375 H&H for Elephant?

[mitch4570]

What does everyone think 375 H7H enough for elephant. Has anyone shot a tusker with the 375 H&H if so I would really like to hear the tale, and bullet performance.

Thanks in advance
Mitch

 

[Nyati]

Welcome to AH Mitch, never done it myself, but many tuskers have fallen to the .375HH.

 

[BRICKBURN]

David Sutherland, now a PH School owner in RSA and retired PH and Wildlife Manager told lots of tales about caliber choice and his is .375 H&H for Elephant.

I'll tell you some day if it does the job.
Not yet though.

 

[Royal27]

David Sutherland, now a PH School owner in RSA and retired PH and Wildlife Manager told lots of tales about caliber choice and his is .375 H&H for Elephant.

I'll tell you some day if it does the job.
Not yet though.

I sure seem to hear this a lot. And, that its all about shot placement!!!!

 

[peras]

Harry Manners the famous elephant hunter swore by the .375 .He later on used as his back up rifle for safari hunting.I know quite a few PH'S that still use it for back up.Once again a .375 with correct shot placement is better than a .500 with bad shot placement.

 

[DOC-404]

As with any animal, where you hit it is much more important than what you hit it with. Provided that you are backed up by a professional with the firepower to help if things go ape-shit, then a 375 with a premium 350 grain bullet is enough gun for elephant. At the close ranges that elephants are hunted, a premium 350 grainer at around 2300 fps is probably your best option in a 375. YOU will have to discuss the hunt with your PH, decide before-hand whether it will be a brain shot or a heart shot, and load accordingly.

 

[ChrisT]

As with any animal, where you hit it is much more important than what you hit it with. Provided that you are backed up by a professional with the firepower to help if things go ape-shit, then a 375 with a premium 350 grain bullet is enough gun for elephant. At the close ranges that elephants are hunted, a premium 350 grainer at around 2300 fps is probably your best option in a 375. YOU will have to discuss the hunt with your PH, decide before-hand whether it will be a brain shot or a heart shot, and load accordingly.

Solids for elephant in my opinion. And yes, with good shot placement .375 is enough gun. HERE is an article I wrote a while back that I believe might give some insight as to (1) how critical shot placement is and (2) the penetrative abilities of a .375.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

As with any animal, where you hit it is much more important than what you hit it with. Provided that you are backed up by a professional with the firepower to help if things go ape-shit, then a 375 with a premium 350 grain bullet is enough gun for elephant. At the close ranges that elephants are hunted, a premium 350 grainer at around 2300 fps is probably your best option in a 375. YOU will have to discuss the hunt with your PH, decide before-hand whether it will be a brain shot or a heart shot, and load accordingly.

With Docman and CT on this one, it and I regard it as good for Elle 375's are well known for good penetration even on Elle skulls, as a hunter a good choice.
It lacks the stopping characteristics I prefer as a primary back up rifle though, I would not rate it as a stopper.

My best always..

 

[Royal27]

Solids for elephant in my opinion. And yes, with good shot placement .375 is enough gun. HERE is an article I wrote a while back that I believe might give some insight as to (1) how critical shot placement is and (2) the penetrative abilities of a .375.

Great article.... Thanks Chris!

Being on this site is just like hunting - you must be patient and keep looking constantly and you will always see new things!

 

[Big5]

What does everyone think 375 H7H enough for elephant. Has anyone shot a tusker with the 375 H&H . . . .

Mitch,
I took my elephant bull with a frontal brain shot using a 375 H&H and a 300gr solid back in '93. The bull dropped straight down at the shot. I would likely use one of my larger caliber rifles today, but my trusty and well used 375 H&H is what I had at the time. With proper shot placement it will do the job just fine and I wouldn't hesitate to use it again on elephant.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Mitch, Here is a thread that may be of interest to you: http://www.africahunting.com/firearm-shot-placement/220-elephant-shot-placement.html

 

[mitch4570]

Thanks everyone for the great info and interesting and informative articles.This is a great forum site.