375 H&H recoil

[Questor]

I was surprised to learn how mild the recoil of a 375 h&h is in a 9 pound rifle. I was expecting some pain, but it's really not bad at all. It's like a 12 gauge shotgun with game loads.  Perhaps in a lighter rifle it would be bad, and perhaps the gun I shot just fits well, but it looks like there's no reason to fear the recoil of this kind of rifle.

[Woodbutcher]

Hey Questor: Thanks, I needed that!...Woodbutcher

[Questor]

You're welcome. I am not a magnum maniac, and I don't like any more recoil than I need to have.  

Although this may sound ridiculous, my opinion of the 375 after shooting about 20 rounds through it in one session was that the recoil isn't much different than my 270. I know this is preposterous because the 270 shoots a 130 grain bullet at 3050fps and the 375 was shooting 285 grain bullets at about 2500fps. The recoil formula says the 375 has about 2.5 times the recoil of the 270.  

I can feel the recoil of my 270 in my cheek. I couldn't feel it with the 375. I think this is due to a difference in stock design.  The 270 is heavier by about a pound than the 375. This is because the 270 is scoped and the the 375 wasn't.

The recoil of the 375 felt lighter than a 12 gauge shotgun shooting a slug.  

The 375 has a recoil pad and I didn't get any of that shoulder bruising that I would have gotten if it were my 12 gauge with slugs.

[kjeff50cal]

I agree that the .375 H&H is about like shooting a 12 ga. I shot a Winchester Mod. 70 Tropical that a buddy was sorting out for his father (up coming safari, I volunteered tobe a gunbearer  :-D  :-D  :-D ) at my favorite range. The recoil of those 300 grn. loads were not as bad as the sticker shock of how much the gun cost  :shock: . If all of my clients paid what they owed I might consider it (or a Ruger No. 1) with a bit left over for a busman's safari (a trip to an exotic game preserve in South Texas for some Nigali).  :wink: .

kjeff50cal

[leverfan]

I just shot a friend's .375 H&H yesterday, a 70's era Winchester with a thick factory recoil pad, and it was downright pleasant to shoot off hand.  My 444 Marlin, which has a hard rubber recoil pad, is not as nice to shoot as that .375 was.  I knew I wanted a .375, but now I really, really want one.

[Chief]

Well, I wish I could say my Mod 70 375 H&H didn't kick...but it does.   In fact, I really have to work on not flinching when at the range and shooting 300gr. Federal Premiums. One of my shooting partners use to say it hurt him watching me shoot.  Now don't get me wrong, I really like my 375 and I don't even notice the recoil when hunting.  The recoil isn't enough to make me not like it but in my opinion, my 375 is no pussy cat in the recoil department.  

Chief

[leverfan]

Chief-

Are there any places to set up a standing rest where you shoot?  It's not as steady as a bench rest, but an adjustable standing rest that lets people roll back with recoil is almost as comfortable as shooting offhand.  

I didn't try the 375 off of a bench, because that didn't look like it was as much fun.  The old waffle style recoil pad worked fine, standing.  The stock also fit me well, better than my current production Model 70.

[Woodbutcher]

Sticker shock worse than the recoil! Now that's got me laughing! Correct but funny.
 My light 45/70 causes bruises from the bench after a dozen rounds of factory ammo. (no recoil pad, yet, just a hard butt) It just ain't a comfortable posture to absorb recoil, so I really appreciate all the observations that I'm reading.
 I have a picture in my memory, from when I was a kid watching TV, adventures of Martin and Osa Johnson in Africa, the little Lady stopping a charging lion, at close range, with a big double. I guess that goes back a ways, don't it? She seemed to survive the recoil!
                                    Thank you gentlemen.....Woodbutcher

[Chief]

Leverfan,
I have not tried setting up a standing rest at the range but I'm sure you are correct.  Being able to roll with the recoil would make a whole lot of difference.  I have played with shooting cast bullets in the 375 H&H and really enjoy that.  The recoil is well within the "enjoyable" range.
Chief

[crow_feather]

I believe that the recoil velocity of the 375 is slower than the 270 and your cheek will take more pounding velocity wise.  I put a limbsaver recoil pad on my 375 H&H, 1975 Winchester, and it shoots about the same as my 338.

I put some plywood across the top of the bed of my 4wd pickup and it became a nice stand up rest for my 416 Remington Mag.  With a 25 pound shot bag on a Lohman rifle vise, and a pact recoil pad with an added folded up towel, the 416 shot about the same as the 375.

C F

[Questor]

Chief:

Are you shooting the model 70 that weighs 7 1/2 pounds-- the Classic Stainless? It's significantly lighter than the one I used, so I'm not surprised you get kicked more.

[Chief]

Questor,
Yep, that would be the one I have with a synthetic stock.  I figured I could use all the weather resistance in a gun that I could find here in Alaska where conditions can get wet and stay that way for a while.
Chief

[Questor]

Chief:

I figured it would have to be a question of weight. When I was calculating recoil, just adding a pound to gun weight makes a big difference. If I were carrying it a lot, I'd definitely want the lighter gun, though.  I did notice that recoil when shooting from sandbags seems heavier than when shooting from field positions.

[oscar1975]

I always heard from friends and even read in magazines that the setback of a 300 Winchester Magnum is more unpleasant than a 375 H & H Mangum, because the 300 is a blow dry, but the 375 is a push, not pounds.

Oscar.

[S.B.]

I always heard from friends and even read in magazines that the setback of a 300 Winchester Magnum is more unpleasant than a 375 H & H Mangum, because the 300 is a blow dry, but the 375 is a push, not pounds.

Oscar.

Can't decipher the code in your words? Blow dry, push not pound?
My .375 H&H weighs 7 pounds without the scope rings and base and recoil isn't bad at all?

[crow_feather]

One must remember that the weight and type of stock, the weight of bullet and propellent, the width, legnth, and type of recoil pad, the size and tollerence of the shooter all add to the felt recoil of any rifle. 

[oscar1975]

I always heard from friends and even read in magazines that the setback of a 300 Winchester Magnum is more unpleasant than a 375 H & H Mangum, because the 300 is a blow dry, but the 375 is a push, not pounds.

Oscar.

Can't decipher the code in your words? Blow dry, push not pound?
My .375 H&H weighs 7 pounds without the scope rings and base and recoil isn't bad at all?

Hello forgives I regret that you do not understand my post, the problem is that translating it with the google translator. It is not very good.

Oscar.

[jro45]

My 375 H&H doesn't kick bad either. It weights 10 lbs with scope and sling. It very accurate also.

[crow_feather]

oscar1975,

Don't worry about the translation, it will be figured out - just keep on posting - enjoy your views.   
 

[S.B.]

oscar1975, sorry for any misunderstanding or confusion. Sometimes young people are present on this site and use a dialect of their special group that can't be understood unless one knows it? Yes, please do continue to post here, everyones ideas and thoughts should be and are welcome, to me.
Steve

[oscar1975]

Do not worry, I'm happy to be part of a forum onhunting and above  international . People end up assuming any case. Man adapts to everything. I hope to see you around here for long.

Greetings,

Oscar

[leverfan]

I always heard from friends and even read in magazines that the setback of a 300 Winchester Magnum is more unpleasant than a 375 H & H Mangum, because the 300 is a blow dry, but the 375 is a push, not pounds.

Oscar.

Oscar-

Don't worry, we know what you meant, now.  The 300 Winchester magnum can have a faster recoil velocity.  Even though the total energy of the 300 is less, it can be delivered faster.  The 300 is also commonly chambered in lighter weight rifles.  Those factors combine to smack your shoulder faster than a 9 pound .375 H&H will.  Getting smacked fast can sting more than being shoved back further at a slower velocity.

[oscar1975]

I always heard from friends and even read in magazines that the setback of a 300 Winchester Magnum is more unpleasant than a 375 H & H Mangum, because the 300 is a blow dry, but the 375 is a push, not pounds.

Oscar.

Oscar-

Don't worry, we know what you meant, now.  The 300 Winchester magnum can have a faster recoil velocity.  Even though the total energy of the 300 is less, it can be delivered faster.  The 300 is also commonly chambered in lighter weight rifles.  Those factors combine to smack your shoulder faster than a 9 pound .375 H&H will.  Getting smacked fast can sting more than being shoved back further at a slower velocity.

Hello leverfan:

Exactly that is what he meant, and I think that happens because sizes are very fast and Holland is more progressive. Thank you for making me understand at the forum.

Oscar.