Looking for anyone with experience downloading 375 to 9.3x62 territory.
Since my wife has never shot anything with thump, I want to work up a load with a 250 gr (Barnes, Hornady, Sierra, etc), or possibly Hammer's 220 or 256 gr, that will come in at under 30 ft lbs of recoil in my new Ruger #1 tropical.
I'll likely be using Varget over the other medium rate spherical I have since they seem to perform more consistently with powder charges above 95% fill.
At the upper 20s, that's roughly the same as a lightweight 30-06 pushing 200 gr or heavier bullets, so shouldn't be a bad intro to medium bore.
A great project to introduce your wife to shooting a proper rifle.
Many others here have suggested various options, but within your parameters stated:
- Ruger #1 .375 H&H (a superb rifle)
- 250 grain bullet
- Varget
-less than 30-foot pounds recoil
The Lee reloading manual (
Modern Reloading Richard Lee 2nd edition) lists:
64.0 grains Varget for 2471 fps as a starting load
Recoil calculator (JBM Ballistics) shows 29.1-foot pounds recoil, 14.4 fps recoil velocity, in a 9# rifle.
In my experience, the lightest powder charge, and the lowest recoil velocity is more comfortable for "felt" recoil.
This is in 30-06, 200 grain territory more or less. I have not fired this particular load, but it can work. I would let my wife shoot it without fear of a flinch.
A LimbSaver recoil shield, worn on the shoulder, is MUCH more comfortable than a PAST or Caldwell. I've used the PAST for a decade, then a buddy bought a LimbSaver for me, and I never went back.
I think it will fit a woman much better. It conforms better to the shoulder, and the rifle mount is much less awkward.
Only slight increase in LOP, it stays put, and does take out the sting of recoil effectively.
My personal preferences:
Start her shooting with the Ruger #1, always the same "manual of arms" and muscle memory is obtained. We, as experienced shooters think about a ladder approach to calibers, and maybe not so much familiarity in handling the SAME weapon. I learned this with my wife, going from a K-frame S&W, .38, then a Browning High Power, then back to the .38 revolver.
I would NOT have her shoot a 12-gauge single shot (bad experience as a teenager for my wife).
* Light loads, consider Accurate 5744:
* 255 grain lead bullets:
-34 grains, 1771 fps,
-47 grains, 2310 fps, max pressure 41500 psi, less muzzle blast
(Lee Loading Manual)
Then move up to the 250 jacketed bullets and Varget.
Sight in the rifle for her off the bench, she fine tunes sighting in off a standing rest, then she practices off sticks or a standing rest.
Let us know how this works out for her.
You are blessed that your wife wants to hunt Africa with you!