38-55 or 375 win
- Thread starter scenar
- Start date
Better. - dan
Used Barnes original bullets in my 38-55 and my 375 Contender barrel . They worked well. Mine were 377 diameter if I remember correctly. - dan
I have loaded the Hdy 220 gr FP for my 375 since 1997. Works just fine in moose, black bear and caribou, out to 100 to 150 yards.
I did take 1 young bull moose at 225 yards, with the 200 gr factory ammo, but that was a pretty good poke for this cartridge, as retained energy was less than 1000 ft.lbs. (2054 fps out of my Marlin and still packing 1334 ft. lbs of energy @ 100 yards.)
I also have the 200 gr Sierra FN, but haven't taken game with it as yet. HSM loads this bullet in their 375 ammo. Shoots out of my Marlin @ 2157 fps and produces 3-shot groups just under an inch at 100 yards, and is still packing 1476 ft. lbs of energy at this distance.
I did take 1 young bull moose at 225 yards, with the 200 gr factory ammo, but that was a pretty good poke for this cartridge, as retained energy was less than 1000 ft.lbs. (2054 fps out of my Marlin and still packing 1334 ft. lbs of energy @ 100 yards.)
I also have the 200 gr Sierra FN, but haven't taken game with it as yet. HSM loads this bullet in their 375 ammo. Shoots out of my Marlin @ 2157 fps and produces 3-shot groups just under an inch at 100 yards, and is still packing 1476 ft. lbs of energy at this distance.
"I believe Hornady no longer makes the 220grFN .375 "
No, these haven't been available now for quite some time.
Even the Sierra are difficult to find.
I am lucky that I stocked up when I did, or as I have come across it over the years, so I have a decent supply on hand to last me a while.
I was using the Hdy in my Marlin, and the Sierra in my Winchester.
When I recently sold my 94 Big Bore to a friend, for dealing with problem bears on his cabin property, I did set him up with some ammo, dies, brass and bullets to last him a while too.
Winchester did make another run of ammo a few years back, and some stores still have some on the shelves, but it isn't cheap!
No, these haven't been available now for quite some time.
Even the Sierra are difficult to find.
I am lucky that I stocked up when I did, or as I have come across it over the years, so I have a decent supply on hand to last me a while.
I was using the Hdy in my Marlin, and the Sierra in my Winchester.
When I recently sold my 94 Big Bore to a friend, for dealing with problem bears on his cabin property, I did set him up with some ammo, dies, brass and bullets to last him a while too.
Winchester did make another run of ammo a few years back, and some stores still have some on the shelves, but it isn't cheap!
for a true 38-55, a 250(ish) hard cast is pretty standard. Barnes makes jacketed bullets too, and these can be driven faster / loaded hotter if your rifle ca handle that.
Some modern 38-55s have 375 bores (which can cause some chambering issues with 379 cast bullets). If you have a gun like this, starline makes brass that will work better for you. Or, you can use 375 bullets in the 200-250 grain range.
For the 375win, jacketed is the way to go. You can get velocities way up compared to 38-55. 200-250s will all work for big game, but I still prefer the 250(ish) stuff.
