Author Topic: .375 H&H Recoil (Read 3966 times)

Silver Bear · « **on:** October 28, 2006, 06:04:53 AM »

Thinking about buying a CZ 550 American in .375 H&H. Can anyone tell me how the recoil compares to a 2 3/4 12 Ga. 1 oz. slug from a Remington 870 or a 200grain Shock Wave from an Omega 20 cal. using two 50 gr. 777 pellets? I apprciate the help.
Silver Bear

skippermdj · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2006, 06:37:21 AM »

It's going to depend. The Remington "Buckhammer" is supposed to deliver 1550fps for a 1.25oz (about 546 grain) slug. In an 8-lb gun, this gives a recoil energy of 34 ft/lbs and a recoil velocity of 17FPS.

My 375 with scope weighs just under 10#. Shooting 270 grain bullets at 2750fps, recoil will be about 33 ft/lbs with a velocity of 15fps.

A top-performance 12-ga slug in a lighter shotgun will recoil more than most 375 loads. A max-load 300grain 375 load in a lighter gun will recoil more than most 12-ga slug loads. At least, so it appears when I run the numbers. Eithere way, it looks like you're in the same ballpark.

Hope this helps.

- Mark

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2006, 08:24:48 AM »

That's all that a .375 recoils?? For some reason, I had expectations of a pure bone crunching gun. Obviously I've never fired one, but I've sent a lot of 12 ga slugs downrange and never thought them to be that bad. I wouldn't spend a day shooting pop cans with them, but I could roll through a box before I started to flinch bad.

jro45 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2006, 08:50:43 AM »

My 10lb 375 recoils a little more. With the 270 gr bullet going 2620 fps recoils 36.75 Ft Lbs
and with the 300gr bullet going 2648 fps recoils 43.17 Ft Lbs

Ramrod · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2006, 03:13:57 PM »

I don't know if these "numbers" mean anything. Felt recoil is a factor of many variables, gun weight is one, but stock design is equally important. So is the physical build of the shooter. Computer generated numbers say my .375 H&H kicks harder than a .300 Win Mag. or a 12 gauge slug. This is total bull, it is much more comfortable for me to shoot than either of those two rounds in the guns they are commonly chambered in.

nasem · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2006, 07:04:10 PM »

Please do not compare the recoil of ANY 12-ga to a 375 h&h..... thats going to yeild someone ending up thinking a 375 H&H doesn't recoil a whole lot and end up getting hurt...... Instead, think of a 30-06 shooting 180 or 165 grainers.... then double the recoil.... thats a 375 H&H

You really can not compare the recoil of a 12-ga to the recoil of 375 h&H becuase.... they don't recoil as the same speed....
While with some slugs, the recoil energy is about 30-35 ft / lbs, and the recoil of a 338 WIN mag is also in that range, the 338 plain hurts ALOT more than a 12-ga slug ... why ? because of recoil speed.....the speed of which the guns hits ya is much faster when you have a centerfire than a shotgun.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2006, 01:13:15 AM »

To many variables involved. Gun weight, do you have a good recoil pad, is there a mercury recoil reducer in the stock and on and on. My 416 Rigby in my CZ 550 hardly has any felt recoil, why? Well I have a great recoil pad installed, I also installed a 11 oz mercury recoil reducer, the gun weight about 11 pounds, all of which are factors in felt recoil. Now if you have a lighter gun and not a very good recoil pad or anything else to aid in recoil reduction, you are going to have a lot of felt recoil.

I recommend getting a gun, then go out and shoot it, if you think the recoil is to much, then see what course you will go to aid in recoil reduction.

Hammerspur · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2006, 02:01:58 AM »

When my buddy and I first tried out the .375 Ruger No. 1 Tropicals we had just purchased, we did a coin toss at the range to decide who would try their rifle first... I guess we were a little psyched-out!

I got the toss, fired off a shot and was surprised at the relative civility of the big grandaddy
.
After long load developement sessions at the bench firing 12 Ga. sluggers, high loaded .45 cal soot-burners and large bore ball shooters, the H&H was really no big deal.

jro45 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2006, 03:11:14 AM »

With my 375 H&H the recoil doesn't bother me but it is there. My 375 H&H is a Sako 75 Hunter.

dubber123 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2006, 03:43:44 AM »

Redhawks right, too many variables. I have a Ruger # 1 .375 thats no big deal to shoot, and a light synthetic stocked 12 ga. thats much worse with stout loads. Unless it's in a real light gun, I don't think you will have any problems with the 375 if you have done alot of slug shooting and can handle that.

GrassLakeRon · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2006, 12:34:36 AM »

Hi,

My 375 H&H in a Rem 700 xcr is not bad at all. I read it was a long push as far as recoil, and that is what it feels like. My brother 300 wby. kicks harder, at least to me. I put 10 rounds through her yesterday and Zero shoulder marks! I can't say that from the wby last month!

Ron

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2006, 04:40:44 AM »

It depends on the guns being compared, but generally, I think the 375 recoiils a bit harder than a 1 ounce slug from a 12 gauge. Keep in mind that the rifle weighs about two pounds more than the shotguns I'm thinking of. The 375 I'm thinking of weighs about 10 pounds with ammo and scope, which is about right for weight for a 375. There are lighter 375s on the market, but I have no experience with them.

Considering the power of the rifle, the recoil isn't bad at all. I wouldn't want to use it as a plinking gun, but the recoil is not fearsome or painful.

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2006, 08:11:54 AM »

Buy a lead sled and eliminate the word recoil from your dictionary

Of course, you will have to handle it when you are off hunting.

Silver Bear · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2006, 04:23:52 AM »

Thanks for all the recoil advice. I am now confident that I can shoot a CZ 550 American in .375 H&H.

Silver Bear

eglsong · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2006, 06:37:53 PM »

I have a T\C Encore in .375H&H that I have shot over 20 rounds of factory(heavy mag Rem) with out being bothered. Have a good recoil pad installed. I have fired this rifle ove 100 times and only felt the recoil once that hurt. ( my fault did not have the gun up tight) The lim saver pad I installed really made a difference.
Charlie

jro45 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 06, 2006, 08:40:21 AM »

The biggest concern is your weight and the rifles weight.

358Win · « **Reply #16 on:** December 07, 2006, 12:24:42 PM »

375 recoil really isn't an issue if you hold the gun correctly and let your body roll with the punch a bit. Standing is no problem, off the bench or prone it can get to be an issue.

moxgrove · « **Reply #17 on:** December 17, 2006, 04:33:48 PM »

I find that my Benelli 3 1/2 goose guns with heavy loads has worse recoil than any rifle I have used. Including a 458 win. Of course that is field and not off a bench. If you have ever set off a full goose load while on your back you what heavy recoil is all about. I did that once and only once. I now take that extra half second to sit up.

moxgrove · « **Reply #18 on:** December 18, 2006, 11:39:51 AM »

I think the light weight of the shotgun with the awkward angle makes the difference. As usual, I don't notice the recoil when hunting, bgut later in the evening the throb reminds me. Of course as you add layers of clothing it gets better. I just got a mercury comp for the stock. I think you will have no prob with 375. Ten pounds makes a big difference from 7.5

KDM · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2007, 04:57:02 PM »

jro45 said: The biggest concern is your weight and the rifles weight.

This kinda caught my eye...I'm average-size (5'9", 190#, 'bout 12% body fat). My CZ550 in 375 (it should be here soon!

) is 9.5# or so. I'm hoping I've got enough ballast to make it a comfortable shoot. Doesn't matter anyway, I guess...still gonna shoot it!

drdougrx · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2007, 03:29:10 PM »

\Just get a limbsaver pad and magnaport. My 375 is a rem 700BDLSS and weighs 8lbs scoped and loaded. I'm 5'7", 200lbs and I can certainly handle it.

cam69conv · « **Reply #21 on:** January 07, 2007, 10:45:02 AM »

Quote from: moxgrove on December 17, 2006, 04:33:48 PM

If you have ever set off a full goose load while on your back you what heavy recoil is all about. I did that once and only once. I now take that extra half second to sit up.

Confusious say...Smart man learn after one time...Dumb man have to be told again he was stupid

.375 H&H isnt that bad except in the prone position...Do not attempt unless you dont like your shoulder in the position it now resides. Its not that evil of a round but it does have a VERY fast recoil with a long push so in the prone position that could be a bad situation for shoulder damage just from the physics of the recoil. Unless you have it all rigged up for recoil reduction like RedHawk does...But we dont all have his "loose change"

turkeyeye · « **Reply #22 on:** January 20, 2007, 07:52:57 AM »

Well I had the 375 H&H in a TC Encore with synthetic stock. Very light gun for such a big caliber. The recoil was no where near as painful as a 3.5" turkey load from my 870, but as many have said the speed as to which it kicked was totally different. The turkey loads are more painful but the 375 will ring your eye if not prepared. Believe me because I still have the scar from where I shot at a coyote from an ackward position. The blood started rolling off the end of my nose. So I would much rather shoot a 375 than a turkey load, but you better be in good form and position and respect it.

skippermdj · « **Reply #23 on:** January 20, 2007, 10:49:27 AM »

FWIW - after shooting 25 rounds of .270-grainers off the bench, I still don't think the recoil is as sharp or painful as my 12-gauge. It's nothing to be afraid of. I wore a PAST pad and installed a Limbsaver on the gun. No bruises, no pain the next day.

With the selection of bullets available, I belive I can use the 375 with the 235-grain premium bullet like the Barnes TSX anywhere a 338 with 225-grainers would be appropriate, with equal or better velocity. But I can also load my 375 with 270- and 300-grain bullets and deliver more punch as well as being legal for African DG. If I could only keep two rifles, they would be my 308 Win and the 375H&H.

Speaking from my somewhat limited experience and perspective, it's a good'un.

- Mark

GaryCrow · « **Reply #24 on:** January 24, 2007, 02:53:07 PM »

Quote from: cam69conv on January 07, 2007, 10:45:02 AM

.375 H&H isnt that bad except in the prone position...Do not attempt unless you dont like your shoulder in the position it now resides. Its not that evil of a round but it does have a VERY fast recoil with a long push so in the prone position that could be a bad situation for shoulder damage just from the physics of the recoil.

I made my longest shot hunting using a .375 H&H, shooting prone, on a whitetail doe. My shoulder's still in it's position and it wasn't a big deal at all. I also shoot mine off of the bench quite a bit, it's just like shooting a 30-06, hold the rifle properly, concentrate on sight picture and trigger control. The rumours about the .375's recoil seem to get bigger and more ridiculous every time a thread like this comes up. It's kind of like a fish tale, the fish starts out at 3 lbs and by the time it reaches the local watering hole it's a 19 lb state record.

The truth is that the .375 H&H is a pretty mild recoiling round. You really need to get up into the .416's and above before you really start talking kick. Just treat it like any other rifle, which is exactly what it is.

Doesniper · « **Reply #25 on:** January 24, 2007, 05:09:43 PM »

I love my .375 H&H. I would rather shoot it than a .338 any day. It is a magnum and has a good stiff recoil, but it isn't near as bad as you think it will be. It is in no way, twice as bad as a 30-06 doubled. Mine is a Mark X Mauser in a laminated boyds stock, 24" stainless #3 contour. This cal. is hard to beat.

358Win · « **Reply #26 on:** January 25, 2007, 03:19:39 PM »

If you're going to get a CZ anyway just opt for the 9.3x62 which is a better cartridge on all counts and shoots either 286 grain softs or solids at 2350 which is the optimum velocity. If you don't believe that last remark look at the specs on the new 400 H&H a 400 grain at 2375, and the 465 H&h which shoots a 500 grain at 2375 fps. In any rifle there is never a good excuse to even go up to 2500, you just damage more meat, put up with more recoil and gain exactly 0 in killing power. Notice how many PH's in Africa that load there 375 down to about 2400 fps with the 300 grain slug. Better performance, and less recoil.

jro45 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 18, 2007, 10:31:27 AM »

With my 375 H&H shooting the 270 gr bullet at 2750 FPS the recoil is 40.46 Ft Lbs. The 300 gr bullets going 2648 FPS the recoil is 43.17 Ft. Lbs. I use a brake on the bench
but off the bench I take the brake off and screw this screw cover over the threads. The recoil isn't that bad standing.