375 H&H- how does it feel?

[bubbapug1]

I'm going to test out a 375 for the first time next Monday. What should I expect? I loaded up some 200 grain bullets which will be leaving the station at 3000 fps.

UPDATE 10-25-2016

I took the gun to west end to give it a rest drive. Wow....it kicks like a mule!! I really leaned into it the first shot and I could feel the collarbone flexing. The gun is highly sensitive to shoulder pressure. All shots are in the same vertical column, but depending on how much you resist recoil, the poi up and down varies. I guess this is where I cut my teeth on a big bore low weight hunting rifle. Hopefully it's a technique I can pick up.

[incredablehefey]

It's not exactly fun to put more than 5 or 6 down range but the gun has more to do with it than anything.

[rcslotcar]

Remember eye relief and allow for recoil.

[Shumba]

Why the light bullet and high velocity?

The 375 H&H built its long reputation on 300 grain bullets at 2,500 fps for large and dangerous game. For plains game, a 270 grain bullet at 2,700 fps was very popular and had a trajectory similar to a 30-06 shooting a 180 grain bullet.

Have fun!

[hambam105]

When you shoot a '06 or a .308 you feel the recoil and it's over in about half a second. A .375, the recoil doesn't stop for about what feels like 20 minutes or so.

Man up.

[Hairball]

Come on guys it's not that bad. Not common to see 200 grain used and I have only used 270 or 300's. While the recoil is a little more than many have experienced, it's not a big punch like you feel from rounds such as a 300 RUM but more of a good push. Having a heavier rifle will help and you might want to try iron sights the first time you shoot one if you have issues with larger caliber rifles.

[RNE228]

Turkey neck. Cheek weld.

If the scope is set for relief when you have a turkey neck extension and cheek weld, you should not have to worry about scope rash.

Thank you Appleseed...

http://appleseedshoot.blogspot.com/2008/03/basic-shooting-positions.html

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-1002406.html

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=557826

http://m14forum.com/m14/81347-how-important-cheek-weld-2.html

Remember eye relief and allow for recoil.

[dfletcher]

I have a No1 in 375 H & H and an Encore pistol with 15" barrel, recoil isn't all that bad in either. I suppose it depends mostly on stock design, rifle weight rather than the cartridge. I've used 270 calibers that were a pain and 405, 458s that were a big push. The Ruger works well for me.

What sort of rifle are you using?

[bubbapug1]

I have a lot of 300 grain Ammo but the first rounds will be the 200 grain I loaded up. I got some 200 grain bullets 10 years ago with a Dillon 550 I bought. The gun is new to me. No reason to blow 300 grain Ammo to verify scope adjustments right?? The 300 grain is all factory. I'll try it next over the chrony to set up the true zeros for moose and other big game.

I'll use the 200 grain on prairie dogs.

[RNE228]

Used 200gr on prairie dogs before, in a TC contender with 375JDJ cartridge. Prairie dogs did not stand a chance

I have a lot of 300 grain Ammo but the first rounds will be the 200 grain I loaded up. I got some 200 grain bullets 10 years ago with a Dillon 550 I bought. The gun is new to me. No reason to blow 300 grain Ammo to verify scope adjustments right?? The 300 grain is all factory. I'll try it next over the chrony to set up the true zeros for moose and other big game.

I'll use the 200 grain on prairie dogs.

[bazineta]

I have a No1 in 375 H & H and an Encore pistol with 15" barrel, recoil isn't all that bad in either.

Tell ya what, you, sir, have my respect for the Encore. I would have to seriously man up to want to try that in 375 H&H.

[bubbapug1]

So its sounds like it's strong push but less violent than my 300 wby mag or similar round.

From looking at the graphs in Quickoad regarding pressures versus velocity it it appears pressures fall off very quickly due to the big bore, while a 300 WBY mag just goes high and stays much higher much longer due to the 308 bore. Both calibers use the same case, and almost the same volume of powder, and I know my 300 WBY mag is just nuts, especially on muzzle flip. I once had it blow down the chrony at 12 feet...and only a 50 bmg has done that to me before.

And you can't use IMR 4895 or 4064 with a 300 wby mag! Its way too fast.

[mrlonewolf]

Once you get use to the .375 H&H you will never look back again.

I always use 270gr soft points and 300gr solids when I go to Africa, I don't even think about the recoil anymore.

That being said, when I let the .416 Rigby with 400grn banded solids bark...... well, that's a different story.

Enjoy your .375 practice.



Lonewolf.

[tanks]

With a well fitting stock felt recoil is very manageable.

[ar15barrels]

No reason to blow 300 grain Ammo to verify scope adjustments right??

You will have to sight in with the 300gr ammo anyways if you are going to use it.
No need to waste ANY ammo if you bore-sight the scope before you start shooting.