375 H&H for everything

[cavtrooper94]

So would it be unwise to take only one rifle? Thinking 375 H&H with 1-4x scope shooting 300 grain TSX. No other known particulars other than I would like to hunt Buffalo someday but would mostly target plains game. Is the 300 grain bullet serious overkill on the smaller antelope? I know there are more available bullet weights, but I don't like to stop and have to re zero. Also you never really know what your going to bump into. I really like the idea of just one Africa rifle, that way all my practice will be with it. Kinda like my Alaska rifle is a stainless steel, synthetic stock 338 Win Mag shooting 225gr TTSX.

 

[Nyati]

If you are going after plains game, I suggest you take your 338WM.

That s what I have used on my hunts, except for buffalo.

 

[richteb]

Also depending on the terrain a 1-4 power scope for plains game may be on the small side.

 

[Frostbit]

Everything I've killed in Africa died from a 300 grain TSX out of a .375 H&H. My scope was a 2.5 - 10 Swarovski though.

 

[Red Leg]

That caliber and bullet were what I used on a buffalo and PG hunt a couple of years ago. Worked perfectly as it has for thousands of others. This included a 200+ yard shot at a record book waterbuck. I did use a bit more scope. I would not use a .375 on a PG only hunt. Not because it wouldn't work, It obviously would. It's just a bit more weight and rifle than you will need for PG. Also more bullet - the 270 gr bullet would be much better for a PG only safari.

 

[BARTFRNCS]

The 375 H&H is an excellent choice for a one gun Safari. I suggest a little more bullet wieght for big game .

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

If hunting in more open country and you're not hunting eland, I'd take advantage of your .338 and the better ballistics for the longer shots.

If eland is on the menu and your hunting thicker brush country where the shots will be in the 100 yard or less range, then have at it with the .375 and the 300gr TSX.

If eland is on the menu but your back to more open country where the shots are longer, I'd look at the 270gr TSX or give a try with the 250gr TTSX in the .375. Even in this scenario though your .338 would be fine, eland have been taken with less.

 

[cavtrooper94]

I've only read about Eland, but they must really be tough. I mean I've killed 1600lb Alaskan Moose, and the 338 pretty much handles them. Most people shoot them with a 30-06.

 

[DOC-404]

try with the 250gr TTSX in the .375.

Because I do it myself, I will tell you that you do not need anything else than this, for any PG, anywhere. You will definitely have to up your optics to at least a 3 x 9. I use a 4 x 12 because it works for me.

 

[Bobpuckett]

cavtrooper94 if I were going to have just one gun for Africa it would be the 375 however as has already been said you really need to up the scope unless you refuse to shoot at anything that isn't real close.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

cavtrooper94 if I were going to have just one gun for Africa it would be the 375 however as has already been said you really need to up the scope unless you refuse to shoot at anything that isn't real close.

Here is some excellent advice, and hope that you consider what Bob has just said. I would also seriously look at having a lighter bullet for plains game. The trajectory of the 300gr'er is not ideal fro plains game. I would consider something like the 250gr TSX as the heaviest bullet to shoot for plains game out of your .375. This way your arc of your bullet won't be too heavy at shots out to 250 yds. Personally, for plains game, I shoot a 200gr bullet in my .375H&H as I prefer to have some extra legs over the longer ranges.

 

[Red Leg]

Here is some excellent advice, and hope that you consider what Bob has just said. I would also seriously look at having a lighter bullet for plains game. The trajectory of the 300gr'er is not ideal fro plains game. I would consider something like the 250gr TSX as the heaviest bullet to shoot for plains game out of your .375. This way your arc of your bullet won't be too heavy at shots out to 250 yds. Personally, for plains game, I shoot a 200gr bullet in my .375H&H as I prefer to have some extra legs over the longer ranges.

Again, this combo will also work fine for PG. But if you are dropping all the way down to a 200gr bullet from a .375, that represents a heavy piece of artillery to haul around to shoot bullet weight classes which other rifles do so much better and with much better ballistic coefficients (.300 WinMag and .338 to name just two). Put buff on the license with PG and that is a different story. In that case, the .375 is the ideal one rifle solution.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

.....that represents a heavy piece of artillery to haul around to shoot bullet weight classes which other rifles do so much better and with much better ballistic coefficients (.300 WinMag and .338 to name just two). Put buff on the license with PG and that is a different story. In that case, the .375 is the ideal one rifle solution.

Red Leg, I agree. Maybe I did not make it clear of my use for my rifle/bullet choice above. The .375 with 200gr'ers is certainly not my first choice rifle combination for plains game. When hunters rent my .30 rifle on a hunt, I carry the .375 with light bullets. Remember that at this stage, I only use my rifle when something has gone wrong with the initial shot. This means that should I get an opportuntity, ranges are from 350-450 yds, and usually running. I do not see any sense in trying to throw a 300 gr bullet from a .375 at a target at these ranges. The 200gr bullet, gives me a MV of around 3150 fps, and a relatively flat trajectory. Something that is needed at these extended ranges. On DG, 300gr is fine.
My personal opinion is that I woud not bring a .375 as a one rifle battery for plains game at all. But the hunter has posed the question of his desire to bring the .375, so who am I to deny him his choice for HIS trip. Shot placement is key.

 

[BARTFRNCS]

If you are really set on a one gun safari then look into Rhino bullets for DG very heavy for caliber bullets.
Bart

 

[Red Leg]

Red Leg, I agree. Maybe I did not make it clear of my use for my rifle/bullet choice above. The .375 with 200gr'ers is certainly not my first choice rifle combination for plains game. When hunters rent my .30 rifle on a hunt, I carry the .375 with light bullets. Remember that at this stage, I only use my rifle when something has gone wrong with the initial shot. This means that should I get an opportuntity, ranges are from 350-450 yds, and usually running. I do not see any sense in trying to throw a 300 gr bullet from a .375 at a target at these ranges. The 200gr bullet, gives me a MV of around 3150 fps, and a relatively flat trajectory. Something that is needed at these extended ranges. On DG, 300gr is fine.
My personal opinion is that I woud not bring a .375 as a one rifle battery for plains game at all. But the hunter has posed the question of his desire to bring the .375, so who am I to deny him his choice for HIS trip. Shot placement is key.

I now see what you mean Marius and get your point. If I were acting as PH and in an area that had the remotest chance of bumping into dangerous game, then I would be carrying a .375 as well. Certainly the light for caliber bullets like the 210gr Barnes X will get you a bit better trajectory than the same in a 270 gr bullet (-6.6 inches and -7.8 respectively at 300 yards/ -19.7 inches and -22.4 at 400) 375 H&H Magnum Ballistic Table , but it is less than one would perhaps anticipate due to the BC. I might be tempted to simply rely on the 270 gr bullets so as to handle any eventuality. But clearly, none would be wrong.

 

[BARTFRNCS]

I would say that if you can take advatage of a two inch differance in trajectory go light if not 270 tsx. My 375H&H shoots them well and I have killed numerous animals with it.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Because I do it myself, I will tell you that you do not need anything else than this, for any PG, anywhere. You will definitely have to up your optics to at least a 3 x 9. I use a 4 x 12 because it works for me.

Care to share your load in the 250gr TTSX?

 

[DOC-404]

Care to share your load in the 250gr TTSX?

..still using the same load, Phil, but I use 250gr Sierra GK's not TTSX. Norma brass, CCI 250 Magnum primers and 65,5gr Somchem S 335 at around 2550 fps. I also load 69 gr at around 2750 for when I know the shots might be a bit longer. Both loads are very accurate in my .375.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

..still using the same load, Phil, but I use 250gr Sierra GK's not TTSX. Norma brass, CCI 250 Magnum primers and 65,5gr Somchem S 335 at around 2550 fps. I also load 69 gr at around 2750 for when I know the shots might be a bit longer. Both loads are very accurate in my .375.

I was afraid you were going to list a powder not available here in the U.S. I spoke to Barnes today, they've got data on rounds over 2800fps. I'm hoping to get mid 2700's, seems not too extreme. I've worked up two different 270gr bullets (A-Frame and Northfork), but only get 2660fps with the NF with accuracy.

 

[lwaters]

I actually like your scope chose. I think a 1x4 will get about all you can get out of a 375. I have a 1x3 weaver on my 375 ruger. Never liked looking through a high powered scope and just seeing hair.