270gr Solid. Enough for Dangerous Game Frontal Brain in .375HH

[Hunter-Habib]

I’ve successfully taken African bull elephant with a frontal brain shot, using a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum ( a BRNO ZKK602 ) and 300 Gr solids ( Remington round nosed steel jacketed FMJ ). The photo can be seen on my media page. There were no monometal bullets at the time, otherwise I would have preferred either 300 Gr Rhino brass flat nosed solids or 300 Gr Nosler Safari solids or 300 Gr Northfork brass flat nosed solids. Nevertheles, the old fashioned FMJ bullet did the job well enough ( although the recovered bullet had riveted noticeably ).

With a 270 Gr .375 caliber bullet, you’re reducing it’s sectional density and reducing penetration compared to a 300 Gr .375 caliber bullet ( all other factors being equal ). I wouldn’t go so far to say that they’re certifiably useless against elephant. After all, Denel P.M.P ( in South Africa ) used to manufacture a 286 Gr .375 Holland & Holland Magnum round nosed monolithic solid which accounted for more than a few elephants in the recent past. But why take the chance ? As it is, the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum is a very marginal caliber for elephant hunting ( and this is coming from someone who almost exclusively uses a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum on his African safaris ). When using it against elephant, 300 Gr - 350 Gr flat nosed monolithic solids are what you want.

 

[Woodcarver]

Gentlemen,

Some excellent feedback and interesting points on all sides to consider. I thank you nashkuru.

Allow me to furnish all with some more context.

I specialise as a Trails Guide in an African nation where very few people are given firearms permits. My wife is American and I have residency status there too. I’m importing my SAKO Brown Bear chambered in .375hh from the USA. Presently there is a huge ammo shortage in the US. In the past I’ve put my faith in Hornady DGS, but finding any available currently is impossible, hence my consideration of claims made about the Buffalobore 270gr.
Work will resume in June, 22 I have till then to source appropriate ammo.

In my capacity as a trails guide I will only discharge my rifle in the event of a critical situation (charge), to this extent I basically need my .375HH to function as a backup rifle for a PH.

The Question:

Given the above context what would you recommend good Sirs regarding the 270gr solids?

Also for those recommending 300gr and above any pointers on where to purchase ready made ammo in the USA would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.


P.s. I sincerely appreciate the time anyone spends in reply. However to get from point A-B let’s compartmentalise and keep the advice about ammunition only and say the most elements of competent weapon handling, shot placement for DG and knowledge/experience of DG behaviour are for good reasons assumed in this case.

Midway has Hornady DGS & DGX currently in stock. $113 & $119 per box respectively

 

[IvW]

Gentlemen,

Some excellent feedback and interesting points on all sides to consider. I thank you nashkuru.

Allow me to furnish all with some more context.

I specialise as a Trails Guide in an African nation where very few people are given firearms permits. My wife is American and I have residency status there too. I’m importing my SAKO Brown Bear chambered in .375hh from the USA. Presently there is a huge ammo shortage in the US. In the past I’ve put my faith in Hornady DGS, but finding any available currently is impossible, hence my consideration of claims made about the Buffalobore 270gr.
Work will resume in June, 22 I have till then to source appropriate ammo.

In my capacity as a trails guide I will only discharge my rifle in the event of a critical situation (charge), to this extent I basically need my .375HH to function as a backup rifle for a PH.

The Question:

Given the above context what would you recommend good Sirs regarding the 270gr solids?

Also for those recommending 300gr and above any pointers on where to purchase ready made ammo in the USA would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.


P.s. I sincerely appreciate the time anyone spends in reply. However to get from point A-B let’s compartmentalise and keep the advice about ammunition only and say the most elements of competent weapon handling, shot placement for DG and knowledge/experience of DG behaviour are for good reasons assumed in this case.

Trails guide 375 H&H.....Sako.....Hornady....270gr bullet....

Not knowing which country you guide in I can advise the following.....
1. Make sure that Sako functions as it should.
2. 375 H&H is too small a caliber for the job.
3. Forget about Hornady crap bullets especially for elephant.
4. Forget about 270 gr too light...

Sell the 375 and find a better caliber and rifle for the job......

 

[Nevada Mike]

Why not just contact SUperior Ammunition or other custom loading service and order some 350 grn. Woodleighs or 300 grn. Barnes Banded Solids?

 

[Tanks]

Trails guide 375 H&H.....Sako.....Hornady....270gr bullet....

Not knowing which country you guide in I can advise the following.....
1. Make sure that Sako functions as it should.
2. 375 H&H is too small a caliber for the job.
3. Forget about Hornady crap bullets especially for elephant.
4. Forget about 270 gr too light...

Sell the 375 and find a better caliber and rifle for the job......

I whole heartedly agree.

While under ideal conditions it just might work, unfortunately now and then Murphy raises his head.

Last August, on my elephant hunt, the elephant was moving its head until I had a frontal brain shot and the PH said shoot. Unfortunately, as I was pressing the trigger the elephant kept on moving its head and I missed the brain. However, the 570 grain bullet from the .500 NE knocked the elephant down and I was able to finish it off with a second shot between the shoulder blades as it was on its side.

My PH said: "If you were using a .375, it would have been in Mozambique by now" (we were about 1km from the border).

"Use enough gun".

 

[1dirthawker]

I think you miss my point, perhaps unintended. My point is that SD is one of many factors contributing to straight line penetration, recent testing including new design solids clearly illustrates that SD is of much smaller importance than bullet design. SD is only a factor for bullets with the same shape and material. In this case, the 270 grain bullet from Buffalobore (apparently a flat nose bullet) cannot be directly compared with a traditional solids as a round nose 300 grain Woodleigh FMJ. Not claiming that the Buffalobore-bullet is better than the Woodie.

it would be interesting to research the penetration level of the 270g flat nose solids. i tend to agree with the other guys regarding 300gr being superior, but, superior designs do sometimes outsized work.

the mono metal expanding bullets tend to out penetrate conventional bullets even tho lighter and a smaller SD. in this case function is greater than one would suspect from the lower SD.

without some testing, it would be a bad idea to pre suppose that the 270gr would work as well as a 300+ grain bullet, but.....if a penetration test was done, say comparing a wood leigh 300 gr solid and this 270gr solid and the results were favoring the 270 gr bullet, then it seems that offhandedly disregarding it would be unwise, or at least unwilling to acknowledge the merits of the bullet. as stated before, i would get testing info before i trusted my life on it. and, although the general group think regarding 300gr solids IS valid, does not change the fact that the OP can't seem to find ammo for his rifle.