My first .300 H&H came into my life in a unique way. In 1968 I had been dealing with a dealer in Texas who specialized in Model 70's. I got a message from him to the effect that a customer of his, a Model 70 collector, had had his collection stolen and recovered, but in the process the rifles had suffered a good deal of cosmetic damage to the stocks, and the customer was intent on selling the damaged rifles off and replacing them with ones in pristine condition. At the time, I was dreaming of my first African hunt, and it seemed to me that a rifle with a number of dings in the stock would be a natural for African conditions, so I bought one, a .300 H&H. A few years later, in 1971, I took it to Africa on a five week hunt, and could not have been more pleased with it. Here I am, demonstrating the horn spread of one of my better impalas against the 26" barrel of the Model 70>



I still have the rifle, and it has accompanied me on each of my other African trips. I have taken around 90 head of game with it over the years.

I have a 1951 Winchester M-70 in 300 H&H that is one of the most accurate rifles I own.
Also shoot the 300 Weatherby. Have two of them.

I finally bought one a year or so back, Rem 721. With all the pomp and history I found one. Took metal down to white and used Gun Goddess on it. Restocked with an old maple front Rem stock and bedded. Some Japanese glass by B&L and a Montana sling. Hefts nicely and shoots really good! Reload 200 Noslers in it @ 2814fps......what an infatuation! Sold my other 30 mags.

StdM98 = .308 NormaMag or .300 Dakota
Proper magnum length action = .300H&H

Winchester 70 XTR version. Wonderful shooter!

If I remember correctly, when I resurrected this poll 88 votes had been cast and the breakout was 54% .300 H&H 46% Other .300 Mags. As of this post, there are 106 votes and the breakout is 56% .300 H&H 44% Other .300 Mags.

I looked at the numbers and separated the recent results from the previous results:

Votes around original posting time-frame 2007 - 54% vs 46% H&H was the preferred favorite

Votes cast since resurrected Feb 25, 2015 - 66% vs 34% H&H is the preferred favorite

That would suggest the percentage of people for whom the .300 H&H is their "favorite .300 Mag" has significantly increased since seven years ago.

Yet, so many people want to insist the cartridge is dead.

.

What does it really matter?

How easy is it to find ammo for the .300 H&H versus the .300 Win. or .300 Weatherby at say a Wally World?

Each and every cartridge/rifle combination is going to have its supporters/detractors.

The .300 H&H is a time proven cartridge, as is its larger partner the .375 H&H.

Both will still kill game as long as the shooter does their part.

I have owned two. The first was a 721 I bought from a friend's Father. About twenty years later, his Father died, and he found out where it went. After a bit of whining, I let him buy it for what I paid for it.

Several years ago I found THE 300H&H, an Old Model 70, in 90%+ condition.

Believe me, this one leaves my possession at the estate sale after my funeral.

ISS

I inherited a Remington 721 300 H&H from my father. I shoot a handload 200gr. Nosler Partitions and shoot very well.

I wonder if in another 20 years a similar thread will be asking the same question about the 375 H&H and the 375 Ruger ?

All I know is that regardless of the results of AR polls showing the .300H&H as 'preferred',
just .300win ammunition alone, outsells the H&H by a considerable margin.

Midday currently has ammunition for:

.300win = 73 loads
.300WSM = 38 loads
.300WBY = 27 loads
.300RUM = 21 loads
.30/378 = 15 loads
.300H&H = 12 loads
.300SAUM = 11 loads
.300Flanged = 3 loads
.308Norma = 2 loads

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
I wonder if in another 20 years a similar thread will be asking the same question about the 375 H&H and the 375 Ruger ?

let s take a bet.

i will keep my 375 ruger and not worried that much on the brass maker.

Phil

Down thru the years I have found my 30-06 to be the only .30 caliber I need or want. I am not a 'magnum' bliever for almost anything. Only thing I have with 'magnum' appended to the name is my 375H&H's.

Interesting this thread has resurrected.

I thought here the other day to take a full 3 week plaingame hunting trip to SA with my .30Super to really give it a workout.
10 years ago Norma didn´t make brass for this caliber. Now they do(I need to get some)!.
My loveaffair for the .300H&H hasn´t decreased since the poll started in 2005. It´s a caliber that is to be found in my gunsafe as long as I live.

quote:

Originally posted by Trax:
All I know is that regardless of the results of AR polls showing the .300H&H as 'preferred',
just .300win ammunition alone, outsells the H&H by a considerable margin.

Midday currently has ammunition for:

.300win = 73 loads
.300WSM = 38 loads
.300WBY = 27 loads
.300RUM = 21 loads
.30/378 = 15 loads
.300H&H = 12 loads
.300SAUM = 11 loads
.300Flanged = 3 loads
.308Norma = 2 loads

That is because the majority of us with a 300 H&H load our own.

Love my .30 Super!

I thought it was cool when Winchester put out the 300H&H in the 1885, so, I picked one up. A bit heavy for long hikes, but, a sweety to shoot.

I am cutting back on my guns and selling ammo and components like hotcakes at a Baptist breakfast..

One of the guns I sold was an old worn out pre 64 mod. 70 that I've hunted the world with for about 60 or more years, no blue, stock like a piece of driftwood and it shot 5 shot one inch or better groups all day long..I sold it because its heavy and I'm old..I really wish had it back, I really didn't think anyone would have it and I got a bucket full of calls on it and sold it within an hour on the internet..dammit.

Once a gun whore, always a gun whore!

As to the caliber, I can't think of a better performer, nor one that has had more BS printed about it being less than modern by those "experts" that have never really worked with it and are repeating some other quasi expert who was even less knowledgeable..

I got 3010 average FPS with a 200 gr. Nosler in that 26 inch barrel taking all the loads I tested in my loading book for an average. Best load was with my old surplus 4831 for a little over that..After I shot some elk and some larger animals with it, I knew it was truly a killer of all game up to and encluding one cape buffalo.. With that load It performed as well as any medium bore I have hunted with such as the .338, 35 Whelen, 9.3x62, and others..Truly an amazing caliber if you handload. Its right there pushing the handloaded 300 WBY, and equals any factory 300 WBY load.

I think every PH in Africa has one or had one at some time in his life, it is really popular in Zimbabwe and RSA it seems, and mostly they have the Rem 721s that are popular on this thread. Africans are cost minded, and not impressed with the idiosencracies (wow, can't spell that one)of most Americans..

If you think I'm partial, well yeah!

I have both and don't like either 300 magnum.

I prefer the 7mm magnums.

I have a Ruger No. 1 in 300 H&H. My first wife used to refer to H&H as "Horrible Hubby." Reason enough to have one. But it's also a great rifle. Very accurate, and a classic. Last rifle I'd sell.

'55 Model 70, same year as me LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Trax:
All I know is that regardless of the results of AR polls showing the .300H&H as 'preferred',
just .300win ammunition alone, outsells the H&H by a considerable margin.

Midday currently has ammunition for:

.300win = 73 loads
.300WSM = 38 loads
.300WBY = 27 loads
.300RUM = 21 loads
.30/378 = 15 loads
.300H&H = 12 loads
.300SAUM = 11 loads
.300Flanged = 3 loads
.308Norma = 2 loads

I have nothing against the 300 H&H, but I haven't seen one at the range in years.

quote:

Originally posted by skb:



Love my .30 Super!

I love your 30 super as well !

I'm lusting for your 30 super! Maybe I'll opt for a Ruger 1-S in one and restock it..That would be close enough for a poor boy..

I was able to get this pre 64 M70 300 H&H Magnum for a very good price, in large part due to the rubber butt pad. But I am glad the butt pad was installed, it saved me from finding a stock with a rubber butt pad, as I am certain the recoil would have been very painful with a steel butt plate.


This rifle is very accurate, those are nine rounds at 100 yards. Any time I can push a 190 at 2900 fps, that is pretty good.


The previous owner had smacked Moose, Elk, said a well hit animal was a very dead animal. Can’t ask for more.

While I don’t like the belt, there are things I like about the 300 H&H cartridge design and it all has to do with cartridge taper. This is the most tapered cartridge I own, “modern” cartridges tend to be very straight. I don’t think straight is all that it is whooped up to be. A tapered cartridge is easy to steer. This 300 H&H uses a double column magazine and the cartridge feed is slick and perfect. I am of the opinion that taper is great for extraction. A tapered cartridge relaxes along a diagonal, which is great for clearance between case and chamber. Straight cartridges relax in a line, so you are more dependant on brass hardness and Young's Modulus for extraction clearance. If you notice, these very straight “modern” cartridges require the cartridge to be in almost perfect concentricity with the chamber axis. Feed lips have to be modified to do this and this cuts down on magazine capacity. From what I have read, the big, straight, “modern” cartridges have a three round magazine capacity and my M70 takes four. The advantage is to the 300 H&H. A recent gun magazine had an article on Charles Newton’s cartridges, they all had lots of taper. Newton was a good cartridge designer and knew what he was doing.

My .30 Super flanged is the only known H&H single shot in this chambering. I'm planning on building a twin to it. I just acquired another PD action and at this point am leaning towards another built in the same style only with a H&H pattern quarter rib and detachable scope rings. I can still use open sights(the above whitetail was taken at just over 200yards) but it is becoming more difficult with each passing year. Kicking around a switch barrel in .300 and .375 flanged. We will see.

My 53 Win 300H&H is my favorite rifle. Not nearly as pretty as some others, but just something about it.

A good artical from Mr.Bod
http://www.rifleshootermag.com...great_300_hh_020810/

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
I wonder if in another 20 years a similar thread will be asking the same question about the 375 H&H and the 375 Ruger ?

Phil provokes us with his 375 Ruger again as this round is obviously plentifully available in the local Alaskan ammunition store
However my opinion has not changed so far about the H&H cartridges. The 300 and 375 are well thought out cartridges, even though they were born ca 100 years ago. They were designed to work reliable in bolt actions under extreme conditions. This is the reason why they bear tapered cases and long necks. And yes, they are proven and carry the name.
The 375 Ruger does have 6% more case capacity than its predecessor and can be housed in standard length action. But how much is this a reason to leave the 375 H&H? I am confirmed here in Europe the 375 Ruger has not many chances. The only serious contender at the moment is rather its older pal, the 9.3x62 which generates lighter recoil but covers nearly the same game spectrum.

quote:

Originally posted by CZ:
The 300 and 375 are well thought out cartridges, even though they were born ca 100 years ago.
They were designed to work reliable in bolt actions under extreme conditions.
This is the reason why they bear tapered cases and long necks. And yes, they are proven and carry the name.

Rigby thought things out a little more- and saw no need for a belted case feature on its (earlier than .300 & .375 H&H)
release of proprietary .350 and .416 rounds for bolt rifles.
and those well tapered-long neck Rigby rounds also worked just fine in extreme conditions.
and lets face it, Rigbys were exclusively the first Magnum mausers to be offered by a gun producer in Britain.

Trax,

you are correct, but both are mere footnotes in turn of the century British bolt rifle experiments, and the two H&H's are selling well, even today

Rich.

Its funny, I can only name one guy off the top of my head that has a .300 H&H.

I've got 4 Wins, one Weatherby, a WSM and a RUM but no H&H.

My 300 H&H is a falling-block with hand-detachable barrels, one in .375 flanged magnum and the other in .300 flanged magnum.

Regards

It appears that the majority of 300 H&H users today are nostalgic aficionados rather than pragmatic shooters. Nothing wrong with that mind you as I consider myself also afflicted at times. But it is foolish to deny the fact that the vast majority of hunters and shooters choose the newer .300's , for a wide variety of justifiable reasons.

quote:

Originally posted by jens poulsen:
A good artical from Mr.Bod
http://www.rifleshootermag.com...great_300_hh_020810/

I read that when it came out FIVE YEARS AGO.

quote:

As a grand old magnum rides toward the sunset, the author makes a case to save it from obsolescence.

Either Mr. Boddington waved a magic wand to successfully "save it from obsolesce" or it never was riding into the sunset to begin with. Too many writers sent the message that it was a dead cartridge and too many readers carried that message forward. I am not calling out that particular article though. It was well written and informative and Boddington even sounds like a .300 H&H fan.

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
It appears that the majority of 300 H&H users today are nostalgic aficionados rather than pragmatic shooters.

In addition to the Model 70 mentioned above, I also have owned a target rifle in that caliber, using a bench rest action, built especially for 1000 yard target shooting. I didn't build it for reasons of nostalgia.

At the same time, I consider the .300 H&H, with its tapered case and sloping shoulder, to have a distinct advantage in rapid fire with a bolt gun.

Once, while hunting on private land in Kenya, we encountered a pack of Cape hunting dogs, which were in the process of devouring a freshly killed impala. These dogs are perhaps the most efficient of African predators and a real threat to sheep and cattle, both of which were being raised on the property.

I was asked to try to put some of them down, which I did. I walked up on them (they have no fear of humans) and emptied my Model 70. After the first shot they all took off at top speed. Five shots, four kills. I doubt that I could have done the same with any other .300 Magnum cartridge.

Tim,
well that sounds interesting. Hagn action? Any pics?

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Trax,

you are correct, but both are mere footnotes in turn of the century British bolt rifle experiments, and the two H&H's are selling well, even today

In the better decades of Africa the Rigby rounds were doing quite well.
and Id say the majority of .300H&H owned today in the western world,don't even go to Africa.
ITs likely Rigbys pioneering concept for a magnum mauser action to house its proprietary catridges
are what then spurred H&H to create the H&H rounds...and also put them into magnum mauser actions.

Had .350Rigby been made available in the much more numerous & affordable pre-war M70 like the H&Hs,
and Western cartridge had made rounds for it, who knows how popular it might still have been today.

I've got a line on a Brno in 300 H&H. Should have it in a couple of weeks or less.

quote:

?

I like the classics esp ion a pre64 M70 (I guess I'm just a throwback to simpler times) I have the 300 H&H as well as a 375 H&H. The 300 with 165gr NBT will do anything that the new super 300's can do and it does it with a lot more class.
Another classic is on it's way a Pre64 M70 in 300 Savage maybe the first short magnum. Now if I could just find some brass!