.375 Hunting Big 5

[ebrahim.karimjee]

So i am getting ready to go on a big 5 hunt in tanzania and would like information of bullet choices for my .375 H&H. I do not know how to load ammo so i stick with factory loads.. From what I have seen on other forums and articles about ammo selection.. i am leaning towards the Federal line of ammo.. For my solids, 300gr Federal Speer Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer, and for my softs, 300gr Barnes Triple-Shock X Bullet Hollow Point. The solids are for an elephant of course, and for buffalo, lion, and leopard, use the TSX HP. However I am not sure how quickly the expansion is with the TSX HP. There is also the high energy speer bear claw from federal, and the cape shock nosler partition.. I would like some feedback if anyone has experience or knowledge with those, or any other proven factory ammo..

thanks,
ebrahim

 

[enysse]

I think you picked 2 outstanding bullets!!!
Good luck on your hunt!

 

[peras]

An excellent choice of bullets,enjoy the hunt.

 

[ebrahim.karimjee]

thanks. For cats, such as leopard and lion do you guys know how the TSX HP is, or are there better, "softer" rounds for them?

 

[dsmerrills]

Great choices ebrahim, Barnes and Federal are great manufacturers of ammunition but the main question is, have you functioned tested them in your rifle before to make sure they chamber reliably?

Just before I prepare for a hunt I like to test fire a couple rounds to make sure they function well in my rifles, even if it's premium factory ammunition or your own reloads! As you don't want to pee of a dagga boy and get left standing.

Also keep in mind Lion and Leopard are not as thick skinned as you may think, any reasonable premium factory loaded ammo with adequate weight will be sufficient. Shot placement is the key and not to hurry your shots.

I have seen a lot of people get bok koors when they hunt, and I know they can shoot well but they often seem to hurry the shot and just shoot, so enjoy the hunt take it easy and enjoy and shoot when you are ready and not when your PH or guide says so!

 

[Ole Bally]

Great choices ebrahim, Barnes and Federal are great manufacturers of ammunition but the main question is, have you functioned tested them in your rifle before to make sure they chamber reliably?

Just before I prepare for a hunt I like to test fire a couple rounds to make sure they function well in my rifles, even if it's premium factory ammunition or your own reloads! As you don't want to pee of a dagga boy and get left standing.

Also keep in mind Lion and Leopard are not as thick skinned as you may think, any reasonable premium factory loaded ammo with adequate weight will be sufficient. Shot placement is the key and not to hurry your shots.

I have seen a lot of people get bok koors when they hunt, and I know they can shoot well but they often seem to hurry the shot and just shoot, so enjoy the hunt take it easy and enjoy and shoot when you are ready and not when your PH or guide says so!

If you have a half decent PH, he wait until the perfect shot presents itself and will be cognisant of your skills...do listen to him...he's the one who puts himself in harms way on your behalf should you mess up!

 

[dsmerrills]

As per my previous post Ole Bally on the one hand I disagree with you but let's disagree to agree, not all guides and PH's are the same!

 

[Ole Bally]

dsmerrills. I think I do understand what you were getting at ...I assume you were referring to not being hurried to shoot by an excited PH?! So I'm with you there but it shouldn't be misconstrued to 'don't listen to him at all' which is so easy here...

Thing is PH's die every year mostly as a result of bad shot placement by the clients and because the client doesn't listen / do as he's told. One of my closest friends died last year here in Tanzania in that scenario.
Why pay for a PH if you're not gonna listen to him?
This thread was started by a person wanting to do Elephant etc with a .375 for the first time. If he doesn't listen to his PH in all likelihood someone'll get hurt...I pray it isn't the PH nor anyone else for that matter.
The PH should be trained to be aware of his clients shortcomings, anxieties etc. If, as a PH and you hunt dangerous game you'd better be!

Hope we're on the same page now!

 

[dsmerrills]

Ole Bally we are on the same page, was a good discussion!

 

[Nyati]

I used the Bearclaw on buffalo, performed perfectly.