Went to my shop today to load some .375 Win ammo with the 200 Gr. Sierra FN Pro Hunter bullet.

Hodgdon book said 42 grs. starting load, 44 grains max load
Lee book said 39.6 grs. min load, just over 44 grs., max.

I set my powder measure at 42 grs and threw first charge...powder all over the floor!! So, I decreased powder charge thrown by measure until it just filled my W-W Super brass. Full case charge, with NO room for bullet, weighed 37.9 grains.

I don't fancy compressing ball powder by 10% of the charge, but would have to compress it more than that to get 42.0 grains in my cases.

I switched to VV-N133 instead, where a charge of 34.0 - 35.0 grains just reaches the base of the bullet.

What gives here...did they just calculate those 42-to-44 grain loads instead of actually trying them? Or is my brass that much heavier and less capacity than what they had?

Anyone else got .375 Win cases that will hold that much powder (42.0 grains) and still leave room for the bullet?

AC

Check your data. No Hodgdon book I have seen even lists that powder or bullet for the .375 Win. Nor does their website.

RSY

I have done a number of different loads for my .375Win but have never used BLC-2, and I have the powder in stock, so there must be a reason. I would guess the books I use don't recommend it. It seems too slow. My favorite powders, in order, are AA1680, AA2015, and RE7. I would suggest -- working up in increments, of course -- using the same bullet and 39 to 39.5 grains of AA1680. As usual, follow the proper reloading procedures and look for signs of pressure.