Factory ammo for 375 H&H

[Heym 88]

very true, Those were hollow points or no? I was thinking with the 300 gr A frame the smaller animals wouldn't have the body weight to cause that. But with the 375 I'm still learning so I appreciate very much all responses.

 

[Velo Dog]

@Velo Dog the OP implied he wanted a bullet that would also work for DG. (hence the mention of the heavy hitters)

-matt

Matt85,

Thanks for pointing out my fragmented thoughts.

In my previous post here I did have the mixed bag PG & buffalo concept bashing around in my head but, it came out reading as if I was only addressing plains game bullets.
Refer back to the last sentence of my first paragraph:

"My favorite super tough soft nose is the Swift A-Frame."

I admittedly should've continued with:

"And it would be my hands down choice if planning to use a .375 on any combination hunt that included a buffalo / plains game bag".

Anyway, keep me in line, I obviously need it.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[matt85]

looks like i just read your post wrong, sorry @Velo Dog.

-matt

 

[Royal27]

I think I will try them.....in my little huntin rifles I used Remington core lokts with very good success, They might be harsh for smaller PG, but dead is dead lol.

Yes, dead is dead, but if you blow have the chest off of a steenbok you will end up with a skull mount! It still comes down to shot placement IMO. I shot my grysbok with a 300 grain TSX and just hit him dead center in the body. Guts blew out the hole in back, but I could have done a full body mount had a chosen. If I had hit him in the shoulder....

 

[Velo Dog]

Same day and back to back three shot groups with time in between to let the barrel cool between groups. The first group is Barnes and the second Hornady. I thought the scope had come loose the group was so bad!

Shot some more after this and it was the same. That rifle just hates Hornady ammo....

View attachment 47169 View attachment 47170

Power is usually fine, but accuracy is usually final.

 

[Velo Dog]

I think I will try them.....in my little huntin rifles I used Remington core lokts with very good success, They might be harsh for smaller PG, but dead is dead lol.

Hello Heym88,

Here in the States, I have had excellent results from the old Remington "Core-Lokt" bullet, particularly in .30-06 / 150 grain spitzer and 7mm magnum / also 150 gr spitzer for open country (longer shots) on deer, also 180 gr for very short range to moderate range shots on feral hogs specifically.

I believe the 150 gr in either caliber would have been risky for many African species at close range (or N. Am species at close range for that matter).
Lead core bullets that are not stoutly bonded jacket to core are at risk of expanding too quickly or even breaking up if going too fast at impact against heavy muscle and bone.

Likewise, I would not hesitate to use the 180 gr Core-Lokt in .30-06 for most African so called "Plains Game" and the old 220 grainer even so much the better.
I've used the old Hornady 220 gr Round Nose Soft Point in .30-06 in Africa with perfect results and I do not suspect it is measurably tougher or softer either one, than the Remington "Core-Lokt" of the same weight and nose shape.
At about 2300 to 2400 fps, a .30 in 220 grain is muey efectivo.

Incidentally, the Remington Core-Lokt 220 gr .30-06 factory load used to be very popular here in Alaska, as was the Hornady 220 gr, prior to all this premium bullet popularity (well deserved popularity - even old Velo Dog highly recommends premium bullets, especially for Africa - pretty much cheapest part of any safari is the bullets).

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[Heym 88]

The Remington core lokts I was talking about here I used on deer. When I said dead is dead I was referring back to the Swift A frames in my 375. I re-read my post and it was confusing. Sometimes I just don't need to get out of bed LOL,

 

[8x68]

Anybody try Woodleighs?
If were talking "Heavy Bullets" I had decent target groups results with Sierra 300gr BTSP's, & Hornady 300gr RNSP's in my 375H&H (haven't killed anything with them except paper). Groups were less than an inch. Haven't tried and of the new Hornady DGX or DGS's yet.
Reviews on Federal factory ammo for the 375H&H are positive.
I was messing around with Hornady's 220gr FP in the 375H&H and had really excellent target results. Groundhogs don't like them....thems get blow'd up real good!

 

[enysse]

I saw a sale on Remington 300 grain swift A frames.....has anyone tried these?

I bought a small fortune last year, you can't reload them for what I bought them for, I love them....buy them up.

 

[Velo Dog]

Anybody try Woodleighs?
If were talking "Heavy Bullets" I had decent target groups results with Sierra 300gr BTSP's, & Hornady 300gr RNSP's in my 375H&H (haven't killed anything with them except paper). Groups were less than an inch. Haven't tried and of the new Hornady DGX or DGS's yet.
Reviews on Federal factory ammo for the 375H&H are positive.
I was messing around with Hornady's 220gr FP in the 375H&H and had really excellent target results. Groundhogs don't like them....thems get blow'd up real good!

Hi 8x68,

The famous Author, Craig Boddington, recommends Sierra 300 gr BTSP in .375 H&H for "plains game" up to and including eland.
I expect he knows what he's talking about.

Yours truly's hunting experience is only a drop of water in the ocean, compared to Mr. B's hunting experience but, I have shot a few critters with the old Hornady 300 gr RNSP from a Merkel .375 H&H double, that was regulated to my favorite "bush load" of 2400 fps.
This load is a real game getter at that relatively tame velocity (about 150 fps slower than most brands of factory loaded 300 grain).
Recoil is noticeably a little less than normal and there are of course no pressure signs whatsoever, on the brass or primer.
Like yourself, I found the Hndy 300 gr RNSP to be extremely accurate in my bolt action .375s also.
All that being said, I would not choose either of the above bullets in .375 caliber for buffalo (A-Frame would be my recommendation).

I have not shot anything but targets with Woodleigh bullets but, they have an awesome reputation in some cartridges, especially the old double rifle cartridges, (and some classic rimless ones for repeaters, as well).
A PH I know (Hannes Swanepoel) told me a local client of his shot a Woodleigh 215 gr RNSP not quite lengthwise, (but almost), through a large bull kudu from a sporterized .303 British SMLE.
The bullet was found in about picture perfect "mushroom" shape.

As for the DGX and DGS, I read in this forum that Gizmo has reported failures from both of these.
DGX soft and DGS solid alike evidently broke apart instead of penetrating adequately on a lion no less (very surprising, especially the "solid"), as well as on a buffalo (maybe only a little surprising with the buffalo).
I think he was shooting the newer .375 Ruger cartridge which it seems to me shoots 300 gr bullets to about the same speed as the H&H version, if not a little faster from an equal length barrel.

Conversely, I shot a buffalo with one each DGX and DGS, but mine ended quickly, with pretty much perfect bullet performance.
However, they were .45 caliber / 480 grains each and only starting out at 2050 fps from the muzzles (.450 No2NE double).
So these few (very few indeed) shots into dangerous game, seem to suggest that the DGX and DGS both, do have velocity limitations.
The great failing and great success both - regarding old fashioned lead core bullets - is that they are soft.

As for the Hndy 220 gr flat point, I think it was designed for hand loading into the old black powder .38-55 (actually a true .37 caliber) and for hand loading into the more modern version, known as the .375 Winchester as well (essentially a blown out .30-30 case, to fit .375 caliber bullets).
In other words, this bullet was probably intended to impact game animals at no more than about 1900 to 2000 fps maximum (approximate .375 Winchester / 220 gr bullet muzzle velocity) and probably much less, since it has a flat nose and does not hold it's already low muzzle velocity very well at all.
Furthermore, the .38-55 starts out at even less velocity than that (quite a bit less).
I totally understand why your local giant hamsters (ground hogs) hold distain for the 220 gr bullet at H&H velocity.

Well anyway, keep your powder dry and stay on that front sight,
Velo Dog.

 

[8x68]

Hi 8x68,

The famous Author, Craig Boddington, recommends Sierra 300 gr BTSP in .375 H&H for "plains game" up to and including eland.
I expect he knows what he's talking about.

Yours truly's hunting experience is only a drop of water in the ocean, compared to Mr. B's hunting experience but, I have shot a few critters with the old Hornady 300 gr RNSP from a Merkel .375 H&H double, that was regulated to my favorite "bush load" of 2400 fps.
This load is a real game getter at that relatively tame velocity (about 150 fps slower than most brands of factory loaded 300 grain).
Recoil is noticeably a little less than normal and there are of course no pressure signs whatsoever, on the brass or primer.
Like yourself, I found the Hndy 300 gr RNSP to be extremely accurate in my bolt action .375s also.
All that being said, I would not choose either of the above bullets in .375 caliber for buffalo (A-Frame would be my recommendation).

I have not shot anything but targets with Woodleigh bullets but, they have an awesome reputation in some cartridges, especially the old double rifle cartridges, (and some classic rimless ones for repeaters, as well).
A PH I know (Hannes Swanepoel) told me a local client of his shot a Woodleigh 215 gr RNSP not quite lengthwise, (but almost), through a large bull kudu from a sporterized .303 British SMLE.
The bullet was found in about picture perfect "mushroom" shape.

As for the DGX and DGS, I read in this forum that Gizmo has reported failures from both of these.
DGX soft and DGS solid alike evidently broke apart instead of penetrating adequately on a lion no less (very surprising, especially the "solid"), as well as on a buffalo (maybe only a little surprising with the buffalo).
I think he was shooting the newer .375 Ruger cartridge which it seems to me shoots 300 gr bullets to about the same speed as the H&H version, if not a little faster from an equal length barrel.

Conversely, I shot a buffalo with one each DGX and DGS, but mine ended quickly, with pretty much perfect bullet performance.
However, they were .45 caliber / 480 grains each and only starting out at 2050 fps from the muzzles (.450 No2NE double).
So these few (very few indeed) shots into dangerous game, seem to suggest that the DGX and DGS both, do have velocity limitations.
The great failing and great success both - regarding old fashioned lead core bullets - is that they are soft.

As for the Hndy 220 gr flat point, I think it was designed for hand loading into the old black powder .38-55 (actually a true .37 caliber) and for hand loading into the more modern version, known as the .375 Winchester as well (essentially a blown out .30-30 case, to fit .375 caliber bullets).
In other words, this bullet was probably intended to impact game animals at no more than about 1900 to 2000 fps maximum (approximate .375 Winchester / 220 gr bullet muzzle velocity) and probably much less, since it has a flat nose and does not hold it's already low muzzle velocity very well at all.
Furthermore, the .38-55 starts out at even less velocity than that (quite a bit less).
I totally understand why your local giant hamsters (ground hogs) hold distain for the 220 gr bullet at H&H velocity.

Well anyway, keep your powder dry and stay on that front sight,
Velo Dog.

Thanks for the info.
I had the 220 GR FP's zipping along just shy of 2800fps (25" bbl). I shot several strings at 200yds and they stayed within the 5" target bulls-eye. I'm sure I can do better as when I shot these groups it was during a cold Ottawa winter; in the wind, and it was frigid 30+ years ago. I used my typewriter to keep notes on all my loads I shot with various rifles.
Hornady #9 reloading manual list regular loads & reduced loads for the 220gr FP.

Going to hopefully load up some Woodleigh 400gr 404 Jeffery loads this weekend and see how they shoot. The best group I got with Hornady 400gr DGX loads was a 3 shot 1.08" group at 100yds. Finding powder is becoming a bit of a challenge in the Canadian North.

 

[Custom]

I just returned from a safari on August 1 and took a buff with my 375. I took eland and zebra, too, but with my 300 wm. I shot 300 gr tsx vor-tx ammo on the buff and it was perfect performance. First shot was through the heart broad side at 80 yards. He died from that one but my PH had me hit him again running away so he got a Texas heart shot. Anyway, we recovered the first bullet. It went through the heart, broke the far shoulder and lodged just inside his skin. I have not weighed it, but it looks like 95% or more weight retention. Not sure of performance on PG, but highly recommend it on buff.

 

[Velo Dog]

Thanks for the info.
I had the 220 GR FP's zipping along just shy of 2800fps (25" bbl). I shot several strings at 200yds and they stayed within the 5" target bulls-eye. I'm sure I can do better as when I shot these groups it was during a cold Ottawa winter; in the wind, and it was frigid 30+ years ago. I used my typewriter to keep notes on all my loads I shot with various rifles.
Hornady #9 reloading manual list regular loads & reduced loads for the 220gr FP.

Going to hopefully load up some Woodleigh 400gr 404 Jeffery loads this weekend and see how they shoot. The best group I got with Hornady 400gr DGX loads was a 3 shot 1.08" group at 100yds. Finding powder is becoming a bit of a challenge in the Canadian North.

If I had a .404 Jeffery, as well as a .375 H&H but wanted to do a combination buffalo & "plains Game" hunt in the typical buffalo hunting conditions of several southern Africa countries, I would only take the .404 (low power scope in stout lever rings and properly zeroed in iron sight as backup), and I would plan to take everything with same.

If however, part of the itinerary included doing the PG portion of my safari in any wide open area (such as the Eastern Cape / The Karoo / most of Namibia, etc - in other words longer shots than most of Africa offers) then I'd bring the .375 instead and use it for all species I was seeking.

 

[8x68]

If I had a .404 Jeffery, as well as a .375 H&H but wanted to do a combination buffalo & "plains Game" hunt in the typical buffalo hunting conditions of several southern Africa countries, I would only take the .404 (low power scope in stout lever rings and properly zeroed in iron sight as backup), and I would plan to take everything with same.

If however, part of the itinerary included doing the PG portion of my safari in any wide open area (such as the Eastern Cape / The Karoo / most of Namibia, etc - in other words longer shots than most of Africa offers) then I'd bring the .375 instead and use it for all species I was seeking.

I'd kinda be torn between the 375 and 8x68 for PG. Definitely the 404 for DG

 

[Velo Dog]

I'd kinda be torn between the 375 and 8x68 for PG. Definitely the 404 for DG

All that I have read about the 8x68 indicates that it is one of the very best long range hunting cartridges available today.
If I'm not mistaken, Swift makes their A-Frame bullet in 8mm diameter / .323 inch as a 200 grain semi-spitzer and maybe other weights as well - not sure.
It seems like this well made bullet in 200 gr for the 8x68 should do extremely well on PG, far away or close up, either one.
I have a partial box of Rhino 200 gr softs in 8mm (they might be 196 gr but anyway.......) that I have not tried yet (8x57 S-bore) but likewise, those appear to be an extremely tough bullet for African PG and large N. American game such as elk and moose.
Too bad Rhino bullets generally are not found in sporting good stores where I live.
Likewise, Nosler makes at least a 200 gr Partition bullet in 8mm (perhaps other weights as well) and it just might be too soft for close range shots on heavy animals at 8x68 velocities but at long range, I believe it'd be a real good one.
I also believe the 200 gr Nosler Partition would be a fine PG getter at 8x57 velocities.
As tough bullets go, I know many have had great results with the Barnes TSX / TTSX bullets in various cartridges.
Primarily as a result of my personal experiences with hollow point bullets in both rifles and handguns, I do not trust any brand of hollow point.
However, if ever there was a bullet tailor made for 8x68 velocities, it would have to be the latest Barnes expanding bullets (I'd still rather stake my safari dollars on the A-Frame though).

 

[Heym 88]

I bought a small fortune last year, you can't reload them for what I bought them for, I love them....buy them up.

I bought two boxes on sale today to try out.

 

[Gsxrmike]

I just went to Zim. I used a .404 Jeffery on my buffalo. I used Barnes TSX bullets loaded by Superior Ammunition. The bullet went through the heart, blowing a huge exit hole in the heart, and lodged in the ribs on the opposite side. I used Barnes VOR-TX in my .375 H&H for Kudu and bush pig. Performed perfectly on both.

 

[Heym 88]

congrats..sounds a great hunt.

 

[colorado]

I like the Remington Premier Safari Grade 375 H&H ammo with 300g A-Frames for anything you don't need solids on. This one went diagonally through a 900 lb brown bear including the near shoulder at 13 yards. It still weighs 299.5 grains.

 

[Heym 88]

Yea I hope they shoot accurately in my M70. I have no doubt about the performance of the bullet. Thanks for the awesome pic.