Any reason not to use a 350 grain .375 bullet for buffalo

[steve white]

In general, your viewpoint correct. Heavy for caliber bullets may at times require a faster twist than standard, however the 375 with its 1/12 rate of twist is perfectly capable to stabilize heavy for caliber bullets. If you were refering to 30 caliber bullets, then the typical 1/10 rate of twist may not be sufficient for long, heavy for caliber bullets such as 220 grains pointed bullets and up in weight. As an example the barrels chambered for the 300 Norma Magnum which is specifically a long distance cartridge requiring these types of longer bullets with higher bearing surface, are often chambered in faster rates of twist such as 1/8 give or take.
The 375, 416, 458 are generally chambered in rates of twist sufficient to properly stabilize heavy for caliber bullets. The notion which I agree with that long, heavy for caliber bullets require faster rates of twist applies more to smaller calibers.

The unappreciated part of the twist rate concerns yaw--even if a load groups well, yaw can put the brakes on penetration when the projectile is traveling through meat.

 

[ftrovato]

I used 350gr TSX’s once on buffalo and will never again. The 350grainers are the solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. In fact, more often than not, they will fail to deliver the desired results.

350 grain monolithics are very long bullets and unless you have a rifle with a very tight twist ratio( which most 375’s don’t) they won’t stabilize. The result is a bullet which tumbles on impact and doesn’t achieve the desired pennatration.

Furthermore, will your impact velocity be considerably lower, which unless you shoot at very close range, will result in an impact velocity of lower than 2000f/s,
2000f/s and faster is essential for optimum performance ( expansion ) of a Barnes TSX.

A 300grain monolithic will outpenatrate it’s heavier brother from any angle on thick skinned , big boned animals, and therefore I simply cannot / will not recomend the 350’s

Ps. I have learned this through experience.... not hearsay

Nothing like personal experience! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Rosch]

I used 350gr TSX’s once on buffalo and will never again. The 350grainers are the solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. In fact, more often than not, they will fail to deliver the desired results.

Before even thinking about loading heavier bullets, there should be some brainwork done, to get a clear look at! My first question would be:
1. Why is the 375 H&H with 300 gr such a burner in the world of Big Game hunting?
Easy answer: Because the well balanced relation between cartridge case, bulletsize and weight is very favourable for the thing she is made and used for. Universal hunting with one gun!
And in comparison to other (most bigger) big game calibers the recoil is quiet easy handable, which might result in better shooting and delivers so better results.
2. Why did any others invent and offer 350 Grainers long ago?
Because it's a "...solution to a problem, that doesn't exist"
Well said @Kopskoot !
So everything is great, no need to change anything!
My advice to the thread owner:
Damned, just get out of Your armchair, switch off the PC, take a 375 H&H rifle and a truck full of ammo 300 grainers, practice and get used to the gun! Offhand, with Sticks or laying on the ground.
If You then spent some time on searching for good hunting offers on the black continent, there might be no more time left, to think about stuff like this!

 

[BenKK]

I love the [emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] grain Woodleigh RNSN HDs for buffalo, super emphatic, dozens of good bulls with this bullet. But if I were to switch to a TSX I would use the [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] grain version because the longer one won’t fit the magazine and I think the heavier one would be more likely to pencil through rather than petal-out nicely.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I’ve killed a few animals with a .375H&H and 350 Grain Barnes TSX. Buff, Giraffe, Zebra, and I believe a Sable too.

Buff at 65 yards +/-. I’d use them again.

I believe I used RL 15

 

[5shot]

Hodgdon Manual #26 shows every load developing 2400+ FPS with 350s. That would cause some destruction.