.375 H&H Bullet Selection Question

[Justin D.]

Did you use blue loc-tote on all your screws? If not, they are coming back out.

Yes, all screws had blue loc-tite put on.

 

[USMA84DAB]

Good Man!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

It must be borne in mind that a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum is a big game rifle. Not a match grade rifle.

For all practical points & purposes, 1.6"-1.7" groups at 100 yards with the Barnes TSX or Swift A Frames is perfectly adequate for big game hunting (eland in your case).

 

[Scott CWO]

Question Ladies and Gents,

I'm trying to find a round combo that my Winchester 70, .375 H&H likes. I've already attempted to pattern the 300 gr. Swift A-frames and 300 gr. Barnes TSXs (all from 100 yards) from the lead sled. The best I can get with a 5 shot group from the A-frames is 1.76" and the Barnes TSX aren't much better at 1.65". These are both factory ammo from Federal and Barnes VOR-TX, respectively. I've already got some other bullets that I'm getting loaded up from Hendershots (250 gr. TTSX, 270 gr. LRX, 299 gr. Stone Hammer, and 276 gr. Hammer HHT) but I wanted input from folks about the 300 gr. Nosler Accubonds. Keep in mind, this round will only be used for larger plains game, mainly the Eland.

My .300 WM is shooting a .59" group with 180 gr. Barnes TTSXs and my wife's 30-06 is throwing a .83" group with Federal 180 gr. TSXs. So I know it's not the monkey behind the trigger that's the issue. My PH is telling me those .375 groupings are ok groups but I'm coming from a 20 year military career where your groupings need to be touching at 100 yards, so a 1.5+ MOA does not make me comfortable/confident in shooting a gun at an animal like that.

Is the Accubond a good bullet for the larger plains game? I'm hoping, fingers crossed, that the Stone Hammer will produce a good grouping or one of the other bullets I'm having made up. If not, I want another option to look at, ergo the Nosler ABs. I don't have a reloader nor anyone that's near me to reload other than Hendershots which is over a 2.5 hour drive. So I basically am stuck at the mercy of factory loads. Thanks for any and all input.

I think you will find that the 270 grain Barnes LRX will group better and contrary to somewhat popular opinion, they will kill buffalo just fine and are plenty for all plains game.

 

[colorado]

Without the lead sled, the A Frame opened up to 2.85" and the TSX went to 1.87".

When i shoot my 375 Weatherby or 500 Jeffery offhand I shoot them just like my 270 Win. I don't change a thing and all is well. Off of the bench, lead sled or not I've found I need to hold the forearm firmly and put a little downward pressure on it. Worth a shot. Also a slip over Limbsaver recoil pad is nice when shooting from the bench. Good luck!

 

[DLSJR]

A few thoughts/suggestions…

1., make sure your action screws are properly tightened/torqued.
2., LOSE THE LEAD SLED!
3., Your groups are OK as is. If you can get a lot tighter, great but for what you’ll be shooting and the distances you’ll shoot, it’s kind of pointless to worry about as long as all bullets are hitting within an inch of so of point of aim. 1.5-1.75” groups are OK for shots inside 200 yards at the animals you’ll be shooting with 375.
3., do all your practice off shooting sticks. Gunstix are the best sticks for accurate shooting. They take a bit of practice to get used to, as they’re very different than traditional tripod sticks. Get a set, use them a lot and you’ll be glad you got them.
4., give serious thought to taking your 300 mag. It’s plenty for any plains game. Seriously, it’s plenty.
5., you’re over thinking bullet selection. A Frames, TSX/TTSX, Accubonds or Partitions are all fine. Pick one and quit screwing around with so many different bullets & loads. I’m a 300 grain fan for 375; but some very knowledgeable & experienced hunters suggested 260-270 grain bullets. They speak from personal experience. Try a few and see how they group. ANY of them will efficiently kill anything you’re gonna be hunting.
6., Don’t overthink it. Practice enough to be comfortable with whichever gun you take, go have the absolute time of your life and tell us all about it when you return. We all enjoy reading about other hunter’s successful hunts.

 

[Inline6]

Have had good luck with AFrames in my 375h&h. After shooting NorthFork bullets, believe they are more accurate out of the rifles I own.

My 416REM in my Win70 does not shoot as tight as my R8 in 375h&h or 458Lott. My Dakota Arm 375h&h was also a very good shooter.

I know other here have had good luck with their winchesters and CZs, the ones I have owned are about the level of accuracy you are describing. Nothing wrong with that, just have to understand what you have and the limitations of your gear. Like most have said your PH will want you to take a shot under 200 if at all possible. Have been very fortunate to witness and not experience wounding an animal and the stress it inflicts on everyone.

Practice off sticks, if you can hold 4" at 200 yards you will be golden.

You said the scope is good because it is new. New scopes leave bad all the time, things happen. If you have a known good scope no harm in confirming the new scope is indeed good. Double check your stock, action screws can and will loosen. Have seen a few cross bolts take a beating because of it. Make sure it's bedding is not cracked, easy to miss.

All in all, if everything checks out, you still have a perfectly capable DG/PG rifle.

 

[BGGMKLR]

Question Ladies and Gents,

I'm trying to find a round combo that my Winchester 70, .375 H&H likes. I've already attempted to pattern the 300 gr. Swift A-frames and 300 gr. Barnes TSXs (all from 100 yards) from the lead sled. The best I can get with a 5 shot group from the A-frames is 1.76" and the Barnes TSX aren't much better at 1.65". These are both factory ammo from Federal and Barnes VOR-TX, respectively. I've already got some other bullets that I'm getting loaded up from Hendershots (250 gr. TTSX, 270 gr. LRX, 299 gr. Stone Hammer, and 276 gr. Hammer HHT) but I wanted input from folks about the 300 gr. Nosler Accubonds. Keep in mind, this round will only be used for larger plains game, mainly the Eland.

My .300 WM is shooting a .59" group with 180 gr. Barnes TTSXs and my wife's 30-06 is throwing a .83" group with Federal 180 gr. TSXs. So I know it's not the monkey behind the trigger that's the issue. My PH is telling me those .375 groupings are ok groups but I'm coming from a 20 year military career where your groupings need to be touching at 100 yards, so a 1.5+ MOA does not make me comfortable/confident in shooting a gun at an animal like that.

Is the Accubond a good bullet for the larger plains game? I'm hoping, fingers crossed, that the Stone Hammer will produce a good grouping or one of the other bullets I'm having made up. If not, I want another option to look at, ergo the Nosler ABs. I don't have a reloader nor anyone that's near me to reload other than Hendershots which is over a 2.5 hour drive. So I basically am stuck at the mercy of factory loads. Thanks for any and all input.

Not bad...at all.
Respectfully, If you think you're going to shoot cloverleaf groups you need to lower your expectations.
Best
Spike

 

[62flint]

Yes, all screws had blue loc-tite put on.

What part of Virginia are you in? If you are willing to make the trip to my house. I have a range behind my home thats more than long enough for a 375, long shot camera system, garmin xero and reloading set up for a 375HH.
I have a scope lapping tools and able to bed if needed. I also have a known good 375hh you can shoot just to rule out shooter error.
All this is offered just because I like to shoot and tune rifles and I have been frustrated my self before.
I will say the few 375HHs I have developed loads for where easy to get under moa and my handloads ended up real close to factory loads.

 

[62flint]

I think you will find that the 270 grain Barnes LRX will group better and contrary to somewhat popular opinion, they will kill buffalo just fine and are plenty for all plains game.

I have had PHs recommend the 275 barnes over the 300 saying the bit extra velocity helped them perform better.

 

[Fatback]

I’ve had a lot of success with 260 grain accubonds and partitions. Either bullet going 2600-2700 ft/sec MV will kill any PG animal or North American animal you’d ever hunt. I wouldn’t shoot them at Cape buffalo myself, for that I’d stick with the 300 grain AFrames.

 

[Philip Glass]

You should not worry about getting better accuracy from a large caliber. You are fine with what you have now. I would use the TSX as it has served me well in many calibers. The Accubond is going to be similar to AFrame in its performance.
IMO you should NOT use anything other than TSX, AFrame, or Accubond in your .375.

 

[pilar]

IMHO overlapping different brands in a session will mess up your groups
I always scrub out / remove all the fouling especially after testing mono’s
Then immediately trying something else ! clean , fouling shots, grouping them, then cleaning before trying a different compound bullet. It’s a PIA but some rifles are picky when mixing them in a shooting secession.
The old barns x and Winchester coated silver tips would foul up my barrel fast
Requiring a cleaning session before moving on to a different brand

 

[BeeMaa]

@Justin D. - From what I've read so far, there are only a couple of things that could be holding up your accuracy. The first is the bedding of the action/free floating of the barrel. Easily sorted by a competent gunsmith or even DIY if you have the requisite skills, tools and materials.

The second reason isn't so easy, and I ask that you me a chance here. It could be you. No offense meant, but some people are not capable of shooting a mid-bore accurately without considerable practice. There is enough of a jump from .30 caliber to .375 that any hiccup in technique could be causing your issues. It could just be a matter of taking your time with some dry fire practice to sort out proper technique and then go to the range and confirm hone your skills. Range sessions should be short, probably less than 8 rounds total. Just enough to get some experience but not too much to develop bad habits...like the squints or flinches.

I like to do at least 10 dry fire rounds to 1 live fire round. Load the magazine (typically 4 or 5 shells) full and do the dry fire for two magazines worth each day after work. For 5 days that would be 40 to 50 dry fire shots. 50 times that you learned when the trigger will break. 50 times you worked the bolt. 50 times that you developed the muscle memory so that when the PH yells "RELOAD"...it's already done. On the weekend, hit the range and see if it makes a difference.

My wife and I both shoot 375H&H very well, but it's only been because we've put in the time to do so. There is no magic way to gain experience, the work needs to be put in to reap the rewards.

Again, I meant no offense in saying this but I'll understand if you are upset with me. Just looking for possible causes for the issues you are having. Hope you get it sorted out.