375 shooters...

[Eastcoastshooter375]

I've read a lot on this site and have learn a ton of useful info. I was using the search function when I ran across something interesting. Many shooters are using the 300 RUM, or the 338 Edge, and often the 338 RUM, but I don't see many people shooting the 375 RUM for long range. I realize the bullet selection isn't the greatest and recoil is greatly increased, but is that the only reason?

I currently have both a 300 RUM and a 375 RUM. The 300 shoots 185 VLD's at 3175 sub MOA to 550. My current load for the 375 is a 260gr NAB at ~2970. Several deer and bear (and yes, a groundhog) have fallen to the 260 NAB. I gained some speed with a 235gr speer at 3200fps for short range deer. Sporting a 4-12 leupold limits range, but I've found it possible to thump "cow pies" at 400-500 yards.

I wanted your input on a good "all round" mid-long range bullet/load for deer and bear. I'm open to all suggestions, just thought I'd see what the rest of you all shoot. Should I stick to the 260 NAB's at almost 3000fps? Max range ~600 yards.... until I move to Co/Wy in a few years when the ole lady finishes Vet School ;-)

Thanks in advance!
Tom

 

[royinidaho]

Tom,

I would suppose that the 375 RUM simply scared a bunch of people away due to reported recoil and bullet selection. It is a great chambering and with a proper brake wouldn't be bad to shoot at all.

As far as long range goes bc of 375 bullets doesn't start getting good until about 350 grains. But the 260 NAB would reach out pretty well but may suffer a bit due to wind. Give it a go out to 1k and see how she works for you. You may be surprised...

From experience I can tell you that the 350 SMK @ 3200+ MV is an impressive thumper.

 

[Eastcoastshooter375]

Roy,

I was leery of the 375 RUM due to recoil, but I thought it must be the soft shouldered ones giving negative reviews of the rifle, so I went with it! Wish mine had a brake though.

I'll have to run the 260's "out there" to see how they do. You're right, it has surprised me before. It sure does do a good job making little rocks out of big rocks!

What 375 are you launching at 350 SMK @3200??? I'd love to see that!

Tom

 

[Eastcoastshooter375]

Any other 375 shooters out there?

 

[Swamplord]

in about 6 months from now, I'll join the .375 club !

have been a 30 cal shooter forever, went to 338 Edge this summer and really got hooked,
now putzin around with a wildcat .375 of my own design,

reamer ordered, dies ordered... haven't made up my mind on barrel brand yet but will be ordering one by the end of next week

 

[benchracer]

I have a .375 H&H that I want to experiment with. I am working with 250g TTSX's with the intent to develop a solid elk load for use out to 600 yards or so.

When that is done, I really want to do some work with 300g Cutting Edge bullets. Running some rough calculations through JBM Ballistics indicates that I should be able to put a load together that will stay supersonic past 1200 yards.

Right now, my rifle is really set up more as a short to medium range smasher. If any of my tinkering shows promise, I may have to re-think that.

With the correct twist, I have got to think that the larger cased .375's could make pretty good use of the 320g to 400g bullets that Cutting Edge offers.

 

[338 bruce]

Berger is supposed to be making a hybrid bullet in .375 cal in 2013

 

[barnesuser28]

Berger is supposed to be making a hybrid bullet in .375 cal in 2013

Where did you hear that?

 

[338 bruce]

It is important to understand that we are doing something we haven't done before so we all will learn the answer to this question together. The good news is that we are definitely going to find out.



Keep in mind that as the manufacturer we are required to make recommendations that take into account all shooters in all potential environmental conditions. The actual twist rate needed at sea level in the winter is different than the twist rate needed at 5,000 feet elevation in the summer. Those who understand the subtleties of such things can make decisions that are not consistent with our recommendation.

Regarding your question about 1/2" of twist rate, the key to this depends on how close you are to instability to begin with. If you are on the line and shoot a barrel 1/2" slower it will change things so much that you won't be able to hit anything past 50 feet. There will be a twist where the bullet is no longer stable. Crossing that line by 1/4" will produce a major change in results.



At this point all we've done is decided to make the 375 caliber next instead of the 50 cal. Last year we introduced 12 or so new bullets. This year we plan on launching at least that many or more. Bryan is busy working on several designs. The 375 cal is on the list but it will be at least a few months before he is able to provide the design. I would not expect this bullet to see a test barrel until 2013. The good news is that if we followed our previous plan (to make the 50 cal first) the 375 cal Berger would not be ready until 2015 or later.

Bryan excels at many things and sorting out the best weight for a new caliber is one of them. It is too early at this point to say which weight will be first. I would like to hear some suggestions though.



Michael,
Thank you for your comments. I know I am not perfect and need to be checked from time to time. It is never my intension to be inflexible and your feedback reminds me that even when I believe I am open to alternatives I may not be acting as though I am.

Regarding the bonded bullets, I am enthusiastic about the potential to make a good shooting bonded bullet. We just have to keep in mind that they don't need to be used to win benchrest matches. We have other bullets for that.



Gene,
This is a real challenge. Making short bullets with high BCs is like making paper airplanes with jet engines. I can relay that at this time we don't have any plans for a bullet that fits your description. We have many bullets in development. At some point we will run out of new bullets to make. It is at this time that we will work harder to figure out how paper and jet fuel can coexist.

Regards,
Eric

this is what I saw

 

[barnesuser28]

what thread is it in?

Thanks, Riley

 

[338 bruce]

Originally Posted by Eric Stecker < click on the arrow, it will take you there

 

[barnesuser28]

thank you 338 bruce!

 

[royinidaho]

Originally Posted by Eric Stecker < click on the arrow, it will take you there

I be holdin' ma breath.. . turnin' blue already

 

[Swamplord]

thats the reason I'm going with a 10 twist instead of the standard 12....

something tells me I'm gonna need it !