I did read a thread, probably the 375-284 one, where there were some posts about the 375 Hawk. Are there any memebers with experience with this round and/or game performance??? Seems like a 270 Hornady at moderate(2500 fps) velocities would hold up pretty well and act like Partitions?? I did read a provided link to a Hawk Cartidge page. I'll re-read it in the meantime.

I'd like to know if you can still get 4 down in the mag like an '06??? Also how much of a pain in the ass is making the brass??? Seemed like one post a guy had a "chambered barrel staub" to fireform. Seems like a handy idea. My thoughts are to put together a real, cheap, beater gun to stop grizzly here in New Mexico.

One of the members over to Beartooth Bullets forum had one of the Hawk's built. If you check there you will find a thread on the Wildcat board about .375 Wildcats for the Marlin. I think there is a link to more info on the Hawk in that thread. Sean

Jesse,

I don't have first hand experience with the hawk. However, I have my own wildcat that is basically a 280 rem with the shoulder moved forward and improved with a 40 dep shoulder. I have used this case necked up all the way to 416. In 375 I can move a 270 at 2600+ from a 24" barrel. I can load 4 down in a MK X box. It is very pleasent to shoot compared to the Magnums. You might also what to check out the 380 Howell by American Hunting Rifles. http://www.hunting-rifles.com/

Hey Jesse, the 375 Hawk is really not that much different that the 375 Whelen AI. Here a pic for you to look at for a comparison of the two. Not more than a couple of percent difference in case capacity.



Ramrod, the shoulder angle is the same, or flatter than the basic '06 case.

I don't really think there is much to be gained over the basic 375 Whelen which eliminates the potential for case feeding problems when you change the body taper.

I shoot a 375 whelen imp 40 degree. You have the print above. It has a shorter neck than the other 4 or 5 versions of this basic idea. The neck length isn't too critical since there is lots of room in most mags for the long bullets. I shoot the 270 XLC, (@2500 w/20" barrel), which is a little long. The bullets do not go below the neck. The longer bodied rounds will give you a little more powder cap. My rem 700 puts 4 down in the mag. I love this round.

I'd go with the imp over the std 06 taper. I have no case feeding problems. I like the added headspace control of the imp. RCBS has the dies, I used a 280 ack reamer and neck and throated it up. I had a specail headspace gauge made at PTG. I think it is .410"/1.999" I can check for sure if anybody wants. I also have the complete chamber print.

Jesse, I have a 375 Hawk and find it a fantastic cartridge. I've been using mine since 1993 on everything. I think you would like the 375 Whelen imp also, it's very similar.

Because you have to make brass for either cartrige, it is your call. The 375 Whelen imp would have a longer neck, but the 375 Hawk would have just a bit more powder room.

I believe the first gun made was a 375 Whelen. Then this gun was rechambered into the 375 improved, but the owner was not happy with the performance and rechambered it into the 375 Hawk.

The results were great and the rest is history.

It is a nice looking and excellent feeding/headspacing cartridge. You will like it.

My daughter (age 15)took her black bear with one shot using my gun this spring. We used the 250 gr Gameking bullet at 2700 fps (similar to the 338 win mag).

Good luck with your decision.

Snapper

Jesse Jaymes
I shoot one of the old weak 375 Whelens, using a Mark X action. And if the creek don't rise, etc. I'll be having another using the Winchester 1895.
The Mark X 375 has never had a jacketed bullet thru it. Cast bullets are just as accurate, just as powerful, pick an attribute of the jacketed bullets and the cast bullets do the same in the caliber. I use the loading data for the 35 Whelen with the same bullet weights and then load up to the power level with accuracy that I want. This is one powerful round.
Jim

There is also the 375 Howell, which is the -06 case, improved, but a little longer, for about 10% gain in capacity. - Dan

Jesse,

Just a comment on brass length. When you make 375 improved cases from 35 Whelen brass they will shorten. The brass has to come from somewhere. In the picture you may believe that the 375 Whelen improved stays at the original length of the 35 whelen after fireforming. It will shorten similar to the hawk. Don't worry, you will like the Hawk.

Snapper