I’m working with this cartridge at the moment, and thinking of taking it on a black bear hunt to AK in May. My rifle is a T/C Encore with 26” heavy taper barrel. I’m trying to boost my velocity without driving the pressures too high for the brass or frame. Right now I’m pushing Speer 270 grain BTSP at 2200 fps using 46 grains of H4895 and Federal 210 primers. I haven’t been too impressed with the Speer 270 bullet, so I’ve picked up some 260 grain AB, 250 grain Sierra, and 235 grain Speer to try. I’d really like to get the Sierra or AB around 2300-2400 fps

This load is two grains below maximum with the load data I got from SSK when I bought my dies. The data I got from SSK is all with the 270 grain Hornady SP bullet which is a shorter bullet. So I started with the lightest load and worked my way up to 46 grains on the last range trip. My groups shrank quite a bit when I hit 46 grains of powder from 1.5-2” to sub 1” groups. This load is showing about 95% load density and if I go up to the 48 grains I’ll be sitting a little over 102%.

I’ve got two loads with RL 15 and Varget that show speeds of 2500 fps with a 270 grain Hornady RN bullet out of a Contender carbine. Again a much different length bullet from what I’m trying to use. So I don’t think I can get there with either of these powders. I’m using an old version of Accu Load to help me figure out what charges I want to use, by upping the pressure a bit since I’m running it on an Encore.

What would be the best way to determine if I can use a little slower powder to achieve higher velocities without driving my pressures off the chart? Accu Load will not let me plug any powder in except for the recommend powders, I was thinking powders like H414, W760, H/I 4350, or H/I 4831 might work. Of course I don’t know if I have enough case capacity for these slower burning powders to make much of a difference.

PM sent. I sent you some QL data. The Accubonds do eat up case capacity. I would have no issue with 102-105% density.

I will be doing a switch barrel for a Savage LA in 375 JDJ some time in the next couple months... while I'm playing with my 6mm-284 and 220 Swift projects. I've got an email into ER Shaw for both those barrels but I'm guessing he is swamped with calls and emails now the Shot show is over.

I have been working up loads in Load from a Disk for the Horn 270gr SP, 3.22" OAL, 0.300" seating depth, using Win 35 Whelen brass sized and trimmed to 2.250", 70 gr H20/61.5 net volume. 2500 fs and a bit over is attainable with several powders according to the predictions.

RL-15, Varget, H380, BLC2 and AA2520 all show much better velocity/pressure ratios than H4895. IMR 4007, Big Game, H414, AA2700, H4350 and 760 might also work depending...I think RL-17 will work especially well and also Superformance (if I can find some locally). I will be testing several bullets and several powders including RL-17 fairly soon if all goes well. I will be ordering a barrel from Midway next week. If this weather holds for another couple weeks I will be able to get my lathe warmed up enough to do the thread/chamber/crown jobby.

Powley online computer, http://kwk.us/powley.html, will give similar data as LD...I use it as a check for LD...LD must use the same math algorithms to do the calculations as most of the time it gives identical data if I input identical data in both programs.

LD shows gives the Sierra 250 GK almost the same net cc at a OAL of 3.13" as the Horn 270 SP at 3.22" OAL and 2582 fs at ~52KCUP.

I want to try the Swift 250 gr semi-spitzer as it's only 1.085" long and gives a little more powder volume...~64.256 gr cc at 3.13" OAL, 0.205" seat...100% load of 64.3 gr H380 shows 2624 fs at 52438 CUP...that's as good as my 21" 375 H&H with a 260 gr Nosler PT packing 10 gr more RL-15.

I've never been able to hit much over 52KCUP in my T/C's before starting to lockup the action or cases start loosing life, but because the Encore is chambered for belted mags it should handle factory belted mag at 54KCUP and a little more pressure with the smaller head diameter of the JDJ without any problems.

Keep posting your data and as soon as I get the barrel chambered I will post what I come up with.

Luck

Thanks for the info and the QL data. I'll send the info tonight.

Foobar, sounds like a fun build.

Black bears ain't nothing special up here.

That 235 Speer hotcore should be plenty 'o bullet.

Where are you hunting them?

I didn't have any luck with accuracy and the Speer 270 gr bullet in my Contender barrel. The Sierra 300 gr gameking was OK. But the Hornady 270 gr spire point (now interlock) gave me the best accuracy of all. I'm using IMR 4064 in my SSK barrel.

I'm running 48.5 grs in a 16" barrel. I haven't chrony'd the load, but I'm sure a black bear wouldn't stand a chance against it.

Just curious, why aren't you trying the Hornady in your Encore barrel?

quote:

Originally posted by MuskegMan:
Black bears ain't nothing special up here.

That 235 Speer hotcore should be plenty 'o bullet.

Where are you hunting them?

I want to use that 235 speer in my 375JDJ also. What load gives the best accuracy?

quote:

Originally posted by MuskegMan:
Black bears ain't nothing special up here.

That 235 Speer hotcore should be plenty 'o bullet.

Where are you hunting them?

I know, this will be my second bear hunt. Got my first one with a plain old .30-06 the first time. This rifle just breaks down and travels smaller and lighter than any of my other rifles allows for less airline fees. I just own a .375 Ruger and most of the bullets I have to reload with were bought for that rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
I want to use that 235 speer in my 375JDJ also. What load gives toy the best accuracy?

Only used them in my 375 Taylor. Sitka deer are even easier to kill than black bears.

If I could pick up a G1 Contender carbine bbl in this JDJ flavor, I would. Looking for a 35 Remmy or 357 Herrett first tho.

Whats a 375 Taylor? Do you mean a 375/338Win Mag?

quote:

Whats a 375 Taylor?

Actually I believe it is a 375/338 Chatfield-Taylor.

My buddy uses them in his 380PDK but he is moving them around 26-2700. Mainly for hogs which they appear to work fine.

Now with Chatfield spelled correctly

ChaTfield-Taylor...My fat fingers walk the wrong way also...

Luck

I'm going to try and get out tomorrow and shoot the 235 grain and the remainder of my 270 Speers up. The next batch will be 250 Sierra's and 260 NAB. Whish I had more brass, but I've got to pace myself. Even though this rifle doesn't hit like the bigger .375's after 20-30 rounds from the bench off of sandbags you start to notice it in the shoulder. It sure a nice rifle to carry though.

These cartridges date back to the 1970's concurrent with the hand cannon developments for IHMSA silhouette shooting. My experience is limited to the original Contender chambered in everything from .44 Magnum to 7mm TCU, 7mm IHMSA, 7mm IHMSA Rimmed, .30-30, the .30 and 357 Herrette cartridges, and the Super Mag's among others. All were fantastically accurate and powerful. One thing that would caution about is that these cartridges in handguns will take a toll on the hands, wrists and elbows. They will damage bone and cartilage, and worse, cause nerve damage leading to loss of strength and numbness. Symptoms will develop as the shooter ages, even after exposure is eliminated, bringing arthritis and the associated pain and stiffness. Of course the competitive shooter is exposed to a greater volume of exposure than the average hunter, but all exposure is accumulative. Use of a shooting glove, elbow and wrist brace on the gun arm is recommended to prevent gross immediate injury. The .357 Herrette split the web of my thumb without a glove - making a bloody mess! Even the recent .480 Ruger revolvers would produce bloody injuries to my index finger from impact with the trigger guard on two revolvers. A glove would eliminate the lacerations, but not the bruises.

Point is, use caution and keep in mind that these handguns do unavoidable damage over time. Even the .480 Ruger revolver has shot through a bison, proving the inherent power of these cartridges.

For those who have not invested in these handguns, I recommend the use of a rifle instead. The .375 caliber is extremely accurate and a good acquisition. Back in 1973 I built a .375 Epstein Magnum on a commercial Mauser action. It was formed from the .375 H&H cut down and blown out. The chamber was cut using a .338 Winchester Magnum reamer with a .375' pilot, the case has a longer neck that allows seating bullets out beyond the shoulder. That 270 Grain Hornady bullet will develop 2,754 fps, for 4,546 ft lbs of energy. Forming this cartridge takes a rather involved process, that has been entirely been supplanted by introduction of the .375 Ruger. Ruger's introduction is probably the best compromise in dangerous game cartridges currently available. Even firing these big bore rifles off a bench will produce a concussive headache after an extended session of 30-50 rounds. There is no free lunch in absorbing these levels of recoil energy. Yet, for all that, it sure is fun to master these handguns.

My best load with the Speer 235 has been 40.0 gn. IMR 4198. No chrono #'s. My notes indicate that this is a "hot" load in my 14" Contender. It gave the best groups. The Speer 235 worked well for me on a variety of African Plains Game. I've read other's comments about it coming apart, but never saw that myself. I have one that was recovered from a Zebra....full side-to-side penetration. The perfectly mushroomed slug was found just under the skin on the opposite side.
I recommend anyone shooting (or considering shooting) one of the "hand-cannons"..reread Wrangler John's comments.

quote:

Originally posted by taylorce1:
I'm going to try and get out tomorrow and shoot the 235 grain and the remainder of my 270 Speers up. The next batch will be 250 Sierra's and 260 NAB. Whish I had more brass, but I've got to pace myself. Even though this rifle doesn't hit like the bigger .375's after 20-30 rounds from the bench off of sandbags you start to notice it in the shoulder. It sure a nice rifle to carry though.

i am very interested in the results of your 235 gr speer testing. Accurate loads etc.

taylorce1,

I have used both the 250 Sierra and the 260 AB in my 375 JDJ, which by the way is a T/C Encore 26" heavy barrel. The 250 gr Sierra bullets did not impress me much. I used them on an elk bull and got less than 6" of penetration, muzzle velocity was 2530 fps.

My loads for these two bullets in my Encore are.

Remington 444 Marlin brass
CCI 200 primer
250 gr Sierra
48.5gr of Reloder 7
Muzzle velocity 2530 fps
1" five shot groups at 100 yds

Remington 444 Marlin brass
CCI 200 primer
260 gr Nosler Accubond
46 gr of Reloder 7
Muzzle velocity 2420 fps
< 1" five shot groups at 100 yds

These were both max loads in my rifle so you should reduce by 10% and work up.

I now use the Nosler AB exclusively in my 375 Chatfield-Taylor. I drive them to 2700 fps and have had complete broadside pass through on elk, bison, and water buffalo. I think that is pretty impressive.

If anyone is interested my Encore 375 JDJ barrel is for sale.

quote:

Originally posted by Fat_Albert:
Whats a 375 Taylor? Do you mean a 375/338Win Mag?

For all intents and purposes, they are the same. Mine is a 375-338. Cut with a piloted .338 Win reamer. Just sounds more "exotic" calling it a Taylor.

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:

quote:

Originally posted by taylorce1:
I'm going to try and get out tomorrow and shoot the 235 grain and the remainder of my 270 Speers up. The next batch will be 250 Sierra's and 260 NAB. Whish I had more brass, but I've got to pace myself. Even though this rifle doesn't hit like the bigger .375's after 20-30 rounds from the bench off of sandbags you start to notice it in the shoulder. It sure a nice rifle to carry though.

i am very interested in the results of your 235 gr speer testing. Accurate loads etc.

Well I shot this weekend but I didn't do anything with the 235's it was just too windy. I couldn't keep my chrony from getting blown over. So I shot up some old reloads to pass the time ringing some steel but nothing for groups. I'll let you know when I do.

Did you ever try Win 478 powder.I had good accuracy results with the speer 235 and the 220 gr hornady with it.The 225 gr Hornady is another bullet to try.The only thing about using your 375 jdj in Ak if you loose your ammo your screwed there is none to be found!I have had lots of friends have there baggage lost or misplaced for a week.It happened to me once with 6 guns and all my clothes I freaked out.It took them a week to find me and a week to send it .The 235 gr speers are accurate but are very hard made for 375 H&H speeds.I like to shoot my bullets into dirt and wet paper to see the expansion.Put a past pad on your shoulder.I use to not be able to shoot a 30-06 good now I only shoot 338 win mag and bigger.Put a limbsaver slip on pad on it and see how little it kicks.I tried one on my 405 win 1895 winchester and its awesome.

quote:

Originally posted by dgr416:
The only thing about using your 375 jdj in Ak if you loose your ammo your screwed there is none to be found!I have had lots of friends have there baggage lost or misplaced for a week.It happened to me once with 6 guns and all my clothes I freaked out.It took them a week to find me and a week to send it.

I'm not too worried about my rifle not making it. I'm sure one of the three of us on this trip will have their rifle make it. We have different flghts to catch. So as long as one of us shows up with a rifle we will hunt. If I was traveling by myself I would be a little more worried about it.

Hope you guys don't mind me reviving this thread but I have been shooting a 21" factory tapered barreled T/C Contender carbine in 375jdj for a few years now it is my favorite Contender cartridge combo.

I load with 260gr Accubonds with IMR4064 powder to 2280 - 2300fps Accubonds are designed to expand below 1800fps which makes this a 300 yard moose thumper.

I have a Leupold VX111 2.5-8X B&C reticle scope mounted on a 4 hole MGM scope base with Leupold QRW rings.

Zeroed 1" high at 100 yards with the main cross hair/reticle the first B&C line down is zeroed 1" high @ 200 yards and the second B&C line is dead on @ 300 yards where the bullet is still doing 1800fps.

I have only shot two animals with this rifle/load combo a 6' black bear @ 90 yards dropped it instantly but it started to stand up so I shot it again.

Second animal was a 2X2 coastal blacktail buck shot was appr 80 yards as it was running thru thick timber deer ran about 20 yards before collapsing.

Both animals were shot thru the chest/lungs/liver the Accubonds did extensive damage especially to the livers all bullets exited.