Author Topic: 375 H&H question (Read 5485 times)

baer19d · « **on:** December 27, 2010, 08:24:10 PM »

Does anyone use a 375 H&H on whitetail or pigs? I know it's more gun than needed but thats no reason not to. If so what bullet weights? I would think something light for caliber.

mauserand9mm · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2010, 10:53:48 PM »

In the past I've used 220gn flat nose (meant for the 375Win). They give similar performance on pigs as what a 308Win with 150gns will do, but are absolutely explosive on rabbits ie effective pest destruction.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2010, 12:16:36 AM »

Absolutely!!!
As mentioned the 375 win bullets work fine at reduced velocities.

Speer also makes an excellent 235gr bullet expressly designed for what your asking!!

CW

Grumulkin · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2010, 04:28:28 AM »

Quote from: baer19d on December 27, 2010, 08:24:10 PM

Does anyone use a 375 H&H on whitetail or pigs? I know it's more gun than needed but thats no reason not to. If so what bullet weights? I would think something light for caliber.

Why something light for caliber? Simplify your life and use either 270 or 300 gr. bullets and you will kill deer and pigs just fine without the meat damage you'll get with a lighter bullet at higher velocity. My 375 H&H Magnum take thus far, and all one shot kills with either 270 or 300 gr. bullets by the way, include:

1. One Blesbok.
2. Two Warthogs.
3. One Impala.
4. One Zebra.
5. One Blue Wildebeest.
6. A Black Backed Jackal.
7. An African Wildcat.

JASmith · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2010, 12:02:43 PM »

My dad used a Model 70 in .375 H&H for whitetail during the '50s and '60s. Bullets were typically 235 gr Speer for practice on Jackrabbits and 270 or 300 gr Silvertips (usually handloads) for everything else. Rifle performed well and the trajectory with those big bullets was close to that of the 30-06!

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2010, 02:56:58 PM »

I have shot a number of antelope with my .375 H & H with 270 and 300 grain bullets..less meat damage thanwith a .25-06...as already stated, just use those for everything...

baer19d · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2010, 03:48:28 PM »

Sounds like the 375 H&H is an all around winner. I'll keep my eye open for a good price on one and snatch it up. The last thing I need is another "deer rifle" or at least thats what my wife will say.

Buty what the heck, as far as I'm concerned a man can never have too many guns.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2010, 06:58:06 AM »

If you can locate one, get a copy of Paul Mathews, 60 YEARS WITH RIFLES...he talks a bunch about the .375 H & H...one of his favorites...I don't think he ever shot anything bigger than a Pa. whitetail with his, but he sure had fun....

mauserand9mm · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2010, 09:04:37 PM »

Yes, the 375H&H in a very versatile round. It has the accuracy out to 200yards (and beyond?) and a 270gn projectile has the same trajectory as a 150gn out of a 30/06 out to this distance. This would be good for the larger deer?

You'll also be needing a 458WM or Lott in the near future

The big bores are also very versatile however at closer ranges (100yards) in standard configuration rifles (ie something you can carry). I've got two reduced lead loads for my 458WM - 405gn @ 1000fps (ie subsonic) and 500gn @ 1600fps (equivalent ME to a 308W). I'm going to try the 500gns on pigs, hopefully, next week. I started using lead to reduce costs since I go the the range every weekend and , ever since I got the 458, I've used it almost each time. I can't shake the new toy novelty. I always still fire several full house loads (usually 400gn) each time - it's just not right not to

baer19d · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2010, 09:35:51 AM »

Quote from: mauserand9mm on December 29, 2010, 09:04:37 PM

Yes, the 375H&H in a very versatile round. It has the accuracy out to 200yards (and beyond?) and a 270gn projectile has the same trajectory as a 150gn out of a 30/06 out to this distance. This would be good for the larger deer?

You'll also be needing a 458WM or Lott in the near future The big bores are also very versatile however at closer ranges (100yards) in standard configuration rifles (ie something you can carry). I've got two reduced lead loads for my 458WM - 405gn @ 1000fps (ie subsonic) and 500gn @ 1600fps (equivalent ME to a 308W). I'm going to try the 500gns on pigs, hopefully, next week. I started using lead to reduce costs since I go the the range every weekend and , ever since I got the 458, I've used it almost each time. I can't shake the new toy novelty. I always still fire several full house loads (usually 400gn) each time - it's just not right not to

I already have a 458WM in a Ruger #1 but I haven't hunted with it yet but I will someday

Canuck Bob · « **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2011, 07:38:29 AM »

I used it years ago for Deer and Moose in Alberta. I loaded 235 Speers and eased up on the throttle. It was a great rifle cartridge combo for deer. The bullets are stout so they did not blow open on deer and were deadly without destroying the front half of the meat and it is hard to imagine a finer large animal combo. It kicks a bit.

I would load the flat nose bullets designed for levers today and aim for similar velocities.

One note though. It is a reloaders cartridge. Full power factory ammo borders on ridiculous for deer. The 375 H&H is designed for deep and deadly penetration. You really must assure your background when shooting because the bullet will carry a lot of power after exiting game animals. The penetration of a 300 grain solid needs to be seen to be appreciated. It humbles my 444 Marlin which is no slouch in the heavy whack department. I might add that a 444 or 45/70 in a Marlin are outstanding big bores.

S.B. · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2011, 06:29:59 PM »

I've read somewhere that the .375 H&H with lighter bullets does less damage to door than a .270 does? Anybody comfirm this?
Steve

Oldfenderguy · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2011, 03:11:21 AM »

My Win M70 375 H&H was used to take 2 large Kansas whitetail a few weeks ago. It has also been used to take a number of wild hogs in Oklahoma and Texas.

About the only two centerfire rifles I use anymore are my old Win M70 30-06 and my Classic Stainless 375 H&H. Both are great 'all around cartridges' that will handle just about anything you come up against.

I just use normal full power 270gr loads in my 375 for deer and hogs.

I've even used the 375 from time to time on coyote. Makes for good practice and needless to say no follow up shots or tracking was necessary.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2011, 04:10:00 AM »

My African Wildcat shot with a 300 gr. FMJ round nosed bullet out of my 375 H&H Magnum.

JASmith · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2011, 04:14:31 AM »

Quote from: Oldfenderguy on January 11, 2011, 03:11:21 AM

...I've even used the 375 from time to time on coyote. Makes for good practice and needless to say no follow up shots or tracking was necessary.

How much pelt damage did you see on the coyote?

Grumulkin's photos indicated that FMJ bullets won't cause a lot of pelt damage. One path might be to use solids for things like coyote and softpoints with the same ballistic coefficient for things that need expanding bullets.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #15 on:** January 11, 2011, 04:28:05 AM »

Quote from: Grumulkin on January 11, 2011, 04:10:00 AM

My African Wildcat shot with a 300 gr. FMJ round nosed bullet out of my 375 H&H Magnum.

IT'S PUDDY!!!

MY LITTLE PUDDY TAT!!!!

She went missing years ago.

You mean to tell me she was catnapped and sold into the african slave trade!?

And here I thought she was turned into coyote fecal matter... $:-\$

drdougrx · « **Reply #16 on:** January 11, 2011, 10:11:32 AM »

Oh brother...

Richard....You gotta git you out in the woods....civilization is rott'n yer mind.

M700 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2011, 03:41:10 AM »

Haven't taken a deer with it, but the .375 H&H with a 260 gr Nosler Accubond sure did a fine job on a black bear for me here in Washington State last fall. One shot at just over 300 yards. Thump. Bear down. Nice shooting rifle, and an easy cartridge to handload.

Regards, Guy

500 A-SQUARE · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2011, 03:02:53 PM »

My deer buster load for 375 H&H is a 235 grain speer hotcore loaded to 3100 FPS. Normally it is an instant kill with moderate meat damage. A broad side shot in the lungs on one deer blew it's heart and other guts out of it's chest cavity at 75 yards!!!! Deer with this load act like the been struck by a Nuke.

us920669 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 11, 2011, 03:26:53 PM »

I killed a buff in Africa with a M70 in 375 and was so pumped I decided to do all my hunting with it just to stay familiar with it. The phase lasted a couple of years. I got a 265 gr mold an loaded for a bit under 2000 fps, never got a deer (not the rifle's fault), but I'm sure it would have worked. Where I hunt 75 yards is a long shot. Just for grins I tried a 200 gr rifle bullet, but accuracy was unacceptable.

mauserand9mm · « **Reply #20 on:** April 12, 2011, 06:22:03 PM »

What projectile (weight, brand) did you use on the buffalo?

us920669 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2011, 04:35:41 AM »

I used the Barnes solid, 270 gr. for 2700 fps. That was apparently a mistake, as everyone will tell you to use the 300 gr, PH included. The buff, however, is now in my family room. Some PHs will allow you a "soft" in the chamber with solids below, but mine was a solid man, also very critical of the American obsession with velocity.

parkergunshop · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2011, 07:10:34 AM »

My Deer loads in my .375 H&H on a P14 Enfield Action using a Shaw Barrel 24 inches long are:

xx grains of H4895 behind a 235 grain Speer bullet, this load groups at .608 inch for 3 shots at 100 yds velocityy 2427.
It kills deer and does not destroy the meat. velocity variation shot to shot highest to lowest is 48 feet per second.

Cast bullet load for deer, 270 grain Eaton cast bullet, xx grains of 3031, velocity 2193 energy 2901 Foot Pounds group size .910 inch for 3 shots at 100 yards. This compares to over 4100 foot pounds for my top loads.

It is a great and under used round, but you need a long action and a heavy rifle and the ability to stand the recoil from full power loads.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** April 13, 2011, 07:21:57 AM »

I have not shot a great deal of game with my .375 H & H, it is a rebarreled 700...one bullet that worked well was a 270 grain Horn. rn over IMR 4350...but I have also used Win. 300 grain Silvertips on antelope, and the destruction of meat was less than with my .25-06 or 7mm mag...It is a fun round to play with..I am loading some 260 grain Accubonds to take on a spring trip for bear here in Wy...

streak · « **Reply #24 on:** April 13, 2011, 07:36:40 AM »

Quote from: Wyo. Coyote Hunter on December 29, 2010, 06:58:06 AM

If you can locate one, get a copy of Paul Mathews, 60 YEARS WITH RIFLES...he talks a bunch about the .375 H & H...one of his favorites...I don't think he ever shot anything bigger than a Pa. whitetail with his, but he sure had fun....

Wyo. Coyote Hunter,
You beat me to this reference, yes Paul Matthews used the .375 H&H for alot of his whitetail hunting and also gives alot of information about reloading for this type of hunting.
I have a .375 H&H in the Ruger#1 Tropical configuration. Great shooting rifle and accurate!

mauserand9mm · « **Reply #25 on:** April 14, 2011, 02:11:47 AM »

I've used the 300gn Barnes TSXs but only on targets (to try them out) - they shoot well but leave copper in the barrel something fierce (my barrel fouls easily anyway). The Barnes are very expensive over here. Woodleighs are locally made (in the same country at least) and better in price - if fact probably the cheapest big game bullets over here. They also have a good reputation for performance on big game - once again I've only used them on targets, so far...

us920669 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 14, 2011, 03:57:11 AM »

Reading this last post, it dawned on me that the new Barnes TSX is getting a great deal of attention these days. My 375 loading days were over 10 years ago, something I seem to have a hard time remembering. The Barnes solid I referenced several posts above was the monolithic solid, gold colored, round nosed, flat sided except for a crimp groove about half way up. I checked some catalogs and I'm not sure it is even made anymore. It looks like you have to buy the A Square (ooch!) to get that kind today. Sorry for any confusion.