.375 Winchester update...

[contenderfan]

Well, it has been an interesting learning experience handloading for the T/C Contender Super 14 .375 Win. I got a while back. This particular barrel seems to only like two loads that I can tell, but man it REALLY likes them.
Unfortunately, the best accuracy so far has come from the Winchester factory 200 gr. FP loads...but at $50 per 20 rounds thats just not an option for me. The factory ammo runs right at
1 1/4" @ 100 yards for 5 shot groups.
My best handload so far is with 35.5 gn. Reloader-7 pushing a Hornady 220 gn. Flat Point, using CCI primers. They come in at
1 3/8" to 1 1/2" @ 100 yards for 5 shot groups.
Reloader-7 is the only powder I have tried so far, but when funds allow i will try some other compeonents as well. But so far, here are my results...all loads have been tried more than once to confirm findings.

Primers: CCI large rifle
Powder: Reloader-7
Bullet: Hornady 220 gn. FP

33 gr. 3-4" vertical strings
33.5 gr. 4-5" vertical strings
34 gr. 10" vertical strings
34.5 gr. 7" vertical strings
35 gr. 3" groups
35.5 gr. 1 3/8-1 1/2" groups
36 gr. 2-2 1/4" groups
36.5 gr. 8" shotgun patterns

If any .375 Win owners out there have any suggestions on other suitable data please feel free to share. I think my next step will be to work in .10 gn. increments from 35 to 36 to see if there may be a magic area on either side of the 35.5 gn. load. If not, the 35.5 gn. load looks to be a mighty fine recipe for this barrel out to 100 yards.

[Austin from NC]

That load looks plenty good for hunting. Good luck on getting a deer with it.

       Austin

[Slowpoke Slim]

I checked with my shooting buddy for his load:

Hornady 220 FP
32.2 grs H4198
CCI Large Rifle Primer.

He seats his to standard book length.

Good Luck, you can always try different components too.

[BBF]

Have you thought about using the SpeerBullet# 2471  a 235 gr Semi Spitzer. A very accurate load in my (sold now) Ruger#3.
With a 14" barrel you should get close to 1900 fps. Speer shows Re-7 as the best performing powder. Since you have it, perhaps you can try those bullets. Their BC (0.317) is much better then any FN's
 
The next best powder is IMR 4198 starting at 28.0 gr going to max 32.0(compressed) 

[contenderfan]

 Thanks, will jot that info down. Theres plenty of other components/variables I can still play around with...I just lack the finances to pursue them right now. I believe this barrel is capable of shooting under an inch if I can find the magic combo for it. 

[Dezynco]

Hey Contenderfan!
I have the best luck with 4198 for my jacketed bullets, Reloader 7 with my cast lead bullets.  My 24" barrel really loves the 200gr jfp's, will shoot 1 hole groups at 100 yards!
 
Have you installed a good scope yet?  A nice 4x, or a nice 2-7 or so will really tighten up the groups at 100 yards.

[contenderfan]

 4198 will be the next powder I try Dez...I still have the Bushnell Red Dot on the .375 barrel, and your right...it could just be the optics that are limiting the groups as well. I recently got a .35 Remington super 14 barrel as well and it has a Weaver Classic 2x scope on it. I thought of switching scopes on the barrels, but decided to keep them as they are. Both barrels are shooting way too good to go messin with switching scopes right now. 


 When funds allow I will most likely get different optics for the .375 barrel though. Id like to find another Weaver Classic 2x actually, anything above 2x on a big bore pistol is just not my cup of tea in my experience...with the exception of a .22 LR barrel on a Contender, I prefer a 4x on a .22 LR.

[Austin from NC]

If you can shoot groups like that with a red dot you have got better eyes than me by far. If you like 2x but really want to see how it shoots get a variable. Me personally I would be tickled with what you have especially with a red dot.

       Austin

[BBF]

I like the idea of Red Dots for closeup myself. I don't like the idea of a depleted battery when it gets critical.

[contenderfan]

If you can shoot groups like that with a red dot you have got better eyes than me by far. If you like 2x but really want to see how it shoots get a variable. Me personally I would be tickled with what you have especially with a red dot.

       Austin

 Oh dont get me wrong, Im tickled to death with the accuracy. I just gotta play with it some more to see how much more I can squeeze the groups down. And as stated above, it may very well be the red dot scope that is holding the groups back, but Im not willing to change the scope out this close to our firearms season. That will come later.
  I am suprised Im doing as well with the red dot as I am...my vision is far from perfect. I am near-sighted with astigmatism in both eyes and I wear no-line bifocal lenses. I can control the sharpness of the dot by using the lower brightness settings on the dial, right down to the point that the dot looks like a laser on the target. I have no doubt that if I couldnt control the brightness that the groups would not be near as good as what they are. I have extra batteries on hand that will go in the hunting pouch during hunting season as well.

[Austin from NC]

You sound like your eyes are like mine I may have to give a red dot another look. The ones I used made it to dark to see the target good especially in low light. What are you using and have you looked through it in low light/best hunting hours?

       Austin

[contenderfan]

 Its the Bushnell Trophy red dot, no magnification. I dont have any problems in low light so far, but I could see where it may be a factor if your in a dense woods. I hunt field edges mainly, so its not a problem for me. If I do find it to be an issue I will just switch over to the .35 Rem barrel with the 2x Weaver Classic.