375 solid preference? Elephant considered

[Backyardsniper]

I have a 458 Lott that is giving me feeding issues. I am planning a trip to Zimbabwe and I have decided that if I can't get the 458 running properly that I would rather just take my 375 and hunt more animals with the cash that I would spend to buy another 458. So, considering the 375 H&H as a possibility for shooting everything on this hunt which hopefully will include buffalo and tuskless I am gonna need some solids. I have several options already for plains game. 300gr accubonds, 235 barnes, 235 speer, 250, and 300 Sierra. I plan to add some swift A frames to that list but I do not have any solids. Since in my opinion the 375 is definitely not "overkill" for DG I suspect I better bring the best I can get my hands on if I have to use it. What are your suggestions. What's the opinion on the Swift break away and also the woodleigh hydro? Is one just as well off to buy the hornady DGS or nosler solids?

 

[thriller]

I like the Norma ph solids they are brass solids and shoot well out of my 375.

 

[Backyardsniper]

I see that they have the nosler also in 260 and 300gr8. I'm going to assume that 300gr is the right answer but would there be any benefit to driving the 260 faster for more.penetration or are those more for use on duiker and such where you are just trying to not make any larger hole than necessary?

 

[BeeMaa]

300 grain Woodleigh Hydro...if you can find them.

 

[Tanks]

No question. Cutting Edge solids.

.375 300gr Safari Solid - 50ct

This bullet is designed for .375 rifles, especially the 375 H&H. It is a solid brass, non expanding hunting bullets designed for deep, straight line penetration.

cuttingedgebullets.com

 

[Backyardsniper]

Oh I'm glad you said that. I hadn't even thought about them

 

[Tra3]

+1 for norms ph solids.

 

[WAB]

The 350 gr Woodleigh conventional solids at 2300 fps have incredible
Penetration. I shot a big Botswana bull with a side brain shot. I don’t think that bullet even slowed down passing through his head. I left what I had left with a friend. He claimed full length penetration on a cow elephant while doing control work. I can’t substantiate that but I believe him. Those solids take the .375 to another level.

 

[Red Leg]

Were I leaving tomorrow with my .375 and elephant on the dance card it would be with the Woodleigh Hydro. The 300 gr offers incredible straight line penetration. I left a 20 rd Federal Premium box with a PH in MOZ three years ago and they have cleaned up several elephant issues in the ensuing time.

That said, any of the 300 - 300+ gr premium solids will work perfectly. They have nearly optimum SD. I have no doubt Maitland Bell would approve.

 

[Pondoro]

Rhino 300 grain monolithic solid, they penetrate like crazy...shot 2 ele with them..

 

[Nhoro]

The flat nose solids penetrate straighter and deeper. So take your pick from Woodleigh Hydro/Peregrine/Rhino/GS customs and (surprising many) Hornady DGS

My brother has personally shot Hornady DGS on 12 elephants-all bulls. He only uses the Hornady factory ammo in his 416 Rigby. Many will say they are bad but how many of them have shot 12 elephant bulls ? I use Peregrines in my Lott-copper so they are a bit easier on the barrel.

Woodleigh solids are well made and round nose so they feed well but the flat nose solids penetrate better. Nosler are pretty new-they look good but not sure if anyone has experience with them yet.

So my thoughts would be Hornday DGS for practise and Hydros for the real thing. Or handloads with the others.

What is wrong with your Lott ? I put a lot of work into getting my rifle feeding well- maybe you can get that fixed in time ?

 

[SABENA1]

The 350 gr Woodleigh conventional solids at 2300 fps have incredible
Penetration. I shot a big Botswana bull with a side brain shot. I don’t think that bullet even slowed down passing through his head. I left what I had left with a friend. He claimed full length penetration on a cow elephant while doing control work. I can’t substantiate that but I believe him. Those solids take the .375 to another level.

Hello WAB or other members,
any experience with the 350 gr Woodleigh conventional soft point as loaded by Norma.
Any good for Buffalo?
Brgds,
Marc

 

[WAB]

Hello WAB or other members,
any experience with the 350 gr Woodleigh conventional soft point as loaded by Norma.
Any good for Buffalo?
Brgds,
Marc

I only shot one bull with them. They are fine but I am totally sold on the 300 gr A-Frame for a soft.

 

[ALbowhunter]

+1 on the Cutting Edge solids. I was just on their website ordering something else, and I saw that the .375/300gr solids are in stock.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Another vote for Cutting Edge..

 

[Backyardsniper]

Excellent input y'all. I appreciate all the advice. It is nice to be aw to speak with people who have actual hands on experience with this stuff.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

When I shot my first elephant in Africa , I used a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum ( a BRNO ZKK602 ) and Remington 300 Gr round nose steel jacketed FMJ solids . They worked well enough ( for a side brain shot , anyway ) . This was a time when Remington was known more for their quality products , rather than their repeated bankruptcies .

But today , you should only use monometal brass solids with a large flat point . Because their straight line penetration is far better than what we had in the 1970s .

I say to go and source some Nosler 300 Gr Safari Solid factory ammunition for your .375 Holland & Holland Magnum . Very good factory loaded solids in my experience .

 

[IvW]

I would avoid DGS....

 

[jwp475]

Another vote for Cutting Edge..

Add another

 

[npm352]

I used a 300gr Norma solid and it worked fine. I have only killed one though so I am no expert. It was in perfect condition just below the skin on off-side shoulder.