I’m considering taking a contender along on my Buffalo hunt to use for warthog, impala or some other smaller plains game. There a three bullets I’m considering. 200 grain sierra flat point, 235 grain Speer Semi Spitzer, and 255 grain Barnes original. They all have their positives and negatives. The Sierra may be in the light side for a 375. The Speer is a good compromise weight, but is built for the H&H and may not expand well at 275 Winchester velocity. The Barnes is heavy enough the velocity starts to suffer. Any experience with any of these at handgun velocities? Any of them would probably work well for Impala or warthog sized game, but if a nice zebra, kudu, etc presents itself, I’m afraid the Sierras might be a little light for caliber and soft.
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375 Winchester Contender Bullet Choice
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meigsbucks
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I he a Contender rifle setup in .375 Win and your breakdown of performance is probably spot on. I didn’t use the Barnes, but used the Sierra, Speer and Hornady 220 and 225gr when they made those. The Speer will retain velocity better, but is a a little tough. That said, as long as you’re shooting less than 150yds, I’d go with the Sierra.
Thanks for the feedback. I’d definitely be shooting less than 150 yards. Whatever I use, I want to make sure I get adequate penetration.
Bullthrower338
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Sierra bullet has been pretty promising for me in my Win 94. All I have shot so far though is paper, a badger and a domestic sheep that needed put down, lying bitch was spreading rumors about me! lol. Honestly she was sick, bullet worked as intended for sure.
What do
you mean by treating them differently?
Daryl S
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I ran a 220gr. Hornady FN at 1,930fps and killed 2 moose with it, a big cow and a bull. Perfect performance as well, picture perfect. My rifle was a 1978 Big Bore '94 XTR Winchester. 1 1/2" 5 shot groups at 100 meters with open sights. I did change out the front sight with a Williams ivory bead. I also filed out the rear sight for the typical wide open V Express-style sight. Perfect for shooting in tight, dark bush. Worked for me.
IIRC, 46gr. H335 was the load. Today, I'd likely use H4895.
Not a top-end load, but what i used worked splendidly. 2 shots on the bull, only one broadside shot, double lung on the cow-2 1/2steps DTR. Bullet under the hide, off side. Bull was a different story. Was looking at me over his back. I thought facing. Bullet hit him in the left rear leg. He dropped, then got up and ran with a cow. After 15min. I tracked him until we caught up. Next shot he was running & I hit a root pile between us as I was swinging with him. Jacked another into the chamber, open shot, double lung & DOWN. Yeah, poor shooting, but it happens. He'll of an under-rated ctg. Its a good-un.
IIRC, 46gr. H335 was the load. Today, I'd likely use H4895.
Not a top-end load, but what i used worked splendidly. 2 shots on the bull, only one broadside shot, double lung on the cow-2 1/2steps DTR. Bullet under the hide, off side. Bull was a different story. Was looking at me over his back. I thought facing. Bullet hit him in the left rear leg. He dropped, then got up and ran with a cow. After 15min. I tracked him until we caught up. Next shot he was running & I hit a root pile between us as I was swinging with him. Jacked another into the chamber, open shot, double lung & DOWN. Yeah, poor shooting, but it happens. He'll of an under-rated ctg. Its a good-un.
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Great story. Thanks for sharing. If the Hornady 220s were still in production, I wouldn’t have asked the question about which bullets to use!
Daryl S
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Now THAT is sad news. Didn't know that. They also stopped production of the 225gr. Spitzer. I used that one for fireforming my .375/06IMP at 2,864fps.
The 235gr. Speer can be cup pointed with a center tool on a lathe, making then 220gr. then safely loaded in a M94. Of course the TC doesn't need the flat or cupped nose, but that cupped 220Speer would likely be a hammer for the Hogs. I'd do it, with a temp. insensitive powder at 1,900fps to 2,100fps.
I think another fellow on another forum uses a .375 Win. on feral Hogs.
The 235gr. Speer can be cup pointed with a center tool on a lathe, making then 220gr. then safely loaded in a M94. Of course the TC doesn't need the flat or cupped nose, but that cupped 220Speer would likely be a hammer for the Hogs. I'd do it, with a temp. insensitive powder at 1,900fps to 2,100fps.
I think another fellow on another forum uses a .375 Win. on feral Hogs.
I shot almost every bullet made in .375 in my 375 win even 300 gr fmj .I used aa1680 powder makes 200bfps more than other powdees .The speer 235 gr was most accurate but didnt expand .You can cut off the 270 gr hornady to 250 gr and it will expand .Thats the bullet JD Jones shot tons of game with his 375 jdj with .He even shot elephants with the 300 gr fmj .There is a new 200 gr hp .375 bullet grafs sells looks awesone for the 375 win.
Daryl S
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300gr. RN Hornadys ran 1,600fps and 2" at 100 meters off the bags. They probebky wouldn't expand at that vel. They cut cloverleafs at 50yds., thus were losing accuracy for me at that range.
A shortened 235gr. Speer might be the best bet. I've not shot sny Barnes bullets.
A shortened 235gr. Speer might be the best bet. I've not shot sny Barnes bullets.
Cutting edge 200 gr raptor is the bullet I was thinking about .Grafs and sons has them .I talked to JD@Jones hours and hours about the 375 win and 375 jdj .My 375 jdj gave me fits and kicked way too hard in a 4 3/4 pound contender .My 375 win in big bore 94 is just right .It was my truck gun for Alaska for 12 years .
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Have you looked at Hawk Bullets? I have been considering trying some of their choices for a 9.3x62mm loading, seems as though they offer a number of options for 375 Winchester.
LeftySixgun
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I like the Hawk bullet suggestion. What about shooting a cast bullet?
Hawk makes a 200 and a 220gr flat points, both with a .025” thick jacket. The 220gr FP would be my choice
Hawk makes a 200 and a 220gr flat points, both with a .025” thick jacket. The 220gr FP would be my choice
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With just a .025" jacket, I'd not run the 220gr. faster than 2,000fps. Note mu success with a mete 1,940fps. Bloody well into scope sighted accuracy, but with iron sights and good killing power on 800pound animals.
Not much to hate. Yes, AA1680 gives higher vel. that isn't needed & maybe not wanted, either. , depending on the characteristics of the bullet. I ran some of those 2,300fps loads with 1680 with the 220gr. and I went back to 1,940fps with the 220gr. bullet. Better accuracy for me.
Not much to hate. Yes, AA1680 gives higher vel. that isn't needed & maybe not wanted, either. , depending on the characteristics of the bullet. I ran some of those 2,300fps loads with 1680 with the 220gr. and I went back to 1,940fps with the 220gr. bullet. Better accuracy for me.
Too much velocity won’t be an issue out of the 14” barrel. Top book loads for 220-235 grain bullets is 1950ish fps. I’m more concerned with over expansion with the Sierra and little to no expansion with the Speer. The out of production Hornady 220 grain seem to be the sweet spot for the 375 out of a contender.
Daryl S
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I got perfect expansion with the Hornady bullet, but a moose produces a lot of bullet resistance. They made the same penetration as a 270gr. Winch. Power Point (.375 H&H) on moose, but much less cavitation for the lighter, slower bullet. The expansion was picture perfect though, for a cup and core bullet. Looked like a bullet from a MFG'R'S add. Both moose were shot at very close to 100yards distance.
If the Sierra 200's are run at 2,000fps or a little slower, they'd probably work just fine. I would not expect an unaltered Speer bullet to expand much as all.
If the Sierra 200's are run at 2,000fps or a little slower, they'd probably work just fine. I would not expect an unaltered Speer bullet to expand much as all.
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I suspect quite strongly your speed with the 200 might be in the 1,700fps (14"bl) range and thus, it is likely the best bullet for you.
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Huntforever wrote on dhoover's profile.
You’re the 2nd person on this thread from Arkansas. I live in Benton.
Do you hunt out of state much?
Do you hunt out of state much?