.375 Ruger POI shift 270gr vs 300gr

[UncleScuzz]

Howdy folks, long time lurker first time poster. I just recently picked up an original (pre barrel band) Ruger M77 Hawkeye African in 375 Ruger. Was at the range and zeroed my optic (2-7 32mm Vortex, don't hate!) at 100yrd with the 270gr (Hornady factory ammunition spire points) and got the scope somewhat zeroed. I noticed however that when I shoot 300gr bullets (whether it be factory Hornady DGX superperformance or my own handloads which are a Prvi SPRN behind 74 grains of IMR-4350) that my point of impact was about 5 inches low. So my question I suppose, is this a normal POI impact shift with 375 Ruger?

 

[1dirthawker]

@UncleScuzz

i suspect it is a normal shift. different bullet weights, (even same weight and different manufacturers) and powders will regularly make the gun shoot to a different poi.

 

[gillettehunter]

It’s not common to have same point of impact when changing bullets. Pretty decent groups. Good luck
Bruce

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I normally shoot handloaded 300 gr Swift A-Frames in my 375 Ruger with a 23 inch barrel, getting about 2500 fps. Recently, I have been shooting some 250 Hornady Outfitter with 250 gr GMX, with 2800 fps, and the POI is significantly different.

So yes, POI will likely shift with different weight ammo.

 

[deepwater]

Heavier > slower > lower

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Heavier > slower > lower

That's deep, @deepwater

 

[deepwater]

375 Ruger Fan,
Hang on. I've just scratched the surface. LOL

 

[UncleScuzz]

Thanks for all the replies and info, this is my first medium bore rifle so anything I can learn about handloading for it is appreciated! Also if anyone has any stock recommendations? Through a lot of research here and elsewhere it seems that these original African models had a tendency to split stocks. Regardless I'll probably work on fine tuning the 300Gr load until more bullets come back to into supply.

 

[UncleScuzz]

Also, if anyone has any 300gr lighter loadings for extended shooting, I'm all ears, Thanks!

 

[bruce moulds]

Heavier > slower > lower

not always.
at extreme ranges it can change again also.
as an aside, my experience with 375 h&h is that the same sight setting and a 300 gn bullet dead on at 100, a 270 gn is about 3" high.
this can be quite useful.
bruce.

 

[generalzip]

Resurrecting an old thread here to share some thoughts. I plan on zeroing my 3.5-10 Leupold scope on my 375 ruger with either 250 CX Hornady factory ammo or 270 LRX depending on which shoots better. I bought spuhr rings and RMR red dot mount that attaches to the spuhr rings where I will mount a holosun 407C. My idea is I will zero the scope for the lighter bullet I select and the red dot I will zero at 25-30 yards with Hornady 300 DGS. The idea here is you can shoot PG with the 250/270 using the scope as you're likely going to be on sticks and typically only shooting 1 or 2 shots. If hunting DG I will load 1-2 of the 270 LRX. In the event of a charge the next 2-3 rounds would be 300 DGS and I would use the red dot piggy backed on top. This gives an easy heads up sight acquisition which is fast with full field of view of a red dot.

It will take a but of training, but I plan to practice this method on my property against groups of pigs where i take the first shot from sticks and once they start running, switch to the red dot loaded with solids. I also like the idea of having a backup optic in case the scope fails or drastically loses zero somehow. The red dot and mount weigh only a few ounces which isn't bad. Sure it will not look like your typical Africa rifle, but I'm running a suppressor anyway with a composite stock so this is of little concern to me.

 

[1dirthawker]

Resurrecting an old thread here to share some thoughts. I plan on zeroing my 3.5-10 Leupold scope on my 375 ruger with either 250 CX Hornady factory ammo or 270 LRX depending on which shoots better. I bought spuhr rings and RMR red dot mount that attaches to the spuhr rings where I will mount a holosun 407C. My idea is I will zero the scope for the lighter bullet I select and the red dot I will zero at 25-30 yards with Hornady 300 DGS. The idea here is you can shoot PG with the 250/270 using the scope as you're likely going to be on sticks and typically only shooting 1 or 2 shots. If hunting DG I will load 1-2 of the 270 LRX. In the event of a charge the next 2-3 rounds would be 300 DGS and I would use the red dot piggy backed on top. This gives an easy heads up sight acquisition which is fast with full field of view of a red dot.

It will take a but of training, but I plan to practice this method on my property against groups of pigs where i take the first shot from sticks and once they start running, switch to the red dot loaded with solids. I also like the idea of having a backup optic in case the scope fails or drastically loses zero somehow. The red dot and mount weigh only a few ounces which isn't bad. Sure it will not look like your typical Africa rifle, but I'm running a suppressor anyway with a composite stock so this is of little concern to me.

i think you have an awful lot of moving parts going on with what you are wanting to do.

i would suggest you use a good 300 gr bullet (swift A frame, north fork, etc) and know the bullet trajectory and shoot everything with that bullet. (maybe bring a few solids 300 gr.) you would be well served to 300 yards.

a 1-6x, 1-8x or 2-10x scope would be perfect for everything, even on a close encounter with a buffalo. those magnifications will work fine with PG as far as you will be shooting a 375. good luck on your hunt.

 

[generalzip]

Appreciate the advice. I want to run a 270 Barnes as they are a bit better for further shots and I have a CDS dial on the scope for a 2800 fps bullet which I know I can obtain with the 270 grains. Barnes also endorses the 270 LRX for Cape buffalo which is reassuring. Ideally I will never use the red dot, but it’s there in case I need 1x. This way there’s no messing with magnification. I shoot a lot of tactical rifles and I have many setups like this with a LPVO or a OG with a red dot mounted on top or canted so I’m pretty familiar with this type of setup already which gives me hope. I’ll see how it works on pigs and if it works as I hope I’ll stick with it. If not I’ll put a razor 1-6 scope on there and call it a day.