Best .375 H&H bullet weight? And Best bullet in that weight?

[BWH]

I have always heard that you cannot overspin or twist a bullet..... Especially, larger ones. I have heard that some super light rounds can get flighty or finicky. However, now you talking about little rounds, screaming out 4000+Fps and rates of twist around 1:7 vs. 1:9.

 

[Grady]

Thanks for the point out to the formula's. That is some pretty good info and I have spent some time playing around with the sites.

For example, the recent blemished .375 Round nose bullets from Midway that were mentioned on this site previously give the following info:
Length - 1.127
Dia - .375
Vel - 2750...You have to go with 2900 to change the twist to 24
SG - 10.9 to 11.9
Twist - 23...with a 8.9 SG the twist is 21

 

[BWH]

Yeah.... Me too. The quickest twist I was able to come up with for my 375 h&h equation was about 1:16 & 1:14.... The Barnes tsx bullet is longer than the AFrame, so it could/needed turn faster. Either way, rifle is 1:12.... So it really didn't make a damn. But interesting nevertheless.

 

[Mekaniks]

Thanks for the point out to the formula's. That is some pretty good info and I have spent some time playing around with the sites.

For example, the recent blemished .375 Round nose bullets from Midway that were mentioned on this site previously give the following info:
Length - 1.127
Dia - .375
Vel - 2750...You have to go with 2900 to change the twist to 24
SG - 10.9 to 11.9
Twist - 23...with a 8.9 SG the twist is 21

When I decided to have a custom 338 federal built, I spent hours/days researching and measuring bullets applying this "optimum twist" formula. When I settled on the bullet I wanted to use, but not knowing what to expect, I took my rifle action to the gunsmith and asked him to install a 1:10 twist barrel. He looked at me and shrugged his shoulders and said "yep 1:10 is standard for this caliber". Funny how things work out when you do the research... And as it has turned out to be most accurate rifle I have ever owned.

 

[shuter]

Help...my thread's been hijacked!

 

[BWH]

Yeah.... That happens.... Sorry.... Rabbit trail

Circle back.

I'm in your boat too. Depending upon your quarry..... Look at 235, 250, 270 & 300 gr.

I know... With 375s it can get expensive. But once you find your pet load, you'll be married to it. Cheap investment in long run. Just my 2 cents. Stay with premium loads.... TSX, AFrame..... All good

 

[Mekaniks]

Help...my thread's been hijacked!

Yeah, sorry about that.... Back to .375 bullets.

 

[benchracer]

I am assuming that you are asking for bullet recommendations for plains game, rather than dangerous game. If you are trying to come up with a one bullet solution for both, that changes the equation a bit. Like most of the "classic" safari chamberings, the .375 H&H doesn't generate enough velocity to need premium bullets. Heavy for caliber soft points will work just fine and have done so for a very long time. Load a 300 grain soft point to between 2550 and 2600 fps and go hunting. My personal favorite is the Sierra 300 grain Gameking. If you just have to have a premium bullet, go with a Partition or Accubond of the same weight.

Another very good option is the 250 grain Barnes TTSX. Load it to 2850 fps or so and take it hunting. My favorite powder for both the 300 grain Sierra and the 250 grain TTSX is RL-17.

If I were planning to take PG and DG on the same safari, I would load the Barnes 300 grain TSX to between 2550 and 2600 and use it for everything.

 

[shuter]

Yeah, sorry about that.... Back to .375 bullets.

Just joking. I appreciate your input!

 

[shuter]

I am assuming that you are asking for bullet recommendations for plains game, rather than dangerous game. If you are trying to come up with a one bullet solution for both, that changes the equation a bit. Like most of the "classic" safari chamberings, the .375 H&H doesn't generate enough velocity to need premium bullets. Heavy for caliber soft points will work just fine and have done so for a very long time. Load a 300 grain soft point to between 2550 and 2600 fps and go hunting. My personal favorite is the Sierra 300 grain Gameking. If you just have to have a premium bullet, go with a Partition or Accubond of the same weight.

Another very good option is the 250 grain Barnes TTSX. Load it to 2850 fps or so and take it hunting. My favorite powder for both the 300 grain Sierra and the 250 grain TTSX is RL-17.

If I were planning to take PG and DG on the same safari, I would load the Barnes 300 grain TSX to between 2550 and 2600 and use it for everything.

Excellent info! I guess I was asking about one bullet for both; and you're right, the 300 grain TSX would fill that bill perhaps better than most. Then again, for hunting elk here in the U.S., or for a strictly PG safari, I really want to try that 250 grain TTSX. Can't imagine it wouldn't work fine on a buffalo, backed up by solids either, perhaps?

Interesting that you mention RL-17...seems everything I've read points to RL-15 instead for the .375. I will check it out further.

Really appreciate the input!

 

[benchracer]

The .375 H&H does its best work with powders in the H4350 burn rate range and bullets up to 300 grains. The problem with that is lack of sufficient case volume if you are keeping to SAAMI length of 3.6" with a 300 grain bullet. RL-17 isn't as bulky as H4350, so it solves that dilemma quite nicely.

 

[colorado]

+1 except it would be the 300g A-Frame ...

 

[jeffpg]

300 grain Swift A-Frame for the big tuff stuff, and
270 grain Nosler Accubond for most everything else.

 

[JTEX]

A 270 Grain Barns X will do it all and do it well.

.

 

[Mannlicher]

..., and
270 grain Nosler Accubond for most everything else.

260 grains AB are enough.......

Mannlicher

 

[shuter]

260 grains AB are enough.......

Mannlicher

DG too (Buff, Hippo), or PG only, in your opinion?

 

[jeffpg]

A 270 Grain Barns X will do it all and do it well.

.

I have no doubt at all about that, I just still haven't really completely warmed up to the Barnes bullets.

I did very successfully use 180 grain TSX hand loads in a borrowed 300 Win Mag on about a dozen plains game animals in Namibia recently. The bullet performed flawlessly for me and I have zero complaints about it at all.

On the other hand, just before that hunt I shot a few critters including Cape buffalo in South Africa with a borrowed 375 H&H stoked with 300 grain Nosler Partition factory ammo and I just somehow felt a better connection with that more traditional bullet. Of course, if I would have had my goodies with me the Swift A-Frames would have bit the buffalo but I was far from home without my own arms.

I guess I'm just kinda old school when it comes to bullets.

 

[Ridge Top Ranch]

I am going to try Double Tap 235 grain Barnes TSX in my Model 70 for plains game and lion. Really like the flat trajectory out to 300 yards. Has anyone shot this round before?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I am going to try Double Tap 235 grain Barnes TSX in my Model 70 for plains game and lion. Really like the flat trajectory out to 300 yards. Has anyone shot this round before?

I worked up a load for the 250 TTSX, good for 2900 fps if I remember correctly. Might be a better choice with the better BC.

 

[jeffpg]

I have never shot any Double Tap ammo before. I had intended to try it in several calibers because I liked their published velocities, but after reading some reviews and talking to some guys it appears that the high velocities they claim are inflated.
I haven't verified that, but I saw too much evidence of it to ignore it.