Best 375 lion bullet

[Llano Estacado]

Interesting in peoples experiences with the “best” lion bullet for the 375 H&H? Presume it would be the 300 grain partition or the 300 grain North Fork Percussion tip. What are peoples experiences?

 

[Nevada Mike]

I would use 260 or 300 grain Nosler Pertitions.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

A very soft bullet will be best

 

[Frederik]

Any proper bonded soft will do.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Best would have to be the 300Gr Nosler Partition, but Nosler unfortunately hasn’t manufactured new consignments of these ever since the outbreak of the Chinese virus. Fortunately, I got very lucky & managed to buy a couple of boxes from a gun show in Nevada.

Another excellent lion bullet from the days of my youth, would have to be the old copper jacketed lead cored Barnes Originals (with the 0.32” thick jackets, not the 0.49” ones). Unfortunately, Barnes no longer offers these in .375 caliber.

Among currently manufactured bullets, I would consider the very best to be the:
1) Wim Degol Lion Bullet
2) North Fork Percussion Point

If limited to factory loads, the Federal Power Shok 300Gr soft point gets my vote. Be warned however, that the bullets WILL break upon when striking the shoulder bone/scapula of a large make lion.

Over the years, I have hunted my first few lions with the old RWS 300Gr Kegel Spitze cone point factory load (now unfortunately discontinued). I shifted to Nosler Partitions in the 1990s and I currently employ the Federal Power Shok.

If I had anybody who would load me up some ammunition with 300Gr Wim Degol Lion bullets, then that would be my top choice (I don’t possess a lot of confidence in my skills as a hand loader to load my own dangerous game ammunition).

 

[Pondoro]

260 grain Nosler Accubond, 300 Nosler Partition or North Fork..

 

[Frederik]

I just want to add in some thought I don't want to start a talk about CBL lion hunts compared to lions hunted over bait but a lion is an extremely big animal with superior muscle and power.

A lion relaxed can be shot with almost anything but a tensed up lion you better bring some proper bullets because those muscles become hard very hard.

 

[PARA45]

I used a 375 H&H, Barnes 300 grs Vortex ammo for the lioness I shot. One shot that is all it took. Entry and exit hole were not dramatic, but the internal damage was evident. I asked the owner, and he recommended the Barnes.

Exit wound

Internal organs.

 

[Philip Glass]

Interesting in peoples experiences with the “best” lion bullet for the 375 H&H? Presume it would be the 300 grain partition or the 300 grain North Fork Percussion tip. What are peoples experiences?

What ever soft bullet your rifle shoots well. I used Accubond on mine but Scirocco 2 (or partition) might be better.

 

[Andrew62]

I took mine with Barnes TSX, they worked really well, however, if I were to do lion again I would look towards Northfork PP, perhaps Swift Aframes.

 

[ActionBob]

@Royal27 had a very effective load for cats and Plains Game on our Tanzania hunt

 

[Skshyk]

I have my upcoming lion hunt in June. I will be using the same bullets as I did with my leopard 300 gr Accubonds (factoring seconds from Midway please don't be upset).

 

[RockSlinger404]

I just want to add in some thought I don't want to start a talk about CBL lion hunts compared to lions hunted over bait but a lion is an extremely big animal with superior muscle and power.

A lion relaxed can be shot with almost anything but a tensed up lion you better bring some proper bullets because those muscles become hard very hard.

Just to add to Frederik, I shot my male lion with a A-Frame out of a 404Jeff @ 2200fps. He was in the sphinx position and the bullet did not exit. Don't underestimate their size, use enough gun!

 

[Rare Breed]

Interesting in peoples experiences with the “best” lion bullet for the 375 H&H? Presume it would be the 300 grain partition or the 300 grain North Fork Percussion tip. What are peoples experiences?

Having taken my lion you are on the right track

 

[Fatback]

Following this with interest. I am booked for a lion in 2027 and will be hunting it with my 375 H&H. I have 300 grain AFrames, 260 grain nosler partitions and 260 grain accubonds. All shoot very well in the rifle. I’ll be using this rifle for PG as well on the hunt so I’m leaning towards one of the 260 grain offerings due to being a bit more flat shooting but will ultimately follow the recommendations of my PH.

 

[Frederik]

Following this with interest. I am booked for a lion in 2027 and will be hunting it with my 375 H&H. I have 300 grain AFrames, 260 grain nosler partitions and 260 grain accubonds. All shoot very well in the rifle. I’ll be using this rifle for PG as well on the hunt so I’m leaning towards one of the 260 grain offerings due to being a bit more flat shooting but will ultimately follow the recommendations of my PH.

A 300gr at close to 2500fps shoots flat enough for taking game up to 300 meters comfortably just learn the bullet drop. Or just get closer and have fun.

 

[Fatback]

A 300gr at close to 2500fps shoots flat enough for taking game up to 300 meters comfortably just learn the bullet drop. Or just get closer and have fun.

That is certainly an option that I would be fine with if that is what the PH suggests. Just like to have options.

 

[Frederik]

That is certainly an option that I would be fine with if that is what the PH suggests. Just like to have options.

Its your hunt your paying you call the shots and have fun.

 

[Luvthunt]

300 gr Nosler Partition @2600fps . Shock is important with the cats.

 

[Inline6]

Used NF for my lion, 450gr out of my 458Lott @2350fps. It worked very well, would use it again no questions asked. When testing loads, this is not exactly scientific...the holes the tsx would make compared to the NF were night and day. NF did way more damage to the dirt berm. I'm switching everything to NF for DG, was that impressed with the performance. My .02