375 H&H for Deer??

NorthernPF

NorthernPF

Regular
Rating - 100%
9   0   1
Location
Ramore, Ontario
Hey Guys,

I'm going Whitetail deer hunting for the first time. I just bought a new 375 and I really want to make good use of it. Is there a load combintaion that I can make that won't be over powering. I see that Hornady make a 220 Flat point and a 225 spitzer, I was thinking of maybe trying one of these.

Any opinions?
 
My Hornady manual lists some reduced loads for the 220gr flat point to duplicate the .375 Win ballistics that this bullet was designed for. Even a full power load with the 225gr SP wouldn't be ridiculous, the manual shows a max load putting it out at 2800fps, which is lots for deer but not crazy. Small bullets at super high velocities seem to be the ones that cause lots of meat damage, not bigger bullets cruising along at lower velocities.

The powders listed for the regular loads are N-140, IMR-4064, H4895 and RL-15. The powders listed for the reduced loads are SR4769, H4227 and AA5744. If you let me know which powder(s) you want to try, I can post the loads.

Mark
 
I also have the Hornady manual.

I have RL-15 right now for my normal loads so I was thinking of getting 220gr Flat point shooting right at the bottom of velocities ~2500.

Right now for moose I have 300gr BTSP flying around at 2400fps.
 
NorthernPF said:
I also have the Hornady manual.

I have RL-15 right now for my normal loads so I was thinking of getting 220gr Flat point shooting right at the bottom of velocities ~2500.

Right now for moose I have 300gr BTSP flying around at 2400fps.
Click to expand...

Seems reasonable to me. I shot two deer last year with commercial 6.5x55 ammo and it was a 140gr at ~2400fps. Almost no meat damage at all and the deer both dropped quickly, with one bang flop and the other making it maybe 10 steps.

Mark
 
use what you are using now as the deer will not know the difference. I use 300g hornady interlock for everthing that way there is no pissing around with scopes bullets etc.
 
The 235 gr Speer Hot Cor, ahead of IMR 3031 is very accurate, and always worked for me when I wanted a "light" load for black bear. It is very easy on the shoulder, and very hard on the bear.........

I'm sure it will work on deer. :)

Ted
 
Last edited:
Lighter loads as mentioned should work fine and not cause lots of meat damage.

I've got some 220gr Hornady FP that I plan on seating over a mostly full case of Trail Boss in my .375 RUM for a light load with that rifle.
 
Well as long as the deer doesn't explode you're good. I've shot a 375 at the range and feel it may be a bit too much gun for deer. But as a hunter I know what counts. If it gets the job done and doesn't cause suffering or waste meat go for it.
 
A buddy shot a WT buck with a 235 Speer and a healthy dose of IMR 4895 out of a .375 H+H . It bled itself dry 50 yards later.A blind man could track it................Harold
 
My brother uses standard loads with 270 grainers. He used Remington factory loads last year and had serious bullet blowup on both a coyote and his whitetail buck. Accubonds work much better.
 
If you were really serious about Whitetails you'd know that a 375 H&H is a little light. A 416 Rigby might better suit these thick skinned hard to kill beasts. :)

Ron
 
ronecol said:
If you were really serious about Whitetails you'd know that a 375 H&H is a little light. A 416 Rigby might better suit these thick skinned hard to kill beasts. :)

Ron
Click to expand...

I have a 30-06 and a 300WM but I just got the 375 and wanted to put something down with it. I'm looking for serious opinions. If it's too big I hope you guys just say so and I'll bring the 300.
 
One reason the .375 is such a good choice for africa is that it allows a hunter to hunt both large dangerous and small plains game with a single rifle with a single load. A 270 gr TSX would be pretty hard to beat as a do it all bullet. If a .375 doesn't tear up an impala, it won't tear up a whitetail either. You might as well just sell your .30 caliber rifles, they don't serve any purpose now.:)
 
NorthernPF said:
I have a 30-06 and a 300WM but I just got the 375 and wanted to put something down with it. I'm looking for serious opinions. If it's too big I hope you guys just say so and I'll bring the 300.
Click to expand...

Id use a 375 before a 300WM......270's moving at 2600-2700 fps....you might eat right up to the hole. Given your choices I think a 30-06 wouldnt' be a bad idea...

As far as the bullets you mention...I think Why Not has nailed it.
 
ronecol said:
If you were really serious about Whitetails you'd know that a 375 H&H is a little light. A 416 Rigby might better suit these thick skinned hard to kill beasts. :)

Ron
Click to expand...

Agreed. Personally, I'd see look into a 408 cheytac since the trajectory is more appropriate for the 1200 yard shots typical hunting whitetail deer in open fields.

Seriously, your 375 is going to go clean through one way or another. The best advice in this thread was to work on one load and learn its trajectory well. You don't want to have to think about holdovers if you happen to see a nice 8 pointer at 250m. For practical hunting, you won't be shooting past 350-400 yards anyways so choose a heavy high BC sp bullet and learn its trajectory with a load that provides the best accuracy.
 
Gatehouse said:
I shot a blacktail and a black bear last year using 270gr TSX's. Deer won't really care what you are using.;)
Click to expand...


...and this would have certainly been with a .375 Ruger. Just think of how much more effective you will be with the H&H...a REAL .375!....:p
 
"...just bought a new 375..." Shot it yet? Worked up a load or found the ammo it shoots best? Can you hit a 9" pie plate every time at 100 yards? If your answer is no to any of these questions, leave it at home. The .375 H&H is too much for deer anyway.
 
Witth the amount of experience on here I'm surprised nobody nailed it yet.

Lighter faster bullets will destroy more meat than slower heavier ones. Speed wrecks meat, not bullet weight.

.375 is fine on deer and won't wreck any more meat than a 30-06, and probably less because the .375 bullets tend to be a little stouter and don't open up as fast.

If you can shoot it properly it will work just fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom