Howdy:

I currently don't have time to hand load, so commercial loads are on the menu. When the family OPTEMPO subsides, I will develop some loads.

Looking for a commercial load for my CZ550 American Safari in .375H&H for use on North American game. Sure, more gun than I need, but it shoots nicely and fits me well. On top of that, it has sentimental value. It shoots nicely enough that I would like a load known to be relatively accurate and good at distance (trajectory/bullet drop not awful) if there is such a commercial load.

I have shot mostly Remington Express 270gr soft points though my CZ550. I consider that ammo to be rather poor quality, but my CZ550 shoots it well, nonetheless, and it is available locally. I would like to see what it can do with quality commercial ammunition. Poor quality or not, it surely does a number on feral hogs and deer.

I likely will move from a 1.5-4x20 to a 2-7x33 or 3-9x40 with the scope.

Likely Requirements:
* Pointed/Spire/Spitzer soft point (not blunt, flat or round nose)
* Cup and core construction (Don't see the need for high tech or monometallic for NA game)
* 270gr or less (unless some 300gr load can a produce flatter trajectory out to 300 yards or so)
* A longer boat tail with a longer silhouette for improved BC

Thank you for your time.

What about Nosler ammo with the 260 grain Accubond. Be pretty pricy I think.

You can also check DoubleTap Ammunition. I have not been on their website in quite sometime, since they and many others stopped shipping to Alaskan individuals. They previously had several various loads for the 375 H&H.

From what you say, federal’s 270g power shok (not premium) is an alternative. It’s a PSP.

I don’t think there is any boat tail cup and core factory loads out there for the .375. It’s not a long range proposition anyhow.

Winchester also makes a 270g standard load as well.

If you want less expensive, those are your choices other than Remington.

I second the 270 grain Federal Powershok load. I've found it very accurate in my rifle and does well on game too. It's as easy to find as the Remington stuff and is better quality for the same price.

Thanks a bunch for the suggestions. Will look them up.

Price does not have to be as cheap or cheaper than the Remington, but that would be nice. Given my experience, I just don't think a premium projectile is necessary for .375H&H in NA, though I might go with one in the end. Cup and core, even with a boat tail that might incline it to jacket separation, I bet would be sufficient to the task on NA game.

I do like how the .375H&H Remington cup & core soft points work on game. They expand and do tremendous damage even on smaller hogs & deer such that a double lung shot provides a prodigious blood trail...though mighty few have run off after getting one in the boiler room.

quote:

Originally posted by roo_ster:
Thanks a bunch for the suggestions. Will look them up.

Price does not have to be as cheap or cheaper than the Remington, but that would be nice. Given my experience, I just don't think a premium projectile is necessary for .375H&H in NA, though I might go with one in the end. Cup and core, even with a boat tail that might incline it to jacket separation, I bet would be sufficient to the task on NA game.

I do like how the .375H&H Remington cup & core soft points work on game. They expand and do tremendous damage even on smaller hogs & deer such that a double lung shot provides a prodigious blood trail...though mighty few have run off after getting one in the boiler room.

From your opening post the Remington ammo seems to be fine for both accuracy and killing power. Are you looking just to experiment and play with something else?

Federal loaded with 300 gr. Nosler partitions. I've used this ammo with good results.

Dave

I am including this in case anyone else has a similar search/question.

1. Federal Power Shok is not a PSP, but a round nosed soft point like the Remington. Has good reputation for accuracy.

2. HSM produces a cartridge with a 250gr boat tail pointed soft point from Speer or Sierra. I know nothing about HSM.
https://www.selwayarmory.com/h...-tail-box-of-20.html (Claims 250gr Speer SPBT)
https://hsmammunition.com/dangerous-game/ (Claims 250gr Sierra 250gr GK SPBT)
https://www.speer-ammo.com/pro...il-rifle-bullet/2472 (Describes it as designed for longer-ranged shooting vs deer and antelope.)
https://www.sierrabullets.com/...-caliber-250-gr-sbt/ (Described good for large NA game and thin-skinned African game)

3. 260gr Nosler Accubond looks like it comes in cartridges loaded by Nosler and Double Tap. Good reputation for accuracy.
https://shop.nosler.com/accubo...ain-bullet-50ct.html
http://www.doubletapammo.net/i...3_335&product_id=232

4. Hornady GMX is a 250gr tipped gilding metal bullet. Looks nifty, but I suspect it performs the way all those monometallic bullets do: penetrate like hades through about anything and open moderately. I'd like more than moderate expansion.

***********************

Unless someone else comes up with other options, I will pick up some of the HSM and Double-Tap to start. The DT looks like it costs less than the Nosler loaded cartridges. And maybe pick up some of the Federal for range fun after work is done (accuracy testing, zero-ing, etc.).

When I get the time to hand load, I think the Speer BTSP, Nosler 260gr AB , and Sierra 250gr GK will be some of the first bullets I test.

******************

FTR, this is the sort of terminal performance I have experienced with the Remingtons and what I am seeking in a higher-quality cartridge that can reach out a bit further.
https://www.ballisticstudies.c...70gr+Speer+BTSP.html

quote:

Originally posted by roo_ster:
FTR, this is the sort of terminal performance I have experienced with the Remingtons and what I am seeking in a higher-quality cartridge that can reach out a bit further.

Can't help with a factory load, but this year's deer taken out back got the Speer 270 loaded to 2700 fps. Impact probably around 2500 fps. Aim point was off shoulder. About a 2.5-3" hole at the ribcage exit. Bullet continued into off-side shoulder, hit it pretty square. No exit (sorry, didn't recover it) but no complaints. Soft bullet, evidently. Fairly high BC, accurate.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:

quote:

Originally posted by roo_ster:
Thanks a bunch for the suggestions. Will look them up.

Price does not have to be as cheap or cheaper than the Remington, but that would be nice. Given my experience, I just don't think a premium projectile is necessary for .375H&H in NA, though I might go with one in the end. Cup and core, even with a boat tail that might incline it to jacket separation, I bet would be sufficient to the task on NA game.

I do like how the .375H&H Remington cup & core soft points work on game. They expand and do tremendous damage even on smaller hogs & deer such that a double lung shot provides a prodigious blood trail...though mighty few have run off after getting one in the boiler room.

From your opening post the Remington ammo seems to be fine for both accuracy and killing power. Are you looking just to experiment and play with something else?

I want a better quality cartridge with a better downrange trajectory that still kills NA game quickly.

Killing Power
No doubt, connecting with the round nosed soft point on thin skinned game is mostly a DRT proposition, even with just a double lung or heart shot, leaving out shoulder or CNS. And leaves behind a blood trail that has many solids from the point of impact. The underbrush hereabouts is such that DRT is preferred. CNS shots (brain/neck) are thus preferred, but CNS beyond 100 yards is an iffy proposition in the field.

Quality
Remington build quality leaves something to be desired in .375H&H. Accuracy is good, once I go over a box and cull the cartridges that have bullets held merely with the crimp and little or no neck tension--as evidenced by being able to spin the bullet in the cartridge neck with moderate finger pressure. Not every box has a "spinner" but enough to sap my confidence in the load.

Trajectory & Accuracy
Even with poor quality Remington ammo, the rifle shoots well. I would like to see what it can to with quality ammo. And stretch the useful range I can shoot with confidence. The Remington soft point has a relatively poor trajectory.

Remington Trajectory + My Error = Time for a Change
Was in a situation backing up a buddy in a blind, enjoying the wilds in the autumn a few weeks back. He had put a small caliber Nosler Partition through a white tail's lungs and kept shooting while it moved out, putting one more in the spine towards the rear, anchoring it. Good shooting, both times. But it was taking its time expiring.

After while, I was convinced to put it down with my .375H&H. Maybe we're both softies. We both like putting out game's lights as quickly as we can and when hunting does, won't hammer a doe with a fawn. I cranked my scope up to its max 4x and aimed for the rear 1/3 of the skull, which was in line vertically with the front of the chest, but up a few inches. Squeezed trigger, deer head went flying back, and deer was still. Get to deer and instead of what we thought was a 100 yd shot was a 175-200 yard shot. Emplacing before dawn, size of the field and objects at the edge of the field had fooled us & our distance estimation. Our error. When I thought I had made the head shot, I actually drilled it straight through the chest and out the side in front of the ham, missing all the meat save the tenderloins. Bullet drop was close to 6", my rifle zeroed at 100 yards, since most shots there'bouts were in the brush. Horizontally, the shot was dead on. I thought to myself that if I insist on shooting out a ways past 100 yards, I need a rig in which I have more confidence. Other hardware is good to go, but the cartridge is a bit shaky.



(1) Usually my range estimation is pretty good. First time I was fooled like that.

I agree Remington ammo of late is not very good quality. A shame considering how respected they used to be.

A few things to consider;

If you look at the trajectory tables for the Remington and Federal loads you will find very little practical difference. Actually the ballistic coefficient listed on their website shows the Federal load at .323 should be flatter shooting than the Remington at .267. A .375 really isn't a true long range rifle but either will perform well.

You also might want to consider sighting your rifle to better take advantage of its capabilities. I sight my rifle 2.5 to 3 inches high at 100 yards. That way anything from the muzzle to around 250 yards requires no hold over.

Both HSM and Doubletap both make great ammo. I wouldn't worry about purchasing from them.

quote:

Originally posted by Cougarz:
I agree Remington ammo of late is not very good quality. A shame considering how respected they used to be.

A few things to consider;

If you look at the trajectory tables for the Remington and Federal loads you will find very little practical difference. Actually the ballistic coefficient listed on their website shows the Federal load at .323 should be flatter shooting than the Remington at .267. A .375 really isn't a true long range rifle but either will perform well.

You also might want to consider sighting your rifle to better take advantage of its capabilities. I sight my rifle 2.5 to 3 inches high at 100 yards. That way anything from the muzzle to around 250 yards requires no hold over.

Both HSM and Doubletap both make great ammo. I wouldn't worry about purchasing from them.

Yep, I will begin to zero at a longer range, probably 200 yards. I have access to a 200 yard range and shoot my .375H&H for groups at 200 yards. And have access to a 300 yard gong. Given most all the hunting I have done last couple years is in thick stuff, 100 yard zero seemed the right answer. No so much, it appears.

I knew DT was good quality, was not sure about HSM. Thanks for the heads up.

quote:

Originally posted by Samuel_Hoggson:

quote:

Originally posted by roo_ster:
FTR, this is the sort of terminal performance I have experienced with the Remingtons and what I am seeking in a higher-quality cartridge that can reach out a bit further.

Can't help with a factory load, but this year's deer taken out back got the Speer 270 loaded to 2700 fps. Impact probably around 2500 fps. Aim point was off shoulder. About a 2.5-3" hole at the ribcage exit. Bullet continued into off-side shoulder, hit it pretty square. No exit (sorry, didn't recover it) but no complaints. Soft bullet, evidently. Fairly high BC, accurate.

OK, that bullet is a contender when I begin to hand load for .375H&H.

What ever happened to the 235 grain loading in 375 h&h? Maybe the ammo manufacturers think it will only be used for DG/big heavy critters and see no need for that loading anymore.

I love my .375. When I first got it I used it on everything - pigs, coyotes, deer, turkeys. Mostly with factory Remington round nose.

Some observations:
It is NOT a good round for turkeys (Duh!). But if you want to shoot, skin and breast out a turkey in one easy step, it does the job quickly!

It hits with authority on coyotes. No blood trails, no lost game. MIGHT be a problem if you want the skin...

If you happen to encounter a small buck while deer hunting that has his back legs tangled in a barbed wire fence and his hips dislocated - it will do the job. If you hit him in the spine next to the shoulders - the end result looks like a quarter pound of TNT went off inside. Not as much damage as what happens when you strap C-4 on an armadillo though (don't ask me how I know).

IF, however, you plan to eat what you shoot - you could do worse than selecting a bullet that is a bit harder. Despite their reputation, I have shot stuff with 260 grain Nosler partitions that had minimal damage to meat or hide.

Your experiences may differ from mine

I use the 300 grain Barnes X Bullet in a hand load. I do not know if any of the commercial ammo companies load this bullet BUT if they did I would buy that one. Why, because I have used it over and over from the smallest plains game and white tails to Cape Buffalo and Hippo and EVERYTHING n between with good results. The bullet does not overly destroy the small stuff because it’s hard yet expands easily and passes clean through even some of the biggest animals. Meat damage on the small stuff is less than many other calibers and bullets I have used. From my experience with this caliber and bullet, there is Zero down sides and it is exceptionally accurate. IF I could only have one rifle to hunt everything thing with it would be the 375 H&H with the 300 grain Barnes X bullet. Hope this helps.

There is nothing wrong with the Remington ammo, and it shoots good in your gun and is available, Id just use it, it will work on deer to Brown Bear as far as killing power and bullet performance..Ive had cleints use it on Cape Buffalo with no complaints and I'll buy your fired cases...

I know this doesn't meet your initial requirements, but it wouldn't be AR if an answer didn't lol. I like the Remington Safari Grade Ammo loaded with 300g Swift A-Frames. We've taken several nice animals with it and it's performed perfectly. One load for North America and Africa!

Most recently my son's black bear taken with Lil Joe Troyer in New Mexico. Complete pass through, bear DRT



My Brown bear



bullet recovered after penetrating the bear diagonally at 13 yards, still weighed 299.5 grains

For north american game? whatever is to hand, as all of our game (*save some boars) is thin skinned, even when dangerous - remington green box works just fine, in fact, likely even better than the safari specific stuff, as the bullets should be lighter construction/open faster.

let's be certain to frame the question .. under 300 yards (for a 2500 fps round???) with a 2.8 high zero at 100, which is a 200 yard zero, it's drop a FOOT at 300 ... and closer to 18" drop with a 100 yard zero

so, a lighter bullet, going faster, for NA sounds a grand idea -
here's the solution
https://www.hornady.com/ammuni...-gr-gmx-outfitter#!/

I'm sure you've realized by now that the 375 doesn't actually kick all that much, and can be handled like a 30-06 .. and if you treat it like a 30-06 with 180gr bullets, they fill the same spot ..

quote:

Originally posted by 376 steyr:
What ever happened to the 235 grain loading in 375 h&h? Maybe the ammo manufacturers think it will only be used for DG/big heavy critters and see no need for that loading anymore.

[hey, i love the 376 cart! built a couple mexican mausers around it]

because people took this to africa and got injured/scratched/tossed - low SD (under .300) have little place in a DGR, in a DG situation.

atkinson

quote:

There is nothing wrong with the Remington ammo, and it shoots good in your gun and is available, Id just use it, it will work on deer to Brown Bear as far as killing power and bullet performance..Ive had cleints use it on Cape Buffalo with no complaints and I'll buy your fired cases...

1. I have noted quality control issues enouigh such that I am no longer confident in Remington's execution. I am not a Remington hater. I own two of their rifles and three of their shotguns. Maybe their higher-end ammo gets better QC.

2. I'll keep the brass, thanks. When time permits, I will reload the heck out of it.


acer

quote:

I love my .375. When I first got it I used it on everything - pigs, coyotes, deer, turkeys. Mostly with factory Remington round nose.

Shot placement so as not to destroy meat is ket with that 270gr SPRN.

jeffeoso

quote:

let's be certain to frame the question .. under 300 yards (for a 2500 fps round???) with a 2.8 high zero at 100, which is a 200 yard zero, it's drop a FOOT at 300 ... and closer to 18" drop with a 100 yard zero

so, a lighter bullet, going faster, for NA sounds a grand idea -
here's the solution
https://www.hornady.com/ammuni...-gr-gmx-outfitter#!/

I'm sure you've realized by now that the 375 doesn't actually kick all that much, and can be handled like a 30-06 .. and if you treat it like a 30-06 with 180gr bullets, they fill the same spot ..

1. I am changing to a 200 yard zero with whatever I choose and will note POA/POI deviation at 100 & 300 yards as determined empirically.

2. The Hornady GMX has long intrigued me. Only "downside" is that I see is it works as advertised: lots of penetration and moderate expansion. I am partial to a bit more violent expansion due to the heavy brush conditions where I do a lot of my hunting. Upside is downrange trajectory.

3. I love the way my CZ550 handles in .375H&H. I don't LIKE the recoil, but it fits me and the recoil is not sharp.