shooting 375 H/H

[coreydb]

Most people can learn to shoot a 375H&H with weekly range sessions and daily dry fire practice.

I would highly recommend getting your own 375 rifle because it’s about the most versatile caliber used for hunting Africa.

For about $5K (USD) you can have a (used) DG ready rifle with another $1K for scope & QD mounts.

About 6 months of consistent practice will have you putting trophies in the salt.

BeeMaa gave great advise. When I first shot my .375, my shoulder was black, blue and sore, and I was initially gun-shy of the recoil. I kept up continuous practice until I was comfortable with the rifle, went to South Africa and dropped a huge Sable and a Cape Buffalo. Funny how you hardly feel the recoil when you drop your trophy. Have fun, stay persistent in your practice and you will reap your reward.

 

[grand veneur]

It’s not really a difficult caliber to shoot generally. I’ve been hunting with a .375 since I was 12. It’s really more of a push than a sharp kick.

Obviously rifle weight matters.

I think some of the smaller magnums in lighter rifles are actually more unpleasant to shoot.

What part of the world are you in?? Maybe there is a member near you with a .375 who would let you touch off a few rounds just to help ease your mind.

Based on some posts and in particular replies to mine, I also now mean that that might be a better solution. If @steve71 has a problem with shooting the rifle caliber 416 Remington Magnum, he may not be well prepared to use a rifle caliber 375 H&H Magnum, despite the not very strong recoil of such rifles.

 

[Philip Glass]

I am going back to South Africa in 2026. Want to hunt buffalo this time. My PH says the have a 375 I can use. I can practice here with a friends 416 Rem. since I have never shot a DG rifle before my question is how does the recoil compare between these guns?

Always take your own gun, especially for DG. It is easy to do and there is much good advice here on AH.

 

[trperk1]

.375 recoil off the sticks is barely noticeable. I'd be more concerned with practicing with the same firearm you'd be using than worrying about recoil. Another idea is buying a used .375 just for the trip and then selling it when you get home. Do you homework, buy it at the right price, and you'll get 100% of you purchase price back.

 

[grand veneur]

It's hard to explain recoil at distance to someone who has never shot such a rifle caliber 375 H&H Magnum or at least one similar to it. @steve71 the TS also does not take part in the discussion, so we don't know what was the biggest cartridge that he shoots.

 

[sureshot375]

Always take your own gun, especially for DG. It is easy to do and there is much good advice here on AH.

Agreed. Borrowing a rifle for plains game is one thing, but dangerous game is altogether different.

Taking your own rifle is definitely preferable. I haven’t really met many one and done Africa hunters, but there should be any problem selling a .375 after the hunt if it’s no longer needed.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I shot both my buffalo with a 375 CZ rental. Fired it one time at the lodge's range the first trip. Shot it a total of three more rounds for both animals. I couldn't tell you if it kicked hard. Didn't notice. I typically shoot a 30-06 with 180 gr or 165 gr. Don't worry about it.

 

[Andrew62]

Over my lifetime I have on an occasional plains game hunt rented a gun, and I can tell you on 3 occasions I missed very good quality animals because I was not familiar with their guns. For me, there is no way I would ever use someone else's gun for dangerous game. I'd buy my own .375H&H, get familiar with it and take it along.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

In my opinion the most important component for hunting dangerous game is be cool and collected. Note that I excluded "calm." It's okay to be excited but one needs to hold his/her water. Stay focused ... and fearless. I'm not sure how that can be "practiced" effectively. But I know from personal experience that it is possible to "dry fire" the brain in preparation for facing fear. Truth be told, I only fear one thing. Not charging grizzly bears, or tumbling down the mountain under a horse, or drowning, or freezing to death, or being shot at, or smashed in a high speed MVA. Those things just make me angry (I wasn't driving the car!). However, I do fear heights. Intensely. But I had to control it or lose my job as a crane operator. My family (and more importantly, my horses) depended on me going to work. So I grabbed my balls firmly and climbed up there ... day after day. It never really got any easier but I was okay once I was in the cab. Know what you are getting into when you go after dangerous game and know everyone is counting on you. Never doubt yourself. Do what you have to do. I think it is more important to know yourself than the gun you'll be shooting.

 

[Philip Glass]

Agreed. Borrowing a rifle for plains game is one thing, but dangerous game is altogether different.

Taking your own rifle is definitely preferable. I haven’t really met many one and done Africa hunters, but there should be any problem selling a .375 after the hunt if it’s no longer needed.

Very true. A friend who is joining me in 2026 for Zim safari was looking for a Winchester in .375 and was told it is a 2 year wait on a new one. Used market is hopping!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I agree with the flinch making hypotheses above, especially if shooting a thumper with heavy recoil. Just shoot it enough to get it zeroed and develop a basic familiarity with its mechanics. Then put it away. Again, I think experience in the field is paramount. Get out there this hunting season and really push the envelope. Not talking about sitting in a treestand over bait watching for deer. Do some stalking and make yourself walk out in the dark ... alone. I have been hunting alone since 1965 ... Thanksgiving weekend to be precise. I've had a few adventures along the way that were more than a little hair-raising but it's prepared me to face anything. Even in the dark when I couldn't see ... and even when what I could see wasn't real. Get your mind ready. They will give you a good gun to use and you'll have time to check it. Of course, you don't want to be using a rental gun that by design is totally alien (e.g. deer hunter renting a double rifle). But I have shot MANY animals over the years with borrowed rifles, most that I'd never shot before, including this wildebeest and kudu shot with my PH's 270 WSM because my gun wouldn't reach them.

And this kudu on my first trip when the new scope on my Springfield crapped. All three animals were over 300 yards (second kudu was 440 yards).

And this muley buck with my brother's BAR after the barrel on my Springfield started throwing flyers (I missed him two days earlier).

And both buffalo shot with a lodge rental. I drilled the bull on the run at sixty yards. Cow shot at 110 yards off the sticks in a brisk sidewind. In the heart.

 

[Arctic97]

I am of the thought that handling the rifle you will use is best - dry firing a lot, and hikes with it for fitness prep and more familiarity. I dry fire on cattle grazing when I get close to them on my daily hikes. This also allows me to think about shot placement depending upon the angles of their stance to my position. Sounds goofy, but kind of fun too. Also, some actual firing - I like stopping on my hikes and firing a round every other day or so. I have a full size buff target set "in the bush" that is fun to "kill" as I go by on my walks. I also shoot 30 -50 rounds of .22 RF off sticks, and freehand, every day for at least a month before I go. I think the .22 practice is invaluable also.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I am of the thought that handling the rifle you will use is best - dry firing a lot, and hikes with it for fitness prep and more familiarity. I dry fire on cattle grazing when I get close to them on my daily hikes. This also allows me to think about shot placement depending upon the angles of their stance to my position. Sounds goofy, but kind of fun too. Also, some actual firing - I like stopping on my hikes and firing a round every other day or so. I have a full size buff target set "in the bush" that is fun to "kill" as I go by on my walks. I also shoot 30 -50 rounds of .22 RF off sticks, and freehand, every day for at least a month before I go. I think the .22 practice is invaluable also.

View attachment 612690

I presume those are your own cattle you're pointing your gun at?

I used to practice mounting my shotgun at night in the living room of my house on a quiet city street. One night just as I put the gun away and turned on the football game there was a knock at the front door. Two cops standing next to the wall either side of the door and a second patrol car in the street. "Everything okay in there?" Immediately I knew what the issue was ... standing in front of the picture window swinging a gun around. Of course someone called it in. Wouldn't you? So I explained it was practice. They asked to see my license (of course) and if they could come in. Sure. I waved the guys in the car to come in too. "Both shotguns are locked in a case under the couch. Here, you can look at them. Put your foot on the case while I unlock it." They could see instantly both were unloaded but I invited them to handle the guns anyway. We had a nice visit and lots of talk about guns, hunting, and ammo. I told them to assure the neighbor I had no hard feelings for him being a good citizen. Since then if I want to play with my guns, I pull the drapes. Duh!

Dry firing is excellent practice. I would say essential. Just don't be an idiot and do it in front of the neighbours.

 

[Arctic97]

I presume those are your own cattle you're pointing your gun at?

Friends' cattle on my property so no worries....and no neighbors, so no hassles about drapes either. Most of my shooting is done off the porches from 10 yards out to a mile. I am blessed to live where I do. Not many places left with open space.

 

[cajunchefray]

Friends' cattle on my property so no worries....and no neighbors, so no hassles about drapes either. Most of my shooting is done off the porches from 10 yards out to a mile. I am blessed to live where I do. Not many places left with open space.

Yes, blessed.

I used to do something similar on our place years ago. Good targets. We had 200 acres, and I thought it was heaven. 150 yards was a long aim, and when actually shooting paper targets into one of the few ridges, 50 yards was a long shot.

 

[steve71]

Any thoughts on a Savage brush hunter in 375 ruger? I have heard some problems with the bolt jamming when in a hurry. Not a good thing in a DG gun

 

[trperk1]

I’m not a fan of practicing with a gun I’m not going to hunt with. I do a routine that I started due to cost of ammo and also find it good when using a rifle that has a lot recoil. I do 3 range sessions a week for 3 months leading up to my hunt and daily dry fire sessions off sticks. Once my rifle is sighted it’s only off sticks and with any cheap ammo. My range sessions are 6-12 rounds and I give myself 10 seconds at 100 yards and 15 at 200. That’s the total time to get your rifle on the sticks and send a round downrange. Force yourself at first as you’ll be surprised how accurate you become. I also mix in followup shots at different ranges.

Your PH will he happy. Mine is!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I’m not a fan of practicing with a gun I’m not going to hunt with. I do a routine that I started due to cost of ammo and also find it good when using a rifle that has a lot recoil. I do 3 range sessions a week for 3 months leading up to my hunt and daily dry fire sessions off sticks. Once my rifle is sighted it’s only off sticks and with any cheap ammo. My range sessions are 6-12 rounds and I give myself 10 seconds at 100 yards and 15 at 200. That’s the total time to get your rifle on the sticks and send a round downrange. Force yourself at first as you’ll be surprised how accurate you become. I also mix in followup shots at different ranges.

Your PH will he happy. Mine is!

So now the thread is about tipping?

 

[trperk1]

So now the thread is about tipping?

Tipping? Who said anything about tipping?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Tipping? Who said anything about tipping?

Making your PH happy. Poor attempt at humor. Sorry.