Is it worth getting a 375?

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A couple years back I bought (2) .375 H&H the same day. A CZ 550 and a SAKO Finnbear. Liked the SAKO because it was beautiful and fit me well. Sold the CZ to my hunting partner and took the SAKO along with a .243 on my next Safari. My intention was to shoot more of my tiny 10. I ended up shooting a Buff, Giraffe, Zebra, Sable, third Wildebeest, and Wharthog with the .375! Why? -opportunity. I wasn’t planning to hunt DG or larger animals, but I was prepared for the circumstance.

That said, both of the .375’s are right handed and I shoot left. Since then I’ve switched to all left handed rifles. Including a new SAKO .375 H&H in left hand. I booked Africa this year and Kamchatka for Moose and Bear…

I guess I’ll bring the .243 for back up?

@NIGHTHAWK
Are you taking the 243 for backup for your walking pole or bipod. To short for a hiking pole, useless as a bipod and even worse as a hunting cartridge.
Bob.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Two Four Three

@Cam Moon
You need to watch more Seasame Street to advance your counting skills.

It is one ,two,three, four.!
NOT two,four,three.

 

[CBH Australia]

Oh, Bob

 

[CBH Australia]

Two Four Three

did you start this

 

[CBH Australia]

@NIGHTHAWK
Are you taking the 243 for backup for your walking pole or bipod. To short for a hiking pole, useless as a bipod and even worse as a hunting cartridge.
Bob.

Dear Bob,
My wife's Weatherby Vanguard GH2 .243 as ports a 20"barrel and has the stock spacer removed.
Might be useless as a rest for a tall lanky fella like you but I'll give you a hot tip, you can hunt with em,

 

[Jörg Krüger]

Dear Bob,
My wife's Weatherby Vanguard GH2 .243 as ports a 20"barrel and has the stock spacer removed.
Might be useless as a rest for a tall lanky fella like you but I'll give you a hot tip, you can hunt with em,

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen will use the 243 when the "Attack of the killer Tomatoes" starts happening trying to attack his Vegimite and Bundy reserves.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

@NIGHTHAWK
Are you taking the 243 for backup for your walking pole or bipod. To short for a hiking pole, useless as a bipod and even worse as a hunting cartridge.
Bob.

Oh, I didn't intend to highjack the thread. Apologies for being culturally unfit.

That little pea shooter has dispatched it's far share of game. But, so has my .7mm Rem Mag. Oops, I did it again... How dare I mention a non .30 Caliber!

I included a picture because its kinda of cute...

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Let the fun begin

Ok in all seriousness, i am considering getting a 375, why? I don't know hence the the question. Some applicable information. I am not planning on hunting DG now or in the future as it just doesn't make sense in a financial point of view for the hunting i do. I mainly hunt PG such as Impala, blesbok, wildebeest and will never miss an opportunity at a warthog. All things that a 30-06 can comfortably take. As i hunt in the bushveld of South Africa i am not worried at longer than 250m shots.

I guess i like. The idea of the 3 7 5 as a classic bushveld hunting rifle. But a hell of a lot more recoil than a 06, cost is higher than the 06, and for thr intended species its obviously not necessary, so why the hell do i want a 375 to use as a primary hunting rifle?

Is it a new pandemic that i am caught in?

Elton,

I have a SAKO 85 L and its a nice rifle. I would consider selling my .375 Finnbear RH, but I'm trying to get my brother into hunting and want to gift it to him; that doesn't seem likely. I particularly like the action and bolt throw of SAKO. With that said, I also have a couple rifles built around REM 700's... I do shoot lefthanded, so that should tell you something about my way of thinking!

Good luck with your search and decision!

SAKO 85 L in .375 H&H

 

[Rell]

Let the fun begin

Ok in all seriousness, i am considering getting a 375, why? I don't know hence the the question. Some applicable information. I am not planning on hunting DG now or in the future as it just doesn't make sense in a financial point of view for the hunting i do. I mainly hunt PG such as Impala, blesbok, wildebeest and will never miss an opportunity at a warthog. All things that a 30-06 can comfortably take. As i hunt in the bushveld of South Africa i am not worried at longer than 250m shots.

I guess i like. The idea of the 3 7 5 as a classic bushveld hunting rifle. But a hell of a lot more recoil than a 06, cost is higher than the 06, and for thr intended species its obviously not necessary, so why the hell do i want a 375 to use as a primary hunting rifle?

Is it a new pandemic that i am caught in?

Yes.

Start getting the tools together for a buff, prices in RSA I think will come down as herds are built up on private land. Wild buff will get more and more expensive. Big plans enclosures are still a nice experience at 1/3 the cost.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Dear Bob,
My wife's Weatherby Vanguard GH2 .243 as ports a 20"barrel and has the stock spacer removed.
Might be useless as a rest for a tall lanky fella like you but I'll give you a hot tip, you can hunt with em,

@CBH Australia
Chris please refrain from saying you can hunt with that cartridge. Hunting and 243 should never be used in the same sentence. It's a bit like army intelligence those two don't go together either.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen will use the 243 when the "Attack of the killer Tomatoes" starts happening trying to attack his Vegimite and Bundy reserves.

@Jörg Krüger
No I won't as I will never own one
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Oh, I didn't intend to highjack the thread. Apologies for being culturally unfit.

That little pea shooter has dispatched it's far share of game. But, so has my .7mm Rem Mag. Oops, I did it again... How dare I mention a non .30 Caliber!

I included a picture because its kinda of cute...
View attachment 449057

@NIGHTHAWK
Please don't get me wrong I like most calibers including the 7mm and 25s even the 22 Hornet it's just that I absolutely hate the 243 and am not overly impressed with the 6.5 crudmore manbun. ALL others are fine by me
Bob

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

If you want to scratch two itches get a double rifle in 375 flanged magnum

 

[Fred Gunner]

the .375 H&H or Ruger is a fine choice and the Minimum you can use on Dangerous Game...
But who want's just the bare minimum when you Go Big you Go Home....
and OMG this just want on sale right here...

Ruger No 1-H Tropical .416 Rigby For Sale

Ruger No 1-H Tropical .416 Rigby Trijicon AccuPoint 1-6x24 Green Triangle Retical Alaska Arms Quick Release Scope Rings (They’re amazing return to 100yrd zero every time without fail) Custom Safety lever clears ejected brass zero jams under rapid fire. FalconStrike hydraulic recoil pad...

www.africahunting.com

It's a bargain at twice the listed price....

You want Danger in hunting Dangerous Game try one shot...

 

[Rell]

the .375 H&H or Ruger is a fine choice and the Minimum you can use on Dangerous Game...
But who want's just the bare minimum when you Go Big you Go Home....
and OMG this just want on sale right here...

Ruger No 1-H Tropical .416 Rigby For Sale

Ruger No 1-H Tropical .416 Rigby Trijicon AccuPoint 1-6x24 Green Triangle Retical Alaska Arms Quick Release Scope Rings (They’re amazing return to 100yrd zero every time without fail) Custom Safety lever clears ejected brass zero jams under rapid fire. FalconStrike hydraulic recoil pad...

www.africahunting.com

It's a bargain at twice the listed price....

You want Danger in hunting Dangerous Game try one shot...View attachment 449121

So no back up Ph with a stopping rifle?

Respectfully disagree, two shots and two triggers and let your PH save his solids for when you’ve messed up twice.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

@NIGHTHAWK
Please don't get me wrong I like most calibers including the 7mm and 25s even the 22 Hornet it's just that I absolutely hate the 243 and am not overly impressed with the 6.5 crudmore manbun. ALL others are fine by me
Bob

No worries… There are a lot of different things the .243 kills for many of us here in the states. I have a feeling It will remain popular far longer than either of our opinions.

Besides, I’ve got another rifle that does clean up duty when necessary! It just requires a 210 Grain Berger to do it…

 

[Fred Gunner]

So no back up Ph with a stopping rifle?

Respectfully disagree, two shots and two triggers and let your PH save his solids for when you’ve messed up twice.

Respectfully I trained dry fire with rapid reloads 30min a day, 5 daze each week. Live fire 20 rounds two daze each week for 18 months prior to this hunt....Results one shot kill through the hart at 40 yards standing off the sticks... Timed Fire 3 rounds in 10 sec all hits no misses on 8in plate at 50 yards. 3 rounds at 100 yards 8in plate in 20 sec. All standing off the sticks. That was the standard I trained to zero compromise.

So no back up Ph with a stopping rifle?

Respectfully disagree, two shots and two triggers and let your PH save his solids for when you’ve messed up twice.

5 shots 50 yards 13sec best time

 

[CBH Australia]

Elton,

I have a SAKO 85 L and its a nice rifle. I would consider selling my .375 Finnbear RH, but I'm trying to get my brother into hunting and want to gift it to him; that doesn't seem likely. I particularly like the action and bolt throw of SAKO. With that said, I also have a couple rifles built around REM 700's... I do shoot lefthanded, so that should tell you something about my way of thinking!

Good luck with your search and decision!

SAKO 85 L in .375 H&H
View attachment 449063

Your way of thinking and your success seem to speak for themselves.
But anytime I see anyone do anything lefthanded it looks awkward to me.

 

[Rell]

Respectfully I trained dry fire with rapid reloads 30min a day, 5 daze each week. Live fire 20 rounds two daze each week for 18 months prior to this hunt....Results one shot kill through the hart at 40 yards standing off the sticks... Timed Fire 3 rounds in 10 sec all hits no misses on 8in plate at 50 yards. 3 rounds at 100 yards 8in plate in 20 sec. All standing off the sticks. That was the standard I trained to zero compromise.

View attachment 449156
5 shots 50 yards 13sec best time

I think I owe you an apology. You are 100% entitled to your opinion and experience. Glad it was a good one.

I always laugh a little when I look at us client hunters through the probable lenses of our PHs. I’ve hunted with my two PHs half a dozen times each at least and shot a good few dozen buff at this point. But I know it’s the PH and unarmed trackers that are taking most of the risk. I’ve only been backed up once and he was 100% justified in shooting when he was concerned my two shots where a little far back. (They where).

It’s certainly an interesting challenge using a single shot and it’s great you committed to being well above average in its use.

 

[Tom Leoni]

I can think of a myriad reasons to buy a .375, no matter what kind of big game you hunt. Whitetail: check. Mule deer: check. Elk: check. Bear: check. Caribou: check. Moose: check. Plains game: check. Leopard: check. Buffalo: check. Lion: check. The trajectory of a .30-06 and the killing power of anything you'll ever need even for tough shots on most game I mentioned.

Plus, you enter a sort of "club" when you own and shoot a .375, especially if it's the old H&H.

On the other hand, I see zero good reasons *not* to own a .375. And best of all, the .375 will never be jealous of your owning and shooting other cartridges.