Have any of you ever used this bullet for plains game? Seems like it would be nice with the lower recoil for the not so big plains game.

I've wanted to know more about this as well. I loaded some 235 gr Barnes for my 375 H&H, but like so many who have tried Barnes, mine would't group. I was planning to use the load on large plains game (Kudu, Orix, and Mountain Zebra)at potential ranges beyond 200 yards. It acheived better than 2,900 fps. I went with a 260 gr. Nosler Part. and found it accurate and thoroughly suitable for its use. It seems that most will advise you (us) that the 235 gr. has sectional density issues and your giving away a lot of potential by not using a 270 or even a 300 grain bullet. I look forward to the responses you get.

I'm not sure who makes the 235gr bullet besides Barnes. I assume Speer still does but I'm not for sure. I'm sure most folks shoot the 300gr and if they go lighter the 270gr. I've heard about the 260gr Nosler but have never shot them. That's probably the way to go on the light end of the 375.

I'm going through a smiliar exercise. I'm loading up some 250 gr. Northforks for my .375, thinking it will be great for plains game. Haven't shot any yet, but will be running them through the mill this weekend and next week.

Kanatak,

When I get back I want to load the 260 gr. Partition. Did you use RL15 or one of the 4350s?

I believe Speer makes a 235 grn soft point and I know Hornady makes a 225 grn Interlock Spire point. I don't know about terminal performance on either. I will be loading 225 Hornady's for plinker/practice loads for a .376 Steyr in the near future. Will load to 2600 fps. Might take it into the deer woods in the fall.It's always fun to try something new!

P.S. I looked at the Speer#11 Manual
235 grain semi spitzer BC .317 SD .239

Fastest load was 77 grn 4064 @ 2967 fps.

[This message has been edited by elmo (edited 04-27-2002).]

The Speers work alright if you slow them down..the old 245 Gr. Trophy bonded was a very good killer..The 260 Nosler is perfect for anything up to and including Kudu, but a little fragile on Eland..

The problem with all short bullets is they lose velocity very quickly and the heavy bullets pass them up at about 300 yds I would guess. They also lack penitration, but it is hard to make a 375 H&H fail on small game...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

I've used the 235gr Speer on deer size game @ 2800fps. Recoil is light & obviously it puts the deer down hard. I think the (oops)260gr NP is a better bet as a "light" bullet for the old 375.

[This message has been edited by fredj338 (edited 04-30-2002).]

Puddle:

I loaded 73.5 gr of RL 15, ww case, Fed. 215 primers, not a max load in my gun but very accurate and achieved the velocity I was after, 2740 fps (24" barrel). Performed very well on species mentioned in my previous post. Recoil is quite a bit less than the 300 grainers I have been shooting lately. What a versatile cartridge, that 375.

I know of a few South African hunters who have used the speer bullet and it gave very good performance according to them.

Flip

If I'm not wrong, Kynoch took the 235 grains woodleigh in the ammo for Leopardhunting?

Wouldn't that be a good choiche? I mean many leopards are shot with .375 H&H's but with the 300 grains bullet, which very often makes the leopard run of after the shot due to very little damage.

Regards

Mads

I have used Norma factory 232 grain Vulcan and had very good performance. I shot a eland cow behind the shoulder and got the bullet before her back leg. Very good penetration. It worked fine on a lott of Kudu's. Can't think why it won't work in the 375

I've been using the 235gr. Barnes XLC in a .375 H&H for backing up my wild boar hunters since last summer. They perform great on wild pigs. I've only found one (all others passed through and seemed to mushroom well)and it was perfectly peeled back and 100% original weight. I had a client just use one out of a .375 RUM on a good sized boar on Friday and it made full penetration (including the spine!)on a quarting away boar with thick gristle plate.
I still might switch to all 300 grainers when I head to Zim. this summer just to keep things simple.
Have fun,
Kyler

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Being ready is good, being safe is great, being both is tough.

I have used the Hornaday 220's on deer (loaded to about 2600)and they worked great. I suspect the 235 Barnes or 240 GS's will work like a charm on most plains game. I am like a lot of other posters, I would use a 270 or so on Eland or larger critters. I have been curious about the 210 gr Barnes for a out west deer or pronghorn load. You can get 3k easy out of my short barrel and you 24 inch gunners may top 31-3200. My rifle has almost no recoil with this bullet. I do think the 235 gr ones look like they got a better streamlined shape. Good hunting. "D"

Terry,

I have tried the 235gn Speer for the same reasons as you have ie. a "light" load. I used from 68gn to 72gn of AR 2208 (your Varget) so these are not in the reduced load category & believe me there was no significant reduction in recoil. 68 & 72gn provided reasonable accuracy in my rifle but the 72gn load shot tighter groups. Still accuracy was not acceptable to me as I dropped it for the 270gn bullet which shoots a lot better. (1/2 MOA 3 shots, 270gn Woodleigh PP)

Unless you really drop the velocity you are not going to get an appreciable drop in recoil.

I am about to try the 220gn Hornady flat points. Mike 375 reports having good results with these and reduced loads of AR2207 a fast burning powder. Have not tried them yet.

If you are going for plains game then its best to stick to one load in the 270-300gn range & with the amount of shots fired at real game, stuff the recoil. You won't feel the difference.

Regards,
JohnT

Flip - to clear up your last post:

the 232 grains Vulcan bullet you mention is in 9,3 mm?
Were you using it in the factory loaded 9,3x62?

If so the bullet has a vel. at appr. 2600 fps?

I think that if we take a 235 grains bullet in 375 H&H loaded to its full potential we will get close to 3000 fps. I don't think that is same thing?

Regards

Mads

I've had really good luck with the 250gr Swift-A-Frame on elk and mule deer. I do want to try the 235gr xlc's someday though.

JMeier

Mads

Terry P did not say at what velocity he is going to shoot it at 3000, but even if he is going normally the bullets for the 375 H&H are gone be a bit better constructed that for the lower velocity 9.3x62. I just wanted to point out that I was just trying to show that the lighter bullets do kill well in the bigger calibres. I have personal experience of people using the 235 grain bullets (Speer) and they performed very much like the Normas