Is the .375 H&H strong enough

[sestoppelman]

Well bullets are as important as caliber and placement, its all part of the equation. I think given a good bullet in the right place a .375 is at the least adequate for buffalo and your .416 likely better, but again if you dont put a good bullet where it does the most good, caliber is secondary. The A-Frame has a very good reputation.

 

[Indy]

This year I shot a 52# elephant through both shoulders, bang-flopped a buffalo (with a North Fork soft point), and killed a hippo with a brain shot.

In 2008 I hit a 33# elephant with two shots and tracked it for two days before finding it dead, killed a buffalo with 5 shots, and flinched while shooting a hippo, necessitating about 8 more shots whenever it surfaced.

Oh, yes. This year I used a .375 H&H and in 2008 I used a .458.

The only difference in killing power I can see is 100% due to bullet placement.

And you will shoot closer to the point of aim with a .375 than with a rifle that recoils more. The .375 is an outstanding hunting rifle for any thick-skinned dangerous game. Not that it matters, but I also killed a record-book lion, a zebra, and three impala--one shot each with the 375.

Personally, while the hole in the end of the barrel may impress the hunter, I don't think it impresses the game very much.

 

[PaulT]

As per my post in the "Cape Buffalo cartridge" thread.


Our Asiatic buff are very similar in size, muscle and bone structure and tenacity to Cape buff. Over the course of several hundred kills I have witnessed far more effective one shot kills with the .375 loaded with Barnes T.S.X's than with any all the other cartridge/bullet combos combined.
The fact that most hunters are comfortable with accurately placing their first shot with a .375 contributes greatly to these observations/results.

As with all bovines, the placement of the very first shot is as crucial as the integrity of the projectile you are using, a few thousanths of an inch in bore size will not compensate for the previous.

If you are legitimately capable, and hardened, in the use of a medium bore 40 or 416, or truely adept with a large bore 45 or .500 then you will defenitely see a step up in effect.... but only so if you are able to take advantage with accurate shooting.

Find what you can comfortably shoot accurately, load it with a premium grade projectile and train yourself in the location of the vitals from any angle.

When comes time for your hunt put all your money on that first shot and be instantaneously ready to back it up with an equally accurate and well placed follow up and you'll soon be admiring your Cape buff.

Good hunting,

Paul.

​

 

[Gerhard.375]

One certainly does not need anything more powerfull than a .375 H&H for any dangerous game hunting. If you want something more powerfull, do it, provided you are as proficient with it as with the .375.

 

[Ole Bally]

The A frame is a nice bullet for light game! BUT any soft point that losses weight during terminal ballistics isn't doing much good on heavy game! A TB Bear Claw retains 90%+ of it's weight and will not fragment even on impact with heavy bone...in my humble experience.

 

[libertarian]

The A frame is a nice bullet for light game! BUT any soft point that losses weight during terminal ballistics isn't doing much good on heavy game! A TB Bear Claw retains 90%+ of it's weight and will not fragment even on impact with heavy bone...in my humble experience.

Since the A-Frame is constructed similarly to the TBBC (except for the bonded-lead rear instead of a monolithic rear), and also generally retains 90-95% of its weight, I don't see how the A-Frame is better for light game only. Maybe you're thinking of the Nosler Partition, which isn't bonded, and sometimes loses the front core.

 

[Ole Bally]

Since the A-Frame is constructed similarly to the TBBC (except for the bonded-lead rear instead of a monolithic rear), and also generally retains 90-95% of its weight, I don't see how the A-Frame is better for light game only. Maybe you're thinking of the Nosler Partition, which isn't bonded, and sometimes loses the front core.

You're quite right! I stand corrected! :0)

 

[DOC-404]

Personally, while the hole in the end of the barrel may impress the hunter, I don't think it impresses the game very much.

..outstanding observation..!

 

[1ObsessedHunter]

What a great thread! Although many people have opined here who have by far more experience than I do hunting dangerous game, I will inject my 2 cents worth. I completed my first safari during this passed July (which was awesome!) where I took my first buffalo midway through my safari. It was competely unplanned and I was unprepared. Luckaly I was able to borrow a big bore rifle and had the choice between a 375H&H, 458WinMag, and 404Jeff. Now, I'm an avid shooter/hunter but never fired anything larger than a 300 magnum...I never needed to, until July 5, 2012. I already knew the 375 had taken thousands of head of dangerous game, and this is what I chose because I wanted what I thought would be the lightest recoiling round....I wanted something I could handle. I certainly did not want to put myself or the rest of my hunting party in danger becuase of a poorly placed shot. That morning, the first thing I did was shoot the gun to get a feel for it and make sure it was sighted in. When I took the first shot I really braced myself thinking I was going to get my rear end kicked. I fired and to my pleasant surprise it felt great. It didn't appear to kick any more than the 300 Weatherby. The hunt went beautifully. The first shot I took was inside of 12 yards. The buffalo bolted and fell inside of 20 yards. I put two more shots in him for insurance. I was so relieved the hunt had gone well. I was also very impressed with the 375. I think it's recoil is very managable and seemed to be more than adequate to smoke my first buffalo. And, for this reason I just purchased a 375 for any other furtre unplanned buffalo hunts that may arise.

 

[DOC-404]

I was also very impressed with the 375. I think it's recoil is very managable and seemed to be more than adequate to smoke my first buffalo. And, for this reason I just purchased a 375 for any other furtre unplanned buffalo hunts that may arise.

..Good stuff ! So which .375 did you get..?

 

[1ObsessedHunter]

..Good stuff ! So which .375 did you get..?

I went with a Colt Sauer.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

I say shoot the one you handle best Barnes works well on everything on cats I prefer softer rounds such as Hornady (wound channel).

A well placed shot is the most important factor when it comes to a humane quick kill, a shot through the heart with a 416 is just as leathal as such a shot with a 375.

From a hunter's (clients) perspective knock down power should be the least of you concerns as I truly believe that more emphasis should be placed on accuracy and the all important first shot.

This is pretty much the long and short of it.

My best always.

 

[norfolk shooter]

Gentlemen you may have just saved me a lot of money!! I have been toying with the idea of upsizing from 375 H&H to 416 rigby. But with my 375 I know I can get 1 moa off sticks at 100 yards. To top it off everything I've hit with it I've hit well and went down with one shot. Mind you the biggest thing was only a blue wildebeest

 

[frankdes]

I like the versatility of the 375.
From softer bullets up to solids. Capable shooting at greater distances. Smooth ejection due the conical case.
With a 375 H&H you can hunt everything in the world, just take the right ammo.
With a rifle with claw or swing mount you can use 2 scopes or a scope and iron sight for hunting in the planes or go into thick bush.

FRANK

 

[Gert Odendaal]

The .375 H&H Magnum is a great caliber rifle for the past hundred years and more. It`s effectiveness being tied to the environment it is used in. Open range/plains game/open range dangerous game ( shot placement is of critical importance) Dangerous game hunt in dense scrub/vegetation close up work using a .375 H&H Magnum will get you killed. This is where you use a .40 + caliber upwards...

 

[Bo-ona]

Well said and the reason why I purchased recently a 416 Rigby and 505 Gibbs for my future Safari (?). And if I don't go on a safari, the big bore makes for a great conversation piece !

 

[Pheroze]

One certainly does not need anything more powerfull than a .375 H&H for any dangerous game hunting. If you want something more powerfull, do it, provided you are as proficient with it as with the .375.

I was at the range again with my 375. I can now tell that after about 600+ rounds it is "my" rifle. I really question how much it would take to become as comfortable with a .40 cal. And to what end?

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I do not think the aim is to get comfortable with a .40 cal +, rather think of being able to shoot the .40 cl+ accurately under any circumstance in stressful dangerous game hunt scenarios...any hunter can get comfortable with a .40 cal+ rifle if he use it frequently..the challenge being hunting dangerous game close up with it.
During the golden age of the Kruger National Park in South Africa , in the 1980 era, prospective game rangers has to complete three shooting exercises.. the first one being able to handle and shoot heavy caliber rifles, from a . 375 H&H Magnum upwards to a .458 Win Mag as issued by Parks Board.
The second phase was about shooting at life size targets of dangerous game animals from different angles and positions that was placed in the veld.
The third and last test was done where a helicopter would drive a bull elephant towards the prospective ranger and an old hand /veteran ranger who would act as the backup. The prospective ranger was only allowed to shoot his first shot when the enraged elephant bull was twenty meters from him..
If he is unable to do this he then is place in a administrative post or re-assigned at another game reserve.
Only the best game rangers was used then to take visitors on a game trail for a week.

Here is a book available from Cleve Cheney about his years he spend in the Kruger National Park in the Golden era ....contact details: cscheney@telkomsa.net

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I do not think the aim is to get comfortable with a .40 cal +, rather think of being able to shoot the .40 cl+ accurately under any circumstance in stressful dangerous game hunt scenarios...any hunter can get comfortable with a .40 cal+ rifle if he use it frequently..the challenge being hunting dangerous game close up with it.
During the golden age of the Kruger National Park in South Africa , in the 1980 era, prospective game rangers has to complete three shooting exercises.. the first one being able to handle and shoot heavy caliber rifles, from a . 375 H&H Magnum upwards to a .458 Win Mag as issued by Parks Board.
The second phase was about shooting at life size targets of dangerous game animals from different angles and positions that was placed in the veld.
The third and last test was done where a helicopter would drive a bull elephant towards the prospective ranger and an old hand /veteran ranger who would act as the backup. The prospective ranger was only allowed to shoot his first shot when the enraged elephant bull was twenty meters from him..
If he is unable to do this he then is place in a administrative post or re-assigned at another game reserve.
Only the best game rangers was used then to take visitors on a game trail for a week.

Here is a book available from Cleve Cheney about his years he spend in the Kruger National Park in the Golden era ....contact details: cscheney@telkomsa.net

I hate to ask a stupid question, but since the titles of both of these books are in English, is the rest of the book too?

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Both these books are English..It is one of the books I perceive as the most value for the price..it is written in an understandable fashion and a joy to read..I currently am reading the Place of Wild song..I really can say it is a great book to have on your shelf...