Recoil of a Browning X-Bolt in 375 H&H

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vic130

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Hey everyone!

It's been awhile since I haven't posted on CGN!
I'm looking for my next purchase and I'm thinking about getting a nice looking X-Bolt Medallion in 375 H&H.

I'm wondering about the recoil of that beast. It weights about 7 pounds and I don't plan to put scope on it.
I don't have much experience on heavy recoil. I should try shooting some 1 1/2oz magnum turkey loads (heaviest that fits in my 12ga) just to see how I can handle the recoil.

Since I reload, is there a few light loads I could load up to get used to the gun?

I'm looking for your input!
I search for the X-Bolt in general and I think it is a good choice for most calibers.
I don't know about 375H&H though.

Would you say it's a good strong rifle for overall hunting? I plan doing hunting trips outside of Canada sometimes!

Thanks!
 
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Never shot one but a 7 pound 375 H&H doesn't sound fun although if you kept bullets light it may not be too bad. It wouldn't be my first choice for an all-round rifle but with 220 grain bullets it can be fairly manageable and if it is to serve duty as a dangerous game rifle then it's likely as light of a chambering as you can go. Personally I'd look for something with a bit more weight. My 375 comes in around 9 pounds scoped.
 
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That is lite gun and no scope. Are you planning to hunt in Africa for the dangerous 5. If not a 300 win mag, 30 06 or 270 work just fine.
 
Probably not the big 5. If I do have the money for a big five, the rifle wouldn't be the biggest expense!
I was thinking more about Grizzly.
Before making a purchase, I'll try to fire a few turkey loads out of my light 12ga. It should give me a rough idea of the 375...

Would you say the 375 is punishing?
 
vic130 said:
Probably not the big 5. If I do have the money for a big five, the rifle wouldn't be the biggest expense!
I was thinking more about Grizzly.
Before making a purchase, I'll try to fire a few turkey loads out of my light 12ga. It should give me a rough idea of the 375...

Would you say the 375 is punishing?
Click to expand...

The 375 definitely has a stout recoil. Not a rifle I'd want to do a lot of shooting off the bench with. For a few shots in a hunting situation, likely no big deal for most. If Africa is in the future, why not look at a 300 or 338 for the grizz and an all round rifle and buy the 375 when you go to Africa.
 
my rem custon is 8 lb 11 oz scoped. my tikka 338 and rem 8 mag are worse in the recoil department. the 375 is a heavy push back the others are really sharp. thats the best way to discribe it. at 7 lbs it would get your attention. sierra makes a nice 250 grn or a 260 noz ab wouldn't be too bad. i would probably avoid full power 300 grn loads unless hunting. wouldn't be too much fun off the bench.
 
Are you sure about the weight?

Most rifles in .375H&H are going to be around 9lbs. A 7lb .375H&H will be fine for hunting, since recoil isn't really a factor, when you are psyched up, shooting at game. But off the bench, that's pretty light.

Ellwood Epps has 2 Winchester M70 Alaskan models in stock, in .375H&H. Those are a better rifle than that X-Bolt (in my books). Maybe more money, I don't know, but I do know this; you get what you pay for.

As to whether or not you should get a .375, ABSOLUTELY! Why wait!? Get a .375H&H, and take it shooting and hunting, as much as you can.
 
I for one would certainly not recommend a set up like that for a new shooter to start with. I can see a great big flinch coming along. Start with something smaller and work up and up as you can. I've been shooting for many years and I'm sure I would not like to shoot an X-Bolt in 375 H&H. But then again, my recoil tolerance is not as high as many other's.
 
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Bought one X-bolt Stainless Stalker 375 H&H and while a hefty recoil, i find it's quite manageable, the rifle is nice because it give 30-06 180 gr trajectory but with a lot more knock down power, this rifle is just great... JP.
 
I found some loads of 200gr @ 2000fps. That's lighter than a 30-06!
I think it's would be wise to start with these since they are a little step up of what I got.
Looks like 375H&H gives plenty of opportunities for reloading!
 
http://www.rockwellarms.com/Store/P...Stainless-Stalker-375-HH-Mag-Caliber-24-Rifle

6lb 13ozs. Yep that's 'around' 7 lbs.

That wouldn't stop me from getting the rifle, though I still suggest the Winchester M70.

Off the bench, you might want to invest in a Caldwell Lead Sled, or something similar, to make shooting on the range a bit easier on the shoulder.

Does the rifle you are looking at have the synthetic stock?
 
I've seen a number of broken stocks, especially on higher recoil rifles as a result of shooting out of a Lead Sled.....I definitely wouldn't use one on a 375 this light weight. Reduced loads are definitely an option to begin with but at some point the shooter needs to take the full brunt of the recoil off of the bench to ensure a proper zero. Although once zeroed, the bench is the last place I'd be shooting from.

Just worked up a new load for my 375 on the weekend and 15 or so rounds off the bench was lots. Thankfully the load came together quickly and the rifle zeroed quickly.
 
I plan taking the X-Bolt Medallion, this one is at 7#.
I don't like synthetic stocks.
Also, reduced loads are way cheaper, I get used to the rifle faster.

I understand this won't be a benchrest rifle, it not my intention at all!

Thanks for the input, it's going to give me some stuff to think about over the summer.
 
Don't think anyone was implying it was going to be a bench rifle but shooting off of a bench is a necessary evil with every rifle when working up a load and zeroing....that's where things get hard on the shoulder and bad habits quickly develop.
 
Ive had 2 375s a CZ550 about 9lbs? and a lighter 375 ruger alaskan both felt the same recoil to me? When I first got them a friend and I compared the recoil to our 300 win mags and found the sharper recoil of the 300 more uncomfortable than the hard push of the 375. I wouldnt hesitate getting a 375, I found them allot of fun to shoot I felt the recoil was stout but very managable.
 
Just be sure to get a scope with long eye relief and mount it so that you have plenty of space between your face and that eyepiece. I find I shoot much better when not worried about getting a scope in the face. Leupold is generally good for eye relief specs.
 
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