quote:

Originally posted by Onty:
Lightweight 375 H&H rifle, anybody hunting with it?

No “Big Five” in my neck of woods, just wild boars (predominantly) and elks, so 30-06 and 8x57 (and others in that range) will do it. However, a good friend, who has several rifles in different calibers, including Savage in 338 Lapua, lately is carrying 375 H&H Brno ZKK, loaded with Barnes 250 TTSX BT. Any wild boar, properly hit, goes down instantly, with minimum meat damage. Contrary to that, some folks questioned 300 magnums; just tad more effective than 30-06 or 8x57, but meat damage is some time outrages. So, number of hunters in my area shun 300 magnums.

As for 375 H&H Brno ZKK, well that rifle is hefty, about 5 kg (11 lbs) with scope, but my friend is strong guy, 2 meters (6’6”), for him noted rifle is like for me 8x57, with scope around 3,7 kg (8.2 lb). Since I am hunting in fairly mountainous area, I do not want anything heavier. So, despite stellar results with 375 H&H, I never even considered such hefty rifle.

Then, I came across articles and posts about lightweight 375 H&H, 3,6 to 4 kg (8 to 8.8 lbs) total weight. Some hunters claim that recoil isn’t so bad. I will take this with grain of salt. I am aware that some folks will take without problem recoil from such light 375 H&H, but certainly, I am not one of them. I tried 338 WM with 225 grains bullet, I could shoot it, but I wish it’s “softer” on shoulder. The point is that when we are hunting wild boars, in number of cases it’s a driven hunt, so using all 4 to 6 rounds in rifle isn’t unheard-of.

Regarding lightweight 375 H&H, from what I (little) know, it could be tamed with effective muzzle brake that doesn’t kill my hearing. As for brake, one I have in sight is Gentry’s “Quiet muzzle brake”, although, from what I found, isn’t quite as advertised, but not as bad for shooter as other muzzle brakes. Apparently, one of the worst is on BOSS system.

Now, as for recoil pad, I found top opinion about Limbsaver AirTech.

And, what about lightweight 375 H&H, with installed good muzzle brake and AirTech pad? How recoil from it compares with recoil from same weight plane rifle (no brake, no special recoil pad) in 30-06?

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
A 375 should finish out at 8 3/4. add a scope for 9,5 lbs about perfect

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
you want light and .375? it's the 375 ruger for you