375 Whelen Improved?

[jpr9954]

Is anyone familiar with the .375 Whelen Improved? I came across one and was wondering if it is worth bidding on.

As I understand it, the .375 Whelen is based upon the the .30-06 cartridge necked up to .375.

I must admit I have a thing for obscure calibers.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Not much difference between that and the 9,3x62. Both outstanding cartridges

 

[Flewis]

The improved will be better for head spacing. If I remember correctly it does about 2200 with a 300 grain, maybe a little more.

 

[mgstucson]

I just bought one. I haven't had time to work up loads for it yet. It seems to be about 200fps under 375 H&H in lighter weight bullets, but closer with heavier bullets. Data I have seen posted says between 2400-2450 for 300gr. That is nearly even with older 375 H&H loads. Maybe newer loads go more in the H&H. Some used to load down the H&H a little due to over penetration with heavy bullets anyway. It seems CFE223 is the powder of choice nowadays for the Whelens. 300gr at 2450 is right at 4000fpe. That should do.

 

[mgstucson]

According to an article published in 2022 in Rifle magazine, professional guide Ed Stevenson carried a version of the 375 Whelen shooting 250gr at 2700 and/or 270gr at 2500 as protection against the big bears in AK. He gave it hearty approval based on field results.

 

[cajunchefray]

I just bought one. I haven't had time to work up loads for it yet. It seems to be about 200fps under 375 H&H in lighter weight bullets, but closer with heavier bullets. Data I have seen posted says between 2400-2450 for 300gr. That is nearly even with older 375 H&H loads. Maybe newer loads go more in the H&H. Some used to load down the H&H a little due to over penetration with heavy bullets anyway. It seems CFE223 is the powder of choice nowadays for the Whelens. 300gr at 2450 is right at 4000fpe. That should do.

That is the cartridge my gunsmith uses, over 20 safaris. Has taken a couple of buffalo, now just hunts large plains game. Uses nothing else, a beautiful 1903 Springfield.
Barnes 270 TSX with Varget is his potion.

 

[BeeMaa]

I understand that the 375WI would be unique, but if you wanted a .375 caliber to fit in a standard 30-06 action and still outperform the 375H&H (and the 9.3's)...why not just go with a 375RUGER and retain the ability to buy ammo off the shelf?

 

[mgstucson]

@BeeMaa That is THEORETICALLY possible if Hornady ever decides to make brass or ammo for the 375 Ruger again. The Whelen would be cheaper to reload on 06 brass, but a big problem would be getting head stamped cases to take to Africa. That would be another advantage of going with the Ruger cartridge. I have head stamped brass for 35 Whelen and 400 Whelen, but not 375 Whelen (yet). I have a 416 Ruger, and it is also VERY difficult and expensive to find ammo or components for. I think Qual-Cart makes Whelen head stamped brass, but it is not cheap either. The 375 Ruger will do full power loads equal to H&H or better, so no tradeoff on power either. Advantages to the Whelen are: much less powder, much less recoil, and more rounds in the magazine. This theoretically leads to faster follow-up shots and at least 1 more than the Ruger or the H&H before reload. Can't really go wrong with any of the above in a 375.

 

[BeeMaa]

@BeeMaa That is THEORETICALLY possible if Hornady ever decides to make brass or ammo for the 375 Ruger again. The Whelen would be cheaper to reload on 06 brass, but a big problem would be getting head stamped cases to take to Africa. That would be another advantage of going with the Ruger cartridge. I have head stamped brass for 35 Whelen and 400 Whelen, but not 375 Whelen (yet). I have a 416 Ruger, and it is also VERY difficult and expensive to find ammo or components for. I think Qual-Cart makes Whelen head stamped brass, but it is not cheap either. The 375 Ruger will do full power loads equal to H&H or better, so no tradeoff on power either. Advantages to the Whelen are: much less powder, much less recoil, and more rounds in the magazine. This theoretically leads to faster follow-up shots and at least 1 more than the Ruger or the H&H before reload. Can't really go wrong with any of the above in a 375.

I see your point on reloading brass, less powder, more cartridges in the mag...and it makes sense. But there still seem to be high costs, both in brass availability and overall price.

You talk about saving powder, but have you considered the powder required to fire form brass from 30-06? Plus you mentioned the high cost/low availability of properly head-stamped brass in both 375WI and 375RUGER. I'm surprised that 375RUGER brass isn't more readily available.

The CZ550 375H&H that I sold held 4 + 1 and there are mods you can make for them to hold 5 + 1. What was your plan for

It just seems like you are taking the long way around to end right back up at 375H&H or 375RUGER ballistics. And that's fine, if that's what you want. It's just that most times a .375 caliber (or 9.3mm), I'm thinking about a traveling hunter looking at LARGE game animals like brown bear, moose, or even African DG. Do you really think the trade-offs are worth it, especially if your luggage (with your ammo) is delayed?

I know I'm not saying anything you don't already know. Sometimes it's the journey of a man & his rifle forming a bond through load testing and hunting. Hope it works out well for you.