Author Topic: 375 Winchester (Read 3074 times)

guns-o-fun · « **on:** October 12, 2010, 11:38:49 AM »

Can someone explain the 375 Winchester craze to me? The last time I looked through my load books, the ballistics don't seem to be that different from the 35 Remington. I know it is a good cartridge that did not catch on, but with 35 Rem stuff being quite a bit more available, I don't really see the point. Did I misread my loading manuals? Senior moment maybe? I mean, the hole is not that much bigger...

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2010, 12:01:21 PM »

Bigger bullets a bit faster if handloaded, what's wrong with that, get both and make your own comparison, I've pretty much done that with my 38-55 and 35 Rem H&Rs.

Tim

http://fiveshot.org/backissues/paco/375win.htm

http://www.suitorsgarage.com/gunstuff/35remington/factoryloadpart1.html

Spanky · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2010, 12:03:46 PM »

Some folks asked the same thing about the 30-30 a long time ago too.

We all know how that turned out.

Spanky

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2010, 12:14:37 PM »

Spanky, the 30-30 was never a failure, although some do "disrespect" it these days (not moi, though). The 375 Win was a commercial failure. Quick, the Paco Kelly article is interesting with regard to the 375. I have always been a 35 Rem fan.

Spanky · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2010, 12:25:28 PM »

I like the 35 Remington alot.
Maybe I'll find a 357 barrel and have it rechambered.

Spanky

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2010, 12:46:50 PM »

Yeah, I like it a lot too. What's more, it is one of those calibers I don't load for because the new Hornady ammo shoots so well and gets such good velocity. Got to have a gun or two to turn to when you have not had time to load up ammo. Happens way too much to me lately. Old tired blood and too much nonsense to do instead of reloading these days...

.

manatee1947 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2010, 01:29:34 PM »

The 375 was supposed to be the "new" 38/55 just like the 45/70 has been resurrected or reincarnated in the current crop and the 450 marlin. The weight, SD, & bc is better than the 35 rem I think, and it is a straight case. I have nothing against the 35 rem but I will not buy one, I would a 375. It goes with the rest of the stable: 444, 45/70, & 500. Also for me the 35 rem is getting into too high a velocity, I just shoot cast in my handi's, that is why I like the straight cases, and I keep it to 1600 fps and below. The 38/55 just did not have the "cool" factor of the 45/70, or the history. It is pretty neat though. To each his own.

Spanky · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2010, 02:38:16 PM »

I'd like to have a 38-55 with a proper bore and chamber.
Would make for a dandy whitetail round at reasonable ranges.

Spanky

cwlongshot · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2010, 02:52:08 PM »

The 375 Winchester is an excellent "eastern" big game caliber. It's got the HP, bullet weight and diameter to get the job done at the shorter ranges that are common around here.
It's a bigger diameter bullet and faster velocities than the grand old 35 Remington. It's easier to load for, generally shoots at least as well and feeds better as its a nearly straight walled case that head spaces off its rim. (Would make a dandy Handi caliber as a couple members here have found out) Its loaded to higher pressures as its a modern caliber. Came into being in the Winchester BIG BORE rifles in 1978. Marlin came out with there 336 chambered in it shortly after.

A Hornady 220Gr bullet moved by a near max load of RL7 does it for me!!

I have a couple in Marlins and its a favorite caliber of mine.

CW

Lefty Dude · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2010, 04:27:54 PM »

The 375 Winchester is way under-rated.

In the Mid-1980's I used a Ruger #3 carbine 375 Winchester for an Elk hunt in Oregon with my Brother who lives in LaGrande.

I just found my load and information. the bullet used was a Speer 235 gr. .375" Semi-spitzer, Powder was Alliant/hercules Reloader 7, W/ 34.5 gr. of powder.

I shot a 4 point Bull Elk at 80-100 yards, a one shot kill. The bullet entered just behind the right shoulder. Most of the Heart & lungs were destroyed. I found the bullet between the brisket and hide of the chest. I still have the recovered bullet. The Bullet is a perfect mushroom and shed 100 grains, it now weighs about 135 grs.

I never chronographed this load. It was very accurate and is a Killer load.

Fred M · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2010, 05:09:05 PM »

I have a Ruger #3 with custom #1 wood. Use a highly compressed load of H322 with 225gr Hornady Interlock. This load is super accurate out to 250 yards. Shot two WT deer with it.
I think it is a fine caliber for Moose and Elk. It is more gun than you need for deer. The recoil is right up there with a light rifle.

This year I will shoot at least one deer with my 9.3x74R using 250gr TSX bullets. Talk about over gunned

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2010, 07:04:44 PM »

I have a 375 and 2-38-55's as well as 3-35 rem's. They are all 3 great cartridges that in the right rifle can be stepped up, or loaf along at sedate speeds. Either way they are deadly on game. Thinking about getting my 30-30 AI bored out to 38-55, tells ya what I think of em.

DP
Glad to see ya back on line Fred. DP

Shortgun · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2010, 04:57:14 AM »

I have a handi that is the best of both the 375 and 35 Rem. Just take the 375 case and neck it down to 35 cal and u get 35 rem ballistics from the 375 case. I like rimmed cases in Handi's. I also have a 3855 with a .375 bore in a Encore barrel. The .35 rimmed shoots a bit flatter and is a bit more accurate but the deer can't tell the difference.
shortgun

lonewolf5348 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2010, 03:24:09 PM »

I was lucky when I purcahsed my BC in 38-55 tight bore I think it was the last year they were made : I think Tim said Marlin re-did the spec on the barrel
I can say the gun can shoot fun gun no recoil and loaded with a 255 FP soft lead bullet at .380 with IMR 3031 33.0 grains I think it will work excellent on deer out to 125 yards

gcrank1 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 13, 2010, 03:31:22 PM »

100 yrs. ago and more the 38-55 was a popular cartridge, even for 200yd. offhand schuetzen matches. It had the accuracy but didnt beat a guy up like the 45-70, etc. The .375 has more beans, but if a bullets will go where the critter lives it will put 'em down, and if it goes out the other side, leave a trail.

Fred M · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2010, 01:23:45 PM »

dpe.ahoy.
Since I don't have any H&R projects I don't have much to write about. Nevertheless I watch and read GB a lot. Thanks for thinking of me. I have been wanting to get a 30-30 barrel for a 30-30AI conversion, but so far I have not found a convertible barrel. A 223 24" bull barrel would make a good conversion. I would fit it to that 6x47 frame I have. With a light octagon contour barrel and light 125gr TSX bullets it would be a jewel in the fields.

Fred M

petemi · « **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2010, 06:29:30 AM »

Quote from: Fred M on October 12, 2010, 05:09:05 PM

This year I will shoot at least one deer with my 9.3x74R using 250gr TSX bullets. Talk about over gunned

Fred.....which end of the deer are ya gonna try to salvage?

Pete

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2010, 06:43:52 AM »

Quote from: guns-o-fun on October 12, 2010, 11:38:49 AM

Can someone explain the 375 Winchester craze to me? The last time I looked through my load books, the ballistics don't seem to be that different from the 35 Remington. I know it is a good cartridge that did not catch on, but with 35 Rem stuff being quite a bit more available, I don't really see the point. Did I misread my loading manuals? Senior moment maybe? I mean, the hole is not that much bigger...

Has a rim nice for SS rifles and handguns , works in a mod 94 BB ,

Blackhawker · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2010, 08:53:35 AM »

Quote from: manatee1947 on October 12, 2010, 01:29:34 PM

The 38/55 just did not have the "cool" factor of the 45/70, or the history. It is pretty neat though. To each his own.

If you load one and shoot one, you'll find the 38-55 to be just as "cool" as the 45-70. I have a BC with both barrels and I just can't decide which I like better. The 45-70 has the "whomp" effect and longer history (by a couple of years) but the 38-55 takes the accuracy award by leaps and bounds! Plus, there are some people that load the 38-55 to 375 Win levels in modern firearms.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2010, 01:21:45 PM »

Fred, my 30-30 AI is a re-bore/ re-chamber on the regular 223 barrel. I really haven't had time to work with it, but have fireformed brass. It's done well on target just doing that. I've got way more $ in it than can ever be recouped, and have to many others that have never been fired. Guess it's time to start using some vacation time for things other than just hunting. Our general season in Montana starts the 23rd of Oct and ends on my birthday, Nov. 28. (Gonna be 29 for the 29th time.

) DP

BBF · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2010, 02:40:50 PM »

The Missus had a Ruger#3 in 375.
She disliked the rifle from the first shot she fired. That weird shaped lever kept smacking her on the knuckles and that rifle had some noticable recoil.
We replaced the straight stock with a pistol grip and had that lever reformed and a recoild pad installed. That made a difference. She never shot any game with it and finally sold it. The best load we had was very similar to the one posted above. 235 gr Speer pushed with RL-7.

Darreld Walton · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2010, 03:41:14 PM »

Back around 1965, Dad picked up one of the first top-eject Marlin lever guns in .38-55. Thinkin' an 1883 model.
Dad and I drew elk tags on a party hunt in 1966, when I was 12, first year I could legally hunt here in Idaho. Busted a rag-horn five point through the shoulder with Remington 255 gr. jacketed factory loads, and the bull dropped at the shot. Found the bullet just under the hide on the far side after going through both shoulders, and still weighed 235 grains.
Dad picked up an unfired Winchester 94 Big Bore, first year production, still unfired, in the box, with the hanging papers on the lever from a friend of mine when I was still on active duty around 1979. That gun is still unfired, but not for lack of trying. EVERY time that we think to put it in the truck and head to the range, the ammunition has stayed home. I think the gun is jinxed.............

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #22 on:** October 16, 2010, 05:12:21 AM »

Surprised no one has offered to help you out by taking that old jinx off your hands!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** October 18, 2010, 03:19:23 AM »

I had a 375 in a Winchester and a Marlin. I don't care for Marlins really and it makes a 94 way to heavy for what you get.

Darreld Walton · « **Reply #24 on:** October 18, 2010, 03:31:44 AM »

Quote from: guns-o-fun on October 16, 2010, 05:12:21 AM

Surprised no one has offered to help you out by taking that old jinx off your hands!

I can add you to the 'list'. At the moment, the ol' Sarge that sold it to me wants it back, all three of my brothers, myself, and several of the grandsons have stated they're interested. I think Dad just hangs onto it to tease folks with, the same way he kept five '65-66 Mustangs in the pasture behind the house so he could tell the high school kids who screwed up enough guts to ask, "NO"................

AH-1G · « **Reply #25 on:** November 18, 2010, 12:03:10 AM »

I have a early winchester BB 94 in 375 winchester.the lyman 375449 is a "killer" bullet.
boom flop.I had to track one deer about 15 feet

.
pete

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #26 on:** December 02, 2010, 09:59:30 AM »

That does look sweet. Have a 308 MX marlin I would like to rechamber - don't think I can do 375 winchester - case smaller diameter at the rim and elsewhere, IIRC. Would probably have to go to 444 Marlin.

surehuntsalot · « **Reply #27 on:** December 10, 2010, 01:46:20 AM »

375 Winchester is a great round,bought a Winchester 94AE years ago,its one of my go to guns when hunting the swamps and thickets