Need less OAL .375 H&H

[Il Duca]

Alright guys, I have ventured into reloading and just acquired a beautifully sporterized P17 that was rechambered to .375 H&H. I ran accross a box of Hornady Heavy Magnums loaded with 300gr Interbonds. Problem is, the magazine was never converted to magnum length and the 300 gr cartridges won't fit. I contacted the seller in Gunbroker and he said he only ever used 235gr loads with it. Now, I was planning on using this rifle for a future Buffalo hunt and I need a bullet that will get the job done and that will give me a shorter OAL. So, if any of you have any experience in this area please advise. I am wondering if a 260gr Accubond would work, or a 260gr Nosler Partition? But I don't know if they will still be too long.

P.S. OAL length of the 300gr Interbond cartridge is 3.6, the mag measures 3.5

 

[sumpnz]

You won't be able to do much with those factory loads other than maybe sell them.

Since you posted in the reloading forum I'm going to assume you already have at least some equipment and knowledge.

If you're intending to handload the 300gr bullets you can make the powder load light enough that you simply seat the bullets deeper without causing pressure problems. Probably start a bit below (5-10%) the recommended starting charge for your powder.

Your other option of course is to go with lighter bullets that can be seated to the same depth in the case, and therefore get a shorter overall length.

Whatever the case, start out by figuring out the longest OAL that will not just fit in the mag, but also function reliably. Then work up your loads based on how much further you're seating compared to the recommendations. If you're deeper then start at or below the recommended starting load. If you're at, or longer than the published OAL for the bullet start at the starting load.

 

[Shoney]

Two possibiltes

Check with a gunsmith to see if the magazine may be lengthened. If it can be lengthened any amount, it will help, although it may not be enough to fit the Hrndy 300's.

You can always shoot the Hrndy 300's as single shots.

 

[roo_ster]

Would not the Speer African Grand Slam tungstern core bullets allow for a shorter OAL?

They ain't cheap:
http://www.gunaccessories.com/Speer/African GrandSlamRifleBullets.asp
at $170/25.

 

[Murphster]

Speer load data for a .375 H&H 300 grain African Grand Slam Tungsten Solid shows an OAL of 3.440". The photo in my loadbook shows this bullet to have what appears to be a flat business end to it. This, I presume is what permits the shorter cartridge length.