"Whitetail" load for .375 Ruger

Viral_SIGness

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Now that I've got my Buffalo load perfected, I'm going to try some reduced loads.

The Sierra app says 77.1gr of RL22 gives 2470 fps with a 300gr Gameking. So, my test loads are using Reloader 25.
75gr with a 300gr GK
75gr with a 300gr TSX
77.7gr with a 270 Interlock

My "guess" is the 300 Gamekings will be around 2200-2250 and the TSX makes more pressure, so probably 2300-2350. The 270 I expect to be in the 2450-2500 range.

Reloader 25 is bulky enough to be able to reduce them safely. I don't think you could go over pressure with it, if you just dipped the powder with the case. I think I might be able to get down to 72-73 grains without hang fires. I want to get down to 1800 fps or so with the 300 GK. No expansion needed with a 3/8" hole in the heart.

Anyone else ever try reduced loads?

Gonna be a gud day 'Tater

20210312_222547_copy_1209x1209.jpg
 
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My reduced load is H4895 behind a Speer 235 grain SP. I used Hodgdon’s suggestion and my most accurate load turned out to be with 44.5 grains. Easy and cheap load to shoot for lots of trigger time.
 
My reduced load is H4895 behind a Speer 235 grain SP. I used Hodgdon’s suggestion and my most accurate load turned out to be with 44.5 grains. Easy and cheap load to shoot for lots of trigger time.
I figure mine is going to be a flame thrower. How do you not get hang fires with only 44.5 grains ?
 
How do you not get hang fires
Have yet to get one. I may have fired 50+ rounds and havent had one. I use magnum primers. Maybe the next one will. Who knows?
 
Have yet to get one. I may have fired 50+ rounds and havent had one. I use magnum primers. Maybe the next one will. Who knows?
It is a good question. I'd like to try half charges of RL15, but wasn't sure how it would work. I know my RL25 loads will be slow and quite a show at night lol
 
H4895 is the only reduced powder load Hodgdon recommends below their minimum. As Wyatt mentioned Hodgdon says 60% of their maximum load is the most you should reduce it.
I have some Trail Boss Hodgdon has “slow” loads for that I plan to try, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.
I suggest you look at the Hodgdon website for loads just to be safe. Most powders they recommend should not be reduced below their minimum!
 
I know @USMA84DAB has taken Whitetail with a 375RUGER.
Maybe using a Barnes 270 grain LRX?
If he doesn't chime in, send a PM.
 
I have 2 cast bullets for my 375 Ruger, I powder coat both, and they shoot quite well. I use H4895 for both, and IMR 4320 for the bigger of the two. This one is a 345gr I helped design, the other is an NOE offering.
IMG_20210224_212210_502.jpg
 
Consider the 235s, as the other bullets are clearly way too much for deer. With the lightest-for-caliber bullets you'll get the flattest trajectory, greater accuracy out far, and the least chance of an exit (low SD) in a herd situation. Or, just consider a trusty old 30-06 using 1/2 the bullet weight. With the 235s it should be 3,000ish+ fps and behave like a win mag on steroids. Better for med game like elk.
 
All that said, I'm a firm believer in practicing (hunting smaller things) with the weapon that may oneday save your life! (Have varmint hunted with everything up to .338-378, 375, 416 and 458-just to practice field shooting-accurately, and often take the big bores out bear hunting in the thick stuff.)
 
Consider the 235s, as the other bullets are clearly way too much for deer. With the lightest-for-caliber bullets you'll get the flattest trajectory, greater accuracy out far, and the least chance of an exit (low SD) in a herd situation. Or, just consider a trusty old 30-06 using 1/2 the bullet weight. With the 235s it should be 3,000ish+ fps and behave like a win mag on steroids. Better for med game like elk.
.300 Win Mag, with a 200 LRX is what I'd usually use. Want to try the VRG-3 in the .300 as well.
 
All that said, I'm a firm believer in practicing (hunting smaller things) with the weapon that may oneday save your life! (Have varmint hunted with everything up to .338-378, 375, 416 and 458-just to practice field shooting-accurately, and often take the big bores out bear hunting in the thick stuff.)
I will one day have a .338-378! Long live Elmer!
 
Long live Art Alphin! The a square variant predates the Roy weatherby.
 

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