.375 Elephant

[Dparr]

I am sure there will be some hot sports opinions here. I have 2027 zim elephant / lion / buff hunt booked. I have a Heym .375 double I’d like to shoot for elephant. I have bolt guns in larger caliber but like the idea of the double for the ele. Thoughts?

 

[David jr]

I am sure there will be some hot sports opinions here. I have 2027 zim elephant / lion / buff hunt booked. I have a Heym .375 double I’d like to shoot for elephant. I have bolt guns in larger caliber but like the idea of the double for the ele. Thoughts?

I would shoot 350 gr solids if your double will regulate with them

 

[Andrew62]

Heym double in 375, sounds like an ideal situation to use your Heym, I'd love seeing a picture of your beautiful rifle!!

 

[Cleathorn]

Sounds like a great gun (and caliber) for your hunt. The 375 has probably taken more elephants than just about any other caliber. And personally, I love a double for hunting elephants; it’s just perfectly made for the situation.

Talk to your PH about shot placement and backup. I personally like the shoulder just below where the ear touches the body. You will drill the heart, and the elephant will be down in 100 yards or less. Hit the lungs and it’s the same thing.

The 375 is also very effective on a brain shot, but the brain is always a tougher shot. If the elephant doesn’t drop to the shot, expect that backup shot. A 375 that doesn’t hit the brain might not be enough to even stun a bull and cause a stumble (the time it takes for the 2nd shot), so just be very ready.

In any case, you will use both barrels. And probably the 2 you quickly reload.

Elephant hunting is awesome. Enjoy it and your double.

 

[Dparr]

Heym double in 375, sounds like an ideal situation to use your Heym, I'd love seeing a picture of your beautiful rifle!!

Sounds like a great gun (and caliber) for your hunt. The 375 has probably taken more elephants than just about any other caliber. And personally, I love a double for hunting elephants; it’s just perfectly made for the situation.

Talk to your PH about shot placement and backup. I personally like the shoulder just below where the ear touches the body. You will drill the heart, and the elephant will be down in 100 yards or less. Hit the lungs and it’s the same thing.

The 375 is also very effective on a brain shot, but the brain is always a tougher shot. If the elephant doesn’t drop to the shot, expect that backup shot. A 375 that doesn’t hit the brain might not be enough to even stun a bull and cause a stumble (the time it takes for the 2nd shot), so just be very ready.

In any case, you will use both barrels. And probably the 2 you quickly reload.

Elephant hunting is awesome. Enjoy it and your double.

Thanks for this. Current dogma really seems to push .470

 

[arniet]

I have killed only 1 ele with a 375 H&H, with a heart (aortic arch really) shot. Yes the 375 will get the job done. Take what you shoot the best. I will disagree with a lung shot. In ele the lungs are attached to the ribs and diaphragm with connective tissue. They don't get sucking chest wounds like we do.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I took my first Elephant with a Pre64 M70 375 H&H shooting Woodleigh Hydros. Would 100% do it again.

My hang-up is a double in 375 (unless Flanged). I wouldn’t want to be one of the few who has an issue with extraction/ejection. I also won’t use a pushfeed bolt action for DG Hunting. I also find it ironic the people who only recommend a CRF Bolt Action but are ok with using non rimmed cartridges in double rifles.

 

[Russ16]

You’ll certainly get a variety of HSOs on this one. Every PH I’ve asked has said the 375 is enough if you already have one and shoot it well. What they don’t want is you buying an unfamiliar gun and not shooting it well.

 

[sureshot375]

The reality is that nothing replaces shot placement. If you do your part, the .375 is more than capable.

The larger calibers offer a bit of margin for error in the event of a near miss on the brain shots. Sometimes the heavier hitting calibers will stun on a near miss giving time for a follow up. That being said I don’t think the margin is as great as some big bore proponents would make it out to be.

 

[Dparr]

Heym double in 375, sounds like an ideal situation to use your Heym, I'd love seeing a picture of your beautiful rifle!!

Heym double in 375, sounds like an ideal situation to use your Heym, I'd love seeing a picture of your beautiful rifle!!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

For brain shots, a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum is perfectly adequate against elephants from any angle.

For body shots (particularly on big bulls), it is very marginal and you should consider at least something of .400 caliber employing a 400Gr bullet.

I speak from firsthand experience. One Botswana bull took six 300Gr RWS nickel jacketed round nosed FMJ solids to the heart-lung region from a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum BRNO ZKK602 and still required a 45 minute tracking job.

 

[coreydb]

There's nothing wrong with your decision. Good caliber, quintessential DG rifle. Have fun!