375h&h guidance - bullets, dies, and brass

[Datchew]

Looks the between Barnes tsx and a-frames, if my rifle digests them well, I'll be all set.

@Hunter-Habib
As an aside, i really enjoy your stories and in-depth writings of equipment.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Looks the between Barnes tsx and a-frames, if my rifle digests them well, I'll be all set.

@Hunter-Habib
As an aside, i really enjoy your stories and in-depth writings of equipment.

Why thank you, Datchew. It’s really nothing. I just know a little about certain topics and decide to help out, now and then.

I’m a very big fan of the Barnes TSX too. But if I had to choose just one currently manufactured expanding bullet for all wild game, then it would have to be the Swift A Frame. More reliable expansion on the great cats like lion or leopard (esp. those shot over bait). In every other aspect, the Barnes TSX can reliably hold it’s own.

 

[Lone Star Bluegrass]

Why thank you, Datchew. It’s really nothing. I just know a little about certain topics and decide to help out, now and then.

I’m a very big fan of the Barnes TSX too. But if I had to choose just one currently manufactured expanding bullet for all wild game, then it would have to be the Swift A Frame. More reliable expansion on the great cats like lion or leopard (esp. those shot over bait). In every other aspect, the Barnes TSX can reliably hold it’s own.

Sage advice. Please expand on your conclusion—is that because of rate of expansion, overall design/construction, etc.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Sage advice. Please expand on your conclusion—is that because of rate of expansion, overall design/construction, etc.

The monometal bullets (e.g Barnes TSX) need to be pushed to rather high speeds in order to expand rapidly/reliably and they will frequently fail to expand properly on lions or leopards (esp. one that is shot over bait).

My preference is for old fashioned lead cored bullets with a copper/gilding metal jacket which will expand quickly on lions or leopards. But the bullets must still be well constructed (with bonded cores being even better), because the bullet must still be able to hold together so that it can penetrate well. The chest muscles of a charging African lion are best comparable to tyre rubber in terms of hardness.

 

[RockSlinger404]

I may be reading too much into this but you said here that you use Peregrine's for practice and DG[x] for hunting; what have you found out about Peregrine that puts you off to using them for hunting. I'm interested because I just this week got some Peregrine's (VRG2 & VRG3) for the 375 and the 500. All I've heard is that they are a great bullet. If you know something different please let us know.

The reasoning behind it is 100% price. Peregrine is one of the only affordable bullets that is always available in SA. I wouldn't mind hunting with it, depending on the quarry...

 

[RockSlinger404]

The reasoning behind it is 100% price. Peregrine is one of the only affordable bullets that is always available in SA. I wouldn't mind hunting with it, depending on the quarry...

Just an FYI... My rifle does not like the DGX bullets, so I guess I'll be hunting with the Peregrines.

 

[Rafiki]

Just an FYI... My rifle does not like the DGX bullets, so I guess I'll be hunting with the Peregrines.

I have a love/hate relationship with DGX, maybe love/disappoint. I really thought that after the bonded the DGX it would be near perfect; flat meplet, steel jacketed lead core, relatively short. My reality from recovered bullets from buff is that they they lost a heck of a lot of weight and didn't expand well. Did the job though.

 

[Rafiki]

Just an FYI... My rifle does not like the DGX bullets, so I guess I'll be hunting with the Peregrines.

I should have mentioned that my experience with DGX is limited to .510cal not .375

 

[Rule 303]

I use Redding dies for full length sizing otherwise Lee Neck collet die as this stops a bit of stretching of the case neck when it is dragged over the expander button, and the Lee FCD

82 Grains of AR2209 (H4350) and 300 grain Woodleigh SP and 68 grains of AR2206H (H4895) with the 300grain Hydros. Difference between a Hydo and Metplate solid. The Metplate solid will penetrate further but the Hydro creates a wider wound channel. Mind you the Hydo in a 416 Rigby end for ended a Cape Buffalo.

In my 416 Rigby, 375H&H (both CZ550 and Rem 700) and 2X35 cal rifles the Hydros and Woodleigh SN print to the same POI. What's not to like.

 

[Datchew]

To update the thread, I ran some of the first trials in my 375 yesterday now that there is plenty of venison in the freezer and the weather is lovely.

This was in a blaser r8 with a Leupold vx6 1-6 at 100yards

I crimped them which is rare for me. I don't even crimp 762 NATO reloads for my FAL's but I do for these and my 10mm bear defense loads as I want no hiccups in chambering under stress.

I was astonished at how well this load shot. I've heard that the 375h&h is an intrinsically accurate cartridge and now I'm a believer.

My excitement was dampened only by my sore shoulder.
I'm shooting off a table on beanbags.
Will probably switch to sticks for all testing after this.

I'll keep going up another grain in 0.3 increments but frankly I'm tempted to lock it here and run it over the chrono for velocity.

Just a hair under an inch for five shots. Very exciting

 

[Rule 303]

I have to ask why .3 of a grain increment. In a cartridge the size of the 375H&H it will not make much measurable difference. .5 of a grain would be my smallest increase and only when the chrony is showing I am nearing max listed muzzle velocity. If .3 of a grain shows a marked difference, then your load is too hot.

 

[Rafiki]

I have to ask why .3 of a grain increment. In a cartridge the size of the 375H&H it will not make much measurable difference. .5 of a grain would be my smallest increase and only when the chrony is showing I am nearing max listed muzzle velocity. If .3 of a grain shows a marked difference, then your load is too hot.

You get to shoot a lot more.

 

[Bush Buck]

I'd shoot that load again to confirm it because you can hunt that load for sure.
Then I'd try .5 grains above and below to see if it's better or worse - but only because I like to - not because you need to.

 

[Datchew]

I have to ask why .3 of a grain increment. In a cartridge the size of the 375H&H it will not make much measurable difference. .5 of a grain would be my smallest increase and only when the chrony is showing I am nearing max listed muzzle velocity. If .3 of a grain shows a marked difference, then your load is too hot.

That's a great point. At 73 grains, the percentages of adjustment are reduced quite a bit.
Mostly I'm just used to moving up staged trials at 0.3 grains but I agree with your advice and will do 0.5.

I'll test a little more and shoot it again with the chrono just because that's my normal procedure.
It's good to know velocities but I don't think the buffalo will notice plus or minus 100 FPS.