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I guess my only argument with shooting the light weight bullets in the 375 would be in the case of hunting multiple species on the same hunt. That being said, it would seem like a good idea to at least stay at 270 gr. or above, especially since the point of impact would likely be way different between the light weights and the heavier bullets. That being said, the 375 and 416 are much closer in trajectory, although not quite the same. The reason I'm asking, is that I'm trying to decide between my 416 and my 375 Ruger for a cape buffalo/plains game hunt. I would most likely only take 1 gun if I ever get to go.

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if it were me, I'd take the 416 with a 350 to 400 grain bullet and learn the trajectory out to 400 mts. I would also have some solids and make sure they are shooting to the same point of impact as the soft nose out to at least 50mts.

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You are almost never going to shoot 400 meters hunting in Africa..having said that if it were me, and it has been, I would take the 416 every time, especially for hunting buffalo. I have several .375's in the safe including a 375RUM and H&H's, but when I head to Africa I take the .416. I realize everyone has probably had different experiences, but the .416 hits noticeably harder on buff.. I have taken all of the big 5 with it with the exception of a rhino, which hopefully one day I will.

I agree with Daryl that you can probably, if you choose, load the really light loads for a 375 and get better trajectory, however in most cases I have seen while in Africa people are shooting the 270 gr or above ....

I have used 400 gr Swift A-Frames on the buffalo with really good results..have them loaded a little over 2400fps using RL-15..for solids have used Barnes --with my go to rifle both hit within 1" of one another at 100 yards..or roughly 92 mtrs..my last trip over there using that same load and having it sighted in dead on at 100, I practiced some shots at 200 and 250 just in case..on the 11th day while tracking elephant took a bush buck at a bit over 260yds with it..one shot--high shoulder..which is a really long shot for Zim per my experience. Most shots for buff will be under 100 yards. I would guess 40-75 average..some closer not too many further typically on buff. Plains game they can be further, however on my first trip there I had an issue with my plains game rifle and switched to the 416 on the 3rd day. That is all I used for the next 18 days on plains game with no complaints.

The 375 will do fine and will kill everything over there..and dead is dead..AND my opinions are very biased as I really enjoy the 416..and this info is probably worth exactly what you paid for it..


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