Because handloaders have observed that tapered cartridges -like the H&H and 303 British for example- Have shorter case life than cartridges that have straighter walls and sharper shoulders.
What's your favorite .375 cartridge?
- Thread starter K98
- Start date
Because handloaders have observed that tapered cartridges -like the H&H and 303 British for example- Have shorter case life than cartridges that have straighter walls and sharper shoulders.
Your "patterning" sure isn't reflected by the poll numbers, the 375 H&H seems to lead the way in the popularity contest.
That's mainly why I started the poll, to find this out.
It looks like the H&H has a huge following, and I'm sure rifles will continue to be chambered for it for many many years to come.
But perhaps the poll isn't entirely fair to the .375 Ruger because it's so new, and the H&H has been around so long and has been chambered in some truly great and classic guns.
Bigredd
The 375 AI is a great cartridge, it was one of the ones on my short list until the 375 Ruger was announced. It's like the 375 Weatherby, one of the few Weatherby cartridges that I like.
Of course, you will need to fireform H&H cases for it, you can't just buy them off the shelf like 375 Ruger cases...
It's not that popular or considered a "classic", but I buy rifles/cartridges based on performance that suits my needs, rather than popularity, newness or oldness or nostalgia for a bygone era of cordite and tapered cases- an era that I was never a part of.
The 375 AI is a great cartridge, it was one of the ones on my short list until the 375 Ruger was announced. It's like the 375 Weatherby, one of the few Weatherby cartridges that I like.
Of course, you will need to fireform H&H cases for it, you can't just buy them off the shelf like 375 Ruger cases...
It's not that popular or considered a "classic", but I buy rifles/cartridges based on performance that suits my needs, rather than popularity, newness or oldness or nostalgia for a bygone era of cordite and tapered cases- an era that I was never a part of.
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Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
That is a cartridge on my list of 'ones to get'. It would be a fitting compliament to a couple of other straight wall cartridges like the .45-70 & .444. In addition it would probably be a good choice for Deer here on Vancouver Island.
Because handloaders have observed that tapered cartridges -like the H&H and 303 British for example- Have shorter case life than cartridges that have straighter walls and sharper shoulders.
I agree with your statement, but only in part.
My half dozen 303s that I load for have terrible case life, but I think the condition of the gun being used is as much to blame as case taper.
The 270 case has less taper and sharper shoulder than my H&H cases and far shorter case life, biggest problem being primer pocket stretching.
I had a 375 AI and the straight case/sharp shoulder reduced the frequency of case trimming, but as for case life it was no better or worse.
I think actual operating pressure of a cartridge has a larger bearing on case life than the amount of taper or shoulder angle...also the methods used for reloading...neck sizing versus full-length sizing.
Just my opinion....
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Say tuned to CGN EE for great deals on .375 Ruger. Once fired, and put back into the safe
Say tuned to CGN EE for great deals on .375 Ruger. Once fired, and put back into the safe
Gatehouse, I'll give you $300 for your .375 Ruger and all the accessories that go with it.
Gatehouse, I'll give you $300 for your .375 Ruger and all the accessories that go with it.
Hmm...let me think about it...
UHH NO!!
I rarely buy a rifle on a whim. I've been intending on replacing the 375 H&H I owned for over a year. I started pondering the 375 topic then, and when the Ruger was announced, I knew I wanted one, as it fit the criteria I wanted perfectly- H&H performance with a more modern case shape for longer case life, and a shorter action.
I Don't expect to be selling it anytime soon, in fact it rounds out my hunting rifle battery perfectly:
223
260HB (22-250AIHB being rebarreled)
30-30
7RM
300WSM
375 Ruger
Good for the whole planet
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Checking out the Hornady reloading manual, I never realized there was that much difference between the 38-55 and the 375 Winchester. For the most part, the 375 Winchester 'seems' to be a beafed up 38-55. Did a quick check to see if Marlin has a model to handle updated 38-55 loads, similar to what exists in the .45-70 category of loads.
Gatehouse, why should case life even come into consideration when shooting a .375? After all, only those shooters interested in target shooting lighter smaller bore calibers shooting hundreds or even thousands of rounds and neck sizing even bother with case life issues. If shooter like yourself and myself can afford the purchase of a good 375 caliber gun for hunting purpose, considering case life shouldn't even be an issue. Besides, no one has yet to convince me that simple cartridge geometry deterts case life at all. For my part, I really couldn't care less if case are only going to last two or three cycles of life...who cares? I'd certainly hope that you didn't pick your beloved .375 ruger on case life alone
Gatehouse, why should case life even come into consideration when shooting a .375? After all, only those shooters interested in target shooting lighter smaller bore calibers shooting hundreds or even thousands of rounds and neck sizing even bother with case life issues. If shooter like yourself and myself can afford the purchase of a good 375 caliber gun for hunting purpose, considering case life shouldn't even be an issue. Besides, no one has yet to convince me that simple cartridge geometry deterts case life at all. For my part, I really couldn't care less if case are only going to last two or three cycles of life...who cares?
Why is case life important? Why not? It is important to some shooters, not important to others.
One of the advantages that sharper shouldered cartridges have over sloping cases is their extended case life. You can see this especially with Ai cartridges- they last quite a long time, and yes- it is important to more than just target shooters. For instance, AI users need to fireform cases- Do they want thier cases to only last 2-3 firings?
You may not have been convinced that cartride geometry affects life, but I have. Loading for cartridges like the 375 H&H, 303, 30-30, 22-250 compared to cartridges like 338 WM, 30-06, 308, 22-250 AI, I've seen a big difference in case life, and no, it's not just the rifle.
If you haven't observed different case life based on cartridge shape, you probably haven't loaded for a wide enough variety of cartridges.
I like to shoot alot. My 375 H&H went with me to every range session, as will the 375 Ruger. I liek to keep in practice wiht a rifle that may be used on dangerous game.
You may only shoot your 375 every know and then, so 2-3 firings may be fine for you, but I will shoot mine alot. I don't want to be ordering cases every other week.
Of course not. I purchased it because it gives me exactly what I would want.
When I sold my 375 H&H Brno 602 (also owned by Supercub) I knew I wanted another 375 with similar performance. Based on that rifle (generous chamber) and another 375 H&h I had loaded for (tight chamber)I knew I didn't necessarily want another H&H. It is a great cartridlge, but case life bothered me.
I initially looked at the 375 Weatherby, 375 AI and 375-338, and even bought a rifle to build one of these on. it would have been stainless, synthetic, CRF action, 20-21" barrel, sturdy iron sights and ready for a scope, too. Then the Ruger came out, (in the African model) and I was going to build a 375 Ruger, by my specs, as it seemed to be more practical than the other choices. And then the stainless Alaskan came out, and it had what i wanted- 375 H&H + performance in a much more compact, stainless package. Had Ruger offered the same rifle, chambered in 375-338, 375 Weatherby or 375 newton
I would still have purchased it.Unless you have creeped up coastal spawning channels, seeing dinner plate size grizzly tracks, freshly chewed salmon carcasses, and tried to quickly swing a long barrel around in thick cover, where a grizzly could be 30 feet away and you would not be able to see it- You probably would not understand the attraction to the 375 Ruger Alaskan.
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You still don't convince me Gatehouse. I can afford to buy a 375 H&H or even a 375 Ruger or 375 whatever, so can you. But are you telling me that facing a Grizz, I would feel as though my ass is grass 'cause I'm packing a .375 H&H and wished that on my dying breath, as shoulda got a .375 Ruger instead......bullsthein buddy.
Oh... and like a buddy of mine and I were talking about today, if yoy wave to worry about case life when discussing calibers such as anything in the .375 range........you need another hobby, a cheaper one.
Oh... and like a buddy of mine and I were talking about today, if yoy wave to worry about case life when discussing calibers such as anything in the .375 range........you need another hobby, a cheaper one.
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Your "patterning" sure isn't reflected by the poll numbers, the 375 H&H seems to lead the way in the popularity contest.
Well the H and H will be the most popular. Thats a no brainer cause there are hundred or thousands in use and only a handfull of Rugers. BUT the Ruger WILL be the most popular calibre topic on CGN because of the sheep factor
or the flavor of the month or the suck up factor
gitrdun if you wanted to be really popular you could have bought one of the ones that wholsale has, but that would have made you unpopular among the wholesale bashers.
- Location
- AB foothills
I am positive that gitrdun has spent many years in areas where grizzlies could be 30 feet away in thick cover. I know because I have been there as well.
So how many loads should I be getting out of my H&H brass? About 450 full house hand loads in the past few months out of that gun and nothing yet. Not sure how many times my brass has been loaded, I would have to go down and figure it out.
Not an issue for me either, just curious what you were getting for case life.
Well the H and H will be the most popular. Thats a no brainer cause there are hundred or thousands in use and only a handfull of Rugers. BUT the Ruger WILL be the most popular calibre topic on CGN because of the sheep factor
gitrdun if you wanted to be really popular you could have bought one of the ones that wholsale has, but that would have made you unpopular among the wholesale bashers.
Being popular was never my priority, at the very end it doesn't matter a whole lot....does it? The H & H has proven itself since 1912 on all continents, the Ruger has big boots to fill.
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Why is case life important? Why not? It is important to some shooters, not important to others.
One of the advantages that sharper shouldered cartridges have over sloping cases is their extended case life. You can see this especially with Ai cartridges- they last quite a long time, and yes- it is important to more than just target shooters. For instance, AI users need to fireform cases- Do they want thier cases to only last 2-3 firings?
You may not have been convinced that cartride geometry affects life, but I have. Loading for cartridges like the 375 H&H, 303, 30-30, 22-250 compared to cartridges like 338 WM, 30-06, 308, 22-250 AI, I've seen a big difference in case life, and no, it's not just the rifle.
If you haven't observed different case life based on cartridge shape, you probably haven't loaded for a wide enough variety of cartridges.
I like to shoot alot. My 375 H&H went with me to every range session, as will the 375 Ruger. I liek to keep in practice wiht a rifle that may be used on dangerous game.
You may only shoot your 375 every know and then, so 2-3 firings may be fine for you, but I will shoot mine alot. I don't want to be ordering cases every other week.
Of course not. I purchased it because it gives me exactly what I would want.
When I sold my 375 H&H Brno 602 (also owned by Supercub) I knew I wanted another 375 with similar performance. Based on that rifle (generous chamber) and another 375 H&h I had loaded for (tight chamber)I knew I didn't necessarily want another H&H. It is a great cartridlge, but case life bothered me.
I initially looked at the 375 Weatherby, 375 AI and 375-338, and even bought a rifle to build one of these on. it would have been stainless, synthetic, CRF action, 20-21" barrel, sturdy iron sights and ready for a scope, too. Then the Ruger came out, (in the African model) and I was going to build a 375 Ruger, by my specs, as it seemed to be more practical than the other choices. And then the stainless Alaskan came out, and it had what i wanted- 375 H&H + performance in a much more compact, stainless package. Had Ruger offered the same rifle, chambered in 375-338, 375 Weatherby or 375 newton
Unless you have creeped up coastal spawning channels, seeing dinner plate size grizzly tracks, freshly chewed salmon carcasses, and tried to quickly swing a long barrel around in thick cover, where a grizzly could be 30 feet away and you would not be able to see it- You probably would not understand the attraction to the 375 Ruger Alaskan.
God Damn it Gatehouse, the only "other" creature that I know to be so long winded and say nothing is a woman. Ok, I'm wearing my flame retardand suit, let'er rip.
You still don't convince me Gatehouse. I can afford to buy a 375 H&H or even a 375 Ruger or 375 whatever, so can you. But are you telling me that facing a Grizz, I would feel as though my ass is grass 'cause I'm packing a .375 H&H and wished that on my dying breath, as shoulda got a .375 Ruger instead......bullsthein buddy.
Of course I am not telling that to you. Clearly, you didn't comprehend my post properly.
What I said is that in tight cover, I'd prefer 375 H&H 24" barrel performance, from a 20" barrel. If I *KNEW* a grizz was going to charge me, I'd take a even bigger, wider cartridge, but I think .375 is a sensible caliber for hunitng large north american animals and "possibly" stopping grizzlies.
Case life is *one* advantage the 375 Ruger wil have over the H&H. It' not the *only* one. As I said before- I like to shoot alot. You indicated 2-3 firings of brass was fine for you. I prefer more. I make 6 figures yearly, have owned my home since I was 25, don't have a mortgage, drive a truck with no payments- so I can certainly afford to buy new brass or even factory ammo if I choose, but as a handloader, and a person that shoots much more than the average hunter, why would I want to be buying brass every time I used it 2-3 times? I can afford to do so, but why be loose with your time, cash and brass unless it is unlimited? I am not Bill Gates, I am jealous wiht my free time and even 375 H&H brass can be a chore to track down at times!
I refer to play around and 'explore' a bit with a cartridge and if you have split cases after your 2-3 firings, it's kinda pointless, you may as well buy factory ammo, forget reduced loads, top end loads and everything in between.
But that really is the difference between a handloader and one that just pours powder into a case an yanks the trigger!
I am positive that gitrdun has spent many years in areas where grizzlies could be 30 feet away in thick cover. I know because I have been there as well.
That is great. So both of you should understand the advantage that a shorter barrel offers, in tight, close situations. Many thick cover whitetail hunters know this, so it's kinda a no brainer.
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If you are getting 450 loads out of one piece of brass with no issues, then you are going down in handloading history.
If you are talking about 450 shots form your H&H, I say big fricking deal...i will shoot that many from my 375 Ruger (or any 375 that I may have owned) by the end of this year. As i said, i like to shoot alot. I have a range at my home, and a longer range at the club, which I pass by every day .
If you only have 50 cases, then I'd say that your 7 firings have been good, and you are fortunate to be able to shoot 7 full top end loads form your H&H in that brass with no case seperations. If you have 100 cases, and you have managed 3.5 firings from aech one, I'd say it's not big deal.
As for me, I have got between 3 -6 top end loads form 375 H& brass in 2 different rifles, until I found evidence of imminent case failure. I have used other, sharper shoulder cartridges, and been able to load them with high pressure loads above 10 times, although I probably would no t take that brass hunting, for my own peace of mind.
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