Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: konrad on March 16, 2010, 09:29:41 PM

Title: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: konrad on March 16, 2010, 09:29:41 PM: I have an opportunity to go on a “scouted” elk hunt in Idaho with my youngest brother. He will be taking his 338 Win Mag but I feel it necessary to use my favorite A-bolt Medallion in 375 H&H.

I have had this one since the first year of production and have owned a Ruger #1 in the same chambering for almost thirty years. Both rifles love the Sierra 300 Game King Spitzer boat-tailed projectile and I am comfortable out to 300 yards with a good rest. I have used this load (2600 fps) with great success on snakes, crows and whitetails.

Yeah, yeah, I know, I just can’t help myself!

Now there is a possibility to stretch out a little further, I am considering the 250 grain Sierra offering.

I’m wondering how this bullet will perform at 400 plus yards on elk and what kind of velocity/trajectory I can expect using full power loads. I’m not talking about excessive pressures, just the brown paper bag type loadings.

I’m going to go get some to play with just to see how my barrel likes the light bullet. The 270’s were sub-minute-of angle. The 300’s are ½ minute-of-angle.

What do you think?
Title: Re: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: Jamieb on March 16, 2010, 10:53:52 PM: If you want to use your .375H&H go ona head but you might as well stay with your proven load.
The 300gr. at 2600fps with a 100 yard zero has 64.2" of drop at 500 yards in a 10 mph 90* cross wind 22.5" of drift
The 250gr at 2800fps with a 100 yard zero has 60.5" of drop, in a 10mph 90* cross wind 27.3" of drift.
I guess the point is a .375H&H is't a great long range cartridge, no matter the bullet, things realy drop off after 500 yards.
Just for grins heres the numbers for the 7rem mag, 160 gr Accubond at 3000fps with a 100 yard zero, 44" of drop at 500 yards, 15.8" of wind drift with a 10mph 90* cross wind.
Title: Re: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: Jamieb on March 16, 2010, 10:56:40 PM: The .375 bullets I plugged into the balistic calculator were 250gr. and 300 gr. gamekings
Title: Re: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: Intruder on March 17, 2010, 08:11:54 AM: I've never really monkeyed around w/ 375s before so I'm just basing my opinion on other experieces.... 338s and 300s. On the surface it sounds like you're messing w/ a good thing if you have a proven load. Second, it kinda sounds like you're trying to turn your 1 ton deisel into a a 1/2 ton gas truck.... making it something it's not.

While dropping the bullet weight should result in increased velocity it will also greatly decrease your BC. If you're dead set on the 400 yard shot you may be better w/ your old load and just worrying about holdover. A balistic calc will spell that out for you though.
Title: Re: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: whacker1 on March 17, 2010, 09:10:00 AM: I would bet that 250's would perform closer to the 270's you mentioned. You groups might actually get tighter if you were to go up from 300's to a 325 or 350. Increased balistic coefficient could be your friend in this arrangement? It will probably kick a little more though
Title: Re: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: shaneman153D on March 17, 2010, 09:53:20 AM: BC is much better on the 300, I would stick with it if it shoots well for you. Just practice at the ranges you wish to hunt.
Title: Re: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: konrad on March 17, 2010, 06:01:20 PM: Quote from: shaneman153D on March 17, 2010, 09:53:20 AM
BC is much better on the 300, I would stick with it if it shoots well for you. Just practice at the ranges you wish to hunt.

I'm thinking you are right.
It took a while at the range to dial this load.
I may just get to the 500 yard range and see how it hits with my "special medicine".
Title: Re: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on March 17, 2010, 08:10:56 PM: I always wanted to get a 375 and load it with the 260 accubonds. Should be great BC and good velocity. The 375 actually is fairly flat for throwing such a big chunk of lead. I wouldn't feel handicapped with it and any load, and a rangefinder.
Title: Re: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: 700xcr on March 17, 2010, 08:35:15 PM: Try some Nolser 300gr. Accubonds.
Title: Re: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: fremont on March 17, 2010, 08:40:40 PM: Stay with the 300 grains. 300 yards is a long ways.
Title: Re: Long Range 375 H&H Loads
Post by: thinkingman on March 18, 2010, 12:06:36 PM: Maybe go all-copper?
Longer for weight...better BC and SD.
You won't lack for punch with that bullet.
$.03...