.375 JDJ Encore your input needed

[Natty Ned]

I have never shot a .375 JdJ,but TC is comming out with one in the Encore and the Contender this year. So I ordered one in the Encore. If you have any experience with the .375 JDJ could you please answer the following questions.
Is the gun hard to control ?
How is muzzle blast and recoil ?
Is this something I'm go to take to the range, shoot 3 shots and be done for the day?
I have a bullet mould,that I  use for a 38-55, thats around 250 grains.
I hope, I can load that bullet to around 1600- 1900 fps, and it will be nice to shoot. Any experience with that ?
Also, would a scope be of any use on a gun like that, or just stick with open sights ?
Thanks
Natty Ned        :?

[MePlat]

I've got one in a Contender but also I have an Encore in 375-06JDJ.

Recoil of the 375 JDJ is not bad at all.  Some say it is but I question if they have really fired one or just heard someone who is a "know it all" say it is. (excepting maybe someone that has maybe had an old joint injury)  You will be burning in the neighborhood or 50 grs of powder so yes blast will become somewhat wicked compared to smaller cartridges on the average.

I would definantly scope it as you have the potential of shooting long range with it.

My 375 JDJ is mag-na-ported but I have fired an unported barrel too.

You will probably get horror stories about the recoil from some that probably like to try to scare kids by telling them ghosts stories and laughing about it when the kid starts to cry.

Don't pay any attention to them.

[flatlander]

I sold my 375 JDJ because it was just too much recoil for me. Yes, you can load it down to the velocities that you are talking about and the recoil is very managable. But I didn't see the point of doing that, personally. Not to argue with previous posts, but if anyone tells you that the 375 doesn't recoil much is either shooting light loads, hasn't ever shot one or is extremely recoil tolerant. The 375 with loads that live up to the round's potential will kick, and kick hard! But if you load it to 1900 fps or less instead of in the 2200 fps range, it is fairly pleasant to shoot. Just my :money:

[MS Hitman]

Okay , in order as best I follow your questions;

No
Yes
No
Most likely
1600-1900 with a 250 should be no problem.  I load 300 FMJs to a little over 200 fps, No experience shooting cast bullets in my barrel
Most definitely

Now to fill in with your personal experience and observations.  

I have a 14" Contender barrel with four Mag-Na-Ports.  Most of my loading is done with AA2520 powder and Hornady bullets.  I have found that bullet weights from 220-300 grains have the same point of impact at the distances I normally shoot; therefore I do very little if any changing on my scope after I have the firearm sighted in for a particular distance.  

If you watch some of the reloading supply companies, there are sales of seconds, or blemished bullets that occur once or twice a year.  I have bought Hornady 300 grain FMJs for $10 per 100 in bulk and 270 Hornady SPs for a little less.  

I recommend a brake or porting on the barrel.  It increases the noise a bit, but also increases recoil control.  You will not want to shoot a 40 round silhouette match with it, but it is definitely more than a 3 shot at a time gun.  I bought my barrel from a friend and it made its third trip to Africa when I went in '01.  This barrel and round both are frighteningly accurate.  I took my zebra with one shot at nearly 225 yards using a 300 FMJ.  My kudu was a bit closer.  Despite the number of rounds that have gone down the barrel, it still shoots sub MOA out past 200 yards.  

The .375 JDJ is one of the easiest cartridges I have to form cases and load for.  Start with the smaller powder charges and build up your confidence both in accuracy and recoil management and you should be very pleased with your barrel.

[flatlander]

I just reread my post and I wanted to clarify and add to my comments. I would definitely recommend the round, especially if you can reload and get the rounds into the range that you are comfortable shooting. I don't shoot anything bigger than deer and hogs, so it wasn't necessary, so I decided to go with something that was just as effective for that size of game and had minimal recoil in comparison. Yes, I'd suggest a scope. As for muzzle blast, I can tell you that sitting in the lane next to one will get your attention. The concussion is worse for the guy next to you than it is for you. I'll bet you will enjoy your barrel. Have a good time with it!

[billjoe]

I have a 14" barrel with the arrestor brake on it.  I shoot 220 grain and 270 grain bullets with A2520 max loads.  I weigh 160lbs and have an average build.  I am in no sorts a stout man.  It took me several months to get the nerve up to shoot my JDJ after I got it.  Of course I was between insurance plans at the time and had all kinds of horrific thoughts like the recoil crushing my head with the hammer or snapping my wrist in 4 places.  My god, the cartridge is big enough to scare the bajesus out of you.

That was 2 years ago.  After I fired it one time, I was hooked.  They are not only capable of being shot, but is actually fun to do so.  There is quite a difference in recoil on the 220 vs the 270.  I've never shot 300 grainers, but would suspect the recoil to be a little stiffer yet.  You'll find that with the arrestor brake, that the muzzel won't rise 3" if at all when you shoot.  It will direct the force backward into the palm of your hand and your arm.  Somehow, it does not tend to fly out of your hand, at all.  I shoot 20 round sets with it.  I use a Past glove to absorb some of the palm shock.  You'll shoot longer when you wear a glove.

I scoped mine and would recommend it.  The added weight will help with the recoil and it's easier to shoot with scoped sights in my opinion.

Don't be afraid of the 375JDJ.  It's easy to form the brass and load.  Kind of pig on powder consumption though.

bj

[Hawkeye]

It is a fun round to shoot. If you let your buddies shoot it one time, they won't give it back until you are out of ammo. Load plenty. I buy bulk Sierra 200grn flat points at the factory each year by the pound. They are seconds but shooting targets with the buds and whitetail never know the difference. 99% of them are just discolored where they wash them in vats.
I mostly shoot the 220 Hornady flat point. It will do any thing I need in Oklahoma. Even on big hogs, they don't have a chance.
I have shooting my barrel for the first time on video. My buddies all thought I had lost it and came out to see me split my skull. Before we were done, they had all shot it and was watching the video later.
The recoil is there but not like most say. I shot a lot of big guns and it is not near as nasty as my 45-70 w/300grn bullets.
I have a Shilen fluted barrel by SSK and it has no break. I shot one with a break and about blew my shooting boxes and all off the bench. I think the Mag na Port would be the way to go. My buddy has a 454 Casull w/MagnaPort and it is not bad out to the side of it.
They are correct about it being a pig when it comes to powder consumption. But, if you are worried about powder, get a .22 Hornet or .223. I have shot the 220 grn flat points into wet phone books and had to dig them out of the dirt bank. NASTY. They are expanding about to the size of a quarter. Haven't had a chance to take a deer with it yet but this season I will be carrying it. Like the others said, easy to load. Definitely scope it. I have a Bushnell 2x6 w/TSOB and 3 rings. It has stayed put so far.  
Have fun.

Mike



My three favorite rounds.  7-30 Waters, .309JDJ & .375JDJ