Author Topic: Hand loads for 375 H&H wanted! (Read 1383 times)

Bigboar · « **on:** January 19, 2006, 09:05:17 AM »

Well I finally put it together now I need handloads. It will be used mainly on deer and such but a safari is in the works. So any handoads would be greatly appreciated.

bigboar :grin:

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2006, 03:53:50 PM »

You really ought to get a Hornady handloading manual. It's a great resource for people who shoot the 375H&H. I like their 300 grain soft nose bullets because the cost is low enough to permit good practice. They have an excellent variety of bullets for the 375.

I also like the 235 grain Speer bullets, and will be using them for an upcoming hog hunt.

My powder is Reloder 15 because it is temperature insensitive and because it performs well. Hodgdon makes some excellent temperature-insensitive powders in their "extreme" line that will yield about 100fps more.

For African game including the larger antelopes, I recommend the Swift A-Frame because it is the most highly regarded of the expanding bullets among the experienced African hunters. I plan to use that in Africa as well.

I use the recommended Federal primers.

Bigboar · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2006, 03:03:46 AM »

Thanks, I was more interested in which powders work the best. I have Hornady as well as other loading manuals. So far Reloader #15 seems to be recomended the most.

Thanks,

bigboar

Quote from: Questor

You really ought to get a Hornady handloading manual. It's a great resource for people who shoot the 375H&H. I like their 300 grain soft nose bullets because the cost is low enough to permit good practice. They have an excellent variety of bullets for the 375.

I also like the 235 grain Speer bullets, and will be using them for an upcoming hog hunt.

My powder is Reloder 15 because it is temperature insensitive and because it performs well. Hodgdon makes some excellent temperature-insensitive powders in their "extreme" line that will yield about 100fps more.

For African game including the larger antelopes, I recommend the Swift A-Frame because it is the most highly regarded of the expanding bullets among the experienced African hunters. I plan to use that in Africa as well.

I use the recommended Federal primers.

Reloader · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2006, 11:37:56 AM »

I haven't done a lot of trial with my 375, but most of what I've done has been with IMR 4064 and Varget. Walmart was giving their 375 bullets away for ridiculously low prices awhile back so I stocked up on Hornady 270 and 300 grain, Sierra bullets and a couple boxes of Speer 235.
I think any of these would be adequate for elk but I think I would lean toward something a bit tougher for Africa.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2006, 01:44:29 AM »

I went with Sierra 270 grain Gamekings for Africa and everything I shot with them (Zebra, Blue Wildebeest and smaller) was a one shot kill. I would not consider Gamekings the best hunting bullet but they were the most accurate in my gun. Unless dangerous game is in the agenda, the 375 H&H Magnum really has more than enough power for most African game and enough power with the right bullets for dangerous game. In my opinion, hitting the animal in the right spot is at least 90% of the battle. With more than enough power, if a 270 grain bullet even had just 50% weight retention and good placement, that's a 135 grain hunk of lead in the animals vitals which should be enough.

Where I hunted, it was said that most shots would be taken at less than 100 yards which was true but it turned out that the Zebra was taken about 30 minutes before the end of hunting light and at about 200 yards so bullet accuracy is an issue as well.

STexhunter · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2006, 07:09:03 AM »

First let me say that is a beautiful rifle. Ever now and then I pull out the 375 and do a little shooting. I have found IMR 4064 a great powder. The other day I decided to do some playing. I have an old Lyman manuel that list 70.5grs. of 4320 as an accuracy load and I happened to have some 4320. So, I started with 69.0 grains and got groups (3 shot) of just over an inch with Speer 285gr. bullets. While I haven't messed with it much it does show some potential.

Questor · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2006, 07:22:56 AM »

BigBoar:

You should also consider Hodgdon H4350. It is VERY highly regarded as a 375H&H magnum powder. I just haven't used it yet because I've still got a bunch of RL15. If you try just these two powders, then I don't think you can go wrong. You also have the added benefit of temperature insensitivity with both of them. Good luck, amigo!

jager · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2006, 06:03:40 AM »

BigBoar - I've used the max load of H4350 of 81.5gr behind a 300SptBT Sierra in my Whitworth and found it to be the most accurate load to date. Recoil is up their, but tolerable. BTW, velocity on that load is 2620fps (avg) with my rifle with normal pressure signs. It is a "compressed load"; I use a Lee "crimper" to keep the bullets from "backing out" of the case. I also like RL15, Win760, AA4064, and IMR4064 (in that order), but find I can't match the velocity of H4350 with the heavier bullets. I've also loaded the 235gr Speer bullet for a while, but went to the 250SptBt of Sierra as a "bullet of choice" for pairing with the "big 300's" because they tend to shoot closer together than my best 235 load (the 235's, loaded up, print 6" higher than the 300's). The 250 loads are "pleasant" to shoot and can be driven to 2800fps without a problem. A friend has used the 250gr in Africa on Kudu and Gembok; he reports that it is a lot tougher bullet than he initially thought with good penatration from just about any angle. Jager