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I think New Guy has stated a fairly compelling case. The principal arguments against the .375 H&H Mag in a DR are (1) rimless extraction; and (2) higher pressures.

On the issue of rimless extraction I will concede that in theory the rimmed cartridge should give more positive extraction. In practice, I have had several DR's in rimless calibers, and I am yet to see one fail to extract. There are scads of DR's (and hinged single shot rifles) on the market right now with rimless extraction. A well-made rifle from a reputable maker is going to work.

Now I will say that if the shooter fails to do his part, the system may just fail. You better keep your rifle clean and serviced. Don't let your chambers rust. Don't let grit accumulate around the extractor/ejector mechanism. DUH! I don't know about you, but I keep all my DR's clean and in good service, whether rimless or rimmed. I didn't spend all that $$$ to watch it rust and corrode.

On the issue of pressure I will say this. Graeme Wright suggests a load of 77 grains IMR 4831 with the 300 grain bullet for the .375 Flanged. His pressure tests on this load at the Birmingham Proof House yielded 14.3 tpsi. Pressure of .375 Flanged factory ammo is 18.0 tpsi and .375 H&H Mag is 20 tpsi.

I am shooting his load in my .375 H&H Mag, so the pressure issue is out the window. The load regulates beautifully in my rifle.

I suppose if you are going to rely on factory ammo you are operatiing at 20 tpsi. I suspect that darn few serious DR shooters rely on factory ammo.

Whether 20 tpsi of factory ammo will wreck a modern DR I do not know. Intuitively I have to think New Guy's logic that the makers DO know the limits of their products is sound. Lots of reloaders want to boost their loats to better factory ammo. I suspect that's where you are going to get into trouble with a DR. I don't do it.

The advantages of the .375 H&H Mag are numerous. Loading components are so inexpensive that they virtually fall from the sky. No special orders. Brass is dirt cheap. I use the 300 grain Hornady round nose bullet which costs about $17 per box of 50 at the local gun store.

Don't get me wrong. I love the 9.3x74R. I have a nice one, and it is not the only one I have owned. But ammo and/or components are not found at the local gun store. The prevalent brass is Norma, which has proven to be crap for me and many others on this forum. I am getting ready to try RWS brass and hope it will do better.

So in closing, I will again say I have read the bitter opinions of the .375 H&H Mag expressed on this forum. I understand what the posters are saying, and I agree that all things being equal I want a rimmed, traditional DR cartridge. What these posters ignore is the reliability of rimless extraction and the ways a reloader can totally eliminate the pressure issue.

By the way, the purists among us gag at the thought of a scope on a DR. I like some with, and some without, depending on the rifle. A good .375 H&H might as well break this rule too!!!!

Here's a pic of one of my .375 H&H Mag DR's:

Best regards,
Curl

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