what would be the expected velocities for a 375 H&H with a 20" barrel using 300 grn. bullets. Right now I have TSX, North Fork, swift A frame, and woodliegh fmj. As to powder, I have a large assortment, but no RL 15. To be used on Cape buffalo, under high temps. Thank you for any advice

well sir, I have a 21" barrel and shoot 300SAF's with 76grn. IMR4350 and getting an average of 2478fps. This is in a pre-64.

I would be guessing, but in my 24" barrel, the highest velocity I was able to get with the 300gr Woodleigh PP or solid was 2610fps.
I would think somewhere in the range of 2450fps would be close, could be more, could be less.

I was never happy with the velocity the H+H produced, so I rechambered mine to the 375 Weatherby, it is a genuine 200fps increase in velocity, with recoil to match. I can get 2850fps from 300gr bullets now and there is a noticeable difference on bullet impact on buff here.

Cheers.

I am probably a majority of one on this forum but I have been reloading for 61 years and in all that time I have never had velocity check. I use now, and always have, the printed ballistic tables in the loading manual I'm using at the time. I always kept the manuals current. Made 8 trips to Africa and never had a single animal complain over the velocity and only lost a few animals and that was from poor shooting or in several cases with Swifts in a 30-06 just 30 cal hole in and 30 cal hole out on Impala.

Hodgdon website offers the following:

81.5gr. of H4350, 300gr. Sierra GK. 2,650 fps listed in test.

I've used this max load in my 20" Montana and got velocities of 2,550 fps consistently.

That load seems warmish to me. I prefer around 75.0 gr. of H4350 and a 300gr. Partition for 2,450 fps.

Well your using great bullets do velocity isn't all that critical. A 300 gr. bullet at 2300 to 2500 FPS is excellent buffalo medicine and your bullets perform perfectly when you don't stress them with too much velocity. I can load to near 2700 FPS in my 26 inch .375 but I have found 2350 to 2500 about perfect for Cape buffalo in most calibers with those heavy bullets.

Thanks Ray, it looks like it is coming together in the 2360 to 2380 range. I did find some 300 tsx and some RL 15, life is good.

Eny,
That's about perfect IMO, and no bullet failures.

I would suggest that you try the 350 gr. Woodleighs. The RN are softer than the PP and expand faster and larger. The RN are considered by some to be the best for herd shooting as they penetrated to the off side skin and stop on broadside shots about every time or so it has been said. That is said to be a good thing in herd hunting. I question that somewhat and believe one should always know whats on the other side of his target as I have seen the RN exit on a few ocassions, but it arguable for sure.

The PP's are my choice as they penetrate better than the RN. I tend to like the PP's as I still like two holes and lots of blood on the ground so I know where the animal is for the most part, and no surprises. Also the 350 gr. PP shoots surprisingly flat in my rifle, it shoots as flat as a 300 gr. for all practical purposes up to 300 or so yards.

Just stating my personal opinion, others may differ for sure..

I load mine slow and steady to win the race with bullet integrity.

Shot some 300 grain Sierra"s out of my Whitworth, not sure what the powder was but cold bore shot was 2588, next was 2614, then 2 were 2619. No pressure issues at all!

Moved up to a 22" barrel, different rifle and things are coming together. It even feeds flat noes solids!