375 h&h load advice

[MountainWalk]

People who dont know any better say "FMJ/solids just zip thru game doing no damage...    Think about that. A hole three quarters an inch wide thru both lungs sounds like plenty o damage to me four holes in two sets of lungs. When I elk hunt, I load with solids for the secobd or t hird shot, even in my 06.    A millitary fmj isnt the same xritter as a solid

[yorketransport]

if you have never used a FMJ in this scenario, don't cringe.. they have a specific function, and frankly have never EVER let me down. A thumb size hole is plenty of expansion for any North American Animal and meat damage is minimal at all angles, even strait away... Also , goes without saying not just spraying and praying... expansion at point blank with a 375 will definitely allow you to pack lighter leaving behind a lot of destroyed meat....

you probably wont like my cast bullet 45-70 brush deer load stories then either... .. 

Using cast solids is a different scenario entirely. In that situation, the bullets have a large meplat (the "nose" of the bullet) which creates a wide permanent wound channel. That's why big bore handgun hunters (myself included) opt for the LBT style WLN bullet designs in the big bore weapons. It's all about the diameter of the meplat causing the maximum permanent wound channel possible.

There's a big difference between a FMJ and a monometal solid designed for big game hunting. It's all in the nose profile. It's been proven that spitzer solids don't track as reliably through tissue as the more effective flat or round nosed solids like the Barnes and Woodleigh bullets. That's one of the reasons why you don't see people running spitzer solids while hunting dangerous game.

I've pushed a lot of different .375 bullets WELL beyond their intended velocity range and I still haven't seen one which would ruin any more meat than similarly designed bullet out of a 300 mag. A 260gr Accubond at more than 3200 fps doesn't turn into a ballistic tip or a fragmentation grenade. They still hold up pretty well.

Andrew

[mountainman]

No one doubts that it will work..just better options out there..

[Rob]

Sounds like your rifle may have a twist that likes shorter bullets.  I'd spend time trying different bullets rather than burning lots of powder.

Try some swift a-frames. 

My 375 loves the cutting edge bbw bullets, but that is a pretty long bullet given they are solid copper.

What type of rifle?

[BULLBLASTER]

Sounds like your rifle may have a twist that likes shorter bullets.  I'd spend time trying different bullets rather than burning lots of powder.

Try some swift a-frames. 

My 375 loves the cutting edge bbw bullets, but that is a pretty long bullet given they are solid copper.

What type of rifle?

my rifle is a Winchester 70 classic stainless. it has a 12 twist barrel. ill try some with the factory crimp this week, if those don't work i think ill try some shorter bullets (260 or 270 grain).

[Biggerhammer]

The 260gr Accubond is a real performer in the .375.

This is a 260gr Accubond recovered from a Mulie buck shot at 560 yards.




It just had a Ultra Mag case behind it.

[BULLBLASTER]

that looks like perfect performace hammer!

[Rob]

For what it is worth, here is my load development data for my 375 H&H.  it is a CZ 550 Safari also a 1:12 Twist.

[Rob]

note about the above table.  the group size is on the far right side and is an average of the sets.  Most are 4 shot groups - all at 100 yards.  My numbers clearly identify me as a non-marksman so no smart alex comments please!  Someone with talent could have smaller group sizes.

The OAL is measured from the Ojive to the base, not the tip.

[Rob]

And here is the load I selected and it's dope card.

[BULLBLASTER]

well, I shot again tonight. after using the factory crimp die.
found my best shooting load.
it is 300 BTSP loaded to 3.80 (half way up canular, with 74 grains IMR 4350. 2 grain under max. it shot a .65 inch group at 110 yards. going to chrono it with a magnetospeed next time out. im hoping to be in the 2450-2500 range.
thanks for all the input.

[high country]

I've never seen a 375 that won't shoot 68-72.5 grs of rl15 amazingly we'll.......

[BULLBLASTER]

Im still having some troubles. Went out monday and woupdnt shoot worth a crap. Went home and took it all apart. Scope and bases were all tight. The action screws were almost falling out tho. Very loose. I tightened them up and lightemed the trigger a bit and will try again tonight.

[BULLBLASTER]

Even with the trigger lightened and the stock torqued i am still shooting 5 ish moa with this rifle. Had another guy at the range load (or not load) each shot to see if i am flinching... not moving at all on the emptie chamber dry fires. Swapped to a different scope and gonna try again tonight...

[high country]

5 moa on a 375 says sumtingwong. Clean the bejesus out of it. Swap scopes and do over. I'd seriously give consideration to a charge of rl powder.....but most 375's are stupid accurate to begin with.