I am taking a Ruger .375 on a PG hunt with ANDREW MCLAREN soon and was juggling the idea of handloading or just using the factory Hornady ammo. Their 300 gr. DGS and DGX ammo looks great for their intended purposes but for PG I was leaning towards something with a flatter trajectory (spire point/BT) and good expansion.
The only factory offering at this point is Hornady's 270 grain SP-RP. I noted that Hornady does not call this an Interlock or Interbond so what kind of terminal performance could I expect from their "spire point- recoil proof" round?
I thought the response from their tech dept. was interesting so I am passing it along:

quote:

All I can tell you on penetration with these bullets is "it's a lot". Depending on what they are fired in. The average retention on the 270gr bullet was 75%, the 300gr DGX bullet averaged 85% and the DGS bullet was almost 100%. I cannot tell you at this time if there are any other loadings planned for this cartridge.

Since formed brass seems to be a bit tough to find right now (Midway still has some basic brass though), the point may be moot. But, considering the possiblities with this round, I sure would like to see more factory loads especially with premium bullets come in for next season.

Chet

I believe I saw where Safari Arms is loading 375 Ruger and I think they are using Barnes TSX bullets. Give them a look at www.safariarms.com

Questions such as these are why I'm sticking to the tried and true H&H for Africa. You can get ammo almost anywhere for it.

In my experience he 270 gr Hornady ammo should be about ideal for plains game.

I have loaded 270 TSX in mine & it shoots great. Tried the 300TSX but were too long.Probably will shoot the Hornady 300DGX.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
Questions such as these are why I'm sticking to the tried and true H&H for Africa. You can get ammo almost anywhere for it.

I agree that the H&H is about the ballistic twin of the Ruger. However, my considerations primarily revolved around the fact that I am left handed, I am going in July, and I wanted to keep my overall cost on the rifle itself down, since it is essentially a backup on this trip.
The fact that I could readily locate a left handed Ruger African for about half the cost of a left handed CZ that are rarely in stock outweighed reduced factory load selection and potential loss of ammo.

ChetNC

I have both the H&H and Ruger in left hand. I have to admit I love the 375 Ruger, I guess mainly because my Ruger has a 20" barrell while the H&H has a 26" barrell. It is quite a bit easier getting around in the bush with the shorter barrell and supposedly with can get the same velocity with the shorter barrell Ruger as the H&H.

Thanks for the lead David. I had no idea anybody but Hornady was loading this round at this point.

Thanks,

Chet

Chet, if you lose your ammo you will probably lose everything else as well, so you'll be 'in a bad place' anyway.

Andrew and his mates will look after you.

Thanks Code 4. I have lost more luggage stateside than overseas. I'm not worried about it all.
I am more concerned that, in the throes of a successful hunt, I will renounce my citizenship, burn my passport in Luan's braai pit, and take up working as a mechanic or something for Andrew just so I can stay longer.


I should have taken your sig line to heart, eh?

Chet