375 h&h long range accuracy?

Axle2010

AH veteran
Joined
Nov 7, 2022
Messages
244
Reaction score
334
Location
South Georgia
Media
7
Hunting reports
Africa
1
Hey guys I'm looking at a Ruger Safari Magnum in 375 h&h and am curious about the "long range" potential. I've seen several claims that the 375 Ruger is a 500 yard cartridge but those are really hard to find except in the Mossberg Patriots (no thanks). To head off ethical questions no I have no intentions of shooting at unwounded big game at that distance but there's a very good chance while returning from hunting Eland (my primary excuse for a 375/416) we run across monkeys or baboons and at 300-400 yards they're pretty small targets. I have no problems shooting my 300wm at 600 yards and I'd like to be able to take the 375 to at least 400 yards even if just at the range. Is this a realistic expectation from a hunting rifle like the RSM? Thanks for your info this will be my first rifle bigger than 30 cal so I don't want to go into it with unachievable expectations.
 
I am headed over May 20, 2023. I shot last weekend with a browning a bolt 375 H and H. on the range I shot 250 grain bullets at 125 and 300 yards. I have a simplistic VX 2 3x9x40 with only crosshairs. the rifle shot 8 of 8 at 300 yards on 4 inch gongs with no holdover type system. For me and my practice, that is my outer range, but I see no reason it can't be a long range baboon gun with enough practice.
 
I am headed over May 20, 2023. I shot last weekend with a browning a bolt 375 H and H. on the range I shot 250 grain bullets at 125 and 300 yards. I have a simplistic VX 2 3x9x40 with only crosshairs. the rifle shot 8 of 8 at 300 yards on 4 inch gongs with no holdover type system. For me and my practice, that is my outer range, but I see no reason it can't be a long range baboon gun with enough practice.
That's great thanks for the info. I try to keep in mind as well the bad shots that we all end up making and the ability to get a second or third follow up shot at distance could keep me from losing an animal or keep him from suffering any longer than necessary.
 
Hey guys I'm looking at a Ruger Safari Magnum in 375 h&h and am curious about the "long range" potential. I've seen several claims that the 375 Ruger is a 500 yard cartridge but those are really hard to find except in the Mossberg Patriots (no thanks). To head off ethical questions no I have no intentions of shooting at unwounded big game at that distance but there's a very good chance while returning from hunting Eland (my primary excuse for a 375/416) we run across monkeys or baboons and at 300-400 yards they're pretty small targets. I have no problems shooting my 300wm at 600 yards and I'd like to be able to take the 375 to at least 400 yards even if just at the range. Is this a realistic expectation from a hunting rifle like the RSM? Thanks for your info this will be my first rifle bigger than 30 cal so I don't want to go into it with unachievable expectations.

Hello Axle2010,

The .375 H&H is possessed of pretty much the same trajectory as the .30-06 is.
235 grain spitzer = 150 grain spitzer .30-06
270 grain spitzer = 180 grain spitzer .30-06.
300 grain round nose = 220 gr round nose .30-06.

With a scoped .375 caliber rifle and a bit of practice, any decent rifle shooter should be able to hit a stationary baboon, from a solid rest, out around 400 meters, with either the 235 grain and / or the 270 grain .375 bullet.

My preference for vermin shooting would be the .235 gr Speer Brand semi-spitzer, as I am as familiar with that bullet’s trajectory from the .375 H&H as I am the .30-06 trajectory with 150 gr bullet.

I do not fancy myself as a long range shooter of worthy game animals and so, the 300 grain round nose soft is my favorite .375 bullet, for general purpose - animals-with-hooves type of hunting.
Pests / vermin shooting however, sometimes require a long shot and so, light fast pointy bullets are appropriate.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.
 
Hello Axle2010,

The .375 H&H is possessed of pretty much the same trajectory as the .30-06 is.
235 grain spitzer = 150 grain spitzer .30-06
270 grain spitzer = 180 grain spitzer .30-06.
300 grain round nose = 220 gr round nose .30-06.

With a scoped .375 caliber rifle and a bit of practice, any decent rifle shooter should be able to hit a stationary baboon, from a solid rest, out around 400 meters, with either the 235 grain and / or the 270 grain .375 bullet.

My preference for vermin shooting would be the .235 gr Speer Brand semi-spitzer, as I am as familiar with that bullet’s trajectory from the .375 H&H as I am the .30-06 trajectory with 150 gr bullet.

I do not fancy myself as a long range shooter of worthy game animals and so, the 300 grain round nose soft is my favorite .375 bullet, for general purpose - animals-with-hooves type of hunting.
Pests / vermin shooting however, sometimes require a long shot and so, light fast pointy bullets are appropriate.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.
Thanks so much V-Dog! I didn't know the 375 compared so well with the 06 ballistically. I think if the price is right I'll be a new 375 owner real soon.
 
I’m in the development stage for a long range 375. I’m shooting a 375 Ruger African and my son a 375 H&H custom based off a Remington action. They are both sub MOA. The trick is not accuracy, but getting the bullet to open at 500 plus yards. Looks like the 260 accubonds will give you about 650 yards of reliable expansion. The nosler partitions are opening up at 500 when shot into stacks of paper. We are using turrets to compensate for dropage at long range.
 
I’m not looking to take long shots with my 375 and haven’t practiced passed 200 yards, but I can easily hit 4 inch steel out to 200 off sticks with 300 gr a frames. I would suspect a 275 gr would reach 400 yards without too much drop. It’s quickly becoming my favorite cartridge and may look to build an all weather Winchester m70 in 375 soon.
 
Good luck on the quest for your 375H&H Axle, would a Kimber Caprivi be in budget? They look superb and apparently shoot so too.
Idk Kimber is pretty proud of their rifles and I haven't seen any for sale in my searches. Ruger Winchester and Sako have been my primary searches and definitely in wood stocks and crf. I've read to many negatives about CZ and am a little leary of the Sako ejection problems.
I’m in the development stage for a long range 375. I’m shooting a 375 Ruger African and my son a 375 H&H custom based off a Remington action. They are both sub MOA. The trick is not accuracy, but getting the bullet to open at 500 plus yards. Looks like the 260 accubonds will give you about 650 yards of reliable expansion. The nosler partitions are opening up at 500 when shot into stacks of paper. We are using turrets to compensate for dropage at long range.
Mountaineer I was wondering about the bullets since most 375s are meant to be tough close range rounds. I'd hate to have a great 500 yard round then find out it couldn't do the job on a 250 yards Eland shoulder blade. I have a Zeiss V4 on my 300 that has 63 moa of reticle left after being zero'ed so I assume that'll be enough then it's got the bdc reticle as well. What are you using for yours?
 
260gr accubond 375 is rather capital @ 300+ meters on nilgia, elk , ect
IMG_0059.jpeg
IMG_1459.jpeg
IMG_1579.jpeg
 
Last edited:
With any decent scope you will have no problems hitting baboon size vitals at 400 yards with a little practice. Definitely practice with it before you go, and know the holds out past 300 - up to your 400 max range. Actually shooting it at different ranges will tell a lot more than a ballistics table. My first baboon was dropped with one centered .375 H&H round....Good luck and enjoy!

Baboon.JPG
 
I've been seeing Ruger African rifles pop up recently in store chambered in 375 Ruger so you may still want to consider it. I believe the 375Ruger shoots even flatter than the already impressive H&H.
 
Idk Kimber is pretty proud of their rifles and I haven't seen any for sale in my searches.
I have a Kimber Talkeetna, which is their 375 H&H, I have a friend of mine who shot mine, offhand, at an 8" x 8" gong at 500 yards, hit it 3 out of 5 times. There's not a snowballs chance in H*** I could ever do that, but it proved the rifle can shoot. .375 H&H's can shoot longer distances with practice. I've since had 4" of the barrel cut off to make it lighter, more balanced and easy to handle when I go buffalo or elephant hunting.
 
Hey guys I'm looking at a Ruger Safari Magnum in 375 h&h and am curious about the "long range" potential. I've seen several claims that the 375 Ruger is a 500 yard cartridge but those are really hard to find except in the Mossberg Patriots (no thanks). To head off ethical questions no I have no intentions of shooting at unwounded big game at that distance but there's a very good chance while returning from hunting Eland (my primary excuse for a 375/416) we run across monkeys or baboons and at 300-400 yards they're pretty small targets. I have no problems shooting my 300wm at 600 yards and I'd like to be able to take the 375 to at least 400 yards even if just at the range. Is this a realistic expectation from a hunting rifle like the RSM? Thanks for your info this will be my first rifle bigger than 30 cal so I don't want to go into it with unachievable expectations.
Wow…I would say 300 yards max on 375. For me, that’s what I can hit consistently. While I am sure there are many members on here that can go beyond that range there are just better calibers for that
 
You’re better than me. I set up an eight inch circle for my practice and feel good. I prefer though 200 yards and in for PG. For DG I want 80 yards and in preferring 50 yards and in. Just me
I don't use that round to hunt with, and if I did, I have no idea what I would be shooting at 300 with it in Africa.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
54,280
Messages
1,150,417
Members
93,905
Latest member
RayHumble
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

SETH RINGER wrote on RR 314's profile.
HOW MUCH ARE THEY?? PLAIN? CAMO? THX, SETH
USN
Please a prayer request due to Michael Sipple being mauled by a Cape buffalo.

Bayly Sipple Safaris on FB for company statement.
SETH RINGER wrote on Fatback's profile.
IF YOU DON'T COME UP WITH ANY .458, I WILL TRY AND GET MY KID TO PACK SOME UP FOR YOU BUT PROBABLY WOUDN'T BE TILL THIS WEEKEND AND GO OUT NEXT WEEK.
PURA VIDA, SETH
sgtsabai wrote on Sika98k's profile.
I'm unfortunately on a diet. Presently in VA hospital as Agent Orange finally caught up with me. Cancer and I no longer can speak. If all goes well I'll be out of here and back home in Thailand by end of July. Tough road but I'm a tough old guy. I'll make it that hunt.
 
Top