Finally yesterday I got around to trying out my .375. It's a Sako L61R Finnbear Deluxe topped with a Leupold VARI X III 2.5 - 8 X 36 MM scope. I made up some reloads using mostly 78 grains of 4350. My starting load was 77 grains and I worked up to 80 grains. I thought this gun seems awful light for a .375, bet it's going to kick pretty good. However my Winchester model 70 in .338 Win. is no worse for recoil then most of the .270's and 30-06's I used so I thought the 375 wouldn't really be that bad. So I went to line her up with my 19 year old son trying out a few shots too, and man I soon found out she kicks pretty hard. The scope hit my son in the forehead so I told him to hold it further from his eye and really tight to the shoulder. About 8 shots later and my shoulder was getting progressively more "tenderized" so I had to stop before I developed a flinch. Even worse the grouping was all over the place though my aim and trigger squeeze looked quite good. The gun handled the 80 grains of 4350 test without a hitch and still showing no signs of pressure but most of my loads were 78 grains. So this morning I checked things over to try to figure out what was causing the poor grouping, and soon found out that the rings weren't really tight so I tightened them up a fair bit more. I had gotten my son to do it but he must have used too short an Allen wrench or something. Back out again to see if that helped, this time my 17 year old son came with me. The gun was off about 6 inches to the right but after a few scope adjustments it was quite close to being lined up and this time the shots were going where they were supposed to. I had to quit after 3 shots this time though because my shoulder was feeling it again and hadn't recovered from the day before. My 17 year old son managed 3 shots too. In hunting situations I doubt if I'd notice the recoil much with the .375 but lining it up on a rest is a different story. If I got a more powerful kicking gun then the .375 and trying lining it up off a rest it would perhaps push my limits. I'll fine tune it the rest of the way in a few days but my 22 hornet should be here any time now so I'm treating myself by taking that out next I think!
Well I know one thing for sure, the .375 H&H is not a target gun!
- Thread starter CZ_Brno
- Start date
WHAT?!?! You don't enjoy shooting the big gun? Careful, some here are going to call you subversive and even question your manhood over not willingly enjoying the tenderizing.
Me? I'm with you, I shoot the big calibers but no more than I have too.
Me? I'm with you, I shoot the big calibers but no more than I have too.
Count me in. I was developing "light" loads using 235gr. Speer Hot Cores and H380 powder on the advise of another fellow that I met at the hunting store. I should have quit after 9 rounds, but NOOOOOO, I kept going for another 6. When I got home, I told my wife that I needed a chiropractor to get everything back in line
I think I'm going to work on the "reduced loads" from the manual 
First a Sako AV in 375 is a lightweight gun. It's the same gun I have in 300 win mag and will weigh about 8.5 lbs scoped. Not too bad for a 300, but a bit light for a 375.
When you are going to shoot it off a bench, use a PAST recoil shoulder pad oir at least a towel. Shoot a few rounds then go back to a 22.
When you are going to shoot it off a bench, use a PAST recoil shoulder pad oir at least a towel. Shoot a few rounds then go back to a 22.
1. Stacking the sandbags higher helps alot as it allows you to sit upright behind the rifle instead of being hunched over (anchored) during recoil.
2. Move your scope as far forward as possible, but still be comfortable when shooting.
3. It may need a better pad like a Decelerator.
4. One of those PAST sissy pads helps alot. I used one today for my 375 and it helps.
5. 235gr Speer bullets with mild loads makes a big diff as well.
6. Stop shooting it when it hurts you.
.
2. Move your scope as far forward as possible, but still be comfortable when shooting.
3. It may need a better pad like a Decelerator.
4. One of those PAST sissy pads helps alot. I used one today for my 375 and it helps.
5. 235gr Speer bullets with mild loads makes a big diff as well.
6. Stop shooting it when it hurts you.
.
Great tips there guys! They'd all help some. Much appreciated!
Maybe I can use it as a gopher gun yet.
Yep, I was leaning a bit forward and shooting off the hood of my truck with small sandbags. Not the best way of doing things. Didn't mention before the weight of the bullets I was using, 270 grains.
Maybe I can use it as a gopher gun yet.
Yep, I was leaning a bit forward and shooting off the hood of my truck with small sandbags. Not the best way of doing things. Didn't mention before the weight of the bullets I was using, 270 grains.
When I first got my 375 in a Reminton BDL with a synthetic stock. I tried a dozen different recipes for a 235 gr but with no luck. Shoots 270 grainers like a tac driver though. 15 shots at the range bare shoulder max & a flinch develops.
Target rifle accurracy, cannon like recoil... By the way my 270 gr. load leaves the muzzle at just under 2900 ft/sec (2865 fps average) over the chrono. No lie!
Target rifle accurracy, cannon like recoil... By the way my 270 gr. load leaves the muzzle at just under 2900 ft/sec (2865 fps average) over the chrono. No lie!
In my experience, rifle fit becomes more important as recoil increases. A straight stock, with a good pad, that fits your length of pull, is crucial.
FWIW, I use Win70 for all my medium- and big-bore needs: .338, .375, and .458. I'm no salty mountain man, but I have no trouble shooting these rifles--and I mean 50 off the bench over an afternoon, doing load development. Slow, precise shooting over a bag, where a flinch would end the day's fun.
On the other hand, give me an old short-stock Savage 10 in .30-06 with a hard plastic buttplate and I'll be crying like a little girl after 5 rounds, and flinching with every shot. I've owned 'that' rifle before; won't go back.
FWIW, I use Win70 for all my medium- and big-bore needs: .338, .375, and .458. I'm no salty mountain man, but I have no trouble shooting these rifles--and I mean 50 off the bench over an afternoon, doing load development. Slow, precise shooting over a bag, where a flinch would end the day's fun.
On the other hand, give me an old short-stock Savage 10 in .30-06 with a hard plastic buttplate and I'll be crying like a little girl after 5 rounds, and flinching with every shot. I've owned 'that' rifle before; won't go back.
I have shot my 375 HH 40 rds. a number of times with no problem, but it weighs 9 3/4 # has a great stock and a decellerator. I shot it over 600 times last year before africa and will probably shoot it 500 times before I leave this year. I shoot alot off sticks but do a bunch of bench work also. It is a fun gun to shoot.
Yes Supercub is right, but the problem is that most of us (or at least I) can't listen well enough to what's put down on paper. Heck, I know better than putting more than 9 or so rounds through it, but nooooooooooo, I had to be man enough put 15 rounds thru it back to back. Went home and cried for a chyropractor. And on those "light" 235gr bullets?, those are the ones that rearanged my carcass. I was pushing them with H380. So, the moral of my stroy is choose a lighter bullet and a slower powder, or else ouch and ouch.
Not if you are used to 270's..........I have mine set up pretty sweet with 250 grainers with ballistic tips and I notice the 300's after an hour at the range. I haven't taken any of the good advice offered in this thread yet either though!
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
I used to shoot my 375 H&H prone off a bi-pod,that was entertaining.
X=?
The bench I was shooting at is a POS. The seat is so high that you crouch down to shoulder the rifle. Not the best position to shoot any rifle, never mind a .375. One should also hav eenough sense to know when to quit, but that isn't a sensibilty that we gunnutz are known for..........is it?
X is a variable. For me at least, I find that some sessions I tire after only 9 or 12 rounds fired in 3 round groups. Some sessions I can shoot 18 or more and still feel good. X is your own personal variable as well.
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