Author Topic: 375 H&H (Read 3895 times)

Cecil · « **on:** October 06, 2005, 11:19:26 AM »

Thinking of buying a 375 H&H . looking at winchester & ruger. Like the winchester control round feed. opinions?

Lawdog · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2005, 12:57:04 PM »

Quote from: Cecil

Thinking of buying a 375 H&H . looking at winchester & ruger. Like the winchester control round feed. opinions?

Both rifles are excellent choices. Of the two I prefer the Ruger myself. The scope mounting system on the Ruger is about the best going. Lawdog

Ramrod · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2005, 04:28:04 PM »

I agree with Lawdog about the Ruger scope mounts. But I liked the Winchester Safari better all around, so that's what I bought. I got them to knock 10% off because of minor handling damage. That closed the deal. :grin:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2005, 04:35:03 PM »

I would go with the Ruger from the two you listed. Have you looked at the Sako's?

AZ223 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2005, 08:47:50 PM »

I've been trying really hard to ignore my desire to own one of the classic big-bores, and you guys aren't helping -- Not only is the .375 H&H my favorite, the Ruger and Winchester are the two I've been thinking about. So not more excuses...just have to figure out how to get another rifle past my girlfriend...

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2005, 01:52:35 PM »

If you get the Ruger you will have to do something with that trigger.

Cecil · « **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2005, 03:09:50 PM »

Redhawk I haven't looked at Sako's , I have never owned one. Looked up on there web page noticed they weigh in at 7 3/4 lbs . Hows the recoil ?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 09, 2005, 03:35:31 PM »

Quote from: Cecil

Redhawk I haven't looked at Sako's , I have never owned one. Looked up on there web page noticed they weigh in at 7 3/4 lbs . Hows the recoil ?

Not bad at all in my opinion. I find that my 338 win mag has more of a felt recoil over the 375H&H. The 375H&H is more like a push to me.

I traded off my 375H&H and ordered a 416 Rigby to replace it. I guess the 375H&H was not enough recoil for me. :-D

oso45-70 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2005, 05:40:56 PM »

Cecil

I have a Sako 375 weatherby and find it shoots good with little recoil, I also have a Ruger #1 in 375 H&H and it kicks like a mule, It has a C&H recoil Suppreser plus the thickest recoil pad available, Looks like the #1 is going on the block soon.........Joe.............

Cecil · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2005, 11:13:00 AM »

oso 45-70 I own a ruger #! in 45-70 with Hornaday ruger loads it's brutal on the bench , even with a past magnum recoil pad.

Lawdog · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2005, 12:30:28 PM »

Quote from: oso45-70

Cecil

I have a Sako 375 weatherby and find it shoots good with little recoil, I also have a Ruger #1 in 375 H&H and it kicks like a mule, It has a C&H recoil Suppreser plus the thickest recoil pad available, Looks like the #1 is going on the block soon.........Joe.............

Another .375 Weatherby shooter. Always nice to see another shooter that knows the best.

Lawdog

gohip2000 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2005, 02:03:19 AM »

how much did the sako cost? I am thinking of buying a 375 H&H and rechambering to 375 weatherby. you said the kick isn't that bad with this rifle. how is the accuracy? Does the sako come with open sites, because I would want them befor I got a scope? how much did it cost to rechamber to 375 weatherby?
I'm surprised more people don't go with the 375 weatherby. I guess because the only factory rifle that comes in this chambering is weatherby. but you can shoot and fire form 375 H&H in it and then have the weathrby brass. sounds like the best choice to me.

Ramrod · « **Reply #12 on:** October 15, 2005, 04:51:10 AM »

Quote from: gohip2000

I'm surprised more people don't go with the 375 weatherby. I guess because the only factory rifle that comes in this chambering is weatherby.

Not really. I suspect it is for the same reason more people own the .30-06 than the .300 Weatherby. The extra recoil and muzzle blast don't get you much. Dead is dead. The .375 H&H works just fine as is. If more power is needed, then more bullet is also needed, not more velocity. The best choice would be to just move up to .416 or .458.

Lawdog · « **Reply #13 on:** October 15, 2005, 09:10:15 AM »

Actually the difference between the .375 H&H and the .375 Weatherby is the same as the .300 H&H and the .300 Weatherby. The gain is substantial, a gain of 150 to 200 fps., flatter shooting and the added ability to shoot a another cartridge.

As far as cost goes the best way to find that out is ask the gunsmith you plan on having do the work what he charges for running a .375 Weatherby reamer thru a rifle. I know number of hunters/shooters that have had their .375 H&Hs(Rugers, Winchesters, Remingtons and yeah even one Sako) turned into the Weatherby version. If your smith doesnt have a .375 Weatherby reamer than renting one is very easy and cost effective. Rental rates are usually around $30 - $35 added to whatever your smith charges. Yes the .375 H&H is a great cartridge, no argument to that, but the .375 Weatherby is an improvement. Lawdog

Yukon Jack · « **Reply #14 on:** October 15, 2005, 09:37:48 AM »

Depends on your perspective, LD. Personally, like the poster above, I believe the way to improve the 375 H&H is go to a bigger bullet. For animals typically hunted with the 375 bores, it isn't an extreme long distance affair. Not the way the 30 calibers are used. The H&H version shoots plenty fast enough to have MPBR for the way animals are hunted using the 375's. To improve the "killing" ability of H&H, I believe, it is better to go up in caliber size than case size. The H&H is fast enough to provide all the gained effects of a high velocity round, both in trajectory and shock value.

By the way, though the Weatherby version of the 300 does add some velocity to the H&H version, when loaded to the same pressures, the velocity gain hardly exceeds 75-100 fps, especially when using the 180 and 200 grain bullets.

gohip2000 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 15, 2005, 11:24:43 AM »

I'ld be happy with just the 375 H&H but would think about rechambering if it isn't too much. the reson I asked prices on this forum is that I live in Germany right now, so I don't have a gun smith I can contact here. no Germans I ask seem to know anything about gun/hunting/gunsmithing at all. It's like they are non exsistant over here.

GEMSBUCK · « **Reply #16 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:57:10 AM »

look at the CZ USA 550 American Safari Mgnum
they are really slick, classic looking and a quality weapon for around $750

Cecil · « **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2005, 01:56:39 PM »

Gemsbuck I have looked at the cz's on the web but haven't touched one yet. Will look around and see if I can find one.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 20, 2005, 08:10:40 AM »

Quote from: GEMSBUCK

look at the CZ USA 550 American Safari Mgnum
they are really slick, classic looking and a quality weapon for around $750

I have a CZ in 416 Rigby and have not shot it yet. But I don't think it will be a problem. I have heard good things about CZ Safari Magnum rifles. I paid $829.00 I think.

jro45 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 26, 2005, 01:08:39 PM »

I have a Sako in 375 H&H and the recoil isn't bad at all.

Butler · « **Reply #20 on:** November 07, 2005, 07:01:34 AM »

I have the 375 in a cz-550,recoil is light because of the heavy gun..The H&H is a classic,I just had to have one.

jro45 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 08, 2005, 02:19:52 AM »

You know I was reading an artical in big bore rifles about the 375 H&H. It said that if you [ for reloading ] load a couple more grains of the powder in the 375H&H shells it would not hurt the rifle. So I been thinking about doing that next time I load those shells. Any thoughts?

Chief · « **Reply #22 on:** November 08, 2005, 04:46:16 AM »

My thoughts...I'd have to apply risk management. Are the gains worth the potential risks of exceeding book loads (I assume you mean a couple of grains above book maximums). I can only says I have never, nor will I ever, have a need for a few more fps out of my 375H&H to exceed max loads. You certainly have the right to make your own decisions concerning the rounds you reload for personal use but I will recommend not doing so. Now will an undesired incident occur. Maybe not but I investigate accidents all the time. Almost universally one of the things I hear is...I've done it this way for XXX years or XXX times and never got hurt. Well, risk management finally caught up. We take risks all the time and have to to live normal lives, but the application of risk management is sometimes the reason why some live longer that others. Just my opinion.

Chief

glock29 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 08, 2005, 05:48:34 AM »

I too have the CZ 550 Safari Magnum, but mine is a 458 Lott.
I find it to be almost as nice as my 375 H&H Win 70 Safari.
The recoil of the 458 Lott (500 gr/Hornady factory ammo) surprisingly is not that bad at all. Probably due to the 10lb rifle wt.
Recoil with 350 gr handloads in 458 Winchester Mag brass is actually less than my 375 H&H or my 45-70 Handi Rifle with max (ruger #1 level) loads.
Try a CZ; I think you will like it....it is a true controlled-feed Mauser type design.

Les Staley · « **Reply #24 on:** November 11, 2005, 03:50:56 PM »

is on the way.. couldn't stand it.. clicked "buy it now" on Gunbroker.. I'll soon know about recoil. I've been shooting a Ruger M77 338 win mag for 15 years, and don't have any trouble with that.. My son and I have booked a Grizzly/Dall sheep hunt in Alaska for next Sept.. 375 H&H should do the job.. any suggestions?? Les

Yukon Jack · « **Reply #25 on:** November 11, 2005, 06:29:50 PM »

Am I the only one that thinks the CZ's handle like a Mack Truck? I just don't care for the clunkiness of them at all. I'd much rather have the M70 or M77.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 12, 2005, 05:25:22 AM »

Quote from: Yukon Jack

Am I the only one that thinks the CZ's handle like a Mack Truck? I just don't care for the clunkiness of them at all. I'd much rather have the M70 or M77.

I don't think the handle like a Mac Truck. It is all personal preference. There are not to many guns I don't like. All the guys that handled my CZ 550 in 416 rigby were impressed at how nice it looked and how well it shouldered.

Quote from: jro45

You know I was reading an artical in big bore rifles about the 375 H&H. It said that if you [ for reloading ] load a couple more grains of the powder in the 375H&H shells it would not hurt the rifle. So I been thinking about doing that next time I load those shells. Any thoughts?

I would not do it. Stay within the guide lines written. You should be more concerned with accuracy then how fast and how much powder. If you need more power than the 375 H&H you need to step up to a bigger gun. JMHO.

Lawdog · « **Reply #27 on:** November 12, 2005, 11:04:55 AM »

Quote from: Les Staley

is on the way.. couldn't stand it.. clicked "buy it now" on Gunbroker.. I'll soon know about recoil. I've been shooting a Ruger M77 338 win mag for 15 years, and don't have any trouble with that.. My son and I have booked a Grizzly/Dall sheep hunt in Alaska for next Sept.. 375 H&H should do the job.. any suggestions?? Les

Try 79.6 gr. of H4350 behind a Barnes 300 gr. TSX bullet for 2,623 fps. this is serious medicine for any Brown Bear. If you are going to use it for Dall Sheep then I would use 74.8 gr. of H4895 behind a 210 gr. Barnes X bullet for 3,027 fps. A very flat shooting, hard hitting load. Both are extremely accurate out of both of our .375 H&Hs(a Ruger M77 Magnum & a Win. M70). Word of caution. As with any load you get given to you that doesnt come directly from a reloading manual its wise to start under the stated powder charge amount and work up. As a rule of thumb I start 10% under. Lawdog

Les Staley · « **Reply #28 on:** November 13, 2005, 05:02:27 AM »

Lawdog: thanks for the ideas.. I'll print off this page and put it into one of my loading manuals. Rifle should be here next week. I'll sending in a CZ#3 in 300wsm that broke the stock after just six rounds fired.. should I Devcon steel bed this 375 before shooting?? or just give it a go..as is.. CZ will make it right if it breaks as is... Hmmmmm I guess I've got till Sept to get my ducks in a row.. Les

Lawdog · « **Reply #29 on:** November 13, 2005, 08:46:34 AM »

Quote from: Les Staley

Lawdog: thanks for the ideas.. I'll print off this page and put it into one of my loading manuals. Rifle should be here next week. I'll sending in a CZ#3 in 300wsm that broke the stock after just six rounds fired.. should I Devcon steel bed this 375 before shooting?? or just give it a go..as is.. CZ will make it right if it breaks as is... Hmmmmm I guess I've got till Sept to get my ducks in a row.. Les

Les,

To me I wouldn't shoot one until I had a bedding job done and that includes a recoil lug bolt added. When the stock split on the .375 H&H CZ 550 Safari Magnum I was shooting, it drove an 1 1/2" sliver of the stock into the web between the thumb and forefinger. Trying to take it out it broke and left about 1 of it in so deep I had to have a Dr. remove it. Left me a left handed shooter for about a week or so. I am not against the CZ 550 rifles. The action is a strong one and the rifle is solidly made. It just needs a few refinements to make it a rifle that I would trust. The CZ 550 American Safari Magnum is supposed to be much a much nicer, better rifle. I dont know as I have never even held one yet. Just to be safe I would have the bedding & lug bolt job done. What the heck, better to be safe than sorry. Lawdog