Take the 375 or not??

16 May 2006, 20:58

mark65x55

Our trip to Namibia is coming up fast, the end of the month, and the plan all along had been to only take 2 rifles, one gun case. With me taking my 35whelen and LaRita taking her 270win. Well, that was the plan untill I bought a Whitworth 375 a few weeks ago and shot it last weekend, now I'm thinking about taking it also but I haven't even put a scope on it yet. I have ordered the scope and "could" get it mounted, load some ammo and have it ready to go this weekend. I would still need to get a 4577 form next week. I think I'd still take the 35 so that would mean we're now taking 2 gun cases and 3 rifles. In a round about way I'm asking, this late in the game, is it worth it?? BTW, on this hunt my wish list is eland, mt. zebra and leopard

16 May 2006, 21:03

ChrisTroskie

You can't go wrong with a .375 - especially if you'll be hunting Eland.

16 May 2006, 21:08

465H&H

For what you are hunting the 375 and 35 Whelen will serve the same purpose. Other than having a spare why take both?

465H&H

16 May 2006, 21:13

Slingster

On my first African hunt I used a .350 Rem Mag with 225-grain Nosler Partitions at 2500 fps for all but my impala with decent results when I did my part. On my subsequent two hunts, however, I opted for a bit more bullet and power for a greater margin of error.

Therefore, based solely on my personal experience, while I think the .35 Whelen with 250s at around 2400 fps would be adequate on eland, I'd personally feel more comfortable with a .375 H&H. I took my eland on my second African hunt with a .376 Steyr and 300-grain Woodleighs at 2350 fps, and it only went 20 yards before collapsing.

I'd be comfortable with my 9.3x62 as well with its standard load of 286-grain Nosler Partitions, also just under 2350 fps, which was my choice for my third African hunt (sable and waterbuck were the largest game taken, so nothing the size of eland, but two went down where they stood and the third made only 20 yards).

16 May 2006, 21:14

mark65x55

quote:
Originally posted by 465H&H:
Other than having a spare why take both?

465H&H

My thoughts on that is I've only had the 375 a few weeks and haven't put that many rounds through it. Plus it seems a little over kill on the Leopard. On the other hand I've put well over a 100 rounds through the whelen and its a proven killer, haven taken a buffalo, musk ox and caribou. BTW I'm shooting 225gr TSXs at 2600fps.

16 May 2006, 21:25

yukon delta

Hi Mark. It was good talking to you last night as always. Personally, I would leave the 375 at home as the 35 and 270 cover all of your bases.

You know I love 375's but yours isn't setup and you already have confidence in the 35. There is a lot to be said for that confidence. Maybe you'll turn into a 35 specialist and you'll have to change your name

16 May 2006, 21:32

Lhook7

Hi Mark,

I went back and forth over the same decision, but decided I wanted to hunt with what I consider to be a classic African caliber. I'll be taking my 375 H&H and 338 Win Mag to Namibia next week.

16 May 2006, 21:56

mark65x55

Yukon, I enjoyed talking to you also and you are right, I do have a lot of confidence in the whelen. Then again there is just something about that old whitworth I like, it just says
"Africa". If it wasn't for taking 2 gun cases, 3 rifles and having to get the 4577 I'd do it. Still may go to the range this weekend and see if I can get everything together.

16 May 2006, 22:08

yukon delta

Well, I would have bought the 375 first and never messed with the Whelen...but that's just me

There are 101 things to make ready before this trip that is coming up fast. Just don't overly complicate it trying to get the 375 ready. It's really not necessary for this particular hunt. Now if we were talking about your upcoming bear hunt, I would be getting onto you for your procrastination

16 May 2006, 22:14

adrook

Mark,

If you need a load to try the 270 gr Triple Shock over 74 gr Reloder 15 loaded to 3.6" OAL prints consistent .5" - .75" groups at 100 yards in all 4 .375 H&H rifles (3 Winchesters and a Rem XCR) that my hunting buddy and I own. Chronos right at about 2,700fps.

17 May 2006, 00:36

Rich Elliott

adrook, I am soooooo gonna try that load this summer.

Mark, that said...forget the .375 H&H. You're already geared up for the .35 Whelen and it'll do nicely.
Rich Elliott

17 May 2006, 01:03

KINO

I used my 350 rem mag with 225 partitions and shot both a leopard and zebra with one shot kills. I felt I had better performance with the Noslers in the 350 mag than my 375 with barnes x on my first trip.
the 225 partitions work great on leopards. I wouldn't bother with the 375 and save the space and hassel.

17 May 2006, 01:07

jorge

Take the 375 and leave that novelty 35 Wheelen home.

I had a 35 Wheelen and used it to kill my best black bear using 225gr Swift A frames. I think it is a great cartridge and a good killer. Having said all of that, I sold it. I'm becoming less of a rifle nut and more of a hunter as I grow old and a Wheelen is just too out of the mainstream for me when there are other 'regular' calibers out there that will get the job done and ammo is much easier to find. Ever try finding 35 Wheelen ammo in the US let alone Africa?

That's why I've settled on the 338 Win to cover that caliber niche instead of the Wheelen. It's really a good cartridge though, and it should be a lot more popular than it is. jorge

17 May 2006, 01:09

LJS

Leave the 375 in the safe for the next trip. Three guns is a royal pain! The Whelen will be just fine with your load. Have a great time!

17 May 2006, 01:10

Wendell Reich

Ditch the 35, take the 375.

17 May 2006, 01:20

mark65x55

Sorry guys but the whelen is going, its earned its keep and has worked from Alabama to the Arctic. As to losing the ammo, we'll put half in her checked bag and the other half in mine. Its worked so far.

17 May 2006, 01:23

MLindsay

I have used the 270 grn Barnes X since 94 and it shoots 1/2 inch at 100 but it took the Barnes people to get the load. My reloader just gave up on it and Barnes offered to build the load if I shipped them the rifle.

The triple shocks seem to shoot well in nearly everything.

17 May 2006, 01:31

adrook

quote:
Originally posted by Rich Elliott:
adrook, I am soooooo gonna try that load this summer.

Mark, that said...forget the .375 H&H. You're already geared up for the .35 Whelen and it'll do nicely.
Rich Elliott

Rich,

We have tried a bunch of different powders and bullets but the TSX Reloder 15 combination is by far the best we have found. In our rifles it can be pushed a little harder with good accuracy without any pressure signs but I don't see any need for it. This is the load we are taking to Canada for moose in September.

Andy

17 May 2006, 01:57

gerrys375

mark65x55:

Having owned the 35 Whelan, I can understand your confidence in the cartridge. Nonetheless, even if you are going for plains game, the 375 will give you even more confidence. You may already have found out that the 375 is not a cartridge that "kicks" but instead, "pushes". (Yeah, I know the 35 Whelan doesn't really "kick" either but the 375 does carry somewhat more of a punch - and since you're in Africa -why not be prepared for whatever comes? Just the thoughts of a one time hunter in Africa.

17 May 2006, 02:10

els

The 35 Whelen will do the job for you. Frankly though the way the airlines have been of late. Having an extra gun case with the 375 in it isn't a really bad Idea. If only one gun case arrives with you, you are good to go.

17 May 2006, 06:55

TerryR

If you aren't taking the 375 to Africa, where are you taking it?

TerryR

17 May 2006, 08:09

gunny

How can anybody go to africa and take a 35 whelen and willy and leave the .375 at home. Thats so cheezy they will turn you around at the border.

17 May 2006, 08:24

nopride2

Take the Whelen. You don't have the time to thoroughly wring out the 375.

Dave

17 May 2006, 08:31

NitroX

quote:
Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Ditch the 35, take the 375.

17 May 2006, 08:40

Woodrow S

I would spend the money to buy a guncase that can handle all 3 guns (or a 4 gun case and pack some other needed items like extra scopes in it ) and retain the choice of using them all. I have all three calibers you mention and I would also find it difficult to leave either the 375 H&H or the Whelen behind. If you leave one behind you will kick yourself in the butt later. If after the safari is over you don't need the new gun case you could always sell it on the AR classifieds and will surely recoup most of the money spent. I hunted in S.A. last month and had a blast with 2 handguns and a 375 H&H model 70 Safari Classic. Have fun and good luck.

Woody

17 May 2006, 08:45

Charles_Helm

quote:
Originally posted by Woodrow S:
I would spend the money to buy a guncase that can handle all 3 guns (or a 4 gun case and pack some other needed items like extra scopes in it ) and retain the choice of using them all.

Most airlines will limit you to two rifles in one case, or possibly two rifles and a shotgun.

17 May 2006, 09:29

N E 450 No2

Take all three. Have fun!
Switch rifles as you see fit.

It is not all about the kill, it is about the thrill.

When you get back, everytime you handle any one of those 3 rifles you will know THEY were in Africa.

17 May 2006, 09:42

Andrew McLaren

mark65x55,

Easy to decide between .375H&H and 35whelen for your safari!

Take any marker pen and any coin. Write .375 on one side and .35w on the other. Spin coin and let it drop to floor, but do not look. Shout at your wife to choose "Top side" or "Floor side". Make sure she replies with a choice. Now look. If you are disappointed, take the other one.

Enjoy your hunt, with either or both!

Andrew McLaren

17 May 2006, 17:15

hikerbum

I have the perfect answer, take the 375 and sell me the 35 Whelen

17 May 2006, 17:19

mark65x55

Guys, I guess I should have been a little clearer about the 270, its her rifle. Sure, I can shoot it but it is setup for her, the stock has been cut to a 12 1/2" L.O.P. and the rifle is left handed, I'm not. Still haven't decided if I'm taking the 375, depends if I can get everything together, but I know the whelen is going. Also I really don't see there being to much of a luggage problem, between the two of us we are allowed 4 checked bags and had only planned to take 2 bags and a Tuffpak gun case. So adding another case shouldn't be a problem.

17 May 2006, 17:26

GDOG

If you NEED to have a back-up then take the .375. Unless you have some unbelievable NEED, the rush to get loads, shooting,forms, etc.. are not worth it. The Whelan is really the same gun for Namibia purposes. Why hurry and worry wwhen you can relax or at least attend to other priorities.

Just my thoughts.

17 May 2006, 17:35

ghundwan

Mark,

You obviously WANT to take it otherwise you wouldn't of asked the question. It's a new toy and you want to play....

Take all three, why not? The 35 will do the job on an Eland but hell you now got the 375 use it!

At least then you will have no regrets.

17 May 2006, 18:14

mark65x55

quote:
Originally posted by ghundwan:
It's a new toy and you want to play....

Now your talking.

18 May 2006, 00:21

We all love the 375 for the perfect all rounder, that it is, but for what you are doing, it is not going to give you an edge over what you already have, so that negates carying it to Africa, unless you want to do it for sentimental reasons.

18 May 2006, 00:35

bobc

My son and I took my Whitworth to Namibia and it's the cat's meow on large plains game. However, it took a little sorting out to be fully reliable. It took some fiddling to get it to feed 100%. I'd sure make up some dummy rounds to try out or try it at the range with a full magazine to make sure it feeds well. Otherwise, the 35 W may be a safer bet. Bob

18 May 2006, 08:53

<Hunter Formerly Known As Texas Hunter>

It's a long story but the bottom line is after running a hundred yards through the bush, I shot low on a nice eland bull facing me breaking his left rear leg. Not knowing my location, the bull, about 120 yards away, began running directly toward me. I put three more .375 H&Hs in his chest as he ran straight at me before he collapsed about 30 feet from where I was standing. Once all that adrenaline started pumping he was hard to put down. I'm just glad I was sending 300 grains his way. The lighter .35 Whelen might have spelled a tracking job.

With that said, I would opt for the .375 assuming you can get it put together and develop an acceptable level of confidence in the arm in time.

18 May 2006, 19:40

jpb

quote:
Originally posted by adrook:
Mark,

If you need a load to try the 270 gr Triple Shock over 74 gr Reloder 15 loaded to 3.6" OAL prints consistent .5" - .75" groups at 100 yards in all 4 .375 H&H rifles (3 Winchesters and a Rem XCR) that my hunting buddy and I own. Chronos right at about 2,700fps.

Same load I have used in both of the .375 H&H's that I have owned, and worked equally well in a friend's. Highly recommended!

John

19 May 2006, 00:48

Coloradoyaler

Hello

I have questions for you guys using the Barnes TSX.

How much copper fouling are you getting with the Barnes TSX? What kind of solvent are you using to clean the bores?

Thanks
Mark

19 May 2006, 08:18

adrook

Mark,

With the TSX in my .375s I get significantly less fouling than with the Barnes Original X Bullet and about the same as I get with the Hornady 270 gr soft point and the Sierra 300 gr soft point. I clean my rifles with Barnes CR-10, Montana Extreme 50 BMG, and Butch's. Montana Extreme is the most aggresive. I am very happy with the 270 gr TSX bullet. We are starting to work up some loads with the 300 gr TSX for a buffalo hunt that we are putting together for '08. I have always been a Nosler fan but am pretty much sold on the TSX bullets at this point.

Andy