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AussieHunter
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.338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H
      #95768 - 02/02/08 12:06 PM

For the buffalo hunters out there. Which would you prefer out of the .338 Win Mag and the .375 H&H? I have narrowed my choices down to these two and i dont reload YET so the the price of ammo is a problem. I really like the ballistics and cheaper ammo of the .338, but will the .338 take a buffalo down with no problems? I am guessing most of you will like the .375 better because of the larger pills and bit more energy. I am leaning towards the .338. What do you think???

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albertan
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: AussieHunter]
      #95770 - 02/02/08 12:54 PM

As a confirmed .338 Winchester fan I must honestly tell you that when the game hits the ton(or tonne) mark the .375 is the way to go. Kinetic energy figures do not tell the whole story. Cross-sectional area and momentum heavily favor the .375.

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szihn
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: albertan]
      #95772 - 02/02/08 01:25 PM

I have owned both and killed game with both
The 375H&H is the better choice. I can see the difference in the effect on animals over 1000 pounds.

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Bramble
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: albertan]
      #95774 - 02/02/08 01:32 PM

.338 is I believe and stand to be corrected, below the minimum legal in most of Africa for Buff. That being .375, the exception being 9.3 x 62. You certainly can kill anything with a .338 as you can with a 7mm but it is not recommended practice.If the shit hits the fan you will be undergunned for stopping a charge. If the cost of ammo is a issue then a .458 win mag would be the logical solution.

Regards

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AussieHunter
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: Bramble]
      #95858 - 03/02/08 07:21 PM

I will only be shooting Australian water buffalo.

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JabaliHunter
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: AussieHunter]
      #95873 - 04/02/08 01:34 AM

I've never shot an Ozzie buff, but I think that given their size and to cover all eventualities if things should go wrong, I would want a .375. You could consider very heavy bullets in the .338 i.e. 275 grainers. Even then I think you would be better off with the .375 and you can shoot the great Woodleigh 350 grainers too. JMHO

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MarkR
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #95876 - 04/02/08 01:55 AM

AussieHunter,

If the buff trip is a once-off and you have more use for a 338 after the trip, then go for the 338 with 250gr woodleighs, especially if you're hunting with a guide or someone else to back you up. If you want a more buff specific calibre then I would go the 375.

Cheers,
Mark.

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DarylS
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: MarkR]
      #95912 - 04/02/08 07:45 AM

The .338 would be the equivalent of the .375H&H - IF - it shot 300gr. to 350gr. bullets of 3/8" diameter at the same velocities as the old H&H.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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AussieHunter
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: MarkR]
      #95941 - 04/02/08 12:55 PM

Quote:

AussieHunter,

If the buff trip is a once-off and you have more use for a 338 after the trip, then go for the 338 with 250gr woodleighs, especially if you're hunting with a guide or someone else to back you up. If you want a more buff specific calibre then I would go the 375.

Cheers,
Mark.



Yes it will be a once off rifle (just to use on safari trips .etc). I should have mentioned before that i will only shoot buff with it on the odd occasion and the rest of the time i will be shooting pigs (and a lot of pigs).

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JabaliHunter
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: AussieHunter]
      #95964 - 04/02/08 09:09 PM

In that case I'd probably lean towards the .338 BUT I would definitely use bullets heavier that 250gr. I reckon 275grains as a minimum - you don't need the velocity of the 250gr. The bigger the wallop the better. JMHO
Daryl - who makes 300gr .338 bullets? I'm not aware of any. Thanks

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Marrakai
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #95977 - 04/02/08 11:50 PM

Quote:

who makes 300gr .338 bullets? I'm not aware of any


Check out the Woodleigh list here. Scroll down to Cat.No. 58 (soft-point) and 59 (FMJ).

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Marrakai
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DarylS
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #95993 - 05/02/08 03:29 AM

Jabil - you missed my point. In the same line of thinking, the .30/06 would be the equivalence of the .45/70, IF the .30/06 shot .458" bullets at the same speeds the .45/70 does. It can't, so it isn't.
; The .338 would be as good as the .375 IF it shot .375" 300 to 350 gr. bullets at the same speed. It can't, so it isn't.
: Winchester used to make 300gr. factory ammo in .338. Barnes "Old Style" (Colorado Custom) .338's used to be available in 300gr., both .032" and .040" jackets.
; Does not Woodleigh make 300gr. in .338?
; Speer 275gr. .338's used to be the best close and long range bullet for North America hunting of Elk and Moose along with big bears, but are no longer available, apparently. A few guys up here are trying to find some more. One friend has a stash and he's not sharing. He's used the 250 Noslers, found them wanting in comparrison, and prefers the 275's. He rolls a new cannelure for proper seating depth in his rifles.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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JabaliHunter
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: DarylS]
      #96006 - 05/02/08 05:34 AM

Sorry Daryl - I think I'm still missing the point
I was just saying that for an African buff I personally would definitely want a .375 and I would choose the 350grain woodleighs. As AussieHunter wants a rifle for occasional Oz buffalo, then I reckoned that a .338 would be an acceptable compromise if 275grain or heavier bullets were used. I didn't mean to say they were equivalent and I know which I'd prefer if things got nasty......

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DarylS
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #96060 - 06/02/08 05:16 AM

NP- doesn't matter - I know which one I'd choose as well - I'll always reach for the larger bore.

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Daryl


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AussieHunter
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: DarylS]
      #96074 - 06/02/08 08:13 AM

Quote:

NP- doesn't matter - I know which one I'd choose as well - I'll always reach for the larger bore.



I know, so would i. BUT i will only be shooting buff with it on the odd occasion. I do not live among the buffalo, this rifle will be used to take on trips to knock over a couple of buffalo then shoot a heap of pigs. Because i dont reload YET i just think the .375 H&H is a bit expensive and not needed to shoot pigs. I just want to know if a good shot out of the .338 to the boiler room of a buff will knock him down?

Edited by AussieHunter (06/02/08 02:29 PM)

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DarylS
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: AussieHunter]
      #96076 - 06/02/08 08:22 AM

Certainly the .338 is good enough - if the correct fodder is chosen.
; When proper bullets are used, there are a raft of even smaller rounds that will work just fine for that single buff. That's been proven in Africa, time and time again. One must use the proper bullet and shoot accurately.

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Daryl


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gator
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: DarylS]
      #96170 - 07/02/08 11:05 AM

You can take down a buffalo with the 338, but the 375 is by far better.

You might concider finding someone to reload for you, which would be cheeper than the factory 338 amo.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: gator]
      #96186 - 07/02/08 02:26 PM

I don't have or use a .338.

The .375 H&H would be a much better cartridge to use on buffalo. It will do virtually everything the .338 will do with normal ammo ie the 225 gr plus weight range. If you wanted one rifle to hunt all big game with wherever you go in Australia or the world the .375 will do it.

I have used mine on cape buffalo, but no water buffalo. I have used the slightly less powerful 9.3x74R on a dozen or so water buffalo so not much difference. If is devastating on pigs and other medium game. It has similar trajectory to a .30-06 so can be used on reasonably longer shots too. Some guys like to use .375 bullets designed for the lever action .375 Winchester on pigs and no doubt these would kill them very well and are cheap cannon fodder. Recoil of a .375 H&H is brisk but is not too bad, especially if one avoids too much bench shooting.

A .338 Win Mag is IMO a great all round medium game rifle. The calibre range of 8mm to .338 I think is ideal as a world trophy rifle for medium game, from goats and pigs, deer, to the larger antelopes, moose etc. For big game I have no doubt with GOOD bullet placement and good well constructed bullets water buffalo can be killed with it. Starting with the 250 gr projectiles and above. Lots of Aussies use .308s etc for water buffalo seeing there is no legal minimum calibre requirement. Personally I do think a bit more grunt is needed than a .308/.30-06 for the occasions when it is needed. But it is not a stopping calibre. It is also not legal for cape buffalo in Africa should you ever want to do that. Recoil would be marginally less than a .375. From my 'armchair' I have always thought a .338 one of the best all round choices for North American hunting. A .338 would also make a handy sambar rifle and brush rifle.

I was only shooting my 9.3mm with 286 gr SPs at about 2170 fps so a .338 might be able to do similar with 270 gr projectiles. However I did pick the shots on water buffalo and scrub bull going for heart shots trying to avoid the shoulder on the way in.

The old .318 Westley Richards was regarded by many old African hunters as a great plains game cartridge and including use on cape buffalo. The .318 was effectively a .338/06, but .330 calibre on a .30-06 sized case shooting usually round nose 250 gr FMJs and SPs.

My choice would be to get a .375 H&H and use 200 gr to 270 gr projectiles for the smaller stuff, and 300 grs for the likes of buffalo etc.

Regarding ammo .375 H&H would be more common especially for heavier bullets (ie 300 gr) and suitable ammo for water buffalo. You might find some premium ammo in 250 gr for a .338 which will do the work. In the end you will have to reload to feed these beasts economically if you intend to do a fair amount of hunting eg lots of pig hunting.

However if the .338 is your preference seeing your stated intended uses it would also be an acceptable alternative if that is what you decide on.

Have fun.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

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AussieHunter
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: NitroX]
      #96194 - 07/02/08 05:07 PM

Thanks John, So the way i see it is that the .338 is more suited to large deer with lighter skin and muscle than buffalo, and the .375 is more suited to the buffalo because they have heavy muscle tissue and heavy bone. Is this correct? How much price difference is there in factory ammo between the two mate?

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MarkR
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: AussieHunter]
      #96216 - 07/02/08 11:31 PM

The other thing to consider is that most rifles in 375 H&H are built on larger actions meaning that the rifles will probably be 10 1/2 lb plus range scoped and ready to go but a 338 would run closer to 9-9 1/4 lbs ready to go.

Cheers,
Mark.

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Marty
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: AussieHunter]
      #96221 - 08/02/08 12:58 AM

Quote:

I will only be shooting Australian water buffalo.

Oh is that all...

Having shot one but not the other, the Aussie Buff, as I understand it, can soak up more lead than the African model. I realise all animals are different but that is certainly my understanding. Of course I am prepared to listen to anyone who has nailed both.

Regardless. When you stalk in to 50 or 30 meters from your first Buff, you WILL wish you bought a .375 instead of the .338. Best place to sell a .375 is next to a guy with a .338 about to shoot a Buff. Best place to sell a .416 is next to a guy with a .375.... Best place to sell a 458 is nexxt to a guy with a 416.....you get the idea.

When it gets to trigger pulling time you will want a bigger calibre.

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DarylS
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: Marty]
      #96229 - 08/02/08 02:20 AM

NitroX - the .338 will do about 2,660fps with a 275gr. using H4350, an extremem powder.
: I seem to recall the Winchester factory 300gr. for it ran around 2,440fps, quite similar to the original .375H&H 300gr. factory Kynochs. of course, the 275gr. Speers and 300gr. Winchesters are no longer produced, but there are custom bullets available in these weights.
; The .338 is a find round inded, but I've never owned one, worked on several for friends and developed loads for them, but never owned one. I have owned several .375's in H&H as well as .375/06IMP's. I have seen little diffference on our game between the various .375's including my 9.3x62. they all seem to duplicate each others effects on game. You could probably add the .338 to that as well.
; I have a very good friend and hunting buddy, of 25 years, who has always had a .338 or three. For his guiding back-up gun, he uses a .375H&H, but packs a .338 while on his own hunts.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Tatume
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: NitroX]
      #96242 - 08/02/08 04:38 AM

Quote:

If you wanted one rifle to hunt all big game with wherever you go in Australia or the world the .375 will do it. ... Recoil [of the 338] would be marginally less than a .375.



As one who owns and shoots both, I very much like both cartridges. Without getting into what one will do that the other won't (not much), I do have an observation to make. The perceived recoil of the 338 Win Mag is much more unpleasant than the 375 H&H Mag.

Take care, Tom

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: Tatume]
      #96277 - 08/02/08 12:31 PM

I am a big fan of the .338 Win. Mag. I would think it the premier cartridge for the plains game and large African antelope. It certainly is a dandy for the Rocky Mountain Elk, which I know from experience.

I agree with Ken Waters' assessment of the .338 Win. Mag. He maintained that you aren't really getting the use out of the rifle if you shoot bullets weighing less than 250 grains. Those who use the 200 and 225 grain bullets should be shooting the .300 Mag. The .338 comes into its prime at 250 grains and above.

I have not shot the 300 grain bullets in the .338, but I'm sure a good bonded bullet of that caliber and weight would be sufficient for water buffalo. I recall a member of this board bragging up the kills of water buffalo by his 6.5x54 MS carbine.

I have owned several .375's (own 3 at this time) and two .338's (both still in the safe).

Having said the above comments, I will say without hesitation that if I ever get the chance to face a water buffalo or a Cape Buffalo, I will not be using a .338 Mag. I assure you my choice will be .45 caliber or above. Big heavy bullets can do amazing things.

So I don't see a choice between the .338 and the .375. I think the avid hunter and shooter should own both. Use them appropriately for the tasks to which they are best suited.

And by the way, I perceive the recoil of a .338 Mag. to be softer than the .375 H&H, but I have heard others say the opposite (as above).

Curl

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Plains99
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: CptCurl]
      #96336 - 09/02/08 03:57 AM

I have owned both and while recoil from the .338 is less there is simply no comparison between the .338 and .375 for game larger than elk. I gave up my .338 and kept the .375 because I didn't feel I needed both and the .375 is so much more flexible... and would certainly be my preference for buffalo of the two (although I'd pick a .458 for that job in place of either). I felt that I might as well keep (and learn to shoot) the .375 even though it is more gun than I often need in North America but is so much more beneficial for large game when I need it. Presently I jump from 300 Weatherby to .375 H&H in my rifle safe. The .300 Weatherby does nearly everything I want but I have the .375 when I need it. The .338 didn't fit as well as those two combined and was redundant both ways.

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338User
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: Plains99]
      #96348 - 09/02/08 07:52 AM

I have a Ruger M77 in 338 Win Mag, and although I haven't used it against the NT buffs I plan to. I have worked up a load for the 300gn Woodleigh RNSN and FMJ. I use 71gn Reloader 22 for 2400fps. It doesn't match the 375 which pushes its 300gn bullet to 2600fps, and can use a 350gn bullet, but If it is your main rifle which you will occasionally use on Buff and mainly use on pigs, then it will do the job. I am going to do a bit more load development work, as I am sure I can get it up to 2500fps, and I want to try AR2213 and AR2217 as well. With proper bullet selection even the 300 magnums will kill buffs. However, none of these are really charge stoppers (even the 375) because they simply dont have the bullet frontal area or weight. For a charge stopper you really need to go up to 458cal & 500gn at 2300fps or more, but the Woodleigh 300gn FMJ in 338 cal certainly shows good penetration (tested on trees), and if you load a couple of them in the bottom of your magazine (and you can shoot straight) you will reach the brain or spine, and even a 7mm in the brain or spine will stop anything. For pigs I have had great success with the Hornady 225gn bullets (either spire point or SST, I haven't tried the interbond yet), and you can push them to 2800fps with 71gn of AR2209. Be sure to work up to those loads from at least 5gn below to make sure they are safe in your rifle.

Edited by 338User (09/02/08 08:05 AM)

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338User
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: 338User]
      #96354 - 09/02/08 08:49 AM

Aussie Hunter
Just re-reading your posts I realise you don't reload yet. If you are only looking at factory ammo you can get Winchester, Federal, Remington, PMC, Hornady and Norma 338 Win Mag Ammo in Austalia. The Winchester and Federal offerings are more readily available and in my experience the others cost a bit more for little or no extra benefit. So from Winchester and Federal's offerings for Buff you can choose from 3 all from Federal. Either P338B2 which is loaded with the 250gn Nosler Partion, P338K which is loaded with the 225gn Barnes TSX or P338T1 which is loaded with Speer's 225gn Trophy Bondeed Bear Claw. My personal choice out of those would be the Barnes TSX. This is a tough all copper hollow point bullet which is renowned for deep penetration. These are all premium ammo offerings which will cost (depending on store) around $50 to $60 per box. For pigs you can use the standard offerings such as Winchester Super-X with the 200gn power point bullet, or Federal Powershok with the 225gn Speer Hot Core bullet. I would personally pick the Federal load for pigs, but they are both around $37 per box (depending on store) and they will both do the job (the pigs won't tell the difference).

Edited by 338User (09/02/08 09:13 AM)

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JabaliHunter
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: 338User]
      #96404 - 09/02/08 11:06 PM

I'm sure the Barnes TSX in 338 is a great bullet, BUT if these are the only factory loads available then I would have serious concerns about recommending the 338 for Buff over the .375. IMHO if you are going to go the .338 route you need to find someone to handload for you with (preferably) the 300 grain woodleighs. If you don't have alot of experience with either buffalo or harder recoiling rifles, and are only going to shoot buffalo occasionally, you could be asking for trouble - gaining experience the hard way There MUST be heavier factory loads available somewhere, even if they have to be specially ordered for your buff hunting trips. The range of Winchester and Federal loads available will be great for all your other hunting though and great for pigs. JMHO

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wombat
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: AussieHunter]
      #96467 - 10/02/08 05:09 PM

I have two 338's.I have seen a friend kill both a Cape buf and an Australian buf,with his 338.With 300 gn bullets I seriously doubt you could tell the difference.I killed my first water buf and cape buf with a 378 Weatherby and it did not seem to be much different to the 338.I feel all are on the light side for the foot stalker.The last three I killed were with a 500 nitro

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DarylS
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: Tatume]
      #96492 - 11/02/08 05:17 AM

Quote:

As one who owns and shoots both, I very much like both cartridges. Without getting into what one will do that the other won't (not much), I do have an observation to make. The perceived recoil of the 338 Win Mag is much more unpleasant than the 375 H&H Mag.

Take care, Tom



; Tom- I've noticed the same thing, but it depends greatly on the rifle and how it fits you. I recently re-stocked a .338 for a friend, using a Boyd-boys laminated stock. The original stock, a custon fiberglass thumbhole belted me harder than my .458 2" does with top-end loads. That .338 just about gave me a nose bleed from the concussion I received. The 'new' stock on the other hand, felt more like shooting a factory 7mmm Rem. Mag. - a bit more than a light '06 delivers, but not much.
; I've yet to shoot a .375 that feels anything but wonderful, from bolt guns to Ruger #1 - none of them belt me much, and are seemingly more comfortable to shoot than any of the .300 mags. I really like shooting the #1 in .375H&H with iron sights - very pleasant shooting and amazing accuracy for a 2 piece stock. Bouncing a steel ram at 300 meters offhand with open sights and 300gr. RN's is a blast.

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Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Tatume
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Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: DarylS]
      #96503 - 11/02/08 06:44 AM

Hi Daryl,

Quote:

I've yet to shoot a .375 that feels anything but wonderful, from bolt guns to Ruger #1 - none of them belt me much, and are seemingly more comfortable to shoot than any of the .300 mags. I really like shooting the #1 in .375H&H with iron sights - very pleasant shooting and amazing accuracy for a 2 piece stock.



Absolutely! I have a three-shot group in front of me that I shot one day with my Ruger #1 375 H&H. It measures 3/8" and is just one lop-sided hole. It looked so pretty I just had to cut it out and save it. People ask me why I need a 375 to be that accurate and I tell them it makes a great squirrel rifle; kills, guts and skins them for me!

Take care, Tom

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allenday
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Reged: 18/04/04
Posts: 318
Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: AussieHunter]
      #96812 - 16/02/08 01:01 AM

For general use, I much prefer the 338 Win. Mag. to the 375 H&H. In my experience, for all sizes of African plainsgame the 338 Win. Mag. works every bit as well as the 375 H&H does, plus as a bonus, the rifle is lighter and handier to carry, as is the ammunition.

Likewise for NA elk, bears, etc., the 338 Win. Mag. puts stuff on the ground just as well as the 375 does, but the whole package is lighter to carry up the mountain, and it's easier on a horse as well.

That's WHY Winchester developed the 338 Win. Mag. in the first place: To approximate 375 H&H performance in a more ergonomic package, hence the moniker that was given to the original pre-64 Model 70 in 338 Win. Mag. when it was announced back in 1958 was the 'Alaskan'.

Build a 375 H&H in as light a rifle as a typical 338 Win. Mag. (and I've done it) shoot full-house 300 gr. loads, and you'll find that the recoil is a good deal heavier.

For buffalo, there's no question that the 375 H&H with good 300 gr. bullets is a better option, both legally and otherwise. But in my book, the 375 H&H is in many ways neither fish nor foul.

I'd rather shoot a 338 Win. Mag. for all of the world's big game short of buffalo, hippo, rhino and elephant, and I'd rather shoot a 416 or 458 of some sort for said buffalo, hippo, rhino and elephant.

So where's that really leave the 375 H&H? For me, most of the time my 375 stays home in the safe...........

AD

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AussieHunter
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Reged: 29/08/07
Posts: 47
Loc: Outback, NSW, Australia
Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: allenday]
      #96989 - 18/02/08 06:29 PM

Thanks AD, i could go with a .416 or .458, but i am only a small guy (75kg) and i just think the .416's and .458's would be to much for me to handle. I am not recoil shy but they have a LOT of recoil. What do you think?

cheers

AH

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allenday
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Reged: 18/04/04
Posts: 318
Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: AussieHunter]
      #96999 - 19/02/08 02:13 AM

AH, there's no question that the 416 Rigby or 416 Remington is a significant step up from the 375 H&H in terms of recoil, and that the 458 Win. Mag. or 458 Lott is a much bigger step yet. My favorite of that lot of cartridges is the 416 Rem. Mag. since it burns some 25% less powder than the Rigby with bullets of the same weight, yet it produces the same velocities, so it does kick less, and you can build a lighter, trimmer rifle in 416 Rem. Mag. that has greater magazine capacity as well.

Of course, to achieve those velocities, pressures are higher with the 416 Rem. Mag., but I've never had any pressure problems with that cartridge at all, even in 100 degree African heat, and according to our industry-standard American SAAMI specs, pressures are about the same as the 375 H&H and 458 Win. Mag.

But recoil tolerance is very much an individual thing, no matter the size of the individual (much of it's psychological, of that much I'm convinced) and I certainly wouldn't invest in any sort of 416 or 458 unless you can somehow get your hands on one and test it first to see if it's somehting you can shoot well, with confidence, and enjoy long-term.

If not, or if there's any lingering doubt or question, and especially with buffalo in mind, I'd go with the 375 H&H.......

AD

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Bramble
.375 member


Reged: 29/07/06
Posts: 950
Loc: England
Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: allenday]
      #97012 - 19/02/08 05:12 AM

AH

Being 75kg could be to your advantage, if you stand up, hang on and go with her then you will move and it is a pleasureable ride. Try and fight the recoil is when you get hurt.

Just like fucking a really fat girl.

Regards

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26585
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: .338 Win Mag VS .375 H&H [Re: allenday]
      #97014 - 19/02/08 05:18 AM

As to the .416's the Taylor is 'special' in my book. About the same recoil as a .375H&H and better on all larger species of game at reasonable ranges, ie: 300 yards and closer. Even with the older powders, it will do 2,350 to 2,420fps with 400gr. softs and solids and at safe levels for use in Africa.
: I don't really care if the breech pressure is less in a Rigby - 'Great Deal' for it and it's 100gr. + charge of very slow, bouncy pressure powder.
Hagel, Whooters or whomever else used it had no problems with the .338 necked up to hold .416 bullets back in the 60's, and certainly not today with even better 'Extreme' Hodgdon powders.
: The Rigby was developed to deliver those ballistics with cordite - a powder that developed incredible pressure spikes in hot weather and thus the low pressure of the Rigby. These safety guards caused by lousey powder are rather redundant today.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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