Author Topic: .375 h&h advice (Read 1655 times)

Handwerk · « **on:** September 13, 2005, 09:09:59 AM »

I have a chance to pick up a little used, remington 375 h&h, model 700 bdl/ss for a great price, but I don't know how much I "need" this gun. I have never shot anything over a 300 ultra mag and wonder if I can't get by without a big-bore. I don't ever plan on chasing big bears, I will hunt moose at least once and elk once in a while but never Africa. I feel my current 7 mag covers my needs, yet I am still interested. Can I load this caliber down to a resonable recoil or should I have it rebarreled to 300 h&h? your thoughts?

Lawdog · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2005, 11:00:49 AM »

Quote from: Handwerk

I have a chance to pick up a little used, remington 375 h&h, model 700 bdl/ss for a great price, but I don't know how much I "need" this gun. I have never shot anything over a 300 ultra mag and wonder if I can't get by without a big-bore. I don't ever plan on chasing big bears, I will hunt moose at least once and elk once in a while but never Africa. I feel my current 7 mag covers my needs, yet I am still interested. Can I load this caliber down to a resonable recoil or should I have it rebarreled to 300 h&h? your thoughts?

What has NEED got to do whether or not to get a .375 H&H. I think Jack OConnor said it best when he said everyone NEEDS a .375 H&H in their battery. That is NEED enough. Most useful cartridge you can ever buy. Besides you NEED to let the Big Bore bug bite you, youll be glad you did. Buy the .375 H&H and dont look back. Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 13, 2005, 11:38:09 AM »

I have to agree with Lawdog. I have one and it is a great gun and shoot extremely well. I plan on someday going to Africa and my take it or my 416 Rigby or both.

:-D Would make a good Moose gun

Questor · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2005, 11:59:09 AM »

Consider the trajectory you need. There are other cartridges that will give you flatter trajectory out to 300 yards than the 375H&H. If you're even considering rebarrelling it, then it's probably no kind of bargain. The 375H&H is a fine and flexible cartridge, and I believe it is underutilized. If you don't mind learning to shoot it out to 300 yards, then it's a fine cartridge within its trajectory limitations.

Your 300 probably recoils about as much as the 375, but you get flatter trajectory.

Ramrod · « **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2005, 01:37:55 PM »

Get it! The .375 is one of the worlds greatest cartridges, reason enough for owning one. Another, is that the trajectory of the 270 grain factory load is almost identical to the 180 grain bullet in the .30-06! If that ain't a 300 yard big game round, I don't know what is.

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2005, 03:39:59 PM »

I'll take the devil's advocate position. Don't get the gun unless you need a gun that fills a niche that your 7mm or 300 won't handle well. Your money is much better spent on a hunting trip. Remember that you'll need accessories, like a scope, base, and rings, which can easily add up to $500 in addition to the cost of the rifle and any reloading supplies or ammo that you buy.

I've got a .375 and actually have some good applications for it that I don't want to use a .270 for. For openers, bison hunting. The .270 will do it, but the .375 is just a better choice. Likewise for bear and moose. The .270 will do it, but the .375 is a better choice.

Another option to consider is the .338 Win Mag. It's got the trajectory of your 7mm and has plenty of power and penetration. It's also more suitable for a lighter rifle.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 13, 2005, 05:01:32 PM »

Get it and don't look back, I have never regrated getting mine.

Handwerk · « **Reply #7 on:** September 14, 2005, 01:11:00 AM »

I forgot to explain that I no longer own the 300 um, my 7mag is my biggest bore and I should layout the deal for you to see. I have an older remy adl syn in 7 mag I got a deal on, the current .375 owner would take the adl in on trade ( I only paid $270 for it) then I would pay him another $200 for the .375. Now you know the rest of the story. I figure if I don't like the .375 I can always trade it in on something else. Now what do ya think? thanks for your input(s)

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** September 14, 2005, 01:34:16 AM »

Is there something wrong with the gun or with the seller? He should be able to get more than $200 for it.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 14, 2005, 08:32:48 AM »

Quote from: Questor

Is there something wrong with the gun or with the seller? He should be able to get more than $200 for it.

Questor, he is trading a rifle and $200.

Questor · « **Reply #10 on:** September 14, 2005, 08:39:35 AM »

I wouldn't buy it unless I had a good niche for it.

Lawdog · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2005, 10:26:08 AM »

Quote from: Handwerk

I forgot to explain that I no longer own the 300 um, my 7mag is my biggest bore and I should layout the deal for you to see. I have an older remy adl syn in 7 mag I got a deal on, the current .375 owner would take the adl in on trade ( I only paid $270 for it) then I would pay him another $200 for the .375. Now you know the rest of the story. I figure if I don't like the .375 I can always trade it in on something else. Now what do ya think? thanks for your input(s)

For a total of $470.00. Still not all that bad if you like the rifle. I would still get it as I believe that everyone needs a big bore or two in their arsenal. Believe it or not you WILL find times that having one is very comforting. Hunting large Russian Razorbacks in heavy brush is just one that comes to mind. A .375 H&H is a great cartridge to have if you ever wanted a big bore. And really in the end wanting one is all the reason you need to get one. Lawdog

Ramrod · « **Reply #12 on:** September 14, 2005, 01:45:01 PM »

To steal a paraphrased line from Jim Carmicheal about his first big bore, (a .458 I think, but what the heck), No one has seen any elephants around these parts after I got my .375, that should prove how effective it is. :-D :-D :-D
Really, for the kind of money you are talking about, you can't go wrong. It wont take long to have $470 worth of fun with it, and you can always sell it later. My guess is you would not want to sell after you have played with it.

Questor · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2005, 02:28:22 AM »

Doesn't the rifle need a scope, bases, rings, ammo, reloading dies, etc? That $470 will easily double if quality componentry is added to it. A cheap scope and hardware might work on a big bore, but do you really want to try that approach?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 16, 2005, 02:58:46 AM »

Quote from: Questor

Doesn't the rifle need a scope, bases, rings, ammo, reloading dies, etc? That $470 will easily double if quality componentry is added to it. A cheap scope and hardware might work on a big bore, but do you really want to try that approach?

It would not matter what gun he gets, he will still need all of those things. So what is you point. :? If the guy want a new gun let him buy it. You sound like you have a personal stake in this, or sounds like you have to pay for it yourself. :roll:

jro45 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2005, 03:37:27 AM »

I put 3 bullets thru the same hole at 200yds with mine. Mine is a SAKO, but a 375 is a 375. I like owning one and I'm sure you will to.

Questor · « **Reply #16 on:** September 16, 2005, 04:46:58 AM »

Redhawk1:

Nope. No personal stake in this. But I think it's a novel approach to be the lone person who questions the prospect of spending close to a grand that Handwerk admits is of unclear and uncertain utility. Most of us posters spend a lot of time figuratively patting each other on the back and encouraging each other to go out and get that new toy. Far be it from me to discourage such practice, except in cases where someone with doubts is looking for permission.

Forest Walker · « **Reply #17 on:** September 16, 2005, 06:57:10 AM »

Buy it and don't look back everyone needs another gun especially a big bore

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 16, 2005, 09:47:53 AM »

Quote from: Questor

Redhawk1:

Nope. No personal stake in this. But I think it's a novel approach to be the lone person who questions the prospect of spending close to a grand that Handwerk admits is of unclear and uncertain utility. Most of us posters spend a lot of time figuratively patting each other on the back and encouraging each other to go out and get that new toy. Far be it from me to discourage such practice, except in cases where someone with doubts is looking for permission.

I did not see anywhere in his post where he was concerned with any other costs. If it was me and I had a chance at it, I would take it even though I already have a 375 H&H. Nothing wrong with having two.

Questor · « **Reply #19 on:** September 16, 2005, 10:48:38 AM »

Redhawk1:

I would too! I certainly like mine enough. I'm still not so sure it's a great deal. If this is the model I'm thinking of, then it's a reasonable but not outstanding deal. I'd check on gunsamerica.com first to see if I could find something I liked better for about the same money.

Jimi · « **Reply #20 on:** September 16, 2005, 02:49:28 PM »

I'm not a M700 fan, but that aside... the .375H&H is the most versatile cartridge you can own. And when people compare the trajectories of the .375H&H to the .338 Rem. Mag., they ignore the fact that the .375 is carring an extra 50 grains of lead. Load some 235 grain bullets in your .375 and you will be shooting as flat as a .270, with a LOT more horsepower.

I won't say the kick is not significant, but it is not a killer either. Not a lot worse than that .300 Mag you mentioned. A little, but not a lot.

And you will never be undergunned. You have to love that. As for those that would tell you you'e overgunned I simply ask... how dead is too dead?