375 H&H questions

[Action_Can_Do]

Hello everyone. I've decided that I need a new rifle and I want a big one. My current biggest one is a 45-70 Marlin and it is a blast to shoot. I was wondering just how much more recoil I could expect with the 375 and what would make a good platform for it. The ruger #1 looks interesting...

 

[K3]

Savage 116 is an option.

Accurate. Light too, so it's a real blast to shoot.

 

[Strongbad]

Depending on the gun, stout loads in your 45-70 with heavy bullets are likely to have worse (relative of course) recoil than the 375 H&H.

After that, just depends on your gun preference. The CZ Safari's are nice. Ruger 77 Express are even better (personal opinion). Something out of the Remington Custom Shop, and as you mentioned... the #1. Lots of choices. I like the #1, but with anything that I might use a 375 H&H for, I'd like to have a quick follow-up shot available... just in case.

 

[Gordon]

Look for a used .375 H&H Whitworth by Interarms. You can find them for $600 or less and they might be better than the new CZs. The NEW CZs seem to be getting rough lately from the sample I've seen.
The ,375 H&H deserves to be in a 8-9 pound (with scope) BOLT rifle IMHO to really get the use it should. It really can dump heavy game out to 400 yards very nicely with a 30-06 like trajectory. Most people are surprised how light the recoil is in a well stocked gun. I'd like a Ruger #1 in .450-.400 though!

 

[Shawnee]

.45/70 from the 7.5lb. Marlin w/300gr. HP at 2400fps = 36 ft./lbs. of recoil


.375 H&H from the 8.25lb. Ruger #1 w/300gr. RN at 2600fps = 48 ft./lbs. of recoil


Roughly 1/3 more than your .45/70.

 

[FITASC666]

The Queen of Rounds

So much has already been said about the .375. I submit the following with much caution. I have shot this round with great pleasure and success. With a 9.5 lbs rifle the recoil, for me, is very manageable, and the ballistic trajectory analogous to the 30-06. The reloader can tame this round and make it into a fine deer round or push the limits for a heavy Buff load (350gr solids). Current manufactured loads are plenty and diverse. If you travel in remote areas to hunt and need ammunition you'll be surprised by the availability. Yes some are more powerful, faster, and flatter but very few have survived the same test of time. I also shoot a Sendero 7mm Rem Mag with 175grs and a .338 Win Mag in 250grs. IMHO the .375 has less muzzle blast, more push but far less kick. Perceived recoil is very subjective; however a well shaped stock and weight will help offset recoil. I have shot the Winchester Mod. 70, the CZ 550 and the Ruger. To date the best fit for me is the CZ 550 Mag out of the box. If I could, I would like to test the Mauser M03 Africa; stunning craftsmanship for the price. I had it in my hands last Sunday but in .300 Win Mag.

 

[mtngunr]

My sub-8lb Sako AV 375 is a kicker, BUT, that's relative.....side by side with my 870P 18" shooting slugs, the 375 is milder, not as jarring, and a relief to go to after the slugs....but definitely frisky enough to preclude stock-crawling with a scope.....

 

[George Hill]

The CZ 550 Safari is a great rifle... Probably my first choice in .375 H&H. It does have some kick to it. But it's not unpleasant... big... but not too hard.
Scope it? Sure... but you want some room there.

 

[Action_Can_Do]

thanks for the info.


action

 

[Water-Man]

Try a Weatherby .460 magnum if you want some recoil.

 

[hunter3705]

I have a Shiloh Sharps .45-70, and I used to have a Winchester mdl. 70 in .375 H&H. It's not a completely fair comparison because my Sharps has a 32" heavy barrel, but I can shoot the Sharps all day from the bench with no problems at all. The .375 on the other hand gets very punishing after about half a dozen rounds. Having said that, the .375 H&H is a great cartridge and a joy to own.

 

[Acera]

Now what is that old saying about the .375? "Too big for 80% of African game, and too small for the other 20%."

I've preferred hunting with two rifles, one for plains game and the other for dangerous game.

 

[jkingrph]

Look for a used .375 H&H Whitworth by Interarms. You can find them for $600 or less and they might be better than the new CZs. The NEW CZs seem to be getting rough lately from the sample I've seen.
The ,375 H&H deserves to be in a 8-9 pound (with scope) BOLT rifle IMHO to really get the use it should. It really can dump heavy game out to 400 yards very nicely with a 30-06 like trajectory. Most people are surprised how light the recoil is in a well stocked gun. I'd like a Ruger #1 in .450-.400 though!

I just picked up a CZ 550 Safari Classic in 375 and it is not rough. Now I have seen smoother actions, on rifles costing two to three times more, but this is ok. I just saw pristine Win mod 70 in 458 for sale at 1800, and I'm glad I took the CZ at 799. I had the store hold this one for me, it had excellent wood, and had about decided to pick up one in 416 Rigby also, but someone beat me to it.

 

[Blacksmoke]

I own a Marlin 1895 in .45-70 and a Remington 700 (Custom shop) in .375 H&H. Felt recoil is largely a matter of mass (as in the shooter's) and pain threshold. The .45-70 firing Buffalo Bore factory +P loads is way more painfull than the .375 H&H.

The .375 is not particularly punishing, I shoot about 20 rounds to re-familiarize myself with trajectory and to maintain scope adjustment. I am also sized somewhere between 2X and 3X. Well, closer to 2X. This range shooting has never been a problem for me.

The main downside with this rifle is that it is heavy to tote along if doing a lot of hiking in high mountains. A lighter rifle would probably result in more felt recoil.

 

[freakshow10mm]

I'm currently building a CZ550 in .375 Holland. I love the cartridge. Get one.

 

[ForneyRider]

My dad has 1975 Winchester model 70 375H&H. We have 300gr, 270gr, 235gr, and 225gr handloads for it.

My 225gr handload at 2500fps is very mild.

I think my 7mm Mag hurts more.

 

[SprayAndPray]

If your'e 155 or so, is the 375 a big nono (or any of the other safari calibers for that matter)?

How much can it be tamed with a suppressor or comp (however I heard bad things about comps)? At what level of recoil is it suppressed, any guesses?

 

[freakshow10mm]

I'm about 150lbs on a good day and the .375 is controllable.

 

[ForneyRider]

My dad is about 5'7" and 155 lbs. He thought it has less kick than his friend's .338 Win Mag.