My .375 H&H Load For Bull Elk

Advocatus Diaboli · Mar 28, 2020

I am fortunate enough to have been drawn for an early rifle bull elk tag in Arizona this year. I decided that I’ll use my 375 H&H and set out to develop a load for my Winchester M70 using Barnes 250 grain TTSX bullets.

I subscribe to the OCW school of reloading. If you’re not familiar with OCW, you can read about it here: http://www.ocwreloading.com/. The short explanation on OCW theory is that certain bullets/calibers/powder/charges are inherently more accurate than others and will be accurate in any rifle assuming the rifle is capable of providing a modicum of accuracy. My experience on a police sniper team supports this theory as we had 10 rifles (Remington, FN, Blaser, and AI) that all shot Fed 168 Gold Medal Match ammo extremely well...but enough about OCW...that’s not the purpose of this thread.

I found that the 250 grain TTSX on top of 76 grains of RL15 is very accurate (Sub MOA). I also had similar accuracy with 75.5 and 76.5 grains of RL15. My OAL is the Barnes recommended 3.590”. I used Federal 215 primers and Norma brass. According to my chrono, the 76 grain loads average 2808 FPS out of my rifle.

I’m curious to know what your experiences are with 250 grain bullets and RL15 powder in the 375 H&H.

375Fox · Mar 28, 2020

I don’t reload myself, but I have my gunsmith load for me. I shoot a sako kodiak. With 75 grains RL15 and a 250 grain TTSX, I can shoot 4 shots touching at 100 yards consistently and 3” groups at 300. My most accurate rifle/load.
25 yards: -1”
50 yards: -0.5”
100 yards: 0.25”
200 yards: -6.5”
300 yards: -19”

I hunted in Caprivi and central Namibia last year and took shots out to 300 yards. I have full confidence in rifle/load. Only issue I had was a closer shot 40 yards on eland. All Petals broke off bullet, but we still found the base of bullet under skin on other side.

Ray B · Mar 29, 2020

I'd have to get the loading book out to find which loads/velocities chronographed but in the 375s for elk I use a cache of 250-257 gr BBCs. Since BBCs are irreplaceable I do the load development with 250 gr Sierra SBTs. I have found that Loads developed with the Sierras and then substituting BBCs get velocities and accuracies within the variation parameters with no change in sights. I find the 250 (Bill made a bunch that ran a little heavy so some are 257 gr, so the get a little less velocity but not an issue) to be the optimum weight for the 375 on elk sized game. I prefer copper jacket/soft lead core bullets so have little experience with the mono-metals, but the 250 gr, or even the 235 gr considering that the bullet is less dense should do well.

Scott CWO · Mar 29, 2020

Congrats on the elk tag! What unit? I've drawn 23 South. If that's your unit, I would be happy to share some info.

You might look at the 270gr Barnes LRX as well. It's BC is .449 versus .424 on the TTSX. Probably will shoot just as flat even though a bit heavier.

Opposite Pole · Mar 29, 2020

Not what the OP asked about but 260gr Nosler Accubonds are quite decent too. BC 0.473 and claimed expansion down to 1800FPS.

Advocatus Diaboli · Mar 29, 2020

Scott CWO said:
Congrats on the elk tag! What unit? I've drawn 23 South. If that's your unit, I would be happy to share some info.

You might look at the 270gr Barnes LRX as well. It's BC is .449 versus .424 on the TTSX. Probably will shoot just as flat even though a bit heavier.

We need to talk!

Shootist43 · Mar 29, 2020

That 270 Gr. LRX sounds like it might have something going for it. The OCW and follow up Long Family Shock Wave Theory is obviously the way to go.

Scott CWO · Mar 30, 2020

Advocatus Diaboli said:
We need to talk!

I had drawn that tag a few years back, not this year.

2400 · Apr 1, 2020

I haven't used the 250gr bullets you're talking about.

I have used the 235gr Barnes and killed 4 elk with them here in AZ, two were bulls and 2 were cows all one shot kills and did not recover any of the bullets. Unit 9, 7W and the Navajo Army depot for 2 of them.

Rick Cox · Apr 1, 2020

Timely post! I would normally use my 35 Whelen, a Nosler 48, but the ejector pin broke two weeks ago, and things being what they are I'm considering using my CZ550 375 for bear season. Or I could use my 30-06 1903 Springfield, or my 7mm08 Winchester Supergrade. But leaning towards the .375. Why? Bigger is better. And I may use it this fall for moose and elk. I have some 250 AFrames, some 235 Woodleighs, some 270 Hornandy Interlocks as well as heavier bullets. It's sooo complicated! But that is why it's fun... keep it coming.

AZDAVE · Apr 2, 2020

Congratz on the elk tag, I got the better luck next year option for the 3rd straight year...

I use 260 gr Accubond in that weight catagory.

Advocatus Diaboli · Apr 4, 2020

AZDAVE said:
Congratz on the elk tag, I got the better luck next year option for the 3rd straight year...

I use 260 gr Accubond in that weight catagory.

I had your luck for 11 straight years!

Alaska Luke · Apr 5, 2020

Never shot an Elk. But my first caribou was shot with a 375 Ruger with Nosler Partitions. It blew clean through the lungs at 220 yards. The caribou died quickly but the hole was rather small. I've shot caribou with a 358 Winchester with Partitions. Those kills were a bit closer so velocity was higher. Wounding was broad and the caribou died fast.
I think the Barnes might be a bit tougher then necessary.

Clodo Ferreira · Apr 5, 2020

Hi AD,

I used the Barnes X 250 grs, a lot. The original X without any grooves. Spend 5 boxes of them.
In my M70 pre 64 25" barrel, the best and most accurate load was exactly 76 grs of R15 for about 2800 f/s! Coincidence....
Good luck in your hunt!

CF

Ridgewalker · Apr 5, 2020

I think you will like the 250 Barnes TTSX. I used it in Africa on sable, croc, eland, black WB, warthog, and several others. All were pretty much DRT except the warthog which ran maybe 100 yards. Not the bullet’s fault, but my shot placement was wrong on a warthog.
Also used the 235, but I prefer the 250.

Clodo Ferreira · Apr 5, 2020

Hi RWalker,

Agree. Used the 235 grs BX but I also like the 250 grs better.
Having used the 260 grs N Partition and Accubond, wich I have more than enough in stock, the Barnes TTSX 250 grs and the Accubond 260 grs, both at around 2800 p/s, are the ideal bullets, to me, for long range medium game in the 375 H&H.

Best!

CF

John McLaughlin · Jul 11, 2020

If I was using.250 gr bullets I would personally use my 340 Roy with Partitions @3050fps. If using the 375 H&H I'd use 300 gr Shock hammers @ 2675 zeroed at 200 yards about 8 inches low at 300. Agree with the late Bob Hagel (who was a great guy), "Use a cartridge that will do the job when everything goes wrong." Either will do the job for you. JM

RayAtkinson · Jul 22, 2020

I shoot 300 gr. Noslers, 285 gr. Speers, mostl any 300 gr. bullet for elk, they all work...as do 270 gr. bullets...elk are not bullet proof as some declare...If I want less weight of bullet, Id opt for my Ruger #1S 338 and the 225 gr. Accubonds..I reserve the 375 for heavly bullets.

AES · Jul 23, 2020

In calibers 375 and down, my belief is, with the great ammo made, you can lock great optics into just about anything and make it shoot a 1" group at 100. If you just like reloading, well . . . party on.

IMO You were lucky and patient enough to get an elk tag, don't waste energy. Buy 3 boxes of the best ammo out there and get it dialed. Spend more time on Elk preparation than trying to achieve what very capable professional ammo manufacturers already have.

My .375 H&H Load For Bull Elk

Advocatus Diaboli

375Fox

Ray B

Scott CWO

Opposite Pole

Advocatus Diaboli

Shootist43

Scott CWO

2400

Rick Cox

AZDAVE

Advocatus Diaboli

Alaska Luke

Clodo Ferreira

Ridgewalker

Clodo Ferreira

John McLaughlin

RayAtkinson

AES

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