OK Guys,

How much more recoil and blast does a .375 H&H generate over a .338 Win Mag?

Thinking about that next step up.

thanks,

Take the step. Within a few sessions you won't even notice the difference.
Have fun first!

IMHO, the next step would be a 416, not a 375. I'm not saying that a 375 isn't slightly more gun then a 338, but they are in the same class. Going to a 416, or more is breaking into the big bore class.

How much more? More. Sorry, recoil is such a subjective thing, HOWEVER -

To start - I am 5' 11" and weigh around 178 pounds.

My 10 pound Model 70 .375 H&H in a McMillan BDL pattern stock (a real Remchester )will rock me back but it does not hurt at all. 50 rounds in a shooting session is truthfully not a chore. My 9 3/4 pound Model 70 Safari Express with the factory wood stock and hard pad does not hurt my shoulder at all but that high comb smacks into my cheekbone and my thumb hits my nose unless I remember to move it (my thumb, the nose is semi-permanently attached in place). Funny thing about the nose and thumb as the BDL stock LOP is 13 3/8 while the SE stock LOP is 13 3/4". Seems the shorter LOP would put my thumb closer to my nose but that is not the case. I have replaced the current Leupold low rings on the SE with medium ones to get my head and cheekbone a fraction of an inch higher but have not fired it yet to see if that helps.

I have shot the McMillan stocked .375 from prone several times. I mean, you know you've released some power but it is NOT a painful experience.

My Model 700 in .338 Win. Mag. with the exact same BDL pattern stock as the 10 pound Model 70 Kicks - note the capital K. It does not hit my face but it whacks my shoulder noticeably harder. I really don't like shooting that rifle much, I'd much rather shoot the McMillan stocked .375.

With identical stock configurations the difference is 1 1/2 pounds of mass between the two rifles. Typically .375's and bigger are put in heavy barreled rifles often with beefier stocks and weigh 9 1/2 pounds plus, while .338's are made with the same barrel contour as a 7mm Mag and the same stock as a .270 and weigh 8 pounds or so.

Won't go into stock fit as that is a lengthy subject but put a .338 in a 9 1/2 pound rifle and it would be quite comfortable to shoot.

Sorry - starting to ramble. Get the .375 in a stock that fits you. Keep the total rifle weight above 9 1/2 pounds and you will be pleasantly surprised at just how "shootable" it is.

BTW, while the .338 is a proven and capable round with no flies on it, I know for a fact that the .375 H&H absolutely knocks the padooky snot out of game out to 300 yards at least.

I have matching LH Sako rifles in .338 & .375; the .338 recoils more abruptly. I think blast is greater in the .338, too.

YMMV,
George

I shoot a Ruger M77 in .338 Win Mag, and a pair of .375 H&Hs (Kimber and BRNO). Also a .376 Steyr.

Going from a 250 grain bullet to a 300 grain bullet is not that much of a leap. With my rifles I can tell the difference, but it is not great.

I don't notice the muzzle blast from any but the .376 Steyr, but it has a 20" barrel.

I find that the .375H&H is a very easy rifle to learn to shoot well. And it will kill anything.

jim dodd

I agree with Paul, the next recoil step that is of significance comes at .416, not .375. To me, the .375 H&H on average is one of the most pleasant calibers to shoot that you can possibly own, especially in light of the power and versatility it affords.

Truthfully, I'm acquainted with any number of .375 H&H rifles that are more pleasant to shoot than some 8 to 8.5 lb. .338 Win. Mags. Stock design, weight, recoil pad construction,, barrel dimensions, balance, scope height above the bore, the specific load employed - all of these effect felt recoil significantly. So look at calculated recoil numbers with an jaundiced eye. Raw numbers have a way of telling only half the story.

AD

Thanks Guys,

Based on the input so far, I became the second owner of a Weatherby Mark V Stainless in .375 H&H. Always wanted a Mark V and have always wanted a big bore.

Have a nice pre-64 M70 in 338 Win Mag ... magnaported Kreiger SS bbl, McMillan stock, teflon finish, Leupold QR bases and rings, with a Zeiss scope. It is very finicky about ammo ... likes 250 Rem Core-Lokts and not too much else.

Hoping the .375 will be a little more flexible in the projectiles it likes. Sure going to be watching the load data here for .375 H&H.

Again, Thanks!