Author Topic: can i handle the 375 jdj? (Read 490 times)

sageman · « **on:** September 27, 2004, 02:03:32 PM »

i own a 44 mag super black hawk i love to shoot it i can shoot 2 hundred rounds at a time in an hour with out flinching all in an hour. But im kinda worried about the 375 jdj will it recoil upwords of back is so how bad. i could shoot a couple hundred out of my 270 max no prob but info on the 375 would be great

Ladobe · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2004, 02:50:27 PM »

Hi sageman,

I think people in general get the wrong idea about the 375JDJ. It is a handcannon for sure, but a very manageable one with practice and technique. IMHO, any experienced handgun shooter who has shot the powerful revolvers or semi auto handguns or any of the stout Contenders/Encores "should" be also able to shoot a 375JDJ just fine. There is a learning curve on how to shoot it for sure - learn to roll with it and not fight it, but its bark is much worse than its bite. I'm on my 3rd 375, and its seldom I can get anybody at the range to "try a shot" after they've heard the thunder and seen the destruction of me shooting it. Usually, the best chance I have to get somebody to shot it is to do so before they've seen the blast or heard it roar. Many are surprised when they find out its really not that bad, but some do say once is enough. If you're not certain, simply buy one with a muzzle brake on it. That will teach you a new meaning for the term muzzle blast I assure you, but they do help tame the torque and make the recoil mostly just straight back and up. SSK's Arrestor is the most effective MB, better than either 4 port Mag-Na-Port or TC's. I've had them all on HC's, but my current 375 doesn't wear one at all. Another strong suggestion is that you get a Pachy Decelerator grip on it BEFORE your first range session. And if you like using a shooting glove, that will also help some (I don't use them though). It will have more recoil on the 4 1/2 pound Contender than your magnum hunting rifles do, but again, it is manageable pard. Another hint, start with lighter loads... maybe with 220 gr. pills at first and wait until you are comfortable before going to the 270's and 300's with max loads. Its a fun HC for sure, and it will draw a crowd at your local range every time you shoot it there. Its also a sledgehammer on bigger game if you're into elk, moose or the big bears for example. I shoot mine alot along with many other JDJ's one-handed, and 200 rounds in a range session doesn't give me a sore hand/elbow/shoulder. Hope some of these ramblings are useful to you. Good luck -
Larry :bye:

sageman · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2004, 02:57:06 PM »

larry,

thanx i am trying to get a comparison is it as bad as like i said a 270 max contender of .44 contender with factory loads info on that would help
Sage man

Ladobe · « **Reply #3 on:** September 27, 2004, 03:12:23 PM »

Personally, I felt the Contender 10" octagon 44MAG barrel I had many years ago was a lot worse with full loads than my first 14" 375JDJ with Arrester muzzle brake. It is more than those others, a lot more, but yet still very manageable. Helps a lot if you're a big kid with upper body strength and strong hands. And I'd stick to shooting 2 handed at first.

BUT!!!

I test fired the very first 10" Encore 416 Rigby barrel that was ever made (by Bullberry). I handled it fine, even one handed, but it was a bunch more than the 375JDJ is and 5-6 shots were enough for me. Point is, it was made for a skinny little doctor in Los Angeles, and I have a video of the first range session he had with it. First shot he was wearing elbow pads, gloves on both hands, a neck brace and a catchers chest pad and mask. Second shot was without all the gear and he shot it without problem two handed. Technique is the word I guess.

sageman · « **Reply #4 on:** September 27, 2004, 03:16:57 PM »

i can have one of my shooting coaches has a 45-70 conteder i could get my hands on. would that have around the same recoil as the 375?

Ladobe · « **Reply #5 on:** September 27, 2004, 03:25:21 PM »

Not in my opinion - the 375JDJ is more. But I have heard others say they think the 45-70 is worse. Different strokes I guess, and the 45-70 I had way back when did have solid wood grips. If you can try that 45-70 out before buying, I'd sure do it. Remember though the factory grip does not "tame" like the Pachy does.

sageman · « **Reply #6 on:** September 27, 2004, 03:27:10 PM »

if i could try the 45-70 would that give me the idea of 375?

flatlander · « **Reply #7 on:** September 28, 2004, 02:06:23 AM »

Yes, I think that it would. I've shot both 45-70 and the 375JDJ and found them both to be more than I cared for but that was with full house loads. Keep in mind that you can load the 375 down from the max power loads with lower grain weight bullets and reduce the recoil significantly. You probably know that your 44 mag will give you a huge reduction in recoil if you go from a 300 grain bullet with a maximum charge to a 180 grain bullet and a mid range charge. The 375 can be adjusted the same way. It won't make the recoil go away by any means, but it sure can help make things more bearable.

Captainkev · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2004, 08:10:40 AM »

For what it's worth, my 376 Steyr Encore with the SSK Brake, doesn't kick much more than my unbraked 308 barrel.
The 376 is just a bit hotter than the 375 JDJ so I am sure that the 375 would be just a tad bit easier as well.

Kevin

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** September 28, 2004, 09:10:44 AM »

Really I think this is a question ONLY YOU can answer and ONLY after trying one. I do agree that most folks likely should be able to learn to shoot one OK.

I can't. But I have a medical problem or more correctly problems that prevent me from it.

I've not fired a .375 JDJ but have the very similar .358 JDJ. At first mine was a real handful. It came back, up and twisted violently to my left. My arithritis weaked hands, wrists and elbows just could not deal with it. So I returned it to SSK for the SSK Arrestor Muzzle Brake. WOW! what a difference. Zero lift. Zero twist.

BUT 100% of it came straight back at me. Straight into the web of hand between thumb and first finger. Problem is I have a growth of some type at the base of my right thumb. I'm not sure if it's a calcium deposit, bone spur or cyst. Doesn't matter. Surgery could fix it but would take me out of commision for an extended time to do it. And the scar tissue left might prove just as bad.

The upshot of this is I can't take the recoil straight back because of the knot at base of my right thumb. I can't take it recoiling up, back and twisting because of arthritis.

So I reluctantly gave up the .358 JDJ and won't try the .375 JDJ because it should just be more of the same.

However I will say that if I didn't have these medical conditions I'd have no problem using either of them. But even with my conditions I can use a .44 Mag more or less all day long. Several hundred rounds a day are no problem in revolvers. Neither are my RBs in .454 Casull or .480 are a problem for me. Now the FA83 in .454 Casull was. Still I was able to shoot 50-60 rounds in it of absolute Max'ed out Buffalo Bore and COR-BON ammo per session even when also shooting the RB.

So take it for what it's worth. The JDJ Hand Cannons (defined by JD as any on the .444 Case or larger of .358" or larger bore) can be a LOT more than any of the revolvers. But still should be manageable by most unless you have a medical problem such as I do that prevents it.