.375 H&H for Deer...

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-DeerStalker-

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Hey fellas, first post here.

I only own one rifle (Savage 99C .308) It's a great rifle for what it is, but I'm not real fond of the lever, the action leave a little to be desired. I find the rifle a little clumsy. I want a crisp new bolt!

I'm itching for a new deer rifle. I know there's alot of popular tried and tested rounds out there like the .270, .308, 30-06, 7mm etc. I always like being unique, and having something nobody else has.

I was checking out the ballistic charts on the .375 H&H and it yeilds some impressive performance. The muzzle velocity and ft/lbs are outstanding, and it's flat in the 200-250 grain range out to 200-300 yards. And I read that the .375 will do less damage to the meat than a .270! And you know if you smack a buck with a 200 grain bullet coming out of a .375 its going down for the count.

I'm looking at the Browning A-Bolt Stalker and the Remington 798.

Anywho, any one own a .375 H&H, and hunt deer with it? Impressions?

I realize that it's probably over kill, and the cheapest shell I could fint for it are over $40 a box, but It's soooo tempting.
 
-DeerStalker- said:
I only own one rifle (Savage 99C .308) It's a great rifle for what it is, but I'm not real fond of the lever, the action leave a little to be desired. I find the rifle a little clumsy. I want a crisp new bolt!
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I've owned several 375s over the years. I have another in the works right now. They are, and need to be, heavier than a "deer" rifle and IMO don't make much fun to carry in the deer woods. Maybe a tree stand, but not over hill and dale.

-DeerStalker- said:
I'm looking at the Browning A-Bolt Stalker and the Remington 798.
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Avoid the Browning A-Bolt Stalker at all cost!

I owned one and it was the worst recoiling rifle I've ever shot due to the poorly designed stock. The stock on my A-Bolt 22/250 was bigger. This pic below is of some pads I took off a Browning A-Bolt 375H&H and a Remington 30/06. The top pad is going on my next 375. If you think a pad that small and that hard is OK on a 375, well then have at'er. :) The bbl is too long as well. At 26", you'll prolly want to cut her down by 2"-4", get the front sight reinstalled and may as well put a Decelerator on it while at the smith. ;)

Limbsaver006.jpg
 
If you're gonna hunt deer with a 375, use the Speer 235gr SP. They are designed for deer sized game at H&H velocities and are alot easier/cheaper to shoot than the bigger premiums.

I had good luck with the 235s and IMR 3031. Fast and accurate.


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I've hunted with a Ruger #1 in 375 H&H for black bears and moose. I've no experience with the particular rifle you mention, but the caliber is a great one if you want a big gun that can also reach a long ways, and you don't have $300 a box for ammo for a .378 Weatherby. I've found that a well set up .375 H&H (good recoil pad, ported) doesn't kick that bad and you can go to the range and fire a box and enjoy it. When actually shooting game, of course, you never notice recoil. The .375 H&H is pretty reloader friendly too, and ammunition is easy to find compared to other big magnums. I think it's a very versatile big magnum.
 
Yeah, do it! I use a .375 H + H for everything, currently using 260 grain boat tails in it. It is a touch heavy (Winchester model 70) but it isn't that bad at all to pack around, and I have sighted it in three times at the range and found the recoil to be manageable.
 
I've had one for years a Sako standard hunter love it I use the 235 gr speers on deer works great .
 
The .375 drops the smaller species of big game without the meat damage often associated with high velocity small bores and fragile bullets. While there might be a temptation to use a light weight bullet, like a Barnes 250 gr or lighter, I believe the combination of a light weight bullet and high velocity would be destructive on light framed game. The .375 shines with 260, 270, and 300 gr bullets, any of which are fine for North American game. Pick a bullet you like and use that load for all your big game hunting, you'll never look back.
 
The .375 will do the job for sure. You could also look at the short action .350 Remington Magnum. A seldom seen caliber in deer season.
 
The smallest animal I shot with my 375 H&H was a springbok, weighing less than 100 pounds. There was a .375 hole going in and a quarter sized hole going out. The animal dropped like a sack of potatoes where he stood.

I have seen a 270 Wby Mag destroy an entire quarter of an animals that size. There is no question the 375 H&H is meat friendly.

As others have noted, most 375 H&H rifles are heavy, and for comfortable shooting you wouldn't want them any other way. They will be heavy, awkward and clunky in the deer woods, but otherwise I would have no problem hunting deer with one.
 
I've carried my 375 Ruger Alaskan with it's 20" barrel a few times this year, when hunting in thick cover. It's a bit heavier than my other rifles, but it's compactness makes up for it.

If you are not a handloader, you probably will want to think abotu becoming one, as factory 375 Anything is pretty $$.:)
 
Deer Stalker,
I've never shot a deer with a .375, but have gone much smaller and much bigger with it. This Steinbuck wouldn't be but 20 pounds, and the pinto in my avatarar was probably close to 3000. I could have used the same load as well, but slipped a solid in at the last moment on the giraffe. The Steinbuck got a 300 grain TSX, and is going to be a full body mount. If you went with a 270 grain TSX you wouldn't need another load for anything. If you like to use calibers that are a little different, the three seven five can do it all. Go for it.:D

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Man, hunting in Africa must be something, good picture of you and your Steinbuck, I can't believe you took that little bugger our with a .375. I guess it further evidence that the .375 isn't really overkill.

As for the weight, Remington's site has the 798 weighing in at just 7lbs, which isn't bad at all, but she must kick like a mule!

The 798 is a great looking rifle too.

I definitely won't be making any fire arm purchases anytime real soon, but I'm gonna stick around on this forum, and for sure post when I do get a new rifle.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bronco Boy
I have to ask; please excuse me if this a dumb question. Why is the .375 so meat friendly?
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A combination of lower velocity, and availability of strongly constructed bullets. A bullet that will penetrate 6 feet in a big animal won't mangle a small one.
 
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