375 Win. lead choices?

Suka

Suka

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
65   0   0
Location
Happy on the farm, plan on leaving feet first.
Just cut a deal on a 375 Winchester. I'm thinking 220gr and 250gr jacketed leads. I see 300gr and higher leads are also available, but I suspect that would be too heavy for the calibre to be a practical hunting bullet.
Any advice from the 375 shooters?

I'm thinking 220gr hornady's, and 250gr hawks over either 3031 or 4198.
Thanks for your input.
 
I find the 268 grain hard cast gas checked from bullet barn, or now I "home cast" them are just the ticket. I drive them at 38-55 speeds for cowboy silhouette. .375 Gas checks are a pain to locate in the north though!
 
I assume it is a Winchester Big Bore? If so, I would recommend the Hornady 220 grain Flat Nose. With Reloder 7 you can get decent velocities.
I have also used the RCBS 265 grain FN with gas check with good accuracy and velocity.
 
Would Woodleigh 235gr .375 cal bullets would work in the .375 Winchester?

They list 1800-2400fps MV as the design range. I'd think you could get these to ~2000fps MV out of a .375 Winchester. :confused:
 
Ya, to be honest, we started it out on the 220gr hornady's and it shoots them so well we've simply not tried anything else.
The only powders we've tried are IMR3031 and 4198 and while it liked both it seems to like the 4198 a little better.

I really can't figure out why this calibre never stood the test of time. It's not a shoulder cannon like the 450, yet it's so much more than a 30-30. It's almost right smack dab in the middle between the two.
Nice gun, and I think about the perfect bush calibre for my wife.
 
mbogo3, yeah I saw those on the Barnes website. They look like a great bullet. If I can find some I will buy them.

In the meantime, I went ahead and ordered those 235gr Woodleigh Weldcores. I know they have a rather small nose. I may get around that by only loading 2 bullets. One in the barrel, one in the magazine.

I also know they are heavily constructed. But the spec says a velocity range from 1900fps to 2800fps. Since I would be using them on big black bears, at close range, I think they'll work. The worst thing I can see is reduced expansion, but that should mean increased penetration.

The more important issue is the cannelure. I got an email from a Woodleigh Rep', who says the cannelure is wrong, for use in the .375Win. I guess I'll have to 'play-it-by-ear'.
 
I picked up a Lyman mold that casts a 265gr FN GC for my Grandpa's 1894 38-55 but havn't made bullets yet................data goes up to 1800fps.........PS Forster makes a hollow pointer for their case trimmer................Harold
 
My marlin 375 absolutely loves the 220 Hornady and AA1680. This is probably hands down the best powder for this bullet/cartridge combo, giving the best velocities and very good accuracy. Mine averages just a shade over an inch for 3 @ 100 yds and I'm getting around 2350 fps.
 
bassman said:
My marlin 375 absolutely loves the 220 Hornady and AA1680. This is probably hands down the best powder for this bullet/cartridge combo, giving the best velocities and very good accuracy. Mine averages just a shade over an inch for 3 @ 100 yds and I'm getting around 2350 fps.
Click to expand...


Most of the loads I've looked at list ~2200 as max' velocity with the 220gr bullet. Is that a little 'hot'?
 
That .375 Win. is one of the finest cast bullet cartridges, whether is loaded down or up near max. with bullets up to 300grs., while you're saving money over jacketed bullets.
 
im yet to reload, but i use factory winchester, 200grs, cannot wait to start reloading for the 375, as i feel its a great open sight scrub gun for fallow an even a sambar in close.
i wouldnt use it past 100 myself, but betwen 0 an 100 i rekon its guna be a whomper.

re 7 seems to be the go?
 
38g of rl 7 with a 220 hornady and a large rifle primer gave me 2200+ in my big bore. never should have sold it, it was an early top eject model.
 
I do not own a 375, but have a modern 38-55, and load the 280 cast to about 1700. It is deadly accurate, and hits like the hammer of Thor. No reason why the 375 would not work just great with the same stuff. Eagleye.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom