Hi everyone,

I'd like to put together some moderate loads for nighttime pig hunting. Which .375 bullet is most likely to expand reliably at velocities of 22-2400 fps?

I don't really want to go with the 220 gr bullets for the .375 Winchester and I've heard the 235 gr Speer is actually quite tough. Maybe the 250 gr Sierra or the 270 gr Speer BTSP? I'd try the Hornady 270 gr RN, but I've heard rumors that they were discontinued; I don't know for sure. Maybe the Hornady 270 gr SP?

Why not the 220's? I've used them loaded with 5744 powder, great accuracy, good combination of expansion and penetration and DRT performance. At about 2300 they work great. I've used the 270 sp as well. Both will thump just fine. Bob

You are correct that the 235 is very tough. It is a high antimony bullet and it takes some speed to work right. The Hornady 225 spitzer originally made for the 376 Steyr will work well in the velocity range you want and for the animals you want.

I have shot a few deer with a 375 H&H using the Hornady 220FP, and the 235 Speer.

Both worked perfect.

Also a buddy of mine killed a couple of deer with my handloads with the 250 Sierra bullet, as they shot the best in his rifle.

With the 220FP I have used 60 and 64gr of IMR 3031.

With nthe other 2 bullets I load 64gr of IMR 3031.

So I would say pick the bullet you like the best, and start with 60gr of IMR 3031 and work up to 64 and see which is the most accurate in your gun.

I have also loaded the Hornady 220FP over 40gr of SR 4759 for @2200fps, according to the Hornady book with excellent accuracy, but I have not shot anything with that load yet.


Edited to add:

I njust checked my rifle "book" and my Blaser 375 H&H Tracker barrel shoots the Speer 235gr with 64gr of IMT 3031, 3" high at 100 yardsd when the barrel is sighted in for 300gr Factory loads, the 270 Remington RN hits the same place.

Also strangely enough the 225 Hornady with 40gr of SR 4759 hits the same place at 100 as the 300 gr factory loads do.

How about a 250 or 270 grain Hawk bullet with a .035 jacket?

Only experience with light weight .375 bullets was the 250 Sierra. My daughter shot a bull elk at ~ 100 yards with one and got a whopping ~ 6" of penetration ie the offside of the onside lung was not penetrated. The bull died inside 30 yards, but the bullet performance scared both of us. Muzzle velocity was only 2550 fps. She now uses 235gr Woodleighs (rifle is an Encore 375 JDJ) for elk/deer or a 458 Win mag for bigger critters.

quote:

Originally posted by ScottS:
Only experience with light weight .375 bullets was the 250 Sierra. My daughter shot a bull elk at ~ 100 yards with one and got a whopping ~ 6" of penetration ie the offside of the onside lung was not penetrated. The bull died inside 30 yards, but the bullet performance scared both of us. Muzzle velocity was only 2550 fps. She now uses 235gr Woodleighs (rifle is an Encore 375 JDJ) for elk/deer or a 458 Win mag for bigger critters.

Surprised to hear of this.

I use 250 gr. SGK's exclusively in my .375 Wby. They are quite accurate. In 2006 I shot a B&C black bear in PA. It was a 50 yard shot at the south end of a northbound bear. The 250 Sierra (MV 3060 fps) went in slightly to the right and below the tail. The bear was crushed on the spot. The bullet penetrated about 5 1/2 feet of bear.

Analog: you didn´t say why you need light bullets at slow velocities. I use the Speers in the 270 grains persuasion at 2.700 f.p.s.That´s the hammer of Thor for all living pigs, even some very big ones.

Strut did that bullet exit or you find it?

Strut10,

Surprised us too! The bullet hit a rib on impact and appears to have exploded. Like I said it definitely killed her bull, but no confidence left after the performance it exhibited. The Sierra is very accurate, typical in my experience with Sierra bullets, and I figured at that relatively low muzzle velocity she would have no issue (I figured wrong). Of course may have been a fluke, but she isn't willing to take that gamble.

quote:

Originally posted by nainital:
Analog: you didn´t say why you need light bullets at slow velocities. I use the Speers in the 270 grains persuasion at 2.700 f.p.s.That´s the hammer of Thor for all living pigs, even some very big ones.

Ordinarily, I don't download, but I'm planning on using a scope with moderate eye relief. My rifle is fairly heavy, and it's magnaported, so it's quite comfortable to shoot, but I'm not interested in a Weatherby eyebrow. I don't need a zero-kick load, just something a little less aggressive than the full tilt stuff that I usually shoot. I was thinking of backing the 270 gr bullets down to 2400 or running the 250 gr bullets at 2500 fps, or similar.

The scope is great for low light work, but it requires a bit of discretion when mounted on a rifle with significant recoil.

More than you probably need or want to spend, but



The North Fork 250s should open up.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
Strut did that bullet exit or you find it?

Neither.

The bullet stayed inside the chest cavity somewhere. At the time, I was not thinking about recovering the bullet and it, evidently, remained with the entrails. But the contents of the chest cavity were thrashed. The right hip took a real beating, as well. I have thought of going back to the location and sweeping the area with a metal detector so I could have the bullet for a keepsake.

quote:

Originally posted by ScottS:
Strut10,

Surprised us too! The bullet hit a rib on impact and appears to have exploded. Like I said it definitely killed her bull, but no confidence left after the performance it exhibited. ......... Of course may have been a fluke, but she isn't willing to take that gamble.

Same exact scenario my wife's uncle experienced with a .338 RUM, a 210 gr. AccuBond and an elk. Maybe a fluke. But definitely no confidence to try it again.

Those North Fork pictures are very impressive, Charles.

quote:

I'd try the Hornady 270 gr RN, but I've heard rumors that they were discontinued; I don't know for sure.

Yes, that's correct, and more's the pity. That's the only 270 that would shoot in my rifle, other than the Remington factory load.