.375 H&H ammunition choices

[Heym SR20]

You know the rule…. If there is no photo then it didn’t happen

I am rather glad I don't have any photos. She was a 40 something J'burg yuppy who had recently been divorced by her husband - size two or three times for clothes she was wearing - white jeans. Whined about everything - could n't plug her hair dryer in etc. She was accompanying a potential safari operator who was in his early 70's and should have known better. At that stage the Lower Zambezi was totally undeveloped - no camps or anything. I was had a job exploring it and finding potential camp operators to come down and have a look. Our camp was under a big sausage tree overlooking the river. We slept under the stars, black tie for dinner with a white table cloth but everything cooked on an open fire. Showers were bucket showers. And if you wanted a bath there was a large rock with a bath shaped hole worn into it that could be filled. No power. And to get there was 200km on winding track in low box in a series 2 landrover. It was magical.

I was in my early 20's - she was far more terrifying than any of wild animals down in the Lower Zambezi. I came to the conclusion that I loved the bush, but clients were a pain in the arse. I had the use of an old BRNO 375. I doubt it had fired many shots, but it had been carried for many many months in the bush. I had five rounds of ammo and I had to show these to the National Parks warden at the beggining and end of each trip. Ammo was hugely expensive if you could find it. And actually using it would result in big fines and lots of paperwork unless it was only used in a life saving situation.

 

[CAG2011]

I have a lot of peregrine in 30cal... and know many in SA are using them.

What do you think of the Larry Willis die? I did take a look.

Good to hear another Peregrine user, I use 165g VLR4 in my 308w and it has worked really well. Certainly the 270g VRG3 is a good alternative to the 300g H&H loading of other brands.

The reason I use the Larry Willis Dia is to ensure reliable feeding and some of the brass has been used a few times before, so I'm happy to try and extend case life, you do see them for sell occasionally, I'm happy to recommend.

 

[welshwarrior]

I use ppu on the range and the odd deer for everything else but especially in Africa I use Barnes or reloaded Peregrines when I was living in SA.

 

[Bones]

260gr Accubond for everything non DG.

 

[UpNorthMI]

Have been reloading the .375 H & H and not shooting dangerous game for many years. Sierra 200gn was great for practice and deer use, sadly I’ve used them all up and not seen any available for several years. Sierra 250 SBT bullets were a great load, again not too many available. Just purchased a bunch of Speer 235 grain soft points for a low price point, currently loading for testing. I’m also a Lee factory crimp user. Accuracy for the Sierra bullets was amazing over the 100 - 200 yard distances. Knock down on mid size deer was very effective without too much carcass damage.

 

[martin_b]

Another vote for MME if you reload. Norma is great Ammo and gives great brass.

Scrummy

Anyone know whats happened to the MME website?

 

[Selous]

What do you think of the Larry Willis die? I did take a look.

I have one and have used it a bit. They work well but my experience is that you can overdo the base sizing. I did this and ended up with cracks circumferentially in front of the belt. My advice would be to set it up carefully to minimally size the case to the point where they chamber easily but no more.

 

[Aister]

I have just worked up a load using the new 250gr Fox classic hunter using RS52. Great results as far as accuracy goes and looking forward to trying them out on red stags in October.



This was the best group out of 7 different powder weights, shot at 140 yards with an avg velocity of 2700fps.

 

[Trev470]

I wouldn’t hesitate to use PPU 300grn SP on any African plains game or deer/boar here in the UK. I have shot several bison with the 300grn SP and have not had any issues, bullets recovered on the far side under the skin! Granted not bonded so they loose weight but terminal performance is more than adequate! I also have been with a friend who was called in to shoot a wild bull in NI as part of a TB control, shot with a 300grn SP and down in 20 yards, entry on the shoulder and bullet recovered again on the far side! That bull pushed over 1000kg as did all five of the bison bulls I have shot, the cows were much lighter but we had the same outcome from a bullet performance stand point! Having shot Cape buffalo and the thicker skinned animals like hippo, water buffalo etc. in the past I wouldn’t advocate the PPU 300grn SP but would advise folks stick to premium bullets either bonded or mono metal designs to ensure the deep straight line penetration! If your rifle likes the ammo, both of my .375’s do, then it will get the job done on the game in the UK/Europe that’s for sure!