Solid bullets in 375 H&H, velocity?

mark-hunter

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So, simple question for reloaders and experienced elephant hunters:

Recommended velocity for 300 grain solid bullet in 375 H&H for elephant?
 
This is straight off Hendershot's website for 375 H&H. I use 2500 fps for 300 gr bullets in my 375 Ruger.

1726314057516.png
 
I have not hunted Elephant with the 375, only the 416 Rigby. If using the 375 I would use the Woodleigh Hydro like I do in the 416. In my 375H&H the Hydros are running at 2600fps 3 mts from the muzzle.
 
My 25” Pre-64 shoots Federal 300gr Sledgehammers at 2550, I’m sure that will handle business!
 
I hunted elephant, and hippo as well, with my .375 H&H magnum once and for such game, I reloaded this caliber with Cutting Edge Bullet Safari Solid 300 gr.
I used Vihtavuori N150 and my average muzzle velocity was 756 m/s (2480 f/s). It's easy with double base powders to push them faster, but I don't think it's really necessary for hunting.
Penetration was very impressive and in straight line.
When I made my load developement , this is the only bullet that passed through a big stump that I used to hold my target.
With quartering away shots, except one, all my bullets passed through the elephant chest and same thing for the one in the head with a side one shot. The bullet we recovered was the first one I shot and it broke the opposite humerus of the animal which was paralyzed. That's why I was able to shoot several rounds.
 
Hendershots Custom Ammunition recently loaded me up some with 300Gr Cutting Edge Bullets monolithic brass Safari Solids which chronograph at 2530 FPS.
 
This is straight off Hendershot's website for 375 H&H. I use 2500 fps for 300 gr bullets in my 375 Ruger.

View attachment 633787
I’m 100% same 375 ruger 2500fps 300gr , but I have never hunted elephants so maybe
My 2ct is mute, but our ph had us loaded with 300gr soft with 2 300gr just in case a elephant got testy
 
340gr Rhino Meplat brass banded solid @ 2250-2300fps
 
I've a box of Federal Premium Safari 300 grain Woodleigh Hydro's I've yet to test.
The box label says 2,500 fps MV.

If they're anything like the other Premium Safari ammo I've tested from Federal out of my M70 24" barrel, then they're likely to be pretty darn close to the stated MV.
 
So, simple question for reloaders and experienced elephant hunters:

Recommended velocity for 300 grain solid bullet in 375 H&H for elephant?

2450 FPS is the gold standard. If you can get more with a better group great! If you cannot, stick with 1921 ICI/Kynoch original load specs. How your gun feeds and how good the groups are determines the velocity. Please do not chase excess velocity at the expense of the gold standard of 2450 FPS for a 300gr solid that YOU have total confidence in!
 

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