Marlin 375

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I oncet looked at a Marlin .375 at a gun show. The rifle was cheap enough but ammo seems to made of unobtanium. I was thinking of it for a deer rifle in Iowa, but decided if I do go I'll just take my .444.
Actually, a .444 might do you better in Africa, since you don't own the gun already. (such of a deal I could make you...)

@freefall
The 444 Marlin is an awesome cartridge. It's a pity I don't live in the state as I would have loved to try some of Montana bullet works cast projectiles like the 400gn flat point.
That bullet at 1,600 to 1700 fps would be awesome.
I had a 444 made on a No4 Mk2 SMLE action. This can handle a lot more pressure than the lever action. I could safely and easily get close to 2,400fps with the 280gn Woodleigh and 300gn speer. In that rifle my calculation says the 400gn could have got close to 1,900fps.
I was going to take it to Namibia but sold it to finance my 35Whelen build.
Bob

 

[meigsbucks]

I think you’d be good on PG up to about 400-500# and a max range of ~125yds. Unfortunately there aren’t any strong bullets suitable for the .375 Win in a lever rifle, unless there are some cast designs.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Damonk1384
I don't think Marlin made a 375 mate. I know Winchester mad the 375 big bore lever action. It is a beefed up 38-55 that throws a 255gn flat nose projectile at about 2,000fps. It wouldn't be a good choice for Africa unless ranges are less than 100 yards and only on the smaller Plains game.
Now the 375H&H is a different thing that is suitable for all African game.
Bob

He is talking about a Marlin model 375, but it's chambered in 375WIN. This article shows the 375WIN chambered in a T/C and the Marlin 375.
https://gunsmagazine.com/our-experts/the-375-winchester/

 

[ZG47]

@Damonk1384
I don't think Marlin made a 375 mate. I know Winchester mad the 375 big bore lever action. It is a beefed up 38-55 that throws a 255gn flat nose projectile at about 2,000fps. It wouldn't be a good choice for Africa unless ranges are less than 100 yards and only on the smaller Plains game.
Now the 375H&H is a different thing that is suitable for all African game.
Bob

Bob, they did make a small number BUT they do not seem to have reached the South West Pacific. I suspect that they were specially made for a U.S. distributor, like all those limited run Rugers made for Lipseys.

 

[Damonk1384]

Savage 99 is a good platform for a lever rifle because of the rotary magazine and being able to use spitzer shaped bullets. The traditional tubular magazine of a lever gun precludes this, but it doesn't mean it's not suitable for hunting Africa.

@Damonk1384 - Now for the Marlin 375. It's chambered for the 375WIN that normally features a 200 grain flat nose bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2200 fps for an energy of 2149 lb-ft. Comparing that to a 375H&H shooting a 300 grain spitzer bullet at 2500 fps that gives 4163 lb-ft. The difference is dramatic and I haven't even started with the 375WBY, 378WBY 375RUM...etc.

Does this mean you can't hunt Africa with a 375WIN, the short answer is you absolutely can. However you will be limiting yourself in the types of shots and effective range you can take game. I know in Namibia there is a minimum energy for hunting Cape Buffalo at 3982 lb-ft (5400 Joules) and the 375WIN is woefully short of that. However, if you are confident in your rig, I'm sure you can take several PG out to at least 100 yards.

Unfortunately it's much easier to find fault with the 375WIN than the good in it. Low pressures, low bullet weight and the ballistics of a brick makes other choices much easier. I know I will be burned at the stake by the lever action community and everyone that knows someone who shot an Elephant with a lever rifle, but the lever action has pressure limitations that other actions do not. This allows better ballistic performance for any given bore size, like a 45-70 trying to compete with a 458WM...it's not even close.

The lever rifle is an effective tool for hunting, but it has limitations. If you understand them and stay inside that box, you will be fine. IMO - if you already have a 7mm or .30 caliber bolt action hunting rifle in your possession, take it hunting in Africa and save the money you would have spent on a Marlin 375 on additional animals.

Thank you for the response

 

[CJW]

The 375 win seems like a good candidate for a wide faced hard cast bullet. Let the face of the bullet do the work. I also see that Cutting Edge Bullets makes a 235 gr raptor though I would check with them about using it in a tubular magazine. It would be cool if they could sell a version with a squishy point like in the leverevolution ammo.

If it's loaded properly and you're confident with it to 150 yds or closer I don't see why you couldn't use it. Most shots in Africa are probably inside 100 yds anyways.

It isn't how the rifle cycles. It's about putting a good bullet where it needs to be.

 

[Damonk1384]

@Damonk1384 - What rifles do you currently own?

I have 30-06, 35 Whelen , 45-70 Government and a 338WM

 

[BeeMaa]

I have 30-06, 35 Whelen , 45-70 Government and a 338WM

Oh my. Where the hell is @Bob Nelson 35Whelen... Calling Bob! Bob to the lobby please! Hey Bob, can you hear me!?!?!

You have more than enough gun currently to go hunting PG in Africa without spending money on a Marlin 375. For DG, take a look at a .375 or a .416 caliber.

 

[freefall]

Any of those should seriously outperform a .375 Winchester.

 

[93marlin]

Oh my. Where the hell is @Bob Nelson 35Whelen... Calling Bob! Bob to the lobby please! Hey Bob, can you hear me!?!?!

You have more than enough gun currently to go hunting PG in Africa without spending money on a Marlin 375. For DG, take a look at a .375 or a .416 caliber.

Bob is out shopping for a 243!

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I wonder if the cutting edge ballistics 175 gr Maximus would work in a tubular magazine?

.375 175gr Rifle Maximus - 50ct

.375 175gr solid copper, lead-free hunting bullet. This truly unique line of bullets combines high BC and massive terminal performance for ultimate take-down power. After 4-6” of penetration, 4-8 blades break off and create one large, massive wound channel.

cuttingedgebullets.com

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have 30-06, 35 Whelen , 45-70 Government and a 338WM

@Damonk1384
Good to see an enlightened hunter with a Whelen. With the Whelen it makes the 30-06 and the 338WM redundant. Loaded properly it will out do the 06 and equal to the 338WM. The secret to the Whelen is to load it properly with modern data. There's a bucketful of info on this forum on how to get the best out of the Whelen.
The 45-70 is a great old cartridge that continues to plod a long and kill game after 150 odd years.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Oh my. Where the hell is @Bob Nelson 35Whelen... Calling Bob! Bob to the lobby please! Hey Bob, can you hear me!?!?!

You have more than enough gun currently to go hunting PG in Africa without spending money on a Marlin 375. For DG, take a look at a .375 or a .416 caliber.

@BeeMaa
Bob is in the lobby mate and has responded to the call. We have another member with class now that owns a 35 Whelen.
I'm sure if you ask nicely SIPS will make you a Whelen barrel for that R4 ( renamed because blaser realised it's only half the rifle it cracked up to be with limited calibers, really need a 35 cal barrel like the Whelen, 358 Norma or 358STW.) Then it might make it back to the R8
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob is out shopping for a 243!

@93marlin
Wash your mouth out and stop being rude. You know how much I hate that pissant cartridge.
For being mean to me I hope your bum hairs turn into fish hooks snd rip the crap out of you.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha
Bob

 

[BeeMaa]

Any of those should seriously outperform a .375 Winchester.

Exactly.

@Damonk1384 - The typical 30-06 load of 180 grain bullet at 2750 fps yields over 3000 lb-ft of energy. With proper shot placement and bullet construction, nearly all large game animals are on the table. Besides if you want something with a little more punch, you still have the 35W, 338WM and a 45-70 (which I'll assume is a lever action).

If I were going to Africa and had your rifles to choose from...I'd pack the 35W, load it with some Barnes TTSX 200 grain (or Federal TBBC 225 grain) and never look back. Your PH will be very happy once you demonstrate how accurately you shoot it.

Compare any of these to the performance levels of the 375WIN and it becomes obvious quickly how far it lags behind.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Exactly.

@Damonk1384 - The typical 30-06 load of 180 grain bullet at 2750 fps yields over 3000 lb-ft of energy. With proper shot placement and bullet construction, nearly all large game animals are on the table. Besides if you want something with a little more punch, you still have the 35W, 338WM and a 45-70 (which I'll assume is a lever action).

If I were going to Africa and had your rifles to choose from...I'd pack the 35W, load it with some Barnes TTSX 200 grain (or Federal TBBC 225 grain) and never look back. Your PH will be very happy once you demonstrate how accurately you shoot it.

Compare any of these to the performance levels of the 375WIN and it becomes obvious quickly how far it lags behind.

@BeeMaa
Forget the Barnes 200gr in the Whelen.
Just load the 225gn accubond, or Woodleigh or Barnes at 2,800 to 2,900 and go have fun. Any of these projectiles will give you 4,000fpe of muzzle energy and carry a BIG walloping way out yonder.
Bob

 

[ZG47]

@BeeMaa
Forget the Barnes 200gr in the Whelen.
Just load the 225gn accubond, or Woodleigh or Barnes at 2,800 to 2,900 and go have fun. Any of these projectiles will give you 4,000fpe of muzzle energy and carry a BIG walloping way out yonder.
Bob

Too right @Bob Nelson 35Whelen. 200gr is for wimpy little .35 Remingtons NOT the manly 35 Whelen! Have a good week everyone.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

@Damonk1384
I don't think Marlin made a 375 mate. I know Winchester mad the 375 big bore lever action. It is a beefed up 38-55 that throws a 255gn flat nose projectile at about 2,000fps. It wouldn't be a good choice for Africa unless ranges are less than 100 yards and only on the smaller Plains game.
Now the 375H&H is a different thing that is suitable for all African game.
Bob

They did bob marlin model 375 which is just a 336 cambered for 375 win

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Too right @Bob Nelson 35Whelen. 200gr is for wimpy little .35 Remingtons NOT the manly 35 Whelen! Have a good week everyone.

@ZG47
The 200s are good but the 225s up is more gooder. The 200gn FTX works fine on smaller pigs but blows apart on bigger ones at over 2,900fps

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

They did bob marlin model 375 which is just a 336 cambered for 375 win

@Skinnersblade
We didn't get any in Australia that's why I didn't know about them.
Bob