How big is too big in terms of caliber for hunting big game in Canada.

RemingtonMarlin

RemingtonMarlin

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Hi, I am buying a Ruger 375H&H for the upcoming moose season.
Some people told me that the 375H&H is just overpowered and NOT
practical for any games smaller than a elephant:p.

However, it seems that many experts have rated the 375H&H is one of the
most favorable all-around hunting round. What is your opinion?

By the way, is the recoil tolerable for normal people in a 10 lbs rifle (gun+scope shooting federdal 270 gr sofe point)?
 
With a name of RemingtonMarlin one would think the classic 45-90 would of been up your alley. I would only consider 50bmg to be to big, still I would be eager to see its outcome.
 
Don't listen to those people. Use your 375 and have fun. My wife killed a buck with my 375 h&h and 270 gr tsx. Recoil also isn't an issue as long as your gun doesn't have a hockey puck recoil bad and even then it won't matter in the bush.
 
I don't understand why someone would argue that a caliber is too much for hunting, within reason. Of course you wouldn't want to use that on a rabbit, but for big game hunting it's fine. A .375H&H is very ethical. My only issue with that chambering is the price of ammo.

The problem I have is with the "bare minimum" hunters, who think they possess some mystical skill which allows them to .410 slug a deer at 50 yards.
 
The first two gun I ever bought are a Remington 870 express 3" combo, and a Marlin bolt 17m2. I thought that I was fully equiped with those two guns WITHOUT the need for anything else. Hence the user name.

Since then, I sold both of them long time ago. This is an addiction.
 
That's good to hear. So I am not that off afterall. Thank you guys.
The ammo price is very high comparing with others like 30-06, or even 300 win mag, but
the old gentlement at local shop told me that I would be in good shape after shooting 2 boxes out of the gun.
After that, it will be one shot one kill (I hope) since I bought the Ruger #1. So the price issue will be out of the way.
 
Rocket Surgery said:
The problem I have is with the "bare minimum" hunters, who think they possess some mystical skill which allows them to .410 slug a deer at 50 yards.
Click to expand...



And don't forget the number 1 magical and mystical killing ability of the SKS, which also gets 1 inch groups with open sights at 500 meters, which incidentally, one of every two SKS owners has shot a moose with theirs.


375H&H too much gun? No, not at all. Nice gun for the guys who don't paint their nails. Bad shots damage meat, good shots damage little meat. 375 H&H is not in my gun safe, but I've seen it used, and it works well on moose, elk, and bears.
 
The recoil is there, yes, but it's not so bad that prone isn't an option.
More of a long firm push than a sharp slap.

My BRNO 602 gets well used to ring steel from bipod prone, just for the(big)giggles.
Well past 400yds too. No problem.

Don't hunt anymore, but doubtfull that any well placed hit would fail to anchor your quarry.
 
I am happy now. Thank you all for those encouraging words.
I had to choose between a 300 WIN MAG and a 375 H&H (both #1). I was so
puzzled that I had to ask the wife about her opinion (She does not shoot nor hunt).
She suggested that I just follow my heart. I am glad that I did. A 300 win mag is just so plain and boring (while being excellent and effective). I fallen in love with 375 H&H after I saw the actual round in the shop (so ###y comparing to a boring and ugly .308).

Now I have to sell some stuff to pay for it.
 
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I agree with Blargon, as long as you can handle and shoot a rifle well it is never "too big". I am going to use my 375H&H for deer hunting this year. Anyone who tells you it's too big for anything but elephants, will damage too much meat, or recoils too much has likely never used one. I hope you enjoy your H&H as much as I enjoy mine!
 
I loved my Ruger No. 1 but sold it decades ago during the NEB crisis here to feed my family. I kept my 444 Marlin and sold off the finer rifles to keep the working rifle. It was a tough time for jobs. We don't get a lot of help west of Kenora.

The 375 is considered ideal for the thin skinned animals in africa and a bull moose is a formidable animal. Handloading helps because Speer makes a dandy 230 gr bullet that tames the rifle a bit and is a dandy bullet. Also the 270 grainers can be dialed back to superb power level tailored for our game. You will be very happy with it and in almost all cases recoil adjustment is a learned skill and will improve quickly. If a 9 pound rifle with atop notch pad is a good fit for you your buddies will burn all your ammo playing with it. If you ever bump into a big bear or a nasty tempered rutting moose up close it will not feel too big. I think its history adds to the pride of ownership.
 
The only fly in the ointment is that some of the bigger guns tend to recoil alot and so they are built very robust and HEAVY to help tame recoil. These rifles can be too heavy to carry all day hunting, my 12 lb. Sharps 50-90 is alot of weight to pack around all day. In the old days they carried them on horseback or wagon and had to carry them only when buffalo were spotted.
 
I am going to use a 450/400NE in a #1 this year, it will make for an interesting season.
I looked at a 375 when I bought it, but, there are lots of those around. Hope you enjoy it.
 
No such thing as too big, but there are those who think they absolutely need a monster magnum too. It works both ways.
 
As others have said, the size limitation of a rifle cartridge is determined by the shooter, not the target. A .375 is the ideal multipurpose big game cartridge providing sufficient power for the biggest game, kills medium sized game neatly, yet provides a reasonably flat trajectory over normal hunting ranges. As with most centerfire cartridges, the .375's versatility is optimized through handloading.
 
So, how big is too big in terms of vehicles for getting the groceries?

It should be obvious that any vehicle can get the groceries, so it is a bit silly to say there is an upper limit. But, using a semi-trailer tractor unit to pick up the eggs and milk is just a bit silly. It can certainly be done, and it will work (if you can drive and park it) but it is just silly. There are many vehicles that can do the job with a lot less "hassle", and with absolute certainty that they can carry the load.

That is how I feel about the .375 H&H for hunting in Ontario. I'm not a "bare minimum" advocate either, but there are cartridges that are just way more than anyone needs to get the desired result.

Now, if you just WANT a .375 H&H because you want one, then go right ahead. But you will be "driving a semi-trailer tractor unit" all the time. For me, the novelty would wear off very fast after a few trips to the mall. (Kind of stretching the metaphor, I know, but .......) ;)
 
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