375/338

[mcrae555]

Hello Fella's

I am not sure if my 375/338 really classifys as a big bore but everyone here seems to be really knowledgable so I thought I would post my question!  I have acquired a beautiful custom made 375/338.  It is a stainless steel Winchester Model 70 with a 23 inch stainless steel fluted barrel.  The rifle was purchased brand new as a .300 Win mag and basically dropped off at the smith.  The fella that had the rifle made up unfortunately has run in to some financial problems and has been forced to sell it so I bought it basically brand new(previous owner put 40 rounds through the gun).  This is my first wildcat and I don't have allot of experience with cartridges over .30 cal.  I have one load for this rifle using IMR 4320 and 260 grain Nosler Accubonds.  The load gets just under 2500 fps and is accurate but seems to short changing this cartridge a little.  I was hoping somebody out there has some experience or load suggestions or advice for this cartridge.  I was hoping to get powder advice for the big guns!  I am thinking with some more work on the reloading I should be able to get a little more velocity out of this cartridge.  I would really like to be around 2700 fps with a 260 grain Nosler.  I intend to use the gun for grizzly,black bear,elk, and moose.  I have and use at this time only IMR 4350 and IMR 3031 so I will be powder shopping soon.  I have only been able to find load data for IMR 4064 and RL-15 and was hoping to find out more info on powders that would be suitable.  Is there any one powder that really excels with big bores?  Any hints or advice on reloading the bigger bores would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks again

McRae

[talon]

Have you tried a google search on "  375/338 ". There seems to be several items on that round.

[Lawdog]

mcrae555,

I considered building up a .375-338 a while back and may still but these loads were given to me by a close friend that does have one that he uses for brush country moose and such in Alaska/Canada.  Remember to start under the stated powder charge(I would go 10% under to start) for safety reasons.  You are welcome to these, just be safe.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

Bullet Type & Weight - Powder - Charge - Velocity - Comments
Hornady 270 gr. SP   IMR-4064   69gr   2,763          accurate
                                IMR-4064   71gr   2,822        accurate
                                IMR-4895   67gr   2,685
                                IMR-4895   68gr   2,722
                                IMR-4320   68gr   2,645
                                IMR-4320   69gr   2,690
                                RL-15   73gr   2,864         accurate
Swift 270 gr. A-Frame IMR-4064   68gr   2,675         accurate
      IMR-4320   68.5gr   2,690
Nosler 260 gr. Partition IMR-4064    69gr   2,793          accurate
      IMR-4064   70gr   2,822          accurate
      RL-15   70gr   2,775          accurate
      RL-15   71gr   2,843          accurate
      RL-15   73gr   2,906          accurate
Swift 300 gr. A-Frame   IMR-4064   66gr   2,560          accurate
Sierra 300 gr. BTSP   IMR-4064   66gr   2,620          accurate

[magnum308]

HI, I'm from Brisbane, Australia and I am new to this website.

I have  375 Chatfield-Taylor (375 Belted Newton). PO Ackley's Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders Vol II page 212 you'll find some loading data.

magnum308

[Con]

magnum308,
Welcome to the forum, I'm also from Oz but from Vic. Did you say you've got a 375 Taylor? If so, do you know who has a reamer as I've an extra 375H&H barrel that I'm considering cutting and chambering for this cartridge.
Take care...
Con

[magnum308]

Con,

The gunsmith who built the rifle for me (its a ruger M77) is Allan Swan, (07) 3288 1880. Give him a call he does good work.

Magnum308

[Con]

Thanks... that name has come up before, much appreciated!
Cheers...
Con

[warf73]

In reply to talan and everyone here.
Please refrain from using Google search engine.
Google is antigun so we as gun owners should be AntiGoogle.

I have always thought about a 375/338 as I would like a .375" cal. rifle.

[magnum308]

I decided to get to working up some loads from my 375 Chatfield-Taylor to see how it would shoot. Being in Australia i was restricted to the Oz powders made by ADI (but sold and repackaged as Hogdson in the US, see http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/equivalents.asp).

I was using 270 gr Hornady spire point projectiles I worked up five loads with AR2208 9similar to 4064), using Winchester magnum primers, starting at 65 grs and incrementing 1 gr each load to 69grs. 68grs showed signs of primers flatening so I didn't shoot the 69 gr load. Best 3 shot group was 66 grs 1⅛" at 100 yards. 67 and 68 gr loads were about 1¾". I might try it again with std LR primers. The maximum in the ADI manual for 375 H&H is 67 grs giving just over 2,600 fps. This is jolly close to the original Holland & Holland loading of 2,650 fps (see African Rifles and Cartridges, John Taylor, page 130). My guess is that it is close to that in the 375 Taylor. The two cases are near the same capacity (volume wise) but I think that the 375 Taylor might generate higher pressure (and velocity) than the H&H being a shorter case with the same loads. The next step will be to get together with my brother-in-law and chronograph the loads and see what the actual velocity is.

I'd like to hear experiences of other 375 Chatfield-Taylor shooters.

Magnum308