From: Nitro (Original Message) Sent: 7/17/2002 9:12 PM
I'm currently working on a reloading project.

Building up some new loads for my .375 H&H Magnum for an upcoming cape buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe and a plains game hunt with our very own BigFive in South Africa.

The rifle is a Whitworth Express Mauser 98 .375 H&H Magnum.

The first set of loads I am trying is some new W-W brass loaded with CCI Magnum primers. Using ADI (Australian Defence Industries) propellant AR2209 to push Woodleigh 300 gr FMJs and also Round nose Weld core SPs.

The first 4 loads of 3 rounds of each will be: 73 grs, 74 grs, 75 grs and 76 grs. Maximum load is reported in a manual to be 77 grs. Velocity will be around 2,500 fps.

Also going to try 270 gr Barnes X points with 75grs, 76 grs and 77 grs. Maximum load is listed as 78 grs. Velocity approximately 2,600 fps.

Will try these and then see what loads to shoot another lot of.

Will report back on how these go.

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From: Nitro Sent: 7/17/2002 9:17 PM

PS Reloading manual is "Nick Harvey's Practical Reloading Manual" 1st edition. This manual has data which include ADI powders.

(Use of reloading data listed in NitroExpress.com is at the users own risk.)

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From: Bigfive Sent: 7/18/2002 12:18 AM

Hi there Nitro,

Cant wait for your arrival!!!
Just be carefull with your velocity being to high.You don't want to over penetrate on a buffalo and as you know a 375H&H has very good penetration abilities.Remember the perfect bullet on a buff must not excite on the other side of the animal but stop just under the skin on the other side.How to test this I don't know except if you can go and shoot 4 loads on 4 buffs.On reports that I've read on barnes-x and buffs the barnes-x proved itself more than good.

But good luck with your loading

Bigfive

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From: Nitro Sent: 7/18/2002 10:35 PM
Big Five

I understand the area where I will be hunting buffalo is fairly close scrub country and 100 metres is about as long a shot as you get (Gwayi Conservancy South of Hwnage Park in Zimbabwe). So loads of round nose FMJs and SP RN will be fine if the loads work out.

My plan is to use a softpoint first and the rest of the magazine full of FMJs, unless the PH asks me to do differently.

What is your Limpopo country like? What sort of range shots are expected there - average and say maximum?

I think it is fairly close country too.

Can't wait to try out the 375 on a bushbuck if we're lucky.

Nitro

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From: Bigfive Sent: 7/19/2002 6:56 PM
Nitro,
It is more or less the same,maybe even more dense.Average hunting shots is say25m-75m but on the occasion you'll get a 150m-200m shot.Very unlikely but possible.Bushbuck is'nt the easiest of all antelope to hunt and we'll have to work our asses off to get one.How does a 18 incher sound??????/ha-ha I wish!!!!But we'll try to get a nice one.Remember that a shy solitaire animal like the bushbuck can change into extremely dangerous game if wounded and is probably the antelope in Africa that killed the most people.Sounds like fun hey????

Bigfive

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From: Nitro Sent: 8/19/2002 1:01 AM
BF

For those charging bushbuck, how does a 300 gr Woodleigh Weldcore RN SP at 2500 fps sound?

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Tried some of them out this afternoon. A cool day, but calm and dry.

Shooting reasonably well, as were the 300 gr Woodleigh FMJs and the 270 gr Barnes X points. The worst 3 shot group was just under 3 inches and the best 1 1/2 inches. Still some work to do but all big game huntable loads already.

Still got some more testing to do and lots of practice. Dusk called a halt to the load development, plus I also only try to shoot 12 or 15 shots from the bench at a time. The recoil does accumulate a bit.

Love the smell of cordite in the afternoon as well! Or AR2209 at least.

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Nitro

"I love smell of cordite in the morning"

http://NitroExpress.com

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From: Nitro Sent: 8/19/2002 1:04 AM
BF

I will probably sight the rifle in at 100 metres if I can get both the 300 gr FMJs and SPs at a similar point of aim.

That is what has been recommended for both Gwayi and from your description of Limpopo ranges shots out to 200 m will still be OK.

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From: 500NE Sent: 8/21/2002 1:09 AM
Hi Nitro,

So much for input from new members, here you go...

Apart from my personal preference to use something bigger than .375 on buff (in my case .416 Rigby and Remington, .500NE (3") soon to be added...) do you know what Kevin Robertson (see below...) says about the .375 H&H for African Big Game? He has seen some excellent results in actually loading the .375 *down* to about 2400 fps!

Also, why don't you use the same bullet weight (i.e. 300 grs) for the Barnes X as well?
The sectional density of the 300grs are certainly better for the big stuff and it's for sure easier to get them shooting together with the FMJ's.
BTW: The Barnes bullets will be faster than the FMJ's with same powder charge, as least the where in both my .416's. Another tip: I quite like the coated version of the Barnes bullets (XLC I believe the call them), less tombak/copper smearing in the barrel...

If you don't know Kevin Robertson's book yet, it's an absolute *must buy* (the guy is a vet and PH...).
I doesn't come better than this!
http://www.safaripress.com/shop/theperfectshotshotplentforafricanbiggame.html

Regards,
XLStefan

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From: redbeard Sent: 8/21/2002 12:12 PM
Well looking at my new american hunter mag from nra,writer states you really can't improve on factory loads.They are pretty hot

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From: Nitro Sent: 8/24/2002 1:32 AM
500NE

I have heard that loading down the cartridge to 2400 fps can aid good expansion. It seems that for a lot of calibres when using heavy projectiles, a velocity of around 2,400 fps is something magic.

So far the few loads of 300 gr that I have tried have chronographed velocities in the range of 2,350 fps to 2,550 fps. Unfortunately the sun light decreased for the last 2 or 3 groups so the chronograph was giving a reading. No problem as I was looking for accuracy only at that point. From the results of the first lot I will make up some more anyway.

It was quite noticeable the increase in recoil of the loads approxing maximum. And the snap of the 375 back.

I may give the 300 gr Barnes Xs a try as well. But I don't have any on hand at the moment and I'm hoping the Woodleighs group close enough together. So far they aren't too bad. The 270 gr Xs were several inches to the right.

My aim is to find a 300 gr in both SP (or Xs) and the FMJ and will probably just use that bullet weight. But its fun trying some others, which will be useful for the future as well.

I only want to take one rifle so the 375 is good for the plains game as well as the buff. I think it will handle buff OK. If a very rare charge occurs that is different, but we forget in these times you always have a PH backing up. So there is always some "insurance" there.

I have actually ordered a copy of the "Perfect Shot" as it is a recommended must. But I also have copies of African Hunters "Shot Placement Guide" which has a number of X-ray views on buff (as well as other often hunted game). Side on views as well as rear and front views.

Redbeard

I could use factory ammo in a pinch, but 375 loaded ammo is available here but premium factory rounds are much rarer. I have used some Winchester factory rounds with a 270 gr bullet - I think it is a "Fail safe".

One factory load I shot through it in the past was a 300 gr RWS Kegelspitz (or Cone point). These rounds were super accurate and also great trajectory. I fired some at a Deer hunting club target shoot a year or three ago and at the 300 gr target the bullets were only an inch or two apart. And the drop was completely unexpected - next to none - they were hitting point or aim!

But the KS while the right bullet weight are too soft for buff and probably too soft for larger antelope. They make great deer rounds though I think. Sometime in the future I will also try out some 210 gr Barnes Xs for deer sized game.. I have some in 235 gr as well.

Most of my shooting with the 375 to date has been with an unexpected bullet - the 235 gr Taipan Flat point. Designed for the 375 Winchester lever action. They are cheap, explosive and only game such as goats and pigs murderous.

I also have used some loaded down to 375 Winchester velocities. Great for fast shooting practice at close targets. Getting used to the rifle.

A friend and I once placed large limestone rocks on top of old fence posts. One at 75 metres, another at 50 metres and the last at 25 metres. Shooting at the first off hand, then without bring the rifle off the shoulder, reloading. Firing at the second, and then the last. The results on the rocks were spectacular. Absolutely shattered and bits of rock flying ten or twenty metres radius in a cloud of dust. If you can shoot these sized targets fast and furious they make great charge practice IMO. Except they don't actually move . Great fun.