favorite 375 bullets

[yorketransport]

I drew a Ryderwood cow tag for elk this year and I'm thinking of working up a new elk load for my 375 Ruger just for the occasion. I currently run the 260 Accubond over 79.5gr of H 4350 at 2725fps.  It's not that there's anything wrong with this load, I just feel like trying something different. The load that I currently shoot was actually only the second one that I tried. When I got .75" groups at 100 yards with it using the 2.5-8x scope, I figured I was done with my load development. The first load was the 270gr Hornady Interlock over the same powder charge. I got the same group size from that bullet.

So now I'm kicking around the idea of trying a different bullet. The TSX and the A-Frame are two on my list, as well as the Partition. My only requirements are that it be a mid weight (over 250gr) and shoot less than 1" for 3 shots at 100 yards. I limit this rifle to less than 300 yards so it doesn't need to have a spectacular BC. If I want to hunt past 300 yards I'll take one of the 338s.

The rifle itself is a Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan with a VX-3 2.5-8x scope. If it weren't for the weight, (9# 4oz ready to hunt) I would take this gun every where with me. I'd swap out the stock to shave some weight but the rifle is just such a great package as it sits that I don't want to mess with it.

So let's hear your suggestions!

Andrew

[coyotewallace]

250g TTSX
270g TSX

[RadSav]

I'm not a big fan of the Partition.  I am, however, a very big fan of the A-Frame.  Both have grouped equally well for me, but the A-frame has aways stayed together and given a much better mushroom.

When I was guiding bear hunters one of my first questions was always, "What bullet are you shooting?"  If it was a Partition I'd always bring the dog along.  Never lost a bear shot with it.  But, we spent more time tracking animals shot with the Partition than all other bullets combined.  It was not any where close to the most popular just as an FYI for those who want to slam my opinion.

That being said, I only see change as a necessity for the sake of change.  Every gun I have ever shot the AccuBond through absolutely loved it.  Up to and possibly including the big brown bear I don't see much need for anything else.  Especially at the velocities of the .375 Ruger.  Seems the perfect match in my opinion.  If it were me hunting elk with the .375 I'd keep things just the way they are - perfect

Now if I was adding grizzly to the list or hunting elk on Afognak I'd probably go with the A-Frame.

[yorketransport]

That being said, I only see change as a necessity for the sake of change.  Every gun I have ever shot the AccuBond through absolutely loved it.  Up to and possibly including the big brown bear I don't see much need for anything else.  Especially at the velocities of the .375 Ruger.  Seems the perfect match in my opinion.  If it were me hunting elk with the .375 I'd keep things just the way they are - perfect

Good advice. I am guilty of messing with stuff just to have something to do! The Accubond really is a great bullet in this caliber. I've probably put 300 through this rifle since I got the gun. The only critter I've hit with one though was a porcupine at about 125 yards. Penetration and expansion looked to be pretty adequate.

[Biggerhammer]

I have shot a bunch of 260gr Accubonds through 4 different .375 Ultra Magnums and they flat hammer game. I have shot them through several H&H's also, accuracy has been excellent. Due to the extended range the Ultra chambering gave, I stuck with the Accubond due to the BC. I have yet to shoot the new 300gr .375 Accubond. The furthest I have taken game with the 260gr Accubond/.375 Ultra combo is 560 yards on a Mule deer facing me head on.

The shot was steep down hill, impact was center of the chest. It stood him up and rolled him, I recovered the bullet just under the hide on the underside between the rear of the ribs and the pelvic bone. This was with 102grs of IMR 7828 at 3050 FPS at the muzzle.

Here are some photo's of the bullet and it's recovery. The bullet performed flawlessly, picture perfect mushroom. Straight line penetration, I would take on pretty much anything with the combo. I feel you have the perfect cartridge/ bullet combo as you are. I would expect the exact same results from your combo.









This coyote took one for the team with the same load as the deer about a hour prior.

[Biggerhammer]

The bullet I used for years prior to the Accubonds and the .375 Ultra chambering was the Hornady 300 gr boat tail spire point with the .375 H&H( Rem700 Classic ). It was a killer also, I shot six elk with the combo and they were all BANG! FLOP! Hits. Never recovered one of them. took 3 or so bear with it and only one required a second shot due to me shooting high and breaking his back on the first shot, wasn't used to the surprise 40 yard shot and a 200 yards zero.

[yorketransport]

You guys are making it hard for me to rationalize switching loads! 
Now what am I supposed to do all summer? I'll just have to convince my father in law to switch loads or something. 

Stupid accubonds and their excellent performance....... I'll just have to spend more time playing with the 358 or one of the 338/375 Rugers. Yoh. And never have too many backup rifles ready to go. 

Andrew

[Biggerhammer]

The .338/375 Ruger sounds like a bunch of fun!!! 

[RadSav]

Biggerhammer that is a much better mushroom than I would have expected at 560 yards with a bonded bullet.  What was your expected velocity at that range?  Can't be over 2,000 - could it

The .338/375 Ruger sounds like a bunch of fun!!! 

I agree!!! I might look into that for an upcoming grizzly hunt.

[Biggerhammer]

Biggerhammer that is a much better mushroom than I would have expected at 560 yards with a bonded bullet.  What was your expected velocity at that range?  Can't be over 2,000 - could it

The .338/375 Ruger sounds like a bunch of fun!!! 

I agree!!! I might look into that for an upcoming grizzly hunt.

550 Yards  Vel: 2030.  Energy: 2378 Flight Time .66
575 Yards. Vel: 1989.  Energy: 2282 Flight TIme .70

I  also shot a Mule deer at point blank, under 20 yards facing me head on with a .270 WSM and a 140gr Accubond. Hit it center of the chest and found the bullet under the hide at the rear of the right ham. That bullet hit hella fast and traveled the length of the body. It was picture perfect, looked just like the bullet pictured above. Nosler hit it right on the money with the Accubonds, the 7mm 140 Accubond out of a 7mm WSM is flat wicked on Mulies also.

[yorketransport]

The .338/375 Ruger sounds like a bunch of fun!!! 

It is! It's essentially a 330 Dakota. In fact that's been my base line for load data.

 I have an 18" barreled Savage Striker, and a 24" rifle barrel right now. At the moment my reamer is up in Alaska while a buddy has a couple barrels cut for him (all handguns), and a 22" rifle barrel for me. I

From the pistol, I get 2650 fps with a 250gr MK and H4350 with pretty much unlimited brass life. I have 15 loads on my cases! If you want to eat the brass up a little faster, I can move the 225 TTSX at 2925fps using RL17 from the same 18" barrel. Those cases don't last long though, maybe 2 firings.

It's a Savage Striker action, 18" Benchmark barrel, and a 3 port Muscle Brake from CSR. It will hold .3 MOA out to 400 yards with the 250gr MK. Beyond that the 3.5-10x scope becomes an issue. I haven't played much with the 225 TTSX beyond 200 yards yet, but it's still less than .5 MOA. It's a very cool caliber!

[high country]

I have 260ab's and 270tsx's stoked in my 375. I get into the .2-3" at 100.

[Biggerhammer]

York,

That is way cool, maybe when your reamer gets back we can work something out so as to let Benchmark chamber a barrel up with it for me. PM me if you will entertain the idea, I need another project as soon as they finish up my .338 Ultra.

I have a 450 Ultra Magnum reamer your welcome to! It should make a Striker rather lively.

I also have a .338 Ultra necked down to 6.5 with a 40 degree shoulder.

And a couple others I came up with based off of blown out .243 Lapua brass. All PTG Removable pilots with go gauges.

.257 Smack
6.5 Brooke
.244 Slip Knot