Load data for 375 H&H

[carpediem]

Hello All:

I am looking for load data for a cast bullet in a 375 H&H. I have the Lyman cast Bullet Manual and there are a number of loads in the 375 H&H section however, all loads stop at about 1700 ft./sec.

I am looking for loads that will do up to 2200 ft./sec.

I have three different types of bullets:
250 grain plane base
270 grain gas check
300 grain gas check.

Any help would be appreciated.

Kindest regards and Merry Christmas,

Max

[Vern Humphrey]

Try 60-70 grains of H4831 with the 300 grain bullet.

I don't know what you're developing this load for, but an accurate load that drives a 300-grain cast bullet around 1700-1800 fps in this caliber is about all I would want.

[Questor]

This is just a question based on your question, but is it safe to use the handgunner's rule of thumb that says that it is safe to substitute a cast bullet of the same weight in load data for a jacketed bullet?

[Vern Humphrey]

This is just a question based on your question, but is it safe to use the handgunner's rule of thumb that says that it is safe to substitute a cast bullet of the same weight in load data for a jacketed bullet?

Not necessarily -- Ed Harris has shown (and I've proved it to myself) lead bullets can generate higher pressures than jacketed bullets -- because they upset and seal better.

In any case, however, in modern rifles, it really isn't a good idea to try to equal factory ballistics with cast bullets.  I have found that you can often use a suggested starting load of any powder listed in your reloading manual and reasonably expect fair to good results with gas-checkd cast bullets in most cartridges.

[carpediem]

I guess I should explain my reasoning behind driving CLB's at jacketed or near-jacketed velocities.

As 375 H&H bullets are fairly expensive, I want to used CLB's for practice.  The bullets are gas-checked and are cast from wheel wieghts and quenched in very cold water.

Ideally I would like to drive the bullets at jacketed velocities to replicate the recoil of jacketed bullets,but I know that wheel wieght lead, without heat treating, will not survive the trip down the bore.

Any load data you may have would be appreciated.

Kindest regards,

Max

[Vern Humphrey]

I load 198 grain cast bullets in .35 Brown-Whelen, and drive them around 1800 fps.  My receipe is to quench, then lube with liquid alox, put the gas check on and re-lube.  Load them pretty far out -- don't get the base of the bullet below the neck.

If recoil is what you're after, go with heavier bullets -- the heaviest you can find.