The Accurate Reloading Forums
375 H&H lion loads
20 February 2009, 15:28
dan_hunter375 H&H lion loads
Hi
which one is best . light bullet 250-260 grain like swift or nosler@ 2700 fps+ or heavy 300 grain bullets @2500 fps? lion is not heavy framed like buff or other large games.is it enough with light bullets?
cheers
dan
20 February 2009, 15:36
shakariHello Dan,
Welcome to the forum and it's good to see another Brit here! There's lots of good, fast opening cat bullets out there. Three of my avourites are the A Frame, Woodleigh SP (NOT PSP) and the Winchester Silvertip. The latter needs to be handloaded to moderate velocities though. The factory loads tend to be a bit too fast for my taste.
I've also just watched Boddington on Leopard and he features a new bullet by Swift, the name of which escapes me, but that looks particularly good as well.
20 February 2009, 15:38
375 fanaticAfter what i saw yesterday i can almost say 300gr hornady interlocks at 2400feet/sec it totally destroyed that buffs lungs he didn't even go 5m
"Buy land they have stopped making it"- Mark Twain
20 February 2009, 16:34
mustbhuntnquote:
Originally posted by 375 fanatic:
After what i saw yesterday i can almost say 300gr hornady interlocks at 2400feet/sec it totally destroyed that buffs lungs he didn't even go 5m
I used the same bullet at 2550 on a lioness with fantastic results as well. I'm not sure I would use it on a buff though. Just my 2 cents.
20 February 2009, 16:43
Karl Squote:
After what i saw yesterday i can almost say 300gr hornady interlocks at 2400feet/sec it totally destroyed that buffs lungs he didn't even go 5m
Rudi, looks like 1 buffalo makes one an expert on bullet performance...
Karl Stumpfe
Ndumo Hunting Safaris
www.huntingsafaris.netkarl@huntingsafaris.net
P.O. Box 1667, Katima Mulilo, Namibia
Cell: +264 81 1285 416
Fax: +264 61 254 328
Sat. phone: +88 163 166 9264
20 February 2009, 17:41
Dutch44300 grain Swift A-Frames, 75 grains of IMR 4350. Seemed to work.
Dutch
20 February 2009, 19:00
MARK H. YOUNGDan,
If you are using the 375 for buffalo and everything else on your safari the 300 gr premium bullet is probably best. With only one load you'll never have the wrong one up the spout for the situation you encounter.
The only PH I ever talked to that actually said he had a bullet problem on a lion said the client came out with a 340 Weatherby with 2 seperate loads one being some original 250 gr TBBC and the other 250 gr Hornady Interlock. The PH didn't know the client had 2 loads. The lion came to bait and the client made a good shot right on the shoulder. To make a long story short after a long follow up the lion was found and dispatched. The initial hit had been good but the bullet had blown up on the shoulder bone failing to pentrate enough to cause instant death or close to it. The client had shot the lion with the Hornady bullet because his buddy who did his reloading and had never seen a real lion told him that the softer Hornady would be perfect for the lion. Stick with one premium bullet and you'll be happy.
Mark
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https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 20 February 2009, 23:17
375 fanaticquote:
Originally posted by Karl S:
quote:
After what i saw yesterday i can almost say 300gr hornady interlocks at 2400feet/sec it totally destroyed that buffs lungs he didn't even go 5m
Rudi, looks like 1 buffalo makes one an expert on bullet performance...
Luckily i used the word almost and i think one dead buff counts because he is dead i think it was because of shock
"Buy land they have stopped making it"- Mark Twain
20 February 2009, 23:49
Karl Squote:
Luckily i used the word almost and i think one dead buff counts because he is dead i think it was because of shock
that is the problem with a sample of one, it can make you believe in shock...
Karl Stumpfe
Ndumo Hunting Safaris
www.huntingsafaris.netkarl@huntingsafaris.net
P.O. Box 1667, Katima Mulilo, Namibia
Cell: +264 81 1285 416
Fax: +264 61 254 328
Sat. phone: +88 163 166 9264
21 February 2009, 00:23
Michael Robinsonquote:
Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Dan,
With only one load you'll never have the wrong one up the spout for the situation you encounter.
Mark
I agree, plus you won't have to worry about changing the zero on your rifle to accommodate a different bullet type or weight.
The only time I take more than one load per rifle per trip is if I need solids as well as expanding bullets, and then I spend a fair bit of time making sure they hit close to the same point of aim out to 50 yards.
Past 50 yards, I won't be using the solids, so I just focus on understanding the trajectory of the expanding bullet.
For lion, and for general use on thin-skinned game up to cape buffalo, you can't go wrong with a Barnes TSX, a North Fork soft or a Swift A-Frame, IMHO.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
21 February 2009, 05:06
ozhunterA 300GRN Woodleigh soft would be my pick for Lion.
For a one bullet for both Lion and Buff the A-Frame would be a good option.
21 February 2009, 07:28
JPKThe PP Woodleighs, not the SP's.
Free 500grains
21 February 2009, 10:33
375 fanaticquote:
destroyed that buffs lungs he didn't even go 5m
I always thought that its the effect you want on a cat
I spoke to a big outfitter that only use them on Lion but he must also be a one shot expert ??
think how boring the world will be if we al drive the same car
"Buy land they have stopped making it"- Mark Twain
21 February 2009, 10:39
Blair338/378quote:
Originally posted by Karl S:
quote:
After what i saw yesterday i can almost say 300gr hornady interlocks at 2400feet/sec it totally destroyed that buffs lungs he didn't even go 5m
Rudi, looks like 1 buffalo makes one an expert on bullet performance...
Karl,
What projectile in 375 would you recommend then for lion, bearing in mind that you have had more experience than Rudi?
Anecdotal evidence, even from a single kill can be very compelling...........
Boddington listed the 300grain Hornady RN Interlock as a good choice for lion...
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
21 February 2009, 15:32
Die Ou JagterWell if Craig said it is good then that is what I am using this year. If one is to believe anyone I would rely on Craig's opinion before any poster here, my self included with my vast experience
. The grin applys to my experience not Craigs, don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. I have great respect for Craig.
22 February 2009, 00:28
L. David Keith300 grain Swift A-Frames have plenty of penetration and cause considerable tissue disruption, but most of all, make the first shot count. They are a lot tougher and tenacious that most give credit for.
LDK
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22 February 2009, 10:19
Blair338/378quote:
Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
Well if Craig said it is good then that is what I am using this year. If one is to believe anyone I would rely on Craig's opinion before any poster here, my self included with my vast experience
. The grin applys to my experience not Craigs, don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. I have great respect for Craig.
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
22 February 2009, 11:20
N E 450 No2The Federal factory load with the 300gr Nosler Partition is a hard choice to beat for all round use in the 375 H&H.
Should work great for lion.
I used a 400gr Woodleigh Soft from my 450/400 3 1/4" for my lion, worked perfect.
Main thing is, hit him in the right place.
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22 February 2009, 22:41
465H&HHopefully, I will hunt lion with Ganyana next year. I have already decided on my lion bullets. I will be using a 375 and have a 260 grain Nosler Partition up the spout backed up by 300 gr Nosler Partitions in the Magazine. The 260 gr will be loaded to 2,600 fps and the 300 to 2,400 fps. Both hit within an inch of each other at 100 yards. plenty good enough. I have carried different bullet weights for my 375 to Africa in the past with no qualms. But I make sure they shoot very close at 100 yards.
On a tracking or blind hunt the odds are good for a broadside shot and as Ganyana has often written a bullet going over 2,300 fps has enough shock to give you a definite advantage. The 300s will be there if a follow up shot is necessary on a charging lion where the bullet has to go through the heavy chest muscles although I am sure the 260 gr will work almost as well.
465H&H