Guys,

Fired up the new to me .375 H&H today. After getting the scope semi sorted out the result is that it produced a 3 shot group less than 1/2" at 100 yards with Speer 235s on Rem cases, with CCI 250s and 76.0 grains of Reloder 15. Recoil is not too bad on the bench and actually pleasant off-hand.

My only concern is that this load is probably in the 2850 fps range. Will this projectile stay together to allow a not too destructive kill on white tails? Speer says its OK for this purpose and went so far as to say the 235 is OK for elk.

Hate to get a load doing this well for accuracy if it's no good for the field.

You fellas have any experience in the field at somewhere near this velocity?

thanks,

Mike,
I am planning on using these in my 376 on hogs and rams and deer. I think the SD is a little low, but it will be fine for this class of big game. As a matter of fact, unless you are in canada, I can't imagine it being an issue. After all, the 235 loading is the "shoots as flat as a 30-06" claim.

if you really like the recoil level, i would suggest the 235 barnes X, if they'll shoot in your gun. I am seeing those as being useful in the states, for anything in the states, native.

After seeing that barnes makes a 250 X for it, I am actually wondering about even using 300s.

jeffe

I'm using the 225 grain Hornady Spire Points loaded to 2850 fps for deer and elk. The 235 Speers at 2850 fps will be just fine for deer and elk as well.

I shot a pretty nice White tail buck last year with the 235 Speer and 64gr of 3031. Reduced load did not chrono, Hit the deer at about 100 to 110 yards behind the shoulder. The deer went right down, complete penetration, no meat loss. If the bullet was not suitable for Elk I think Speer would say so, they seem pretty conservative in their loading manual when they wright their ctg. descriptions. They even state that the various 300 mags. are a little light for the great bears. However being the cautious, careful, belt and suspenders type that I am I would use a heavier weight and tougher bullet than the 235 Speer on Elk. I always plan on the worse case shot, BIG Bull, up close and "going away".

My son killed an elk last year with my .375 Ruger #1. He used some of my handloads that were 75 grains of RL15 and 235 speers. He said it was probably overkill for that elk.

MiketheBear,

In what way was it overkill for that elk?

Sure do appreciate the comments guys. Looks like I have a hunting load.

I went back to the target and estimated the center to center size of the group shot with the 235's. May be a genuine fluke, and the measurement is approximate as I do not have the spuds to precisely locate the centers ... but the estimated group size is 0.310"! I'd be delighted to get that with any sporting firearm at any time.

Actually the 375 was too heavy for my son, and I think he wants me to buy a 338 for when he goes next year . I have since sold the #1 and have since wanted it back .

For my own edification and amusement I just cut the 235 speer and 300 hornady in half to look at the jackets.

They BOTH have about .055 thickness jackets, and the speer seemed a little "harder' when I was cutting through it. Just the feel, not anything ski-in-riffic.

So, the speer has a relatively HIGHER jacket thickness than the hornady.. and I dont have high hopes for it's accuracy, but we'll see
Jeffe