I'm not sure where to begin this topic, but wanrted to share wirh those folks who've never shot big bore before.

I'm going on a plains game hunt this May. Poeple who've been to Africa and who know me have said to me that this won't be my last. I hate to agree, but it's a piss poor student who won't try to learn.

So, today I shot the .375 H & H. Prior to this the 300 Win. Mag. was the biggest rifle I'd shot. This wasn't too bad. I shot 30 rounds(both 270 & 300grn.) and it wasn't too bad at all. One can sure see Why that this round has the appeal that it does. As a "newbie" it certianly has a certain appeall. It seems to be an 'entre'. I would lov to hear other thoughts.

Best,

Bill

Bill, I rather shoot 30 rounds of my .375 H&H anyday before I'd shoot that many .300's (except the 300 Whisper or Savage.) The .375 H&H is actually a very easy rifle in the field.



My Sako Safari

The .375 is the only gun you will actually need. Ive shot six buffalo and seven elephants, lion, leopard and a host of plains game with mine and am completely satisfied.

The only problem that the 375 H&H has is the fact that in combo with the 30-06 and a varmint rifle you don't need any other rifles.

I owned one in a CZ. It shot great. Used it for a few deer and an elk. But I traded it for a couple of reasons:
The first being that if I ever go to Africa for Buffalo I don't want to be using a minimum caliber. So I bought a CZ in 416 Rigby.
The other reason was the simple fact that the CZ was too big/heavy of a rifle to comfortably hunt with. If I was ever to own another H&H. I think it would be in standard weight hunting rifle. Not a heavy Safari/Express style rifle.

Caution...the 375 H&H is a gateway to the big bore bug. It is a cartridge that most consider to be the beginning of the "big stuff". Once you spend a bit of time with it you realize that the recoil is downright controllable and begin to almost enjoy it. It is all downhill from there.

The 375H&H is like the opening lines of Dickens "a Tale of Two Cities", in that "...it was the best of times (cartridges); it was the worst of times(cartridges)...". So-called experts will tell you that it is not the best choice for anything (specific animal), but it is the best choice for everything (one rifle for the world) in the same sentence. Go figure. I am on my third, from Remington to Winchester, both PF rifles, to the current commercial mauser (FN) in 375 Improved. The Imp was not my first choice, but it was the barrelled action I purchased with a very nice piece of walnut and came as a package deal. Both rifles I owned would shoot the 270 and 300gr ammunition into one ten-shot (5 of each) group at 100 yards under 2". Marvelous cartridge, no better choice for a first DGR. There is nothing on God's green earth that walks, crawls, swims, or flies that I would be afraid to tackle with a good CRF 375 Holland. NOTHING!!! Great choice...enjoy.

Rich

I've always felt the .375 H&H is as close to a "something for nothing" cartridge as you can get. Meaning by me preception it has an awful lot of power for relatively mild recoil.

It shoots quite flat and is readily available too.

Although I'd rather none of you mention this to my wife, I think I could do just fine getting rid of all by my .375 H&H rifles.

Great cartridge. Like Sarge says, "One planet, one rifle".

Kyler

Yea'p, your on the slippery slope to bigger bores now. Next is .416(Tay. Rem, Rig), then .458(Win, Lott), .470(Cap, Mbogo)..............

Hog Killer

quote:

I'm going on a plains game hunt this May.

Certainly neither I or anyone that has been there would tell you to leave it home as the 375 H&H is as good a cartridge as it's reputation.

That said it's a lot more for plains game than truly necessary. A well loaded and practiced 30-06 will do the job just fine.

If the 375 H&H is the one you want then take it and shoot a lot of Eland, Zebra, Wildebeest, Kudu and Gemsbok with it as it's as truly African as it gets.

I prefer the lighter and more modest 30 cals for plains game but understand the love of the classics.

If you are thinking this is your only African trip take the .375 shoot it well you'll be glad you did.

For my plains game hunt I will use a 7 x 57 Mauser and a 9.3 x 62 Mauser. The 375 is in anticipation of a buff hunt within the next year or so.

I realize that the 375 is a slippery slope. I think one just has to learn to "manuver" on that slope in anticipation of even more pleasure.

Best,

Bill

quote:

SDhunter: I owned one in a CZ. It shot great...But I traded it for a couple of reasons...other reason was the simple fact that the CZ was too big/heavy of a rifle to comfortably hunt with.

Good advice. I also had a CZ 375 (Brno ZKK602) which I liked very much but it was large and on the cumbersome side. I like the proportions of my Whitworth better for this particular cartridge.

my .375 is a pushfeed m70... safari express... scoped with an older redfield 2x7, 20mm objective...i shoot the factory federal 270 gr soft points...i'm getting 2" groups at 100 yds, and very satisfied... recoil is not unpleasant, as i also shoot a #1h in .458 win mag... in a couple of weeks, i have my .416 rem mag, a controlled feed, paid for and will pick it up... the .375 is just a stepping stone for the bigger calibers....next thing you know, you'll be drooling over double rifles....

My 375 is a CZ, had Brockman stock the rifle and then loaded 71 Gr of RX 15 and got 2600 fps and under 1/2" groups at 100 yards with NorthFork 300 gr soft and solids.

If you try the load I suggested, work up to it, do not start there, my gun could take more but why do I need more the 2600?

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:

quote:

SDhunter: I owned one in a CZ. It shot great...But I traded it for a couple of reasons...other reason was the simple fact that the CZ was too big/heavy of a rifle to comfortably hunt with.

Good advice. I also had a CZ 375 (Brno ZKK602) which I liked very much but it was large and on the cumbersome side. I like the proportions of my Whitworth better for this particular cartridge.

Same here, I think the BRO 602 in 375 is a bit too heavy. Since Whitworths just aren't to be had here, I chose for a Sako which the previous owner bought new and with which he has taken 14 Buff. I shall be taking it for a look see for a Buff next year.
Happy huntin yall.

My rifle is a Whitworth as well. I looked at a Ruger and while it was nice, it didn't have the pointabilty that I want on a rifle like this.

This one was re-stocked in Acra bond (now Serengeti Stocks)laminated stock with classical English Big Game styling.

It really is a nice piece. I must admit that I am really looking forward to using this on a buff.

Thank you all so much for your insights and experiences.

Best,

Bill

The real danger is shooting somebody elses big bore.
Once you do this, you start thinking .416 Remington, or 458 Lott, since both are just a rebarrel...

GS
PS
MY down fall was this rifle:



.500 Nitro Express, 570's at 2015 fps...

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
.....There is nothing on God's green earth that walks, crawls, swims, or flies that I would be afraid to tackle with a good CRF 375 Holland. NOTHING!!!......

Same here. Mine is on an Interarms Mark X action.

Like the 375H&H very much- have three of them, very versatile from the America's to Zimbabwe! A well placed shot is the medicine and the power behind it is the cure!

If you reload, you have plenty of time, if you need to, to train to the rifle.

Plains Game? heck YEAH, i'd do a 375... mine might be a 376 steyr, as I have a really accurate one, but it's 6 of one... 1/2 a dozen..

anyway, find you a nice 375, that fits you pretty well, and get to shooting. It's pleasant to shoot, kills well, and has some authority!

heh for plains game, a remmie aint a BAD gun.

Kyler nailed it. If I could just bring myself to do it, I'd sell off everything but the .375 and the 6.5 Swede. Someday maybe I will. Wonder what a Greener .318 WR and a Parker Hale .404 Jeff would bring . . . ?

what is that clunker 404 worth to you? Perhaps I can help you out.

Rich

Come on, try a little hit of .375, it'll make ya feel good - and all your friends are doing it.

Just a little taste...

Now you have an idea why it's such an all-time classic all-purpose rifle! It's a joy to shoot and the ammo can be had anywhere.

As Gunny says above, you'll lack for nothing if all you have is a good .375 H&H with quality ammo...