I am looking for info on powder and filler for my reduced load using 255gr. lead bullets in my .375 H&H.

I understand that pistol powder is mostly used but am not familiar with it's use in this manner. Also, the use of a filler would be required and my knowledge on this is dated, kapok, etc. Need to keep the velocities down to keep from leading

I will use this while on our walking range as my final hunting load has been developed and is shooting nicely.

I appreciate any input from experience that you may have.

SAM

Big Sam.....I have found that dropping the velocity of my .375 (with a 300gr bullet) from the 2550fps I normally load to down to around 2400fps makes all the difference in the world with recoil. The 2400fps range can be reached normally with one of the starting loads in almost any of the manuals. Most of my practice with the .375 is fairly close and by that I mean between just off the muzzle out to about 50 yards as I want feel comfortable shooting the rifle quickly while maintaining good trigger control

Other than for fun and games I see little use for practice loads...

I shoot a bigger bore fully loaded for practice sessions, then when I hunt with a lesser rifle I get the impression it is mild of recoil..it works for me, I don't know about others.

I also load my very light, 7 lb. 404 up to about 2600 FPS with a 400 gr. bullet for practice sessions and that one will belt the dickens out of you, ask John Ricks or Jim Brockman...but when I hunt with it I shoot it at about 2200 FPS and its merely a maidens caress, well sorta....

Big Sam,

You can use practically any pistol powder for a reduced load in your rifle.

You might also find it cheaper to use cast bullets for these loads.

As to what to use for a filler, you can use tissue paper, it works just as well as any filler we have tried.

I would recommend Alliant UNIQUE, and depending on how low you wish to go, you can start from about 15 grains.

I don't think pistol powder is a good idea unless you want a gallery load to shoot indoors.

For medium power loads imr 4759 will work well. The max loads are listed at www.imrpowder.com but a good rule of thumb is to use 1/2 of the weight of a full power load that will fill any particular cartridge. Thus 1/2 of 72 grains is 36 grains of imr 4759 for a normal weight bullet.

But depending upon how good those cast bullets are you may be able to get them up to 2000 and even 2200 fps like I have been doing with that cartridge and the .375 Improved also.

I use 46 grains of 3031, a tuft of kapox (.6 gr), linotype, alox, size to .377 and that load shoots into 1 inch at 100 yards and hits 6" low from a zero with full charged 300 gr. jacketed bullets.

This is more like a practice load to me and in fact is a good hunting load also for some game.

Don't buy 235 gr Speer bullets for a lighter load. At least I have never got them to group well. I just looked at my records for the .375 H&H and I see 1" groups for many loads including the 300 Sierra, 270 Hornady and the cast bullet load and 2.5" groups for the 235 Speer.

Here are some loads: source Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.
249gr. start 11gr. Unique 1260fps
max 18gr. Unique 1525fps

269gr.with gas check
start 13gr. Unique 1220fps
max 17.5 Unique 1460fps
They make no mention of a filler, but they do say use only standard rifle primers and to crimp. Hope this helps.

Big Sam,

Be very careful with reduced loads. You can create pressure problems with this practice.

I tried a few listed reduced loads in a 450 Alaskan, and had too many hangfires.

Very disconcerting when the gun goes off a few milliseconds after the hammer drops.

Good luck,
Roger

QSL,

You might find that you will not get hang fires if you use a filler.

Even tissue paper does well for this purpose.

I like to use a 220 gr flat point projectile in my .375 H&H. This bullet is designed for the 375 Winchester.

A couple of loads

220 gr Flat point Taipan projectile

65 gr ADI AR2208 for about 2,500 fps - this load is 300 to 500 fps slower than a full patch load

36 gr ADI AR2205 for about 2,050 fps - this load is similar to the 375 Winchester

ADI is a propellant manufactured by Australian Defence Industries. Not sure if this powder is available in the US.

Taipan is an Australian bullet manufacturer. Hornady also makes a similar bullet.

The 375 Win bullet is more explosive at these higher velocities but is great for cheap practice on lighter game eg feral pigs and goats

(use any reloading data at your own risk)

Big Sam, I can't speak for the .375 as mine isn't here yet from the wholesaler, but I had great luck with the .416 Rigby and 350-grain gas-checked cast bullets over 52 grains of XMP5744. Velocity was 2,000 fps, accuracy was under 1.5 inches at 100 yards out of a Ruger No. 1, and recoil very manageable. No filler needed. Go here and dial up some loads.
http://www.accuratepowder.com/

Ray what are you doing carrying a gun that light around! Blasphemies!! Blasphemies!! A thousand Blasphemies!!! I sure hope I never end up with one of your maidens. I don't think I could stand many of those tender carresses. Back to the subject at hand, there are several powders that are especially made for reduced loads. One is the before mentioned XMP powder. SR 4759 is another. The danger for these reduced loads is with slow burning powders. I am sold on reduced loads for plinking and small game. I read several old books by Townsend Whelen. He always carried a few reduced loads in his 30-06 for "camp meat". The odd rabbit, squirrel, or grouse. It made so much dad gone sense! Good luck. "D"

SAEED,

What type of tissue paper are you refering to? Toilet paper, wrapping type tissue paper, or what?

I can only presume that if it is toilet paper, that it would be unused!

How do you cut/form it? Strips, small pieces, a 'wad', etc. and how tightly do you pack it?

Thank you for your time and input.

I appreciate all of the replys that everyone made. I will down load this and hopefully this week we will decide on what to do on this load. I am using cast bullets for this.

We walk out in TYE'S property and have several areas that we shoot assorted target set-ups. The drill is mainly for the exercise and we do alot of dry firing with A-Zoom dummy loads(BELL'S PRACTICE). The shooting is secondary but mostly to use an assortment of positions. Our 'charging buff' range usually provides the most fun.

Thanks again and I'll let you know how it turns out.

Cheers,

SAM

SAM,

We actually use kitchen tissue paper - you know, the ones used to clean our hands in the workshop and so on.

It is a little bit thicker than toilet paper, but very absorbant.

I just tear a piece and roll it and then push it into the case to sit on top of the powder.
The piece have to be big enough to touch the base of the bullet when seated.

I am sure you will know e=when you have one the right size.