Contender in .375 H&H

[doeroller]

Anyone had any experience with one of these? Interested in loading light bullets for thin skinned game. How is the recoil? My gun seems awful light. Would like to use 225 Hornadys or 235 Speers with a less than full power load. 

[yooper77]

I certainly hope you mean the 375 H&H Mag in the Encore and not the Contender.  The Contender cannot take the pressure.

If I had a Contender, I would look at the 375 JDJ with Hornady 220 or 225 grain bullets and H-4895 powder.

yooper77

[doeroller]

Yeah the rifle. Here in MS everyone who has had the 209X50 muzzleloader, are buying an extra barrel 35 cal or over because of the new primitive weapons law. I know it is rediculous, but why be handicapped with a shorter range weapon? I have always wanted to play with a 375 anyway. I am saving my pennies and would like to go shoot a moose. This would be my primary gun on a hunt like that.

[yooper77]

I heard about that strange funny primitive weapons laws for Mississippi.

I would purchase the 35 Remington , 375 JDJ, 358 Winchester or 35 Whelen barrel for My T/C Encore.

If I had a Contender, I would choose the 35 Remington or 375 JDJ.

yooper77

[quickdtoo]

Yeah, it's so strange and funny that Louisiana jumped on the same "primitive weapons" bandwagon too, but they're limited to .38 cal and bigger.....so far!!

Tim

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/hunting/regulations/primitivefirearms/primitive_weapons.pdf

[Lone Star]

Since LA doesn't allow Contenders.....   


.

[Keith L]

Really?  In any form?  Why?

[quickdtoo]

Since LA doesn't allow Contenders.....  


.

Not yet, but wait a year to see if they catch up with MS. 

Tim

http://www.mdwfp.com/Level2/Wildlife/pdf/final/2008/LE5-2280.pdf

[jw4570]

I worked up a load for Barnes 210 gr bullets in my 375 H&H (but mine is a Remington 700 Classic-still very a light 375 H&H).  It kicks less than the Remington Factory 260? gr (I can't remember, it's not the 300gr, it's the regular Remington Core Lokt I shoot in it).  I did it just for deer.  But I'm changing my mind as I don't want two loads and the Core Lokt shoots really well and doesn't kick much more.  Not sure how it would be in an Encore.

I about with some of the other posters, 35 Whelen is pretty darn nice.  I might would spring for a 9.3x62 as it's a little more than 35 Whelen.  But 375 H&H you can take just about any kind of hunting in North America if you ever had the chance.

If you are going to handload, I don't see why not use a 375 H&H, you can download it pretty far (using the correct powder, follwing load manuals of course).  I tried that using 220 gr Hornady FP's (for the 375 Winchester), but it shot soo much lower than the Factory or 210gr full power load, I decided not to do it.

If you want easily available factory ammo, 35 Whelen is going to be it.  There's 35 Whelen Ackley Improved too.

JW

[doeroller]

For you all's info; I have had a chance to do a little shooting amongst Hurricane Gustav and work up one handload. I worked up to 75gr of IMR-4895 with a 235 Speer and Winchester Mag primers. The Chrony said 2999 fps for average of 3 shots. Wind was blowing real hard. Groups hover around 1.5" at 100yd. Recoil is brisk to say the least, but manageable.