I'd like to hear some experiences of Hornady 375 bullets, when shot at bears, moose, and African game.
The two bullets I am interested in are both 270 grainers, one spire point, the other a round nose.
According to a Hornady load book I have, they are made for 2400-3100 FPS.
Now, this is where my topic applies. I have a 375 Whelen AI being shipped to me next week(it's finally done! Sent the final payment.), and it wll do just a tad over 2400 FPS.
Can I assume these two bullets, going slightly slower then 2400 at about a 100 yards or so, act like premuim bullets, meaning they'll upset less, and penatrate more?
Are these tough bullets, acceptable for dangerous game, especially being shot slightly slower then any magnums will?
Will the round nose be a better "stopper" then the spire point, at close range?
Also, tell of the 260 grain Partition and any 'X' bullets, as well, but nothing over 270 grains, since I will not be shooting over 270 grains.
BTW my only experience, shooting only on paper, was a 375 WbyMag years ago, not game of any sort. I only owned it a short while before selling it to a friend. Thanks. ~~~Suluuq

Rusty I can't answer you too well yet. I have used the Hornaday 220 Fn on deer in my H&H. Worked great. Mostly used Swifts on the larger stuff. If I were going into AK bear country with malice on my mind, I would definitely use a harder bullet. You would likely be ok at those slower speeds but I would not bet my life on the penetration of a non premium. The cost difference is so little as compared to what the stakes are. 260 gr Nosler Partition would be a good choice at those speeds. The front will upset nicely and the back will keep on keeping on. Good hunting. D

Thanks. I will by a box of 260 Partitions to try, but will do the initial load tests, etc. with the 270 SP I already bought. Ain't the 220 FP for the 375 Win levergun? How did it stand up to the H&H velocities(or did you toss it slower)? ~~~Suluuq

Suluuq,

I used the Hornady 270 grain Spire Point bullets in a .376 Steyr on a hunt in Zimbabwe in September, 2001.

I took a big eland, with shots into the right shoulder (first shot), and the left hip (second shot). This rifle has a 20" barrel, so I expect MV is around 2,500 fps and striking velocity was probably around 2,400 fps.

Those bullets retained about 85% of their weight. They didn't look pretty like the magazine ad pictures, but they did work just fine.

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

I pitched them at about 2600 fps. The deer didn't go far. One good sized buck with one in his lungs ran about 30 yards. All the rest (3 others) just went down. Not too much meat damage. At least not as much as I expected. I plan of trying the 270 gr SP's on Alabama deer this comming weekend. Good hunting. "D"

Thanks for the info, Hunter Jim and D Hunter.
Are there jacket differences between the 270 round nose, and the 270 SP bullets? Or are they the same?
Could the round noses be considered 'stoppers', because of the larger frontal point that smacks "harder"? ~~~Suluuq

Hello Suluuq!

When discussing .416 diameter bullets, the Hornady RN's have recieved nothing but praise. In fact any discussion I've read about Hornady RN's has always been positive.

I've got some loaded for my 416 Taylor right now, and I'd have no problem shooting a Brownie with them.

I'm glad to hear that your 375WhelenAI is done, and on it's way. What did you decide about it's stock?

Brian

Suluuq,

Hornady does not say in their latest reloading manual what the jacket thickness is in the spire point bullet versus the round nose design. The round nose design loses velocity faster from muzzle to target than the spire point, but this is not critical as long as you can judge range. Big animals usually are shot at closer ranges. Bullet makers learned how to make an expanding bullet perform with the round nose before they got good at it with the spitzer design. The round nose is also shorter than a spitzer of similar weight. The longer the bullet, the faster twist a rifle must have to stabilize it in air and in the target.

Hornady says its .375"/270 grain bullets are designed for muzzle velocities of 2,400 to 3,100 fps.

jim dodd

With solids if the round nose is rated a "1" on effectiveness on game, then the flat meplat bullet is a "1.2" .

------------------
"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

BW, Hunter Jim... thanks.
BW... I settled on a laminated JRS stock, which I'll re-shape slightly to my heart's desire(more like a Old Classic Safari style).
Hunter Jim... my intentions were to use this on at 100 yards or less most likely, in the area where I'll be hunting black bear come fall time.
I can use the spire points for further shots, if need be. ~~~Suluuq

I used a 270 gr Hornaday SP on deer this last weekend. I did have a full house load at about 2700. It killed the deer instantly but the penetration was less than ideal. The entrance wound was about 3 1/2 inches across with no exit wound. It was a steep angling away shot and had to get through the paunch to get to the off shoulder. The off shoulder was bloodshot a bit but no bullet hole. Bullet went through about 14-18 inches of deer but I would have expected full pentration on deer no matter the angle. I will use Swift A Frames on game for the time being.Hornadays for punching paper. Good hunting. D