I'm thinking of buying a used .375H&H, but have never really shot with anything bigger than a .308Win - and since I don't absolutely, positively need the 375, I'd like to get a taste of the recoil before I plunk down my money.

Does anyone know of a .375H&H in the San Francisco Bay - Northern California area that I might be able to shoot a few times at a 100/200yd outdoor range?

Thanks.

Well, if you ever get down to Bakersfield I can let you shoot mine. It's a lefty but other righties have shot it with no problems.

I'm 4 hours north of you in the real Northern California (Redding). There's always a 375 plus some big guns ready to go. We can shoot 10 minutes from here and I can get out anytime.

I live here in SF and I have a CZ 375 H&H in a McMillan fiberglass stock----you can email me at csutton34@sprintpcs.com and we can see if we can work out some details---chris

Since when does NEED have anything to do with aquiring a big bore gun? Or any gun for that matter!

Hey Guys.

Thanks for the generous offers. I'm going to try to connect with Chris first, since we live closest to each other.

Here is what you will encounter; the recoil of shooting most 375H&H rifles will indeed let you know you are not shooting a .308. Hopefully whatever .375 you get will have a bit of heft to it and fit you properly. It is a slow heavy recoil and very much within the category of getting used to. I'm not keen on shooting more than 10 or 12 shots from my .375's from a bench at any one sitting. I have shot some lightweight 300 mags that 'hurt' more. But I can easily shoot 20 or so shots with the .375 from a rested standing position. And some more from a kneeling position. And moderate loads using 235 grain Speers have less felt recoil than some heavy 12 gauge loads I've experienced.

The key is an extra pound or two in weight. If I need to save a pound or two, I will do so by skipping a couple all-you-can-eat buffets!

If you wander over to Vegas I can hook you up with a test ride

SanFranShootr..If you and csutton77 need access to a range during the weekday let me know...I'm in Sacramento..You can shoot my 378 weatherby too..steve

sfshootr----email left ....chris

I wanted to thank Chris Sutton publicly for his generosity.

Today we got together and shot both his scoped .375H&H (270gr.softpoint) and iron-only-sights .458Lott (500gr. A-Square Lion Load).

....and to think I've been shooting with tin-can plinking guns all these years.... the recoil on these two guns seemed no worse than a 12ga. shotgun!

Now we're both ready for dangerous game - at least if we can sit at a bench, there is no brush obstructing the view, and the animals sit perfectly still, broadside in good sunlight.

I also learned how poorly middle-aged eyes are able to resolve a 1" target at 100yds with iron sights! (didn't prevent hitting the target, but did bring a whole lot of humility to the exercise).

Thanks again Chris

SanFran,

So what are you going to get now that you've got the big-bore bug??? Be careful....once you get one you may find yourself with two or three!

Keith

SanFranShootr---glad I could be of some assistance and you're welcome---remember D.O.D's should not be taken lightly--glad you bullseyed the one that was about to charge---chris

D.O.D= dangerous orange dots