.375H&H or .458 WM which should I keep

[CBH Australia]

I’ve agreed on a purchase of a CZ550 in .375H&H as I wanted this over my current .458Wm in same.
I believe the .375 is more versatile and adequate for most things used correctly with the right projectile.

I wanted and still want the .375, I have no DG experience and will get limited opportunity to hunt DG except other than a paid safari which is not in the near future for that.

If you were only able to keep one which should it be? Open to discussion. I have fired exactly 1 shot from a .375 and then bought a new .458 on clearance, the same way I get most of my guns on sale.

I have dies, cases and various projectiles that I built up in .458 so I can put togetherness a nice little package for sale then start over, I’ve put 50+ rounds through it, just to get a feel for it.

I am planning on just the .375 and I have some sentimental idea of it bein a classic calibre. Staying with the same model I’m keeping the scope and rings and I have a Timney trigger if I want to fit it

Whichever I have will get taken in the field for use, pigs generally but I want Tom be comfortable with it and I feel I can’t carry it on a 5km walk then no point thinking I’m going to do anything more with it

Anyway any thoughts on the pros and cons of these for a one big bore solution for someone who is hoping to use it in the future?

My first African hunt is booked. A PG cull hunt and I’m using a hire rifle. And I’m happy with that. Keeping it simple

If and when I get a chance I will hunt Camel, Donkey and try for Buffalo in Oz, and if I get a second shot at Africa a .375 would be a versatile rifle to take.

 

[BenKK]

I like both cartridges, but if you’re forced to choose just one, it should be the .375H&H, especially if camels and donkeys and plainsgame are on the menu along with buffalo.

 

[sierraone]

.375 H&H.

 

[ve7poi]

375 H&H very versatile and capable round if I had to decide which of my big bores to keep it would be an 375 it just does the job every time

 

[Opposite Pole]

375 is just so much more versatile, in OZ you can use it to go after just about anything i.e. the numerous ferals (the ones in Canberra are off limits though), Scrub bulls, Donkeys, Camels, Buffalo etc. Although a bit of overkill it works quite well on Sambar and Red/Wapiti and works a treat on pigs. If I had to keep one gun it’d be a 375. I don’t think a more versatile rifle exists. 458 in Oz would have made more sense if they haven’t forgotten to introduce Ele populations to the NT. Anyone knows why the skipped that one?

 

[Shootist43]

Given your thoughts on future hunts the 375 H&H makes more sense. Hopefully you can get your money out of the 458 WM & reloading supplies.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

My proposition .375H&H and .458Win.
I have .375H&H and .404Jeffery.

 

[wesheltonj]

375

 

[ve7poi]

Ah choose between 404 and 375
404 was first all round then 375 H&H took over its spot
I still like my 404j best of the two but 375 has a greater distribution of stores stocking ammo.

 

[Von S.]

Hands down

I'd take the 458 and never look back.

 

[BWH]

Forward thinking.... what’s your plans? If only PG, the 375 is plenty. If planning on Buffalo & larger, go over.... 416+

 

[Luvthunt]

I would keep the 458 and load 350 gr for my day to day at home [Aus.] and if I did other would then have an old friend.
Use enough gun and it Never can be too big.

 

[larry4831]

I would keep the 458. If you need a lighter bullet you can use the 350 grain bullet which makes a nice load.

 

[Ray B]

Since the 404 isn't included in the options, which are limited to 375H&H and 458WinMag; I'd go with the 458. There are sturdy momometal bullets of ,458" 300 grains that fairly well mirror the 375 trajectory out to 300 yards and then there's the benefit of heavier bullets that far exceed the performance of the 375 on heavier close-up game.

 

[Hunter4752001]

KEEP BOTH!

If you sell the .458 sooner or later you will regret it. Having two CZ550s means one set of reactions and muscle memory. Depending on international supply situation, CZ manufacturing priorities, future import restrictions etc there is always a high chance you won't be able to get another one in the future if you need it.

Even if you never leave OZ, there is always the option of a NT buffalo hunt. A .375 is adequate, a .458 much more reassuring.

 

[CBH Australia]

KEEP BOTH!

If you sell the .458 sooner or later you will regret it. Having two CZ550s means one set of reactions and muscle memory. Depending on international supply situation, CZ manufacturing priorities, future import restrictions etc there is always a high chance you won't be able to get another one in the future if you need it.

Even if you never leave OZ, there is always the option of a NT buffalo, hunt. A .375 is adequate, a .458 much more reassuring.

Ahhh, I should sell one when the other arrives.
I plan to leave Aus, and definitely return. It’s home! I’ve booked a PG cull hunt in South Africa and I’m planning on going, a little excited but I need to be careful on the budget. I may have a lead on a future Buff Hunt .

Kids are grown and hoping to start doing more for ourselves.

 

[bruce moulds]

cbh,
it is hard to compare the two rounds.
the 375 will be better in a situation where you need a longer point blank range.
this will include the donkeys and camels you mention, which are often in open country and might well require 300 yard shots.
the 375 can be zeroed to shoot to 300 with the right bullets for this job.
the 458 cannot compete in this area.
donkeys can be taken well with the 300 gn sierra boattail, while camels might need a better bullet.
using a 375 on dangerous game is at the top end of its ability, and serious bullets are required here.
the thing with dancerous game is that it can come towards you, so range gets shorter.
in this case the 458 is streets ahead, as long as you are aware that the nearer a bullet gets to muzzle velocity the more critical is bullet choice.
people like ben kk have more experience here than I, but it is my belief that scrub cattle can be more dangerous than buff.
plus, they can weigh more as well.
it they are lying down in cover, they might not be seen until you are quite close, when they will spring up and go straight for you form a very close distance at speed.
while this is exciting sport, you can only appreciate that if you are still in one piece.
this is where the 375 is not the gun that the 458 is.
while a 375 and a 416 might overlap some, the 375 and the 458 complement each other.
if both your guns are the same make, and have their triggers adjusted the same, owning both might have a lot to offer.
the other option, if you want one only, might be to get a 416.
bruce.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I believe they both serve different purposes. Nothing wrong with having both in your battery IMO.
375 is easily more universal and substantially easier to shoot, but the 458 is turbocharged for buffalo, hippo and elephant.
JM limited O and $.02 worth.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I’ve agreed on a purchase of a CZ550 in .375H&H as I wanted this over my current .458Wm in same.
I believe the .375 is more versatile and adequate for most things used correctly with the right projectile.

I wanted and still want the .375, I have no DG experience and will get limited opportunity to hunt DG except other than a paid safari which is not in the near future for that.

If you were only able to keep one which should it be? Open to discussion. I have fired exactly 1 shot from a .375 and then bought a new .458 on clearance, the same way I get most of my guns on sale.

I have dies, cases and various projectiles that I built up in .458 so I can put togetherness a nice little package for sale then start over, I’ve put 50+ rounds through it, just to get a feel for it.

I am planning on just the .375 and I have some sentimental idea of it bein a classic calibre. Staying with the same model I’m keeping the scope and rings and I have a Timney trigger if I want to fit it

Whichever I have will get taken in the field for use, pigs generally but I want Tom be comfortable with it and I feel I can’t carry it on a 5km walk then no point thinking I’m going to do anything more with it

Anyway any thoughts on the pros and cons of these for a one big bore solution for someone who is hoping to use it in the future?

My first African hunt is booked. A PG cull hunt and I’m using a hire rifle. And I’m happy with that. Keeping it simple

If and when I get a chance I will hunt Camel, Donkey and try for Buffalo in Oz, and if I get a second shot at Africa a .375 would be a versatile rifle to take.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I wouldn't know. I'm new to this AH forum. This isn't probably the right "thread" topic, but like I said I'm new. I have shot elk with my Browning A Bolt .338 Win Mag. for many years. A couple of months ago, I bought an Interarms Whitworth Safari in .375 h and h in like new condition and I love it! I've never owned a CRF rifle before, but I have always wanted one. However, it's recoil is like my .338, so now I'm wondering if it would be sufficient for an Africa hunting trip? The elk I've shot with the .338 didn't complain, but the .375 for something larger? I haven't hunted in Africa yet, so I guess I'm just stupid for even opening this up. NOW, I'm thinking a .416 or .458 just based on the limited recoil from the .375? Any responses for my stupid but real observations on recoil?