the 375H&H, ELK RIFLE OR NOT?

[340wby]

now Id start of right now stating that you don,t NEED that power level most of the time, but Ill also point out that the recoil levels while significant are NOT so great than most guys can,t learn to shoot reasonably well with a 375H&H.
heres a 180gn 30/06 vs a 270 grn 375 H&H ,both sighted dead on at 150 yards

example
cartridge/bullet weight/drop at 250 yards/energy at 250 yards
30/06 ...........180 grain..........6.4" .....1930ft lbs
375 H&H........270 grain..........6.5".......2910 ft lbs


things to read

www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/375hh.html

webpages.charter.net/375magnum/history.htm

webpages.charter.net/375magnum/factory.htm

webpages.charter.net/375magnum/allrd.htm

webpages.charter.net/375magnum/load.htm

www.realguns.com/loads/375.htm

www.african-hunter.com/375_magnum.htm

www.cpcartridge.com/375H&HMAG-B.htm

[xphunter]

I just don't want to push that heavy of a bullet myself. Guess I'm sort of wimpy with the real heavy bullets. But in a LR specialty handgun with a 7mm Dakota using a 200 grain Graves ULD @ 2700 FPS with a 150 yard Zero I am 5.2 inches low @ 250 yards with a 1.8 wind drift @ 250 yds (11.2 inches @ 600 yards).
Energy in ft pounds is 2790.
For hunting in dark timber, range or wind drift is not much of an issue.
Where I hunt elk is a spot-n-stalk area in SW Colorado and I set up my trajectory differently to take advantage of my set-up. Combined with a ballistic plex reticle & a rangefinder I find that the vertical issue is not the main issue, but rather the wind drift and the angle for shooting at extemes up or down.
Even when I lower my MV to 2600 FPS and sight in @ 262 yards my max sight height is only 3.9 inches @ 150 yards and 3.4 inches @ 100 yards. Dead on @ 262 yards with my first ballistic plex @ 314 yds, 2nd plex @ 410 yds., 3rd plex @ 500 yds, and my plex post juncture is 604 yards. At 600 yards I still have 2073 energy ft-lb and a wind drift 10mph of just under 12 inches.
Of course, if I had shortened the range the numbers would look even better.

[donnie]

340,
I agree, for the shooter that can handle the recoil a .375 is a truly awesome rifle! For anything on the planet! I've got a sneaking suspician you may be an Elmer Kieth fan LOL
thats ok me too!

[klsm54]

I'll give you one thing 340, when you make a case for a cartridge, you sure supply enough data to back up your claims.... ;D

Even without all that info, I would never dispute the 375 H&H being a great Elk Cartridge. Plenty flat shooting in my eyes, and enough oomph for any shot that presents itself.

But, like Donnie said, it is a round for those that are able to take it's punishment. For me, an eastern whitetail hunter that thinks a 30-06 is a kicking machine, it's probably a little rough on the shoulder. But, I have fired a few rounds through a 375, and can say that even I, if need be, could probably get used to it's push.

I am a big fan of a lot of things that have been around for many years. Especially if those things still do the job they were intended to do as well as newer products. In the case of the 375 H&H, I feel that is the case. This round will be taking game all over the world as long as there is hunting on this earth. Sure, there are more powerful 375 bores out there, but I have to question their practicality. The H& H is truly a cartridge that can handle a VERY wide range of game, and is still controllable by most willing to put a little time into getting used to it..... ....Now lets bring back it's little brother, the 300 H&H, another cartridge worthy of a bigger spot in todays arsenal...

[dakota]

I think a 375 is great for elk. Can't hink of any drawbacks except I just don't have one right now.