to
go for Big Browns.
The 1895 GBL is available but I'm wanting Stainless and I think the Ruger is very good looking
in person. The stock is really good looking for a Laminate.
It doesn't have the beauty of an 1895 not much does, but for a bolt action it's a guide gun.
It's meant to shoot when you need it most.
most Guide Guns look utilitarian and are tough as nails.
I'm done buying blued guns. I don't have the time to polish them up all the time.

 

Sounds like your mind is made up to me.

 

One of my co workers hunts Alaska once a year or so and has used the .375 Ruger on bear. He was pretty pleased with it.

 

Charging Bear ? 45-70 with a full charge under at least a 500gr + wide flat boolit ! I really wouldn't even want to think about a charging Brownie with any gun. No boolit or caliber big enough for an adrenaline fueled bear. PERIOD ! He will die about 15 seconds after he kills you ! Go stand next to the stuffed one at the airport in fairbanks and you will understand that there is NOT a guaranteed caliber. let me reiterate again other than a GS or SBL.....SAVAGE 116 ALASKAN BRUSH RIFLE STAINLESS .375 Ruger..... $650 !

 

Get the GBL, and have it hard chromed.

 

Lots of good ideas, and I really haven't made up my mind yet.
Not while there is still money in my pocket. :flute:

 

You could always get a GS and buy an aftermarket large loop lever from WWG or Marlin. They are always for sale on Ebay and in the classifieds here once in a while.

 

I would have to say both!

 

If I had the money to buy both, not that you can actually buy an SBL, I would do that.
I guess regardless of what I get now I guess it's a forgone conclusion that I will end up
buying the other.

 

Well, since you are still on the fence here, I'd call some of the guides up there (cause for brownies non residents HAVE to use one) and see what they say. I know if you can shoot it, the 375 is more than enough gun. I've read some of the guides carry the H&H version. I've seen that brownie in Anchorage and to see him CHARGING would test the ability to keep your pants dry of ANYONE. Many folks have sworn by the bigger is better in bullet dia, and who am I to argue with them? But hey, I LOVE my GS.

 

Oh yes, IF you get either, I would invest in reloading equip.