.375 H & H vs. .458 Lott

[mdslammer]

OK,

So I've never hunted...but I have hopes of changing that very soon. I have a few nice rifles so far.
1. Remington .308
2. Savage BA 110 .338 Lapua Magnum
3. Marlin .45/70

I like "big" calibers I guess. Anyway, I'm kind of on the fence about my next
rifle. I'm torn between the .375 H&H or the .458 Lott.

I've heard the .375 H&H will take anything in the USA and most game in Africa.
Not that I plan on hunting in Africa anytime soon...but hey, one can dream right!

I've heard about the bruising recoil the .458 Lott can dish out and something to be concerned about but I'm not too worried about that. If I'm not mistaken, you can shoot anything from a 300gr. bullet on up to 550gr. with the .458 Lott.

Anyway, I realize this is a newbie question for most of you experienced hunters and I do apologize for it. However, since being a member of this forum many of you have been kind enough to shed some light on other subjects in the past so I had hopes you might help here as well.

Thanks guys.

MDslammer / Mark
Las Vegas, NV

 

[MudRunner2005]

You seem to have a lack of .284's in your life......

If you like big, fast, and heavy-hitting calibers, check out the 7mm STW.

 

[J E Custom]

OK,

So I've never hunted...but I have hopes of changing that very soon. I have a few nice rifles so far.
1. Remington .308
2. Savage BA 110 .338 Lapua Magnum
3. Marlin .45/70

I like "big" calibers I guess. Anyway, I'm kind of on the fence about my next
rifle. I'm torn between the .375 H&H or the .458 Lott.

I've heard the .375 H&H will take anything in the USA and most game in Africa.
Not that I plan on hunting in Africa anytime soon...but hey, one can dream right!

I've heard about the bruising recoil the .458 Lott can dish out and something to be concerned about but I'm not too worried about that. If I'm not mistaken, you can shoot anything from a 300gr. bullet on up to 550gr. with the .458 Lott.

Anyway, I realize this is a newbie question for most of you experienced hunters and I do apologize for it. However, since being a member of this forum many of you have been kind enough to shed some light on other subjects in the past so I had hopes you might help here as well.

Thanks guys.

MDslammer / Mark
Las Vegas, NV

It is hard to compare these two cartridges because of the difference in trajectories and energy's.

The 375 H&H shoots a lot flatter than the 458 Lott but the Lott has 1200 to 1300 ft/lbs more energy.

Also the 270 or 300 grain bullets in the 375 have a lot less recoil than the 500 to 550 grain bullets
of the Lott.

I don't know what your recoil tolerance is but the Lott will be close.

There are however, more powerful cartridges that will shoot flatter than ether and have more energy
if one is up to it.

Your choice.

J E CUSTOM

 

[HARPERC]

If you're not going to hunt with it, the acquisition falls into one of the other categories for obtaining a firearm. 1) Target shooting, each discipline has its specialized tools, but the 375 and 458's don't top the list in any of them. Many calibers exist that will be more "shootable" than these. 2) Collectible/historical, certainly rifles in both calibers exist that qualify here. 3) Just plain old "I just want one"! it sounds like this is really what talking about. I love my .375, but given what you've said I'd get one of the .458's. You have some middle ground rifles already so get one that that kind of makes a bookend for your "collection" at the high side. Maybe even look at the 460 Weatherby, like the Lott its also a good conversation starter. Kind of fun when what you're looking for doesn't have to serve any particular purpose-no wrong choice.

 

[mdslammer]

There are however, more powerful cartridges that will shoot flatter than ether and have more energy
if one is up to it.

Your choice.

J E CUSTOM

Which ones would they be J E Custom?

 

[mdslammer]

If you're not going to hunt with it, the acquisition falls into one of the other categories for obtaining a firearm. 1) Target shooting, each discipline has its specialized tools, but the 375 and 458's don't top the list in any of them. Many calibers exist that will be more "shootable" than these. 2) Collectible/historical, certainly rifles in both calibers exist that qualify here. 3) Just plain old "I just want one"! it sounds like this is really what talking about. I love my .375, but given what you've said I'd get one of the .458's. You have some middle ground rifles already so get one that that kind of makes a bookend for your "collection" at the high side. Maybe even look at the 460 Weatherby, like the Lott its also a good conversation starter. Kind of fun when what you're looking for doesn't have to serve any particular purpose-no wrong choice.

I do plan on hunting...and I do want one.

 

[HARPERC]

I do plan on hunting...and I do want one.

Then .375 H&H without hesitation.

 

[J E Custom]

Which ones would they be J E Custom?

A good example would be the 416s, the 375 H&H 300 grain loads can produce 46 to 4700 ft/lbs of energy.

The 458 Lott 500 grain loads can produce 58 to 5900 ft/lbs of muzzle energy.

One example is the 416 Weatherby, 400 grain loads will run 64 to 6500 ft/lbs of muzzle energy and at 2700 ft/sec velocity will shoot as flat as a 270 win.

I would probably recommend a 375 H&H or a 375 RUM for what you want.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Greyfox]

Unless you plan on hunting cape buffalo or elephant in the near future I'd probably go with the 375H&H. Even then, you would might be better off with the 375, 416, or a 458 win mag and not detach your retinas while becoming proficient with the Lott. IMO.

 

[mdslammer]

I'd like to thank all of you for taking time to reply. All very good info/suggestions.
I can always count on you guys to help out. Thanks.

It appears that the .375 H & H would be the best way to go. After all, it will drop
anything on this continent for sure. Recoil is very manageable.

And, if I ever have an opportunity to hunt in Africa, (yeah right!!!!), I can always cross that road if and when it comes.

Thanks again fellas.

MDslammer / Mark

 

[HARPERC]

I'd like to thank all of you for taking time to reply. All very good info/suggestions.
I can always count on you guys to help out. Thanks.

It appears that the .375 H & H would be the best way to go. After all, it will drop
anything on this continent for sure. Recoil is very manageable.

And, if I ever have an opportunity to hunt in Africa, (yeah right!!!!), I can always cross that road if and when it comes.

Thanks again fellas.

MDslammer / Mark

I wouldn't leave the 375 Ruger off the list. Some good used ones out there priced right.

 

[Trickymissfit]

I think I'd forget about both calibers. I start looking at some of the 41 calibers instead. The .416 Remington is a good start, as well as the .416 Rigby. Then there's also the .411 KDF and the .416 Taylor as well. The nice thing about the .416 Taylor is that it will fit in a standard length action (2.5" case length) about 250 fps slower than the Remington, but still plenty good enough for elephant. Nice thing about the Remington is that you can buy over the counter ammo. The first .375 Weatherby would also be a good one to look at. It's nothing much more than an improved .375 H&H, or better yet the .375 H&H improved (Ackley or Durham)
gary

 

[Technologist]

How is the .416 remington (or anything) a good start? The thread starter has not even specified what he will be hunting.

 

[MudRunner2005]

If you just have to have a huge bore rifle with tons of recoil.....Why not just go with a .375 or .408 Cheytac and be done with it.

If you want something that produces so much force, shock, and velocity when it passes through, that it sucks their head clean out of their ***, why not go for the gold...... .50 BMG with a 750gr A-Max.