Recommend a .375 bullet for North America

[matt85]

I recently purchased a CZ 550 American safari in .375 H&H and aside from Africa id like to make use of this rifle here in the states. im looking for a suitable bullet for hogs, elk, and black bear at ranges that can vary from 50-300 yards (I wont take a shot outside of 300). id prefer not to use premium bullets since id like to be able to put in a lot of trigger time with these loads and im trying to save money for other things (Africa!).

my first idea was to use the Sierra 250gr GameKing, these bullets are inexpensive and have a good reputation for long range accuracy. however, it appears they have a very bad reputation for being too soft. ive read a number of bad reviews saying the bullet comes apart on elk... but then again the elk was still dead so you know how that goes.

what bullet would you recommend?

thanks
-matt

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I recently purchased a CZ 550 American safari in .375 H&H and aside from Africa id like to make use of this rifle here in the states. im looking for a suitable bullet for hogs, elk, and black bear at ranges that can vary from 50-300 yards (I wont take a shot outside of 300). id prefer not to use premium bullets since id like to be able to put in a lot of trigger time with these loads and im trying to save money for other things (Africa!).

my first idea was to use the Sierra 250gr GameKing, these bullets are inexpensive and have a good reputation for long range accuracy. however, it appears they have a very bad reputation for being too soft. ive read a number of bad reviews saying the bullet comes apart on elk... but then again the elk was still dead so you know how that goes.

what bullet would you recommend?

thanks
-matt

How about a premium for hunting and the GK's for practice. I really like the performance and accuracy of the 250gr North Fork bonded cores in my .375. But they are expensive and I wouldn't want to do a lot of plinking/practice with them. But for hunting Africa, they're just a small expense in comparison to the overall cost of the trip.

 

[matt85]

for Africa I will likely use swift Swift A-frames or Nosler partitions. at some point in the future I will drop some money on a couple boxes of these to work up a load and practice for my trip. but the bullet im looking for right now will be used strictly state side and will see a lot more use then the A-frames or Noslers would. the extra use would make any bullet that costs over a dollar a piece to be impractical. I suppose Barnes 250gr TTS-X would be pretty sweet but they are pushing the budget id like to keep to.

on a side note, for "plinking bullets" I have Hornady 225gr spire points and Speer 235gr SP bullets. these are "cheap" and should produce low enough recoil for enjoyable bench shooting.

thanks
-matt

 

[blackdog001blackdog001]

If Nosler makes a Partition in .375, look to find another Nosler bullet in .375 with a sectional density very close to the Partition. You should get very similar accuracy between the two. Use the Partition for hunting (not a game animal in N. America and most in Africa) that won't fall to a .375 Nosler Partition; us the other bullet for practice.

Realistically, the cost of the Partition viz Nosler solid base bullets is not that much - even if it is $10/box and you shoot 150/year, that is only $30, a small price to pay. "Bite the bullet" so to speak and develop a load with Partitions.

 

[DOC-404]

You might want to take a look at this thread as well..

http://www.africahunting.com/firear...ral-power-shok-270-gr-375-reviews-please.html

 

[Diamondhitch]

Realistically, the cost of the Partition viz Nosler solid base bullets is not that much - even if it is $10/box and you shoot 150/year, that is only $30, a small price to pay. "Bite the bullet" so to speak and develop a load with Partitions.

X2
The cost of ammo fired at game is paltry. You have the right idea by loading up cheap plinkers for practicing but do yourself a favor and go with one of your 3 premium choices, Partition, A-frame or TTSX. They are all great and will perform equally well. You mentioned long range, the TTSX has a far better BC as well as better penetration which is an advantage that increases exponentially at longer range if that is a consideration to you.

 

[enysse]

I actually like the Sierra 250gr GameKing, as long as you pass on strong quartering to shots, otherwise I'd recommend the TSX.

 

[Grady]

Based on your original post, I am assuming you are not a reloader....As a reloader, I can get a much better round creating better groups at a cheaper per round cost than factory ammo.

Not factoring in the cost of a beginner reloading set-up from either Hornady or RCBS ($250-$300 - That is a guess) the initial per round cost for .375 H&H is $2.40 a round, but the follow on cost is about $1.00 becuase you are able to reuse the brass. I base my numbers on 70 grains of Reloader 19 pushing a 250 grain bullet.

Here are my numbers: (By shopping around more, you could probably find better prices than those listed below)
Reloader 15 is $26/lb - $0.26/round
Serria Game King 250 gr $35 per 50 - $0.70/round, (Note Barnes 250gr TSX are $47.00 per 50 or $0.94/round)
Winchester Large Rifle Mag primers $37.00/1000 or $0.037/primer
New unprimmed brass at $70.00/50 or $1.40 each.

This is far better than purchasing factory ammo at anywhere from $60 for Federal Ammo (20 rounds or $3 each) to $100 for Nosler Custom Ammo (20 rounds or $5 each). It would not take long to recover the initial cost of the reloading set-up at these prices. Then you factor in the ability to reload for your other guns and you will start seeing a savings that much faster. You can load anything from 235gr to 300gr bullets meaning you can customize the round for everything you plan to hunt. As an added benny, you get the satisfaction of creating your own custom loads for your rifles.

Just my thoughs.

 

[Doubleriflejack]

For big elk, moose; anything that big or bigger, I suggest you go to at least 270 grain, or better yet, 300 grain. For double rifles, these are the two standard bullet weights .375 mag. doubles are regulated for, some for 270 and some for 300, though some doubles will regulate both equally well, or close enough to not be concerned. Lighter bullets on elk, in this caliber, are not as effective as one would think. Experience shows that with big elk, heavier bullets are best. I suggest you forget about the 300 yard shooting of these big animals, though.

 

[Diamondhitch]

For big elk, moose; anything that big or bigger, I suggest you go to at least 270 grain, or better yet, 300 grain. For double rifles, these are the two standard bullet weights .375 mag. doubles are regulated for, some for 270 and some for 300, though some doubles will regulate both equally well, or close enough to not be concerned. Lighter bullets on elk, in this caliber, are not as effective as one would think. Experience shows that with big elk, heavier bullets are best. I suggest you forget about the 300 yard shooting of these big animals, though.

Im not sure what formed this opinion but I would guess that less than 5% of moose are killed with bullets heavier than 200gr, and I bet that estimate is high. 30-06 180s and .270 130s are more than enough and if the Indians have taught us anything its that the .303 British is capable of slaughtering freezer trucks full of them just prior to the season opening for the rest of us underprivileged folks.

 

[matt85]

that's interesting that you assume im not a reloader Grady...

im not sure about the need for a 270gr bullet or bigger for elk. I would bet a vast majority of elk are shot with fairly light bullets, for elk my uncle uses a 7mm 150gr-160gr bullets. not saying your wrong, perhaps the wider .375 bullet needs more weight to get proper penetration.

as far as the 300 yard shots, this isn't an unusual distance to shoot these animals. elk around this state are a long distance animal and its rare to get really close to these critters. many shots are taken from 150-250 yards and even further.

thanks
-matt

 

[Doubleriflejack]

Diamondhitch: "Im not sure what formed this opinion but I would guess that less than 5% of moose are killed with bullets heavier than 200gr, and I bet that estimate is high. 30-06 180s and .270 130s are more than enough and if the Indians have taught us anything its that the .303 British is capable of slaughtering freezer trucks full of them just prior to the season opening for the rest of us underprivileged folks."

Not my opinion, but is fact, based on many years of hunting in Montana, where I was born and raised, and also hunting in Oregon. Another fact is that your .30-06 180 gr. bullets, or worse yet, your .270 130 gr. bullets; same with the .303 British (my brother used one for a good many years) have wounded more big elk than most rank amateur hunters would ever dream of, or want to admit to, with those animals going off to die a horrible death; a waste. I know, for I hunted with both the .30-06, even using 220 grain bullets at times, and .270 until I learned otherwise. Elmer Keith wrote about this often, but many didn't pay attention, and many youngsters today know nothing abut what he wrote, so they have to re-learn what was once common knowledge for real hunters.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Diamondhitch: "Im not sure what formed this opinion but I would guess that less than 5% of moose are killed with bullets heavier than 200gr, and I bet that estimate is high. 30-06 180s and .270 130s are more than enough and if the Indians have taught us anything its that the .303 British is capable of slaughtering freezer trucks full of them just prior to the season opening for the rest of us underprivileged folks."

Not my opinion, but is fact, based on many years of hunting in Montana, where I was born and raised, and also hunting in Oregon. Another fact is that your .30-06 180 gr. bullets, or worse yet, your .270 130 gr. bullets; same with the .303 British (my brother used one for a good many years) have wounded more big elk than most rank amateur hunters would ever dream of, or want to admit to, with those animals going off to die a horrible death; a waste. I know, for I hunted with both the .30-06, even using 220 grain bullets at times, and .270 until I learned otherwise. Elmer Keith wrote about this often, but many didn't pay attention, and many youngsters today know nothing abut what he wrote, so they have to re-learn what was once common knowledge for real hunters.

Im not going to pirate this thread into a killing power debate. I will however agree with you that guns in that size range have wounded more game than the bigger ones, but only because the vast majority of hunters use them. I wont argue as to kill/wound ratios per caliber.

 

[Grumulkin]

It's quite true you don't need a 250 grain or a 300 grain bullet to kill moose and elk. Also, since a 375 H&H Magnum isn't close to marginal for the game being considered, you don't need a premium bullet either. So what if a Sierra GameKing is "soft." If it happens to break up, there will still be a big hunk of lead penetrating and the fragments will make their own wound channel.

I've only used 270 and 300 grain bullets in mine. Speer, Hornady and Barnes bullets have shot well for me.

 

[Grady]

that's interesting that you assume im not a reloader Grady...

im not sure about the need for a 270gr bullet or bigger for elk. I would bet a vast majority of elk are shot with fairly light bullets, for elk my uncle uses a 7mm 150gr-160gr bullets. not saying your wrong, perhaps the wider .375 bullet needs more weight to get proper penetration.

as far as the 300 yard shots, this isn't an unusual distance to shoot these animals. elk around this state are a long distance animal and its rare to get really close to these critters. many shots are taken from 150-250 yards and even further.

thanks
-matt

Matt - Sorry about the assumption....I guess I miss read your origianal post. But if you are a reloader, during my quick search for 375, Game Kings were infact the cheatest that I found. I am currently in the process of working up a load for my 375 H&H and plan on trying out the Partitions and the TSX. For the Moose, Bear (Black and Brown) and Elk here in the states I will stay with my 300 RUM or my Win 338 Mag. The 375 is for my next trip over.

I would have to agree with Diamondhitch about the bullet weights and calibers. After living in Alaska (13 years total) I do not know many who hunt Moose with anything larger than the 300 Win Mag, and by far the most common rifle is the -06. For the Big Kodiak Brownies, I think the smallest is the 338 or the 300. I took my first moose with a Ruger M77, 300 Win Mag, 180gr Nosler Partition, and that was the same load I used on my Brownie. I actually took my Black Bear with the 338 Win Mag (225 Speer), I was supposed to be backing up a friend on his hunt, but he was unable to get a clean bow shot within his range and told me to take the shot. He is definately a GOOD friend.

 

[matt85]

grady, if your looking for cheap .375 bullets. the sierra 250grs are not them by a fair bit, the cheapest .375 bullets would be 200gr hornady/speer bullets although i personally would not use bullets lighter then 225gr even for plinking. as i said in an above post i have 225gr and 235gr plinking bullets which both only cost around $20 per 50 compared to the $30 per 50 of the sierra gamekings.

-matt

 

[DOC-404]

So what if a Sierra GameKing is "soft." If it happens to break up, there will still be a big hunk of lead penetrating and the fragments will make their own wound channel.

..is what I was trying to point out in my previous post. I have hunted every type of PG, and cats, in the places that I have hunted, with hand-loaded 250gr Sierra GK's. I have also now hunted kudu, oryx, eland, blue wildebeest, hyena and warthog with the 270 Power Shok's. All except the blue wildebeest were one shot kills. I don't need or want anything else for my .375..

 

[matt85]

both DOC-404 and Grumulkin make a good point, I suppose even if the bullet breaks up its still vastly more powerful then most smaller calibers. perhaps im overthinking things when it comes to north American game.

-matt

 

[Grumulkin]

A Zebra taken at about 200 yards with a .375 caliber 270 grain Speer bullet that would be of similar construction to a GameKing. Is the blood trail adequate?

What was found of the bullet from the above Zebra. I suspect the skinners didn't find all of it.

I used my 375 H&H Magnum on 6 animals during that trip with the same load. The 6 animals included a Blue Wildebeest. Six cartridges were used in this endeavor.

 

[thriller]

I have been doing some hunting with my 375 in north America getting used to the new gun for an upcoming trip to zim this summer for practice rounds I have been using Remington core locks and at $50 a box they are preforming well on anything around here including the three 40 lb pigs that lined up and I got with one bullet. when I hand load them it comes down to about 30-35 a box they are 270 grain soft nose and work well for my purposes around here even though I plan on switching to premiums for my trip.