New handloads for my 375 H&H

[hunt4fun]

Yes, the ph thought I should have more speed and energy. You know, the more the better.
I shot a golden and a blue wildebeast, a roan , a leshwe, and my son in law shot a sable with the 375. I also shot a buffalo with Federal factory ammo. I was kind of surprised that we got no passthroughs. I love this rifle.

So, now that I am home and already planning for the next trip, I am thinking about more speed and energy. And since I have lighter bullets, I think I could make this rifle a flatter shooter.

 

[hoytcanon]

What the heck is CFE-235?

I assume you meant CFE-223, or there is a new powder I am missing...

At any rate, I load the Speer 235 HC in my .375 WSM @ 2950 fps... it is a very accurate load and works well on game. Speer claims that because of its weight they anticipated high velocity and made the jacket tougher... from my experience I would believe that to be the case.

 

[hoytcanon]

Yes, the ph thought I should have more speed and energy. You know, the more the better.
I shot a golden and a blue wildebeast, a roan , a leshwe, and my son in law shot a sable with the 375. I also shot a buffalo with Federal factory ammo. I was kind of surprised that we got no passthroughs. I love this rifle.

So, now that I am home and already planning for the next trip, I am thinking about more speed and energy. And since I have lighter bullets, I think I could make this rifle a flatter shooter.

If you are only after plains game, up to and including Eland, I would go with the 260 Accubond or the 250 TTSX. Either will be a flat shooter and hard hitter.

 

[hunt4fun]

I have a box of 260 Accubond. What powder and how much do you use to push it? I also have some 270 gr nosler partition bullets.

 

[hoytcanon]

I have a box of 260 Accubond. What powder and how much do you use to push it? I also have some 270 gr nosler partition bullets.

H4350 is my "go to" .375 H&H powder... I use 82.0 grains with the 260 Accubond for 2840 fps out of my 23" barrel. Note, that Hodgdon says 81.5 max, but I worked up this load and experienced no pressure signs and got great accuracy... HOWEVER, ALWAYS WORK UP YOUR OWN LOADS, IN YOUR OWN RIFLE!

I would recommend ladder testing starting at 76 grains.

 

[Azklmsr]

I have a box of 260 Accubond. What powder and how much do you use to push it? I also have some 270 gr nosler partition bullets.

I've had very good results with H4350 in medium to heavy bullets for caliber. Little slow for lighter 235gr bullets on my rifle. W748 would be a good choice there.

hit the following for load data: https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/

Modern powders are giving us a significant advantage (100 plus FPS) over more traditional powders. Managed burn rates have a very attractive burn characteristic that allows higher AVERAGE pressure while keeping PEAK pressures within bounds.

My rifle likes CFE223 for the Barnes 250 GR TTSX. Fast near top loads and very flat. With 235 Speers, Im getting great results at mid levels of the loads suggested in the above link from Hodgdon.

For Barnes, 300 gr TSX Superformance is working exceptional well. I'm running well over factory (2550 fps) velocity levels without any signs of pressure. I've done ladder runs multiple times for any pressure signs and then traditional 3 shot groups measuring accuracy, speed, case base (just in front of the belt) and primer distortion for any signs of pressure. PM/DM if you want detailed results. I don't generally publish actual loads as what's safe in my rifle in Phoenix at 100 deg F, might not be in yours.

I dont have any experience with 270 gr bullets....YET!

My hunt is still off in mid 2026, so I've got a fair amount of time left to get set.

Good Hunting all

 

[Azklmsr]

What the heck is CFE-235?

I assume you meant CFE-223, or there is a new powder I am missing...

At any rate, I load the Speer 235 HC in my .375 WSM @ 2950 fps... it is a very accurate load and works well on game. Speer claims that because of its weight they anticipated high velocity and made the jacket tougher... from my experience I would believe that to be the case.

CFE 235 is what you get when you type 235 too many times and hit send without reading your own note! OY! Sorry for the stupid!

Hey. what is your 375 WSM chambered in?

 

[hunt4fun]

Good to know. Nosler's load data says for IMR4350 that 78.5 gr is max. and is a compressed load.
I have only used IMR4350. Do you know how IMR and H4350 differ?

 

[Azklmsr]

Good to know. Nosler's load data says for IMR4350 that 78.5 gr is max. and is a compressed load.
I have only used IMR4350. Do you know how IMR and H4350 differ?

IMR4350 behaves a little faster than H4350. If you look at the load page I sent, you can see it in the NOS Partition 260s pretty easily. The IMR4350 max load is 78.6C and 2710 FPS. Moving to the H4350 max load is 81.5 (not shown as C, which is interesting as I bet its VERY C) and is 2818 fps. Both are right at 51000 CUP. So 3 grains difference in that specific example MAX, a pick-up of 108 FPS and about the same pressure. Note, these are likely shot in different rifles, different measuring systems, but this will give you an idea of the deltas.

Side note. Not a problem with Compressed loads. bullet seating may need a little more pressure, but nothing very high. Particularly with an extruded like either 4350, there is a TON of unused space in the case between grains. I load the tray then shake it pretty vigorously for a few moments and that usually makes bullet seating a non event.

Warning Label: I'm an engineer, ballistician, aerodynamicist with fair amount of shooting, loading and NA hunting. I have exactly Zero, "0", NADA African hunting experience. I found a kindly PH that agreed to teach me DG hunting next year and is mentoring me. A lot of experienced PH and African hunters say 2300 to 2500 is best speed range, bigger is better, heavier is better. My PH says use what you shoot really well. From your report, it sounds like you had a great experience! Keep that in mind as you seek improvements. I hope next year to have success that looks like yours!

Kurt

 

[hoytcanon]

CFE 235 is what you get when you type 235 too many times and hit send without reading your own note! OY! Sorry for the stupid!

Hey. what is your 375 WSM chambered in?

Ruger M77 Mark II Stainless... bottom rifle;

 

[Azklmsr]

Ruger M77 Mark II Stainless... bottom rifle;

View attachment 681640

Sweet rifle!