Let me say that what Mac has just said is true without question, and it is good advice. I think I can agree with every point he makes.

I stated in an earlier post on this thread that a sensible reloader can essentially duplicate .375 NE Flanged loads in the .375 H&H Belted Rimless Mag., thus overcoming the pressure issue. I went on to say that it is dangerous territory to try to boost loads in the effort to better factory ammo, and that’s probably where the pressure trouble starts. Mac has just seconded that opinion.

I also mentioned that I have had no problems with rimless extraction in the rifles I own, noting that one should keep the mechanism clean. Mac agrees with that also.

But I want to underscore the most important message Mac has stated. If you intend to hunt dangerous game – which might kick, stomp, bite, claw, or kill and eat you, you want the most reliable and unquestionably foolproof rifle available. I agree thoroughly with his assessment of what that double rifle should be.

Going back to the beginning of this thread, Kynoch stated he was looking for a 9.3 SxS but wondering whether to consider a .375 H&H. The debate centered on the issues of high chamber pressure and rimless extraction. Clearly from his query, Kynoch was not looking for a dangerous game rifle, as a 9.3 falls short of that category by good measure. (That statement ought to start some chirping! Do you remember the thread about whether to hunt buffalo with a 6.5x54?)

So my point is – it boils down to how you plan to use the rifle. I’ve not had the good fortune to go to Africa, so I don’t know beans about the dust there. If I ever get to go, I’ll take my Merkel .500 NE, which fully and adequately meets every one of Mac’s criteria for a dangerous game rifle.

I do know this – I have hunted elk under very adverse conditions in Colorado carrying my Jos. Winkler double rifle in .300 Win. Mag. (I posted a pic of that rifle under this thread.) Never did I have trouble with the rimless extraction. I did take care to clean the rifle each night and dry it out thoroughly. But again, that bull elk wasn’t going to stomp my guts out if the rifle failed. I would take that Winkler to Africa for plains game unquestionably.

And I will reiterate – I have three DR’s with rimless extraction. I have never had an extraction or ejection failure, and I have shot them a lot. But I’ve never carried them in the dust of Africa, and I probably won’t.

The overall point I am trying to make is not to shun a .375 Mag. simply because it is rimless and in that caliber. You might be passing up a delightful DR for the wrong reasons.

If you are going where they might stomp your guts out, listen to Mac.

Curl