235 gr 375 H&H Loads

[Ridgewalker]

A little info:

My MRC in 375 H&H with handloads shoots the 235 TSX into .31", the 250 TTSX into .50" and the 300 TSX into .62" all at 100 meters.

When put into my iSnipe ballistics program the 235 drops below 3000 ft lbs at 200 yds; the 250 at 300 yards and the 300 at 275 yards.

Calculating a 6" PBR the 235 is 272 yards, the 250 is 277 yards and the 300 is 256 yards.

What I am doing is using Leupold QR mounts and with the 300 installing a Leupold VX-6 1-6x sighted in for the 300 gr at 50 & 100 yards for DG. Installing the VX-6 2-12x sighted in for a 6" PBR using the 250 gr for plainsgame.

Just my thoughts on it.
Good luck in how ever you do it. Keep us up to date.

 

[EZRider]

I use Barnes 270 gr. TSX in my .375 H&H for everything. My gun loves them, recoil is tame (okay the heavy CZ tends to tame recoil!) and they are devastating on PG if you place your shot well.
I have had great success with them on impala, kudu, hartebeest and wildebeest and I will use them on buffalo too.

 

[IvW]

I would not use a 235 gr bullet rather look at a 260 gr Accubond or 300 gr Accubond bullet.

Pitty they do not make a Accubond Long Range 300 gr bullet for the 375 yet.

Heavier bullets retain velocity and energy much better than light short bullets.

 

[IvW]

I don't understand the need to use reduced weight bullets in calibers that were designed to use heavier bullets.

Holland & Holland dropped the 235 gr offering after it was introduced.
The 375 H&H is the best and oldest medium do it all caliber for Africa. It does it's best work with 270-300gr bullets and for DG especially buffalo with 350 gr bullets.

For longer range work(over 300 yards) there are better calibers to use for plains game.

If recoil with the heavier bullets are an issue then step down in caliber not bullet weight.

If your PH cannot get you closer than 300 yards, you are probably hunting with the wrong outfit.

375 H&H Magnum

BRAND: NoslerCustom Hand loaded Ammunition | BULLET STYLE: AccuBond
PART #: 34010 | COUNT: 20 | MSRP: $85.90
BULLET WEIGHT: 260 | BBL TWIST RQMT: 1-12"
FOR USE: Bear/Moose- Dangerous Game | LEAD-FREE: N
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yards / Muzzle Velocity(FPS) Energy(FT-LBS) Drop In Inches(100YD) Zero Drop In Inches(200YD) Zero
MUZ: 2,750 4365 -1.5 -1.5
100: 2559 3781 0 1.9
200: 2376 3260 -3.8 0
300: 2201 2797 -13.8 -8.1

375 H&H Magnum

BRAND: Trophy Grade Ammunition | BULLET STYLE: AccuBond
PART #: 60070 | COUNT: 20 | MSRP: $81.90
BULLET WEIGHT: 300 | BBL TWIST RQMT: 1-12"
FOR USE: Bear/Moose- Dangerous Game | LEAD-FREE: N
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yards / Muzzle Velocity(FPS) Energy(FT-LBS) Drop In Inches(100YD) Zero Drop In Inches(200YD) Zero
MUZ: 2,400 3836 -1.5 -1.5
100: 2228 3306 0 2.8
200: 2063 2834 -5.5 0
300: 1905 2418 -19.2 -10.9

If you can't hit it at 300 yards with only 8.1 inch drop @ 300 yards for the 260 grainer or 10.9 inch drop with the 300 grainer you should not be attempting 300 yard shots.

The 375 H&H remains the most useful caliber you can take to Africa. For a PG only safari with above bullets you are set for anything in Africa as long as you are competent with the rifle stick to the heavier bullets or as mentioned step down in caliber.

 

[Ray B]

I prefer bullets made of copper and lead, so avoid the various mono-metal ones and have no tried data for them. I do have load data for 235 & 250 gr bullets but uncertain how it would compare if bullets were swapped. I have found that the 235 gr Speer and the 250 gr Sierra are effective for thin skinned game, but prefer to use them for early stages of load development, then switch over to bonded bullets for fine tuning. I have a supply of 250 gr BBCs that are treasured and readily available A-Frames for serious hunting, though I would like Swift to produce some Sciroccos in 250 grain.

 

[zephyr]

Just loaded some CEB ER 235gr (BC of 337) 72grs H4895 2950fps out the end of the muzzle .65" group at the target from a led sled and this from a New Haven SS mod 70 not known for their steller accuracy...
I'm Happy

 

[zephyr]

I'm of the same school as IvW I like my heavy bullets this load is perhaps an Alaskan load or an Elk load not quite sure just thought I would give it a go. Should be a real pig slayer

 

[Ridgewalker]

IvW, you certainly have more experience in Africa than my 2 short trips and I highly respect what you write on here. But being from the US the only thing we really can use a 375 on is brown bear. I am an experimenter (retired engineer is my illness) and the more I get to shoot my 375, the more I gain confidence for Africa.
Here in the US I will only use the 300 gr bullets for off stick practice prior to an Africa hunt. Mostly here I use the much less costly 235 gr Speer SP. it is plenty to take on everything with the possible exceptions of bison, brown bear and maybe moose.
JMO of what seems to work best in my situation. But please keep giving us input backed by your experience in Africa!
Thanks!

 

[Ray B]

But being from the US the only thing we really can use a 375 on is brown bear. Mostly here I use the much less costly 235 gr Speer SP. it is plenty to take on everything with the possible exceptions of bison, brown bear and maybe moose.

Don't sell the 375 short for US use. If you handload it can be loaded for any game deer and larger, or for squirrels if the owner of the tree doesn't mind having a bit of bark blown off. The 235 Speer is a good bullet for load development but I prefer the Sierra 250 for use on lighter game. Presently I'm loading up a 404J for elk this year, but have used the 375 H&H in previous years and didn't feel under/over gunned. As noted, the more use you get with a particular rifle/cartridge the better your muscle memory and results will be.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I prefer the Sierra 250 for use on lighter game.

I'll have to give the Sierra 250s a try. If they're as accurate as the Barnes 250s they'll do excellent.
Thanks!

 

[Scott Slough]

I don't really get the whole shooting paper thing...probably and attention deficit thing ! And I am not headed back to Africa anytime soon, so a 235 g Speer is a reasonable compromise for deer and pigs here in Texas. I get to practice in real-world hunting situation...and no paper had to die for me to get the valuable trigger time.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Scott, you're lucky you live in a state that you can practice on hogs. My year round option is prairie rats and coyotes. Neither warrant a 375 caliber. Paper is my only out of season option.

 

[Scott Slough]

Ridgewalker...pigs are a blessing and a curse. They are VERY destructive...but a wonderful target of opportunity.

 

[Shawn.54]

I use 200gr GS Custom bullets in my 375 Ruger moving at 3213 fps my rifle loves them. They are a little longer than the 250 Sierra I use them for any shooting opportunity groundhog, deer,paper and concrete blocks.
The more trigger time you can get on a given rifle the better it work with/for you and that 200gr will reach out for you. The only complaint is that my 2-7 scope needs more power for long shots on small varmits.
Shawn