375 enough gun?

[Royal27]

yes.

Pained you to say that, didn't it @spike.t? ??

 

[spike.t]

Pained you to say that, didn't it @spike.t? ??

yup it did .....knew you would jump on that comment.......

 

[Royal27]

yup it did .....knew you would jump on that comment.......

Yup. Some things just have to be said.

 

[AZDAVE]

Your 375 will work on all the animals you mentioned, I would happy hunt them all with my 9.3's. Like many have said your shot placement IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.
For a lack of a better word the bigger calibres will hit a good bit to a lot bit harder, with the optimum concern being can you shoot the 416-600 what-ever well. (as my nephew put it the bigger rifles just kill them more deader! Gotta love 10 year old's logic) It would be better to hit a buff in the vitals with a 375 than in the guts with a bigger rifle that the hunter can't shoot well. If you get a chance to go out to the ranger with some friends that have larger rifles, take the chance to shoot 5-10 shots with the rifle. One shot really doesn't give anything beside the perception of this kicks more than my 375. The one factor with the bigger calibres is that proper gun fit to you is WAY more important than with a 300 and smaller. The off the shelf rifle stock is to short for me and I struggled for years till I had a gunsmith fit a rifle and shotgun correctly me. That ended my punching myself in the nose with the big bores.

 

[JES Adventures]

I agree with JES Adventures.
Witold

Thanks Witold, I just listened to my mentors when I first started out and that has always proven correct. The 375 H&H is time tested.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Thanks Witild, I just listened to my mentors when I first started out and that has always proven correct. The 375 H&H is time tested.

I like it JES Adventures.
Witold

 

[JES Adventures]

Thank you for all the good information!! I do all my hunting with 3 calibers of Browning A-Bolts. The largest A-Bolt caliber made is a .375, the gun I wanted from the start. The reason is muscle memory, all my rifles are the same, so in the heat of the moment I'm not trying to find the safety on an unfamiliar rifle. It will be the same as coyotes with the .204 or Plains game with the '06 or elk with the .300. Thanks again guys!!

Excellent choice of Calibers, I'm on board with the same ones. The 3006 was the first centerfire rifle I owned. You can hunt the globe successfully with the 3006 and 375 H&H, I've done it. BTW - I've been able to buy/borrow ammo on 5 Continents for these two.

 

[edward]

I'm looking at buying one gun for some bigger African animals. Is the .375 enough for hippo, buffalo, croc and leopard? My buddy tells me I should be looking at a .416 for the additional knockdown power.

with a well placed shot i dont believe the animal in question will know the difference.

 

[8x68]

Over the years I shot several elephant, buffalo, lion and hippo with the 375 H&H, all with no problems. IMHO its the best all around caliber for hunting Africa. As CAustin said, bullet placement is everything so shoot a lot and be familiar with your gun. I've owned many other heavy guns through the years but still prefer the 375. I believe it is the most reasonable heavy gun to handle in terms of recoil so you won't be hesitant to take it to the range and shoot a couple of boxes. Confidence in your rifle is a must so you can't be intimidated by recoil which can be an issue with other large caliber magnums.

JES Adventures hit it on the nose. Well put.
The 375H&H is an awesome calibre, but it's like everything else...you have to do your part. A 270 will kill a lion if it's in a relaxed state but once the adrenalin gets going a 105mm Howiter may not stop it (exaggeration I know but you get the point).
I'd would have a hard time deciding between my BRNO 375H&H (it was my first foray into DG rifles) or my 404 Jeffery. Kinda like them both!

 

[petrusg]

The .375 is a great choice for all the animals mentioned. Because it has very little recoil your shot placement is better in my opinion. the .416 is also a great calibre but has a bit more recoil. If your shot placement is correct the .375 will do the same job as the .416. And the cost of rounds for the .375 is cheaper so you can afford to practice a bit more....

 

[reineke]

I'm looking at buying one gun for some bigger African animals. Is the .375 enough for hippo, buffalo, croc and leopard? My buddy tells me I should be looking at a .416 for the additional knockdown power.

Hi Therack, no sweat about the caliber. Apart from the buff or a hippo on land, croc and leopard don't need knock-down-power
but precision shooting. I shot three Leopard and a croc with a .300 WinMag. Cats need fast and soft bullets to create shock.
A hippo in the water needs a precise hit into the brain which is not very big. As to the buff, make sure you use tough bullets-barnes
for example; the 375 is a brilliant penetrator with the right type of bullet and will be good for a hippo on land as well.
Only on elefant something bigger will be needed unless you are sure to hit the brain; I shot my elefants with a .458 Lott.
In general, Taylor's knock down power is nothing but a legend-if you do not hit the right spot the critters, especially buff and elefant,
will just continue with what they had in mind-running away or attacking, irrespective of the caliber used.
Good hunting!
Reineke

 

[Jfet]

Delete this thread! Princess Bride just read it and it has pushed my plans for a 416 Rigby and even a double rifle back a few years. She pointed this thread out to me and said "You shoot your 375 very well why do you need one of those other guns" A sad moment. All that work gone to waste.

 

[Pheroze]

Delete this thread! Princess Bride just read it and it has pushed my plans for a 416 Rigby and even a double rifle back a few years. She pointed this thread out to me and said "You shoot your 375 very well why do you need one of those other guns" A sad moment. All that work gone to waste.

HORRIBLE! Call my office as I think you will have a claim for emotional distress.

 

[stug]

Delete this thread! Princess Bride just read it and it has pushed my plans for a 416 Rigby and even a double rifle back a few years. She pointed this thread out to me and said "You shoot your 375 very well why do you need one of those other guns" A sad moment. All that work gone to waste.

Just remind her about all the clothes and shoes she still fits, she doesn't need any new ones.

 

[thriller]

@Therack .......... is that you John Wayne?

 

[AZDAVE]

Jfet I think princess bride needs to shoot your 375 and then since you can decide on the 416 Rigby or a double get both kinda like ladies needing a different purse to match different outfits.

 

[gizmo]

Over the years I shot several elephant, buffalo, lion and hippo with the 375 H&H, all with no problems. IMHO its the best all around caliber for hunting Africa. As CAustin said, bullet placement is everything so shoot a lot and be familiar with your gun. I've owned many other heavy guns through the years but still prefer the 375. I believe it is the most reasonable heavy gun to handle in terms of recoil so you won't be hesitant to take it to the range and shoot a couple of boxes. Confidence in your rifle is a must so you can't be intimidated by recoil which can be an issue with other large caliber magnums.

That's some pretty solid advise right there. I can say if I was to do my lion and buff hunt over I'd take my CZ 375 H&H and leave the 416 at home in the safe.

 

[The_Wanderer]

Oh no jet thats not good! better buy the Rigby before she puts the foot down!

As to the OP I started with the 375 and have just purchased a Rigby my advice get both!

 

[thriller]

@Jfet ...... The only way forward it to make the 375 her gun therefore making it necessary to buy yourself a new one as you selflessly gave up "one of your favorites"

 

[BRICKBURN]

............... The .375 has proven itself for more than 5 generations as a DG cartridge to which the experienced shooter of "deer rifles" can easily adapt. ..................

I am not a rifle expert by any stretch of the imagination and this statement is about the most accurate for describing my experience I have read here.
It took some adapting to move from a 300 Win Mag to the 375 H&H.
It is a different recoil and actually not as sharp (I found) as the 300 Win Mag. It was relatively quick to gain proficiency with it.

I have only shot one rifle larger than a 375H&H, a 450 Rigby. That rifles recoil makes the 375 look like a pop gun. Not for me.

The 375 has performed on everything from longer shots on Oribi to up close and personal on Cape Buffalo for me.

One day I'll see what a 416 Rigby can do. For now I am quite satisfied with my 375.

If you can get a chance to go shoot both rifles see which one impresses you!