375 Raptor cartridge

[curtism1234]

Greetings all, I haven't posted in a while. Reason for this post, I own two 375HH and still trying to work through some life-impacting upper body injuries - carrying a heavy rifle does not appear to be in the cards for me.

375 Raptor ---This sort of 375-08 cartridge has intrigued me and I do not see anything in the search engine here. It is a somewhat known wildcat cartridge (has it's own headstamp brass). Light recoil, light weight rifle, short action, and incredibly customizable --- rebore your controlled round feed 308 Winchester 70 Super Grade or buy a carbon fiber barrel and 10 round magazine for your Savage.

What this expanded 308 case and fast burning powder allows for is to push a 300gr bullet to 2200fps --- within about 100fps or so of a 9.3x62. It has been stated online (without a lot of info) that it has taken Cape Buffalo.

For those 9.3x74, 9.3x62 and 375 H&H shooters, would you feel under-gunned for buffalo with those ballistics?

TIA

 

[TOBY458]

I would look into the 376 Steyr or 9.3x62. Both have reduced recoil and can be loaded down to the level you mentioned for the 375 Raptor if needed.
However, I would say that with a good bullet, you could kill any buffalo alive with a 300gr bullet at 2200 fps. Although it wouldn’t be legal in some countries that require a certain amount of foot pounds of energy.

 

[hoytcanon]

I took my .375 WSM to Namibia and it performed very well with the 235 TSX, but I would not want less than that if you are targeting buffalo. I am working up a load with the 250 TTSX for the rifle, but I see it as an all around sort of cartridge, not a DG specific cartridge and it has considerably more capacity than the Raptor.

 

[AZDAVE]

I will concur with @TOBY458 that in a factory load the 376 styer or 9.3x62 would be a great option. (With handloads both can easily push a 300gr aframe in the 2400 range)

In a wildcat the 375WSM or 375 Whelen would be a bit more suited to DG. Your 375 raptor would be a great PG bush round. With you injuries is it just weight of the rifle that bothers you or is recoil also a problem?

 

[BeeMaa]

There are several options.
1 - Go down the 375RAPTOR rabbit hole.
2 - Find a lightweight 375H&H that you CAN carry.
3 - Take your 375H&H and talk to your PH about the tracker carrying your rifle.
4 - Put one of your 375's on a diet until you can comfortably carry it.

You didn't mention if it's just a problem with carrying the rifle or if recoil is also an issue. In any event, there are reduced power loads available for the 375H&H from custom loaders.

Personally, I'm not a fan of taking a wildcat cartridge on safari. But this is your safari, not mine.

 

[Bandera]

The 375 Raptor was, as I have read, designed to be a suppressed 375 Round. Offering superior ballistics and penetration over rounds like the 300 BO and others.
It is better a round IMO than the “New King” of suppressed rounds the 8.6 BO.
The 375 Raptor is more versatile, better ballistics, do not have to use a solid copper bullet. Is not relying on this hyper rpm shock to kill.

Would I take it on Safari for DG no.
Plains Game maybe.
Suppressed hog killing, you bet.
Close range deer hunting, yup.
Rifle for Polaris Ranger (truck gun) sure.

 

[Jefferry404]

@curtism1234
i would say is doable. I was noodling around with Black Collar Munitions load data and did my QL fitting routine and was able to get 2200fps with 300gn Sierra SP in 24" rifle, 9lb rifle with 25ft-lb recoil, albeit at nearly maximum pressure for the 308.
Steve

 

[curtism1234]

Thanks all

Regarding significant recoil, 5 years ago I would have said it wasn't a problem; today a shooting session can cause a cervical headache that could last a couple days up to a couple months of varying intensity.

 

[hoytcanon]

... a shooting session can cause a cervical headache that could last a couple days...

Better get a pap smear...

My wife gives me a cervical headache every month...

 

[AZDAVE]

If you decide on the 375 Raptor, you might want to look at one of the light weight mountain type rifles. and put a titanium suppressor on it to cut down on the recoil and keep the weight to where you can easily carry it.

 

[curtism1234]

If you decide on the 375 Raptor, you might want to look at one of the light weight mountain type rifles. and put a titanium suppressor on it to cut down on the recoil and keep the weight to where you can easily carry it.

I have a spare Savage action and a bull barrel synthetic stock laying around. If I go with the Raptor I would probably buy a carbon fiber barrel and call it a day. It should be 7 1/2 pounds scoped and with the load I originally stated should only recoil 30 pounds (which is the very most it could be). To your point, I could ensure the end is threaded to accept a suppressor if needed. There is no reason to go with a long barrel in this cartridge.

 

[AZDAVE]

You should be able to get very good results with a 18-20in barrel.

 

[Philip Glass]

Greetings all, I haven't posted in a while. Reason for this post, I own two 375HH and still trying to work through some life-impacting upper body injuries - carrying a heavy rifle does not appear to be in the cards for me.

375 Raptor ---This sort of 375-08 cartridge has intrigued me and I do not see anything in the search engine here. It is a somewhat known wildcat cartridge (has it's own headstamp brass). Light recoil, light weight rifle, short action, and incredibly customizable --- rebore your controlled round feed 308 Winchester 70 Super Grade or buy a carbon fiber barrel and 10 round magazine for your Savage.

What this expanded 308 case and fast burning powder allows for is to push a 300gr bullet to 2200fps --- within about 100fps or so of a 9.3x62. It has been stated online (without a lot of info) that it has taken Cape Buffalo.

For those 9.3x74, 9.3x62 and 375 H&H shooters, would you feel under-gunned for buffalo with those ballistics?

TIA

The major appeal of this cartridge is to be used at subsonic velocities. I have had several people say it was a great choice for deer hunting. Of course, none of that applies to Africa.

 

[Krink783]

I’ve been reloading for about 4 years or so. I reload every caliber that I shoot. I rarely buy loaded ammo. With that said, I just completed a 375 Raptor build on an AR10 platform.

I loaded about 20 rounds and shot them this weekend. I experienced some blown primers and other high pressure signs.

 

[curtism1234]

I’ve been reloading for about 4 years or so. I reload every caliber that I shoot. I rarely buy loaded ammo. With that said, I just completed a 375 Raptor build on an AR10 platform.

I loaded about 20 rounds and shot them this weekend. I experienced some blown primers and other high pressure signs.

That's what I was afraid of. I assume you were pushing to max?