375 H&H Reduced loads with Accurate 5744

[jbirdwell]

I recently inquired with Hodgon about working up some reduced 375 H&H loads for practice and to work back up to the recoil level of the 375 since its been years since I've shot anything without a muzzle brake or suppressor. I had heard that Accurate 5744 was good in reduced recoil loads and they not only confirmed it but also sent me the following data.

This powder will work great for what you are looking to do.

Caliber: .375 H&H. (Holland & Holland)

Barrel length: 24”

Reduced loads:

Powder: Accurate – 5744®.

Bullet weight: 200 grains.

Low load: 42.0 grains (2275 – 2375 Fps)

Midrange load: 51.0 grains (2650 – 2750 Fps)

Maximum load: 60.0 grains (2850 – 2950 Fps).

Bullet weight: 220 grains.

Low load: 40.3 grains (2200 – 2300 Fps)

Midrange load: 48.0 grains (2500 – 2600 Fps)

Maximum load: 57.0 grains (2800 – 2900 Fps).

Bullet weight: 235 grains.

Low load: 39.0 grains (2100 – 2200 Fps)

Midrange load: 48.0 grains (2425 – 2525 Fps)

Maximum load: 56.0 grains (2700 – 2800 Fps).

Bullet weight: 250 grains.

Low load: 37.0 grains (ca 1850 Fps)

Midrange load: 45.0 grains (ca 2150 Fps)

Maximum load: 53.0 grains (ca 2450 Fps).

Bullet weight: 300 grains.

Low load: 35.0 grains (1700 – 1800 Fps)

Midrange load: 42.0 grains (2000 – 2100 Fps)

Maximum load: 50.0 grains (2300 – 2400 Fps).

Bullet weight: 350 grains.

Low load: 33.0 grains (1600 – 1700 Fps)

Midrange load: 40.0 grains (1800 – 1900 Fps)

Maximum load: 47.0 grains (2100 – 2200 Fps).

I did question as to if a filler was needed and was told that no filler was recommended. I also questioned as to the 270-275 grain bullets and was told they didn't have any data on them but to be safe start with the minimum load for the 250 and stay under the maximum load for the 300 grain bullets.

Hope this helps somebody out there with the same questions as I had.

 

[CJW]

Wondering if you ever played aroumd with any of these loads and what you thought? I'm thinking of playing around with this powder.

Thanks

 

[jbirdwell]

Yes, I’m using them now loaded with a 300 gr TSX and 47 grains of the Accurate 5744 as a low recoil practice load. I started with 37 grains and worked my way up.

 

[colorado]

Accurate 5744 is great for reduced loads and very safe. They did the same for my 500 Jeffery sent me some load data for 535 cast bullets at 1800 fps.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

If you use a bullet designed for 375 Winchester, you can have one hell of a close-range deer rifle with the recoil of a 22. I’m in the middle of a construction project that has my reloading area (and seemingly half my house!) temporarily out of the game, but if I can find my notebook I’ll give you the specifics.

I’ve also used that load to have fun with my son and his friends: he had some friends over shooting so I brought out my 375 and let those who dared shoot it- it is a lot of gun for the inexperienced but teenage boys love to prove themselves. They had a good time. Then I let the girls in on the secret, gave them the special ammo, and let them shoot it in front of the boys.

 

[fourfive8]

I use a lot of 5744 for reduced cast bullet loads. It works well in large, straight wall cases but may leave some low density “ghost” kernels in the bore, especially in lighter, lower pressure loads. The ghost kernels of semi-burned powder usually don’t cause any problem but some get antsy when seeing them.

The other reduced load formula that works well is the 60% load of H4895. For any particular bullet, load with 60% of max charge as listed for H4895,

 

[Nevada Mike]

I use AA5744 for practice loads in my 404J. Easy peasy to reload and minimal recoil. The rounds are accurate with 400 grain bullets at about 1800 fps.

If using cast bullets it helps to have gas checks on the lead billets.

 

[Axle2010]

If you use a bullet designed for 375 Winchester, you can have one hell of a close-range deer rifle with the recoil of a 22. I’m in the middle of a construction project that has my reloading area (and seemingly half my house!) temporarily out of the game, but if I can find my notebook I’ll give you the specifics.

I’ve also used that load to have fun with my son and his friends: he had some friends over shooting so I brought out my 375 and let those who dared shoot it- it is a lot of gun for the inexperienced but teenage boys love to prove themselves. They had a good time. Then I let the girls in on the secret, gave them the special ammo, and let them shoot it in front of the boys.

Dude that was just dirty! I'd love to have seennthe boys faces when the girls shot it.

 

[rookhawk]

I recently inquired with Hodgon about working up some reduced 375 H&H loads for practice and to work back up to the recoil level of the 375 since its been years since I've shot anything without a muzzle brake or suppressor. I had heard that Accurate 5744 was good in reduced recoil loads and they not only confirmed it but also sent me the following data.

This powder will work great for what you are looking to do.

Caliber: .375 H&H. (Holland & Holland)

Barrel length: 24”

Reduced loads:

Powder: Accurate – 5744®.

Bullet weight: 200 grains.

Low load: 42.0 grains (2275 – 2375 Fps)

Midrange load: 51.0 grains (2650 – 2750 Fps)

Maximum load: 60.0 grains (2850 – 2950 Fps).

Bullet weight: 220 grains.

Low load: 40.3 grains (2200 – 2300 Fps)

Midrange load: 48.0 grains (2500 – 2600 Fps)

Maximum load: 57.0 grains (2800 – 2900 Fps).

Bullet weight: 235 grains.

Low load: 39.0 grains (2100 – 2200 Fps)

Midrange load: 48.0 grains (2425 – 2525 Fps)

Maximum load: 56.0 grains (2700 – 2800 Fps).

Bullet weight: 250 grains.

Low load: 37.0 grains (ca 1850 Fps)

Midrange load: 45.0 grains (ca 2150 Fps)

Maximum load: 53.0 grains (ca 2450 Fps).

Bullet weight: 300 grains.

Low load: 35.0 grains (1700 – 1800 Fps)

Midrange load: 42.0 grains (2000 – 2100 Fps)

Maximum load: 50.0 grains (2300 – 2400 Fps).

Bullet weight: 350 grains.

Low load: 33.0 grains (1600 – 1700 Fps)

Midrange load: 40.0 grains (1800 – 1900 Fps)

Maximum load: 47.0 grains (2100 – 2200 Fps).

I did question as to if a filler was needed and was told that no filler was recommended. I also questioned as to the 270-275 grain bullets and was told they didn't have any data on them but to be safe start with the minimum load for the 250 and stay under the maximum load for the 300 grain bullets.

Hope this helps somebody out there with the same questions as I had.

An alternative would be a nearly full-power load using a combination of bullet and powder selection.

My son was hunting DG with his 375HH at a fairly young age, weighing only about 98 pounds and 5' tall.

I'd have to double check my notes, but I know we did Nosler 260gr solids and Nosler 260gr Accubonds as the bullet. I believe the lowest recoiling powder was IMR4064. We installed a mercury recoil reducer in his stock and replaced his S.W. Silvers London Orange pad with a NECG 1" look alike that gives a lot of relief as well.

We ran the numbers, his felt recoil was 26lbs, a very manageable number for anyone shooting off sticks. Ballistically, those loads were creating ballistics identical to a 9.3x62mm, which was sufficient for hunting elephant and croc with a backup shooter at the ready. (we didn't get into elephant, but he did get his croc with no issue braining it)

 

[Sideshow]

Was looking at this but unfortunately for us here in the UK we can’t get that powder you guys have an alternative plz cheers

 

[pilar]

I’m very intrigued by this powder
i need to tame a 375 ruger for some practice and medium hunting loads

 

[Racer00]

I found a cpl pounds of 5744 at Scheels in Billings last week. They had four but would only sell me two. Didn’t have time to go out and come back in to try to buy the other two.

Wonder if it will work in my 416 Rigby? Be nice to practice with reduced loads. And it will stretch a pound of powder further. More shots per dollar.

 

[rookhawk]

I recently inquired with Hodgon about working up some reduced 375 H&H loads for practice and to work back up to the recoil level of the 375 since its been years since I've shot anything without a muzzle brake or suppressor. I had heard that Accurate 5744 was good in reduced recoil loads and they not only confirmed it but also sent me the following data.

This powder will work great for what you are looking to do.

Caliber: .375 H&H. (Holland & Holland)

Barrel length: 24”

Reduced loads:

Powder: Accurate – 5744®.

Bullet weight: 200 grains.

Low load: 42.0 grains (2275 – 2375 Fps)

Midrange load: 51.0 grains (2650 – 2750 Fps)

Maximum load: 60.0 grains (2850 – 2950 Fps).

Bullet weight: 220 grains.

Low load: 40.3 grains (2200 – 2300 Fps)

Midrange load: 48.0 grains (2500 – 2600 Fps)

Maximum load: 57.0 grains (2800 – 2900 Fps).

Bullet weight: 235 grains.

Low load: 39.0 grains (2100 – 2200 Fps)

Midrange load: 48.0 grains (2425 – 2525 Fps)

Maximum load: 56.0 grains (2700 – 2800 Fps).

Bullet weight: 250 grains.

Low load: 37.0 grains (ca 1850 Fps)

Midrange load: 45.0 grains (ca 2150 Fps)

Maximum load: 53.0 grains (ca 2450 Fps).

Bullet weight: 300 grains.

Low load: 35.0 grains (1700 – 1800 Fps)

Midrange load: 42.0 grains (2000 – 2100 Fps)

Maximum load: 50.0 grains (2300 – 2400 Fps).

Bullet weight: 350 grains.

Low load: 33.0 grains (1600 – 1700 Fps)

Midrange load: 40.0 grains (1800 – 1900 Fps)

Maximum load: 47.0 grains (2100 – 2200 Fps).

I did question as to if a filler was needed and was told that no filler was recommended. I also questioned as to the 270-275 grain bullets and was told they didn't have any data on them but to be safe start with the minimum load for the 250 and stay under the maximum load for the 300 grain bullets.

Hope this helps somebody out there with the same questions as I had.

Been here, done this.

Nosler 260gr solids and 260gr accubonds will have the best performance at lighter loads.

Look in the reloading books for the load thAt compliments these bullets, using the fewest grains of powder to achieve intended velocity. That is how you fight recoil. Some powders that are excellent at this: 4064, 3031, RL15, etc.

We loaded my young son’s dangerous game 375HH with the above setup. Working the math, the average 375 recoil is 38lbs, his was producing 9.3x62mm FULL load performance equivalence with only 26lbs of recoil. It worked fine.

 

[pilar]

I just read add 2 grains 5744 to any 375 H&H load for a 375 ruger

 

[Black Fly]

I've been using 5744 for a long time. I started with cast bullets, then later used it for jacketed loads. Be EXTREMELY CAREFUL. You are typically in the 40% of case capacity range. It is easy to get a double charge that you might miss. I charge and seat each cartridge as a single unit. With 5744, i never charge a block of cartridges and then seat bullets.
One time, I took a sip of coffee or got distracted some way, I'm not sure how, but I apparently double charged a case. It was a strong action, but it was a bear to open and even harder to drive the case out. I keep that case on my reloading bench as a stark reminder.
Bfly

 

[F. Vaccaro]

IMR3031 is another powder that lends itself well to reduced loads.

 

[Sideshow]

Been here, done this.

Nosler 260gr solids and 260gr accubonds will have the best performance at lighter loads.

Look in the reloading books for the load thAt compliments these bullets, using the fewest grains of powder to achieve intended velocity. That is how you fight recoil. Some powders that are excellent at this: 4064, 3031, RL15, etc.

We loaded my young son’s dangerous game 375HH with the above setup. Working the math, the average 375 recoil is 38lbs, his was producing 9.3x62mm FULL load performance equivalence with only 26lbs of recoil. It worked fine.

Thanks looks like I’ll give the RL15 a crack as that’s easier to get here.

 

[ChrisG]

Ive never used that specific powder, however, the standard starting load of varget for a speer 235 grain round gave me right around 2600fps out of my .375 H&H and kicked like a 30-06 shooting 180 grainers.

If you really want a fun load, Get some 250 grain cast lead bullets for a
38-55 or .375 Win. And fill the case up with trail boss so theres a small gap between the base of the bullet and the top of the powder. My load gave right around 1100fps. It was like shooting a .357 mag carbine.

 

[sourdough44]

I bought a 375 Ruger not long ago, wanted to start with VERY light loads. I also have a lot of older IMR-4227 I like to use up. It comes up often with reduced loads, I think the 5744 is a better choice, and more forgiving. I have some of that, Scheels, but I’d rather use the 4227.
I finally loaded some, will test in the next few days. The bullet is 250 grain cast, GC. The powder charge is near the mid 30’s. I don’t want to go into that until after testing.


I have used the IMR-4227 before, 45-70 and the 444 Marlin. A better source of reputable data is from older reloading manuals. Once I check things out with this load, I’ll move to mid or so loadings.

 

[WyoBull]

Thanks looks like I’ll give the RL15 a crack as that’s easier to get here.

RL15 is a wonderful powder in the 375H&H. I personally load 67 gr of RL15 using a Barnes 300 gr TSX and at my elevation of 6000 ft, they chronograph at 2475 fps. That is the load I killed my Cape Buffalo with this past August.
Funny thing is, if you look at the newest Barnes reloading data, 67 gr is at the very low end of their minimum starting load using the 300 gr bullet. In their older data, it was further up on their scale from where it is now.
I have not shot it hotter than that and based on its performance this past year in Buffalo and crocodile, I don’t see a reason to.