What is it about a .375 H&H that makes it so appealing? – P3

“APPEALING”: a feeling of “must have”; “can’t live without it”.

I caught that feeling early on in my handloading career. I was moving into serious moose hunting and felt the need for something other than a .300 Win Mag in tough places and longer ranges in Northern Ontario. So my Sako FS in .338 Win Mag with a short 20″ barrel was my first choice after a long and heavy .300 Win Mag M70 XTR was tried and tested but left me with the feeling that it should have been chambered in .458 Win instead of .300 Win. So it got traded for the new Sako in .338 Winchester Magnum.

<Identical to this.

I fell in love with that rifle in that chambering! I was able to achieve factory ballistics from the stubby 20″ barrel, and the stock fit seemed to lessen felt recoil. I settled on 225s and 250s for serious hunting business. It’s first moose-hunting trip took it to Ontario’s “Near North” just south of North Bay and NW of Algonquin Park. I had a bull moose tag in my pocket. That hunt saw 250gr Sierra BTs in the cases atop either 76 grs of RL-19 or 78 grs of RL-22 at ~2700 + fps, Rem brass, CCI 250s and 3.375″ COLs. That was in the fall of 1991. I wasn’t alone but had a crew of three others as partners: Bob, Mike and Dave, all members at the church of which I was senior pastor. I was in my mid fifties, Bob a recently retired middle-school principal, Mike the age of my oldest son and an entrepreneurial tradesman, and Dave, older than Mike, in his late thirties as a husband and father, and builder of fine cabinets and staircases. None were dummies, but well educated, articulate but mostly on learning curves in handloading and hunting larger game than whitetails. I had the most powerful rifle compared to the others, and the leader of our cohort. But we were all new to the area, so we split up into 2 x 2s, generally in different directions. Then we had rain, lots of it! Question: has there ever been a moose hunt that was dry? Almost immediately my dear Sako FS revealed it was far from an ideal firearm under those conditions!

At the end of each day, I had to dismantle the barreled action from the two piece wood stock, letting it (hopefully) dry enough over night, then reassemble it early the next day for hunting – never knowing if the carefully assembled 250gr Sierra loads would hit a legal moose anywhere near its aiming point! (Look at the assembled rifle and note all the screws and bolts that had to be removed for disassembly and reassembly). Sako had not prepped the barreled action wood channel for wetness, and it was soaking water like a sponge! And to disassemble the whole thing myself seemed, well, you know beyond reasonable. I assumed too much! But a year or so later when the two-piece stock fell apart, and the nose cap fell down over the muzzle at the range. . . I’d had it with that gorgeous rifle, so I put it in a Carlson fiberglass stock – which cracked under fire at the range. Then, at a rifle trade show in Toronto it got traded for my first .375 H&H in an M70 Winchester that had a truck axle for a barrel! After another moose and bear hunt with that .375 H&H, I traded it on the Browing A-Bolt LH SS in .375 H&H (much lighter and with the bolt-handle on the left side) that got returned to the dealer due to the off-center bore! In return, a .338 Win in the same A-Bolt SS LH was rechambered into a .340 Wby Mag ! That cost $75 plus a .375 clip that attached to the floorplate and it was good to go! But .340 Wby ammo wasn’t cheap and brass cases were nowhere in sight. All of the above transpired over a full decade of time.

A day at the range was literally a God-send! I even forget what I was shooting, but a guy going on an African safari hunt was shooting Remington’s finest ammo in .375 H&H. After he’d finished with four boxes of 20, he stacked the boxes of empty cases on his bench and invited me to have a look at them, asking if I could use them. Quickly I responded: “Yes, I can use them in my .340 Wby!”. So, I got 80 once-fired .375 H&H cases that were turned into .340 Weatherbys by necking down to .338 in my .340 Weatherby dies and fireformed in the chamber of my rifle. I never bought another .340 cartridge or case for the next ten years though I put 1000 rounds through that rifle using those freely donated .375 H&H Remington cases!

< A loaded .375 H&H cartridge in Remington brass on the right. The cartridge case on the left was formed from a .375 H&H Rem case – necked to .338 in my .340 die and then fireformed in the .340’s chamber. The chamber was originally a .338 Win Mag but reamed to a .340 by gunsmith Edward Von Atzigen with the Weatherby freebore.

From that experience I obviously learned several things of importance, not the least being how durable Remington .375 H&H brass was compared to some others. About thirty years later, I was fortunate in finding and purchasing 3 bags of 50 each of the Remington brand for my current .375 H&H at the same shop where both rifle and dies were bought. That seemed to me to be evidence of a “Hand from Above” to confirm my purchase when both ammo and components had become scarce for a .375 H&H!

In becoming increasingly familiar with the left-hand Zastava 70 in .375 H&H, from having made it my primary bear rifle in 2024, serious problems would have to develop in my life, or with the rife, for any thought of sending it away would cross my mind before I’m done with hunting and shooting. It has become that appealing!

I don’t try to convince it that it’s not a .375 AI or Weatherby with a 22″ barrel. At nearly or actually at 2700 fps from 300 grainers, I’ve forgotten about having it reamed to an AI.

< Hey! Relax and enjoy it while waiting for that big bear to stick its nose through the bush 45 yards away!

It has replaced my former .340 Wby. I’ve done a side by side comparison for long-range hunting of moose, having been there with the .340 in the northern parts of our province. . . . How would my current .375 H&H compare at 450 to 500 yards?

Let’s see:

The .340 as loaded in 2002: a 250gr Partition at 3000 fps/4995 ft-lbs

at 500 yds = 2117 fps/2487 ft-lbs (69.8 TE). The bull got shot at 165 yards!

The .375 H&H as loaded for bear last year (2024): a 300gr SBT at 2674 fps/4762 ft-lbs

at 500 yds = 1862 fps/2310 ft-lbs (77.5 TE)

Yes, 177 ft-lbs less at 500 yds, but 11% more TE (Terminal Effect). How come? Because of 5.5% more momentum at 500 yds and 22.6% greater cross-sectional area of bullet.

So yes, the venerable .375 H&H, while a bit less “flat” shooting, still hits with more potential effect at 500 yds than the “powerful” .340 Weatherby Magnum! Yea, I know there’s a bunch of other factors that could turn matters one way or another. Still, I’m satisfied that the .375 H&H or AI or Weatherby is at least as effective, and likely more so, for large soft-skinned game to at least 500 yds/meters as the flat-shooting and powerful .340 Wby Mag. I’d have no qualms over taking it to the “Far North” in search of the largest or most dangerous land mammals.

By the way, a 77.5 TE qualifies for a ton of animal when hit were it counts most with a quality bullet!

I don’t need more convincing to keep a well made .375 H&H in my arsenal of three for the duration of time left to me for toting powerful rifles in the pursuit of challenging game, often in dicey places !

Not surprisingly, therefore, that I have a thirst for nothing more than these three; any one of which could do it all! Why 3 then? At least three of this genre is enough variety to keep spice in the hunting experience alive. . . . A .17, .223 or .243 isn’t gonna do it for me! I’d fall asleep at the loading bench, let alone at the range!

Even at the age of 90!

< L to R: .35 Whelen loaded with a 225 Partition; .375 H&H loaded with a 300gr SBT; and a .458 Win Mag loaded with a 400gr Hawk.

a .458 Win Mag – up to 6000 ft-lbs

a .375 H&H – up to 5000 ft-lbs

a .35 Whelen – up to 4000 ft-lbs

There were 3 rifles of each that involved planning, research, acquisition of rifles, reloading components, scopes, making and testing reloads, plus hours in the field and analyses. How many total hours? Most are for the three .458s, then the .375s and finally the .35 Whelens.

After considerable reflection and calculations, I’m thinking about 1300 hours: with 950 of that going to the three .458 Win Mags, and the 350 hours remaining divided between the .375s and .35 Whelens – about 200, and 150 respectively. All that dating back to 1993 at least. Of course, my big game hunting experience seriously began a couple of years after graduating from college, marriage and becoming a pastor all in the same year of 1957.

. . . . . . . along with two .22 LRs – a semi Rem with two clips and a CZ 455 with two clips – and an 18.5″ tactical 12ga with a 3″ chamber, I’m ready for whatever I’m hunting. . . or whatever might be hunting me!

< Eastern Wolf – yep, I’ve had ’em that close . .

but in winter.

. . . . . . . . and then these> A sow with her cub had gone down this trail just ahead of me, and then left the trail into thick bush. “Where are they?” They were protected by law, and I could’ve only used my Ruger 96/44 lever action had she attacked me! It was the fastest rifle I’ve ever owned for multiple shots, and has been replaced by a Stevens’ 12ga tactical pump firing 492gr CHALLENGER slugs at 1550 fps from the short 18.5″ barrel. They are used by both military and police. Those slugs are Italian made and loaded into shells in Quebec. They are very accurate in smoothbores and devastating at short ranges. At times this is toted instead of a rifle – a big-bore’s Big Bore!

Till the next. . . . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

” And God has raised him up and given him a name that is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth (and to all of creation), and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the GLORY of GOD the Father”: PHILIPPIANS 2: 10-11

Ballistic Realities – P1

The rifle that captured my imagination for hunting purposes at age 13 was my oldest brother’s new Marlin in .30-30. He was 19 and earning his own money. I was like “WOW”! Interestingly, 76 years later I’ve never owned a .30-30 of any make or model, but have owned four 1895 Marlins in .45-70 – basically the same rifle beefed-up a bit.

Prior to owning my first 1895 Marlin in .45-70, I thought a Sako FS in .338 Win Mag was “the cat’s meow”. This is identical to mine that was new in 1989! This one was just recently sold at EPPS. It looks pristine! Probably was kept by somebody as a “Safe Queen” who deceased or got old like me. Mine, new, was under 1k, and I’d traded a new Win 70 in .300 Win Mag for it plus some change (This one sold for $1499). Through multiple handloads, it became my favorite rifle for some time until the stock fell apart where you see the forearm strap (It had a two piece stock and a 20″ barrel).Then the nose cap came off when shooting at the range. That was held on by a very short wood screw through the metal at the bottom and into the forend wood. I then had a fiberglass stock put on that cracked under recoil. Tired of the problems with stocks, it got traded for a nearly new Win 70 in .375 H&H, plus a hundred bucks.

After all, on paper it looked perfect for the “giant” moose I’d hoped to snag with it. Well, in reality it probably was. But before I could catch up with a bull moose with said .338 Win Mag in hand, for reasons not fully rationalized I bought a lever-action Marlin for my first-ever bear hunt in a remote area under the supervision of “The Bear Man”, as the late Norm Easto was then known.

By then, in 1989, I was well into the study and application of ballistics through multiple big game rifles. KE numbers were important in assessing a rifle’s potential, but I also knew that a bullet’s momentum, bore diameter and sectional density (SD), as well as bullet construction and placement, were all critical elements in terminal effect (TE). “Terminal” means at impact, not at the muzzle.

In addition to a few reports by some well-known hunter- authors (Keith and Wootters), results from my handloads and calculations strongly suggested that a 400gr at 1865 fps from the muzzle of my Marlin’s 22″ barrel would at least be as effective, and perhaps more so, on a big bear at realistic hunting ranges as my Sako .338 Win Mag would have been.

Of course, the fruit of that hunt, plus several others using 1895 Marlins, have amply confirmed that initial conviction, and then some! Not only so, but the reality of hunting in the eastern half of Canada over the past 70 years has proven that nothing more than my handloaded .45-70s has ever been needed – with one exception: The “near north” and Far North of our province for a bull moose. Potential ranges could challenge the shooter’s ability to make a clean and proper hit even when using a .340 Weatherby Magnum – which was my final choice for that expansive, unhospitable region for any life other than moose and their four-legged predators.

I’ve chosen the above statement very, very carefully! With the best handloads in an 1895 Marlin chambered to .45-70, it’s more than capable for a bull moose to 300 yards! No, I didn’t make a mistake in that number! Not only so, but the single-shot Ruger No.1 in my former .45-70 LT (with the improved throat) would have been capable for that same bull at plus 400 yards! And no, I didn’t make a mistake in that number either!

Since kinetic energy + momentum + caliber are ALL factors at impact (yeah, construction and placement too); let’s look at some numbers (and comparative results):

Bullets: (they matter!) – diameter, profile, weight and construction.

Some of Nosler’s finest. I’ve used both on bear and they performed excellently from my TIKKA T3 Lite in 9.3 x 62.

Muzzle velocity (MV): is most often cited in reference to a rifle’s “power”. While it is very significant, yet, standing alone, it fails to account for several other vital variables such as those mentioned above and following.

Impact velocity: all else equal, impact velocity determines effect. Assuming “a proper hit”, there is a difference in effect between a 210gr/.338-cal Partition impacting at 2000 fps or at 2400 fps, whether due to differences in range or MV. How that difference is quantified may be disputed, but it’s real unless physics doesn’t count. And if physics don’t count then use a .22LR for everything, as one suggestion.

Weight: a bullet’s weight is a critical factor in impact velocity.

Caliber: is a major factor in bullet weight. If a small caliber like a .223″, then bullet weight is restricted to less than 100 grs. If a large caliber like a .458″, then the upper limit is about 600 grs.

Cartridge: determines ultimate effect depending on bore size, capacity, barrel length, COL and powder used.

These were all loads for my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT. The long “free bore” of the single-shot allowed all of those (L to R: 330 Barnes Banded, 350 Speer Mag Tip, 350 TSX and 2x 480 DGX) to be seated to the same depth, permitting an equal amount of powder to be used for each. Of course the same powder wasn’t used in all, but two sufficed: H4198 and H335. Through some innovation and various trials, the .45-70 cartridge is much more capable than it’s generally given credit for in write-ups and manuals. The loads represented here came very close to standard .458 Win Mag loads.

Sectional density: is the ratio of the bullet’s weight to its diameter.

Rate of twist: its major function is to stabilize the bullet from the muzzle to termination.

Bullet construction: determines their performance at impact. Nosler Partitions. They each performed as desired and expected. The two dark ones were 250gr/.338s from a bull moose, and the larger one was a 286gr/9.3 from a black bear. They each retained over 70% of their initial weights.

Ballistic coefficient (BC): determines rate of regression from muzzle to impact.

Those are the basic fundamentals of a rifle’s ballistics. But a rifle has no ballistics until a bullet is fired from it. And the bullet’s weight, caliber, construction and impact velocity (at whatever range) determine a rifle’s effective ballistics from that particular bullet, and nothing else!

Ballistics: ” The science dealing with the motion and impact of projectiles, such as bullets . . . ” – The NEW WORLD DICTIONARY OF THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE (Second College Edition).

Ballistics: “The science that studies the behaviour of projectiles in motion.” – Hornady

Then there are also “Interior Ballistics” that concerns itself with what happens inside the rifle from ignition to the departure of the bullet from the muzzle, which is not our primary concern at the moment. We are here dealing with TERMINAL BALLISTICS at impact, NOT what is happening inside the rifle’s barrel; thought that also has a measurable effect on impact velocity of the projectile.

We often substitute muzzle velocity (MV) for what has happened since ignition, but it’s rather an effect of internal ballistics rather than a cause of terminals. It’s measuring the effect of PSI from ignition for about 20 to 24 inches (depending on length of barrel and other factors), and includes several physical realities, such as caliber, bullet construction and weight, burning rate and amount of powder used, plus some other factors beyond the scope of this particular series on “Ballistic Realities” from muzzle to impact velocity – that I refer to as: Terminal Effect (TE).

Ergo: The above highlighted list of factors that determine ultimate “ballistic realities” at termination will fill the clauses, sentences and paragraphs (and photos) to follow for however long it takes for me to be done with this subject.

Till next time: P2

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Comparing .338 magnums, which is best?

I’ll not go into the background of .333 to .338-cal cartridges, as frankly that holds little interest for me. The first .338 cartridge that I knew about was the .338 Winchester Magnum, and shortly after I got into handloading for rifles it was an early acquisition. I’d owned and handloaded two magnum rifles prior to the .338 – a 7 Rem mag and a .300 Win Mag.

The .338 Winchester Magnum came in a Sako FS carbine with a 20″ barrel. Having researched articles, stories, comments and handloading data from manuals, I knew its potential and therefore figured it might loose up to 100 fps from a top load in a 24″ barrel. Knowing myself and my handloading experiences thus far, I was quite certain that 100 fps loss could be cut in half. So a 250gr at around 2650 fps was nothing that any North American large beast could ignore if hit right with a good bullet, and within sensible ranges.

This is a .375 H&H in the same make and model, except it has a 22″ barrel, not a 20″.

After having tried all bullet weights available at the time: 200gr, 225s, 250s and a 275gr from Speer, I settled on the 250gr Sierra BT. It gave the highest MV and best accuracy, and I had no qualms over using it on game to moose size – in fact, it was an up-coming moose hunt that also prompted me to choose it.

The rifle itself had some serious flaws, that I’ve written about in previous blogs not to be repeated here, but the point is that I learned a great deal about making suitable handloads for a .338 Winchester Magnum.

Several years later another .338 Win Mag came into my possession as a replacement for a new Browning A-Bolt in .375 H&H with an off-center bore that couldn’t be made accurate enough as a hunting tool for large game. It was replaced by the dealer with a near identical A-Bolt SS in left-hand action chambered in .338 Win Mag. My plan was to have it rechambered to .340 WBY – which happened following a year’s use as a reloaded .338 Win Mag. As a .338 WM it gave unheard of results from its 26″ barrel. A book load of RL-19 under a 250gr Hornady SP Int. recorded 2842 fps when corrected to MV – at less than MOA. I was beginning to have second thoughts about having it made into a .340 Wby.

<Here it is as a .340 Wby Mag.

The upshot of those experiences, plus assisting our second son with handloads for his Rem 700 in .338 Win for an upcoming moose hunt that we would share, gave consistent results for both 225 and 250 grainers expected from a 24″ barrel. All in all, I feel confident that Nosler’s current published results for their 250s from a 24″ test barrel are close to expected results at a high MV of 2780 fps/4290 ft-lbs.

On average, that’s close enough to a 250gr from a .375 H&H. Depending on the bullet and powder, I’m getting 2800 to 2900 fps from 250s in my 22″ Zastava M70 in .375 H&H. Just from those few experiences, plus dozens of others, I’m convinced that some equal-length barrels are significantly faster than others when fed the same loads. As an example, I’ve owned a total of 4 Browning A-Bolts SS in LH actions with 26″ barrels chambered in .300 WM, .338 W.M., .340 Wby Mag and .375 H&H (with the off-center bore), and they all (including the .375 H&H) produced velocities about 100 fps faster than expected given the loads used.

From a careful analysis of the NOSLER 9 manual on the various .338 magnums there are some surprises, anomalies, expected and non-expected results. The up-shot of that in-depth analysis is that if I wanted the best overall .338 magnum, I’d be very hard-pressed to improve on the results that my Browning A-Bolt SS (LH) gave when rechambered to a .340 Wby Mag. Over the 5 yr period of ownership, I fired ~1000 handloads through that rifle, about 1/3 of which were 250gr Nosler Partitions at an average of 2997 fps from RL-22 into an average of 1.25″ at 100 yds for three. That was my moose hunting load. The 250gr Hornady SP Int. was more accurate at about 2850 fps, but I chose the 250 Partition for the hunt without regrets. If it were today, it might be the 250 AB with a much better BC, but I doubt it.

In Nosler’s 9 manual, if you compare the .340 Wby with the .338 RUM and Lapua, from the 250s to the 300s, there’s little difference that matters – they’re all in the same ballpark, except the .340 Wby is more efficient. Honestly, I NEVER noticed its recoil before, during or after the hunt. All bullets went where intended into the bull that was an estimated 1100 lbs from the boned-out meat results.

Range was an estimated 165 yards. I made that estimate from years in the field after pacing off distances. I was also a former dedicated golf player and could read ranges quite well. And the hunt was long before I owned a range finder. Anothe example: I judged the distance at my favorite bear-bait setup in Haliburton Highlands on a downhill slope as 100 yds before I ever had a range finder. After my wife gave me a range-finder Christmas gift, I checked the distance of that bear-bait site at 97 yards.

<Several bears shot there.

So, that 250gr NP leaving the muzzle of my .340 Wby at ~3000 fps, impacted that 1100 lb bull broadside at 165 yds through the lungs at about what the .338 Win Mag 250gr NP is advertised at an MV of 2660 fps/3927 ft-lbs. Ergo: the .340’s advantage was 165 yards before a .338 Win Mag gets started from factory fodder. Does it matter? Well, yes in several ways: Hits harder and dumps more energy at all ranges. Then, at the .338 Win Mags effective limit on elk, moose or big bears, the .340 is effective to at least another 100 – 150 yds beyond that! It’s right there with the Lapua that burns more powder and makes more noise and “kick” for essentially doing the same thing! Make mine a .340 Weatherby!

Of course, the 33 Nosler will also make more noise with its ports and burning more powder than the .338 Win Mag while doing much the same thing: Make mine a .338 Win. And, oh yeah, at 5 – 6 lbs, ouch and OUCH!! Far worse than not only a 8.5 lb .338 Win but also the same weight .340! But it needs that can – an extra 10″ of OL to about 50″ OL! Does that make it “sweet” for the woods or mountains? “But it burns more powder than the .338 Win from that larger case, so it must be BETTER, right?” Yeah, right, if you live in a fantasy land!

Depending on who you are, if you need or want a .338 magnum, in my humble opinion, choose one of the classics: the .338 Win Mag or .340 Wby. I see two .340s at my emporium. The .338 Win Mags don’t hang around for very long . . . . In fact, I’ve yet to see even one of the new 33 Nosler rifles for sale at EPPS.

I repeat: “Depending on who you are”. Our son, Phil, and I have spent many days hunting together, and many hours talking rifles, ballistics and hunting, as well as testing handloads at the range where we both are members. For our first moose hunt, Phil purchased a Remington M700 SS with synthetic stock in a mountain rifle chambered in .338 Winchester Magnum. He got one shot at a running moose using a 225gr handload that left him with a bloody forehead. Our last moose hunt was to the “Far North” of our province where I used the .340 Wby to bring down the bull. Phil had that same .338 Win along, this time handloaded with a 250gr Hornady SP Int. at around 2735 fps. The bull lying flat on the ground was still breathing, so I asked him to shoot it between the eyes. He did from about ten feet and that finished matters.

Phil’s a big man who outweighs me by a hundred pounds at least, but he has a tender heart for which I love him dearly! Some time ago he sold his Ruger No.3 in .45-70 and later still his .338 Win Mag. Today his deer rifle is a Creedmoor 6.5, and for a big bore he has a Traditions G3 Outfitter in .44 Rem Mag (same rifle as mine in .35 Whelen). He was in the process of wringing them out at the range using both handloads and factory ammo, but an impending move has put a temporary stop on it until they’re settled in a new area. We love and accept him for all that he is, not wanting him to be someone else. He also loves rifles, handloading, shooting and hunting, and purchased a Garmin Xero, which is under my care until they are settled again. I wouldn’t want him to be different than he is, or change for my sake.

I think that some will not be comfortable with the recoil of magnums in .338″ class unless they have a place and time to put in the practice requisite for adept shooting. I understand and get it.

But I do have a problem with some on the net who insist that the recoil of such magnums can’t be handled by the average shooter to the effect they’ll flinch or bat their eyes throwing them off from excellent or even good marksmanship on game animals regardless of range. Or, that the small bore rifles today with long-range asperations of taking large game is more easily accomplished with those streamlined bullets manufactured for those with such a vision.

I, for one, firmly doubt that for physical not ideological reasons.

Like idealistic geopolitical beliefs among the elite that have seriously messed up democratic societies, it is an illusion that denies several key issues in real life hunting, regardless of time and place of unmanufactured circumstances. From where I was standing in this bog, to the farthest point was just over 400 yards according to a GPS satellite reading. Would you take such a shot from ground level on an elk or moose without elevation and a steady rest? Regardless, I’d want at least a .300 magnum.

Regardless of the platform, a small bore rifle can only shoot small bore and relatively light-weight projectiles. Yes, they may hold their flight pattern and velocity to a greater distance than in times past, but they are still limited by their smallness and weight: i.e their terminal effect (TE) and/or energy.

Studies/research have found that the most common calibers and cartridges used by the most successful elk hunters in the USA at 600 to 750 yards are 7 mags, 300 mags and 338 mags. There are several reasons for that in this order:

1. The shooter

2. The rifle

3. The cartridge-caliber

4. The bullet

5. Physical conditions

If there’s a failure/breakdown in any of those 5, it’s a BUST big time in attempted shots on elk-size big game and larger at so-called “long range”.

FIRST: the shooter. Give him/her the best of everything, but if he can’t shoot, no matter the cartridge, it will be a bust! Certain African countries require that before they hand out PH licences for Dangerous Game the candidate must undergo rigorous training under the demanding scrutiny of a veteran PH with years of experience in actually killing dangerous game, like charging buffalo and/or elephant.

The license to kill an elk at 600 to 750 yards should first require that the hunter should kill at least a few (say 4 or more) at up to 300 yds!

<This “neck of the woods” is a part of Haliburton Highlands. I wasn’t aiming my CZ550 in .458 Winchester Magnum at an elk or any other creature, but at a particular point about 75 yds away to check my stance in holding the rifle steady. Also, as I recall, I had licenses for bear and a moose calf, as well as for wolf and small game. It would be rare to get a shot on game at 300 yds or more in this location, but 250 yds was possible on the trail that brought me up here on the ridge. I’ve climbed this ridge dozens of times. Then it descends down in the direction my rifle’s pointing to a stream that follows a rift at the bottom that opens up a significantly large area before climbing another ridge. The stream flows into a fair-sized lake. The rifle was loaded with the 350gr TSX at 2750 fps. That load was good for very close work or to about 400 yds. I did use that 350 TSX on a smallish bear about 1 mile from this location. Even 250 yds would be a rare shot in this part of the world because of very rough terrain in the form of sharp ridges, cliffs, high hills, varried water sources including multiple lakes and streams that flow into or out of them. Haliburton Highlands is renowned for it’s ravines, cliffs and lakes of varying sizes, and its wildlife. Then there are car and house-size boulders just sitting wherever they’ve decided to sit. No, they’re not attached to an underground granite mountain or foundation. Thus, I don’t need a rifle for slaying elk or moose, or any other creature at 500+ yards, but one that will anchor a beast right then and there . . . if it wanders off even 50 yds, it might never be retrieved or even found. A 1000 lb moose over a cliff or at the bottom of a ravine? You’ll need all the help and luck you can get and then some!

I want stopping rifles, not just rifles that kill after a few shots and 200 yds later!

SECOND: the rifle. Entirely apart from the caliber and cartridge, there are rifles that are capable of shooting their chosen and best loads better than MOA consistently. If I considered myself capable of consistently hitting an elk or moose in their vitals at over 600 yards, I’d insist on a rifle that could pull that off, not sometimes if lucky, but each and every time!< That .35 Whelen load was my bear load for 2022. The above target was at 100 yds. From a vital hit, it was capable for the largest bear in our woods to 400 yds – and about the same for an 800 to 1000 lb moose.

Few rifles need apply!

THIRD: the cartridge-caliber. This was the whole point of comparing the .338 magnums. IF the shooter and the rifle are up to it, there’s NO legitimate question over the ability of .338 magnums. Back in 1958 the .338 Win Mag was both designed and built for hunting and killing the larger soft-skinned game of Alaska in particular and the world in general, many of which are also dangerous game.

Roy Weatherby expanded the neck on their .300 Wby Mag to take .338″ bullets in 1962 to compete with Winchester’s version of a powerful magnum for game to 2000 lbs. That was the debut of the renowned .340 Weatherby Magnum discussed above. One of the best for such purposes!

4. The bullet. Some say, you start with the bullet and build your rifle around it. Well, we certainly have never been so rich in bullets as those available today. But that’s backwards for the average hunter who chooses his/her rifle and cartridge-caliber, with assurance that the “best” bullets can be acquired to suite the missions of that rifle.

I chose another .375 H&H in early 2023 with a belief that suitable bullets could be found to serve my purposes. My first hurdle, in regard to .375″ projectiles, was to find a source for the 300gr SBT that would ultimately become my 1st choice. Because they were not immediately available in this area, I experimented with others, mostly from Barnes, settling on the 250gr TTSX in the interim. However, within the past several months some 300gr SBTs began to show up so two boxes have been purchased, separated by about six months from different sources. So for the second half of last year’s bear hunt (the fall) I developed a load for the 300gr SBT that is very satisfactory at a mean of 2674 fps into MOA.

<The expanded bullet, from rear end to front were screen shots of a 300gr Sierra BT shot from a .378 Wby Mag at 3033 fps into some water jugs from 50 yds. The fellow who did this had also shot an elk with that load and he said it worked perfectly. After also testing the 300gr Nosler AB at a similar MV into an identical water jug type test, he favored the results from the 300 Sierra BT over the 300gr Nosler AB.

I had thoroughly researched the 300gr Sierra BT many years ago after I traded the 338 Win Mag in a Sako FS, plus $100, for the nearly new Win 70 in .375 H&H. It shot so well in the .375 that while testing some others, I settled on the 300 SBT as my hunting load. I’d also read an extensive report by a fellow Canadian, who lived in the Territories of the far north of Canada, who used a lot of different .375-caliber bullets in testing on live game – the large and dangerous sort – and pronounced the 300 SBT the best of the lot by far and away! Of course, Partitions and X-Bullets, and modern renditions of the same, plus others like A-Frames, etc, were not yet in production or were unavailable. But, nevertheless, his in depth report convinced me of the quality and performance of the 300gr Sierra BT. I recently went on a search for that material and got a message that the website was no longer available.

Of course today’s pundits declare that anything short of the “best” should not be used on dangerous game or on a hunt that costs more than a buck or two.

In spite of such opinions (that mostly lack convincing evidence) I purposely chose that 300gr SBT for my bear hunts of 2024, and in no way did I have second thoughts at 15 – 20 yards from that ~500 lb bear coming in my direction.

The 300gr SBT on the right of the 300gr TSX. It allows more room in the case for powder.

FIFTH: the physical conditions of the hunt. This is the wildcard! There’s a certain amount of unpredictability involved in the conditions of a hunt. Unless someone has only chosen to hunt in certain places on nice days, he knows what I’m talking about! Hunts in Alaska are likely the greatest proof of that claim of unpredictible weather and variable conditions. In any case, you know there’s going to be lots of rain (or freezing rain or snow) with high winds in valleys or mountain tops, and in tents that at times sound and feel like they’re about to leave this earth! Then to sit in the open on the side of a mountain glassing across a valley to another mountain 5 miles distant for search of animal life needs not only a steely constitution but god-like patience! Then what about the well-chosen tools for the chase, how fit and durable are they? That includes outerwear and boots! And the rifle? Some claim nothing but SS metal and syn stock – like my .35 Whelen.

You/we may get one shot on a 10 ft brownie worth $30,000, in a rainstorm with wind at 40 – 50 knots!

That’s certainly extreme for most, but that’s the point! Can we predict conditions for a two-week hunt in a strange place away from home base? On a deer hunt I was stuck for three days in a lakeside cabin with three others with power cut off and trees coming down from a hurricane. No, that was not the same hurricane as the one on a moose hunt! We hunted moose during hurricane seasons.

So there’s idealism, and then there are hard realities over which we have no control!

My philosophy has always been to have control of what matters in my life, by the grace of God while learning from failures and mistakes of judgment. In regard to hunting and its tools, I aim (pun intended) to not repeat the same failures and mistakes of the past, so help me God!

That mindset has reinforced the original notion to go prepared for the unexpected and potentially dangerous turn of events, rather than the ideological and “safe” ones. No, I’m not paranoid!

Thus and so forth, I’ve learned to handle and deal with rifles of “overmuch power” for confidence sake in facing unexpected circumstances that could spell “double trouble” in a flash like a lightning strike! When philosophic idealism crumbles, pragmatism must instantly take charge to save our “skin” or that of others!

If I’ve learned anything worthwhile in 60+ years of hunting. . . pragmatism trumps philosophic idealism every time!

Summary: After experience and/or pragmatic evaluation, choose the best “medium” (a .338 ?) for larger than whitetail deer or potential dangerous game. Don’t try to make a “small-bore” more than it is. . . regardless of how high-tech a bullet might be, if it’s from a “small-bore rifle”, it will never do the work of a medium or large-bore.

There are sub-medium magnums (i.e. 7mm to .300) that are competitive, and I’ve used them, and they are better overall than “standard” cartridges in those calibers, but it’s a matter of range and degree when matters work out as planned – but what if that elk is farther away or at a bad angle, should the shot be taken? It may be your only chance on the “trophy of a lifetime”. . . . or should you have practiced and learned to shoot that magnum with a bit more recoil?This rifle is one I cherished for a long time. In my view, it would be near impossible to improve on it as a do it all without compromise! It’s a SAKO 85 Black Bear with a 22″ barrel in 9.3 x 62. With best handloads, it’s as capable as a .375 H&H or .338 Win Mag. My favorite rifle for over a decade was my TIKKA T3 Lite in 9.3 x 62, and it was the most accurate big-game rifle I’ve owned. I recently gave it as a gift to our oldest son, Brent, with brass and bullets and other reloading accessories.

But the typical objection seems to be: “What if I’m toting a .338 magnum and the “trophy” is standing at 50 yds?” My advise then would be: “SHOOT IT!”

Till the next. . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

It Depends on How You Load ’em

Which is more “powerful”, a .300 Winchester Magnum or a .30-06? Both are .308 calibers. The .300 Win has a larger case that will hold about 1/3 more gun powder, and factory specs are 2960 fps from a 180gr bullet, and 2700 fps for the same weight projectile from the .30-06, both sporting 24″ barrels. Plus the .300 Win is run at 64,000 standard psi, whereas the .30-06 Springfield tops out at 60,000 psi.

Right! We all know that stuff. . . . it’s old hat for reloaders!

A number of years ago, after I’d just picked up the latest version of Hornady’s FOURTH EDITION, I turned immediately to data for the .300 Win Mag (since it was my favorite .30-caliber), and everything seemed somewhat normal until I got to the numbers for their 220gr RN. Of the seven powders listed, five maxed out at 2500 fps! The other two maxed at 2400 fps! UNBELIEVABLE! By then I’d owned several rifles chambered in that world renowned cartridge and it was NO BIG DEAL to get at least 2700 fps from 220s.

To the phone I went just in time to catch one of the top brass just closing shop. He heard the phone ringing as he was closing the locked door behind him. . . . went back and answered. I almost shouted at him: “What’s the deal on your latest FOURTH EDITION granting no more than .30-06 ballistics for the 220 grain in the .300 Win Mag?”

Well, he maintained his poise and responded with patience and politeness.

What happened, he said, was a young, inexperienced “lab tech” guy who did the loads for the .300 Win Mag – at least the 220gr. When the recoil got too much for him, he cut it off at 2500 fps! BUT! Hey what about those 2 that were shut down at 2400 fps? No answer for that forth coming. So, yeah, it’s possible for a .30-06 to be as powerful, or even more so, than a .300 Winchester Magnum, depending on how you load ’em, or who does it!

“But how’d that get into your latest edition?”, I queried. “Those numbers went into the computer system and when pulled for printing, got printed”, he said. There’s a saying that goes something like this: “A lie will run around the world while the truth is getting its shoes on.”

When handloaders, hunters, shooters, etc. debate ballistics, almost anything is possible – or not!

I still have that Hornady book. The largest amount of powder used was the slowest burning at 69.5 grs of IMR 7828 = 2500 fps. The smallest amount of powder that produced 2500 fps was 60.2 grs of IMR 4350. H4831 maxed out at 63.5 for 2400 fps – a for sure .30-06 load!

That’s a trip down memory lane. The date of purchase is written on the inside cover: Sept 27/91.

This cartridge container is an original Federal for factory loaded 400gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claws (TBBCs) in .458 Winchester Magnum. Since I started handloading 44 years ago, I’ve only fired a few factory rounds in any centerfire rifle, and that includes quite a few from the .22 Hornet to the great .458 Win Mag. This cartridge receptacle held 20 of the Federal factory 400s. I shot 14 of them for testing purposes, including for accuracy, muzzle velocity and sight-in. The intent was for a potential bear hunt, which I later abandoned with such a heavy bullet constructed for Cape buffalo. I broke one down and it contained 73.3 grs of a fine ball powder. The MV average was 2283 fps, though advertised at 2250 fps. So it beat the promotional material, which was a surprise. Accuracy for three at a hundred yards was just over MOA. Not bad for such a powerful cartridge in factory form.

I recently reloaded 10 of the 14 fired. The 300gr Barnes TSX from 75 grains of H4198 for an expected ~ 2750 fps/5037 ft-lbs is the handload. That would be more or less a factory load equivalent at ~60,000 psi. However, back in 2019 I had loaded 81.8 grs of H4198 in Remington cases to 2975 fps/5895 ft-lbs (average of 3 corrected to MV) with no indications of excess pressure in my Ruger No.1H in .458 Winchester Magnum. Eventually, my plan is to load all 20 Federal nickel-plated cases with the same load of 75 grs of H4198, after having fired off the remaining six Federal cartridges. I anticipate that my handload will be my practice and sight-in load for hunting BG in 2025. They are the copper Barnes 300gr TSX projectiles in the right end of the container pictured above. The Federal factory 400gr TBBC’s are those on the left with a nickel-plated finish that even coats the bullets.

<From the 300gr TSX in 2019.

And, of course, I have hundreds more .458″ bullets from 250gr to 600gr to draw from, depending on my intentions for the Ruger No.1H in .458 Win Mag in testing loads, shooting and hunting, God permitting. In 2025, I may take a bear with that 300gr Barnes TSX. I’m not aware of any such factory load.

Since ranges where I currently hunt bear would never exceed 300 yds across a small meadow or end of a lake in still hunting, this is what the ballistics would look like if such were to take place as a contingency. .

<I’ve hunted deer, bear and moose here, less than 300 yds to the far side, and not more than 1/2 mile from my current bear-bait setup.

MV = 2750 fps/5037 ft-lbs/ -1.6″

50y = 2563 fps/4375 ft-lbs/ +1.4″/ TE = 147.3 (Adequate for the largest Brown Bear in Alaska)

100y= 2384 fps/3786 ft-lbs/ +3″/ TE = 127.4

150y= 2212 fps/3260 ft-lbs/ +3.25″/ TE =109.7

200y= 2048 fps/2792 ft-lbs/ +1.6″/ TE = 94

250y=1890 fps/2380 ft-lbs/ -2.1″/ TE = 80

300y=1741 fps/2019 ft-lbs/ -8.3″/ TE = 68 (adequate for a large grizzly)

• Because of its poor BC, I’d not push it past 300 yds on large or dangerous game. Although, at near 3000 fps an extra 100 yds isn’t out of the question.

• Where I hunt bear, I’d expect to be using bait at less than 100 yds from a blind. However, I will also be scouting the area so it is remotely possible to see a bear across a meadow or lake end at near 300 yds. But if such a scenario were to take place, retrieval of the carcass would be a primary concern before squeezing the trigger, which also would involve its size in such a decision. That 500 lb dominant black bear would still consider that area as part of his home domain.

• The 300gr TSX is quite versatile but not as good as some others for longer range shooting of bear or wolf. The 400gr Barnes X-Bullet, discussed in last weeks blog, would likely be a better choice. As a component bullet available in the USA today, the 404gr Stone Hammer is without peers for medium to large soft-skinned game at ranges to 400 yds or so if started at ~2550 fps from a .458 Win Mag.

• I will go prepared for a potential “longish” shot on bear, but the chance of that happening is probably less than 10%. If I take the bear wanted – less than 200 lbs at less than 100 yds – I estimate that there’s no more than a 50% chance of that happening. But that’s why I travelled 1000 miles/1600 kms to the far North of our province for a moose. And on my second try, I brought home a good bull.

• But as with all of us, with many decades of hunting a variety of species, taking a game animal is only a part of it: The outdoors, adventure, challenge, trials and seeing nature at its best and worst is worth it all – it’s hard to put a dollar value on that. Then the comraderie and friendships add their own worthwhile touches , as doing it all alone has a sense of achievement that has no equal.

• To dream the dream, create the plan, search for the right place, choose the tools, with God alone as partner. . . there’s little better than living that life here in His creation . . . . as a hunter!
• God speed!

Till the next . . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

A Big-Bore Rifle for All BG Hunting. . . ?

That’s for general purpose big-game hunting that may not include Alaska or Africa. . . . though they are obviously not excluded from such a scheme.

There are numerous mature hunters who use just one rifle for all hunting of game: small, medium, large and dangerous. At least one man, with whom I’ve exchanged comments, uses his .375 H&H (Ackley Improved) for all hunting, including Africa. It’s the only big-game rifle he owns. Yes, I with others have designated .375 magnums as “mediums”, not Big Bores. But I’m making a point that a powerful rifle of that stature may indeed be useful for all game hunting. . . . especially if one is a handloader.

<This is the site of last year’s bear hunt – both spring and fall. After 2 years of hunting the same dominant bruin, I finally saw him on the last day of the hunt on Oct 15, 2024 at 3 pm. I had refreshed the bait setup and was walking slowly along the edge of the ridge in the background. At about the spot where the tip of the barrel is pointing to in the background I stopped, and was looking across the area directly below me at the thick timber opposite at ~ 75 yds where I’d expected the big bear was coming from. Then I turned back toward the bait setup with the intent to leave, and wispered this spontaneous prayer just above a whisper: “Lord, it would be nice to see him.” I took a step toward the tote and noticed a slight movement of “black” out of the corner of my left eye. I turned in that direction and sure enough that big, magnificant, dominant bruin was coming in my direction. I watched him until he was just below me at ~15 yards with the crosshairs of the .375 H&H on his back. I had no intention of shooting him . . . . but just in case of matters going awry, I was ready. I knew he smelled me as he was used to my scent after two years, but he never looked up at me and never showed nervousness or fear – just covering that distance in about 30 seconds with broad shoulders and steady strides. I had no chance to get a pic. . . . just turned and walked away before he reached a spot that might have meant a confrontation.

The .375 H&H was max loaded with a 300gr Sierra BT at 2675 fps. The point of this is once again to give kudos to the .375 H&H for its great flexibility. Indeed, it is a prime choice as a one-rifle for all big game anywhere on the planet. How big was that black bear? Around 500 lbs – easily. I never felt “over-gunned”.

Understand: Since I knew early on that he was the dominant bruin of the area, I had no plans to shoot him, but did hope to see him and get a pic. Since it was a solo hunt in a wilderness area, my plan was for a bear of less than 200 lbs that I could deal with on my own. Also, I’ve revised my original estimates of the bears weight, distance and time since the original impressions. After having replayed it over and over in my mind, and having revisited the site, I realized I was being too conservative on the bears weigh and distance he covered, and how close he actually was to me when I turned and left the scene.

Others use their +.40-calibers for all big game hunting. When I finally got my first 1895 Marlin in .45-70, and explored its potential as a handloader, I rarely used anything else for big game.

Even today, there are those who still demonize the powerful (when handloaded) .45-70 as old and inadequate for anything beyond a hundred yards for deer, hogs, bear and what not. And if they own one it’s rarely brought into the daylight, and never tested with handloads capable of killing elephant. And there are at least a couple of American companies producing loads for the Marlin or single-shot .45-70 rifles that have the ability to do just that: Kill elephant!

Like some other “ole-timers”, they insist on relegating them to the “trash” heap! One of my ten .45-70s, an 1895 Marlin, went on a moose hunt with me to the “Mid North” of our province as backup to a .338 Win Mag – A SAKO FS with a 20″ barrel.

The .338 Win

bullet: 250gr Sierra BT

SD = .313

BC = .587

MV = 2700 fps/4046 ft-lbs = 114 TE

250 yds = 2344 fps/3050 ft-lbs = 86 TE/ -3.1″

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The Marlin .45-70

bullet: 400gr Colorado Custom

SD = .272

BC = .305

MV = 2100 fps/3917 ft-lbs = 176 TE

250 yds = 1540 fps/2106 ft-lbs = 95 TE/ -6.76″

• Limited to 250 yds as most moose are shot inside that range.

• The bold numbers show the distinction in force (momentum+ CSA (cross-sectional area)

• To 250 yds the 1895 Marlin is the better choice despite what a majority might think!

• The slightly more arched trajectory of the .45-70 isn’t a “big deal” on moose-size game!

• TE is terminal effect.

Of course, any large bore can be treated in a similar manner, assuming adequate bullet weights and styles. But really, none can compare in that sense with .458-caliber in sheer numbers, styles and weights. Because of the great versatility of my .45-70s, they got used in more big game hunting than all others combined, including my magnums: 7mm, .300, .338 and .375. I rarely hunted (except moose in the “Far North” of our province) where the reach of the magnums was needed. But being a “gun nut”, and liking “too much gun”, rather than “just enough” (explained in past blogs), I had to have at least a couple.

Some time ago, I did a profile (similar to that above) of my Marlin/.45-70 handloads for moose to 300 yds against the then recent purchase of the Win 70 in .375 H&H that replaced the Sako FS in .338 Win Mag (story of that has been told in several past blogs). To my “stunning surprise”, the .45-70 equaled the .375 H&H in “smash” (TE) at that range. . . and not only that, but my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 beat the .375 by a significant margin! And that before I had a new Ruger No.1 in .45-70 “improved” by my gunsmith giving it a long throat (LT).

This past week I did a ballistic profile of my Ruger No.1H in .458 Win Mag using a 400gr Barnes X-Bullet with a .457 BC (Yep, I know they’re no longer in production – but they still exist in my collection). From my Ruger No.1H in .458, I’ve attained 2590 fps without damage or trauma (recoil at 51 ft-lbs from my Mag-na-ported Ruger No.1H). With all relevant data included, my computer says that’s 2743 ft-lbs at 500 yds! TE = 123: equivalent in Terminal Effect (TE) to a .338 Lapua starting a 250 Nosler AB at 3000 fps MV arriving at the 100 yd mark with 2810 fps/4382 ft-lbs! THINK about that! That’s more than just an indication of something! It’s proof of how versatile a .458 Win Mag can be compared to the .338″ Lapua – which is considered by some as the penultimate magnum for large game at distance – elk at 500yds for example! At 500 yds, a .338 Lapua Mag has a TE of 80 using the 250gr AB at an MV of 3000 fps – the same MV as my former .340 WBY that I shot a bull moose with using the 250gr Partition.

Let me tell you, it’s been hard to swallow the fact that I only need one rifle for everything I hunt (or ever could) from a 60 lb wolf hybrid to an elephant, and it could all be done with two 400grs – one a “soft” and the other a “solid”. Of course, that’s been preached by Dr. Ron Berry for some time on the 24hr Campfire.

Since I will (if God also “wills”) be hunting wolf and bear again – at least that’s my plan – I won’t be needing a load for elephant! But I already have a repertoire of suitable loads for the .458 that can handle those chores: a 405gr Rem at 2085 fps, or a 250gr Hor MonoFlex at ~2700 fps, and a 300gr TSX at 2750 fps. Those are all good accurate loads that’ll work in my hunting areas. And recoil for all is modest at best. The hottest would be the 300 TSX at 2750 for ~38 ft-lbs including the Mag-na-ports – less than my .375 H&H. The others are in the low to mid 20’s. The weight of that rifle ready to hunt is only 1/2 lb more than the .375 H&H that I used for the bear hunts of 2024.

The Ruger No.1H in .458 Winchester Magnum.

The point I’m hoping to make is simple and obvious: If any hunter is a mature handloader, he/she already knows how to make reduced loads by choosing lighter bullets and pushing them at no more than moderate velocities. Doing the same with a big-bore rifle reduces felt recoil and makes them more fun to shoot. More fun in shooting also entices using them in several types of game hunting. Make a date with your “big boomer” for a deer, hog or rabbit hunt, using modest loads. Liking a Big Bore comes from getting to know its various personalities, its feel, handling and disguises, till WE become more flexible with them. I promise, it will not hurt your feelings, and it may even come to like YOU!

So much to do in so little time. . . .

Till the next . . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

RECOIL: its Positives and Negatives P2

In P1, I introduced the theme in a general sense, reflecting more on potential negatives than positives, but still leaving the reader with hope of conquering any fears that may be unfounded.

In P2 we’ll investigate a bit more deeply and suggest some recoil effects that can positively be mitigated making a more powerful rifle seem no more threatening than a “common” traditional big game rifle, like a .30-06.

I’ve previously mentioned that it’s mostly a matter of the mind and emotions. I went on to catalogue my own experiences, so that even today at age 89, I entertain no fears of being hurt by max recoil of even a .375 Wby Magnum, as my own .375 H&H maxed-out at ~2700 fps from a 300gr is in no way intimidating with recoil around 45 ft-lbs.

(How could it be that a .375 H&H, especially with a 22″ barrel, can produce 2700 fps from a 300gr without blown primers or ruptured cases? As I’ve explained in past blogs, my Zastava has a “fast barrel” that in the use of the best new gun powders produces an extra 100 – 150 fps. It’s also true that with 45 yrs of handloading experience of rifle cartridges from the .22 Hornet to the mighty .458 Winchester Magnum – in several versions of many – I know when “too much is too much”, or when “enough is enough”, without going into the details of all that just now – I’ve done so in several past blogs and it’s not pertinent to the present theme.)

<From the 300gr Sierra using StaBALL 6.5. I’ve reduced that load by one grain for a mean 2674 fps/4763 ft-lbs into MOA.

In the past, going back at least a couple decades, powders like: IMR 4064, IMR 2520, H4895, RL-15, W760 and H4350 were common powders recommended and used in .375 H&H cartridges – even in factory products. While some of those are still in use and/or recommended by older generations of handloaders, there are better for handloaders today. I now use Big Game and CFE223 for the 250gr TTSX and 250 SBT (not necessarily in that order) and RL-17 and StaBALL 6.5 for the 300 TSX and 300 Sierra BT.

Those two distinct bullet weights are primary for any use I’ll have for a .375 H&H. Each of those (250gr and 300gr) can serve dual purposes:

• the 250 Sierra at 2950 fps for sight-in, practice and general hunting of medium game.

• the 250 TTSX at 2850 fps for potential N.A. dangerous game.

• the 300 Sierra at 2675 fps for any large soft-skinned game, and target shooting at long range.

• the 300 TSX for load development and practice.

I’ve fired each of those in load development and practice – enough to manage their recoil effect while at the same time keeping an eye on the target. Then the action is worked for chambering another round and brought to bear on the target again for another shot if necessary. The importance of keeping eye contact with the quarry can’t be overstressed. Yet recoil has a significant bearing on that. That’s why the .375 H&H is often suggested as adequate power for Africa’s “dangerous five”, while still being able to maintain control at a recoil level that allows good balance in getting off a second or third shot on a charging DG . . . . . or one escaping in the opposite direction.

As said: That’s around 40 to 45 ft-lbs in calculated recoil effect. Yet the sense of that amount of energy is dispersed throughout the whole body, not just to the shoulder, but also to the head and neck, arms and hands, back and legs. So how the rifle is held as well as its “fit” and balance are all factors in how, where and how much of that energy is distributed. Other factors are how we are dressed, as well as our stance and/or seating positions relative to shooting.

We should quit bench shooting as early as posible or when we have “the load”, and it’s sighted in at the 40+ ft-lbs class of recoil. Or, if needing practice, as in a real-life scenario, if allowed at a private or public range, use different positions for hitting targets at variable ranges. For instance: Standing, offhand, kneeling and/or using sticks. I don’t recommend prone from rifles built for elephant! Best yet: should you own a farm or land where it’s safe to do any of that . . . or the land of a friendly neighbour with whom you could share some of your bounties. Realistic practice is a key to confidence in shooting big game and/or game of the hazardous sort.

From what I’m reading and hearing, a common complaint of PH’s and guides is that many hunting clients often bring new rifles that they’ve not practiced with, are afraid of the recoil, and therefore is too powerful for them to manage its benefit, and may even be detrimental to their success.

Biological and psychological factors must not be denied! Some can manage 100 ft-lbs of recoil, and I’m not one of them! We must know our limits and be honest about it. Sure, any healthy male can shoot a .458 Win Mag once and boast about it. (I’ve regularly managed up to ~80 ft-lbs without trauma or angst.) But can he do it 100 X in practice for an African hunt and still hit the bullseye on a target at 50 yards from offhand? If not, then I’d recommend a .375 H&H if dugga boys or eles will be that class of targets.

The difference is 65 ft-lbs vs 45 ft-lbs. If 40 – 45 is max after “the load” is done and 100 to 200 live rounds are shot well in practice, with no ???? , then take that rifle if the projectiles are suitable.

But if you insist on taking that big-bore gun, there are ways and means of learning to shoot it without a nasty flinch:

<From my former Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT. Corrected to MV add 14 fps = 2212 fps/5432 ft-lbs from the 500gr Hornady RNSP. Recoil = 75 ft-lbs. I once shot a bear with that load mere feet from the rock ledge the Chrono is resting on. The blind is out of sight in the photo, but was 40 yds from this setup just past the upper right corner of the pic.

1. As suggested, use downloads for practice.

2. Gradually work up from “soft loads” (light bullets to heavier bullets) incrementally, and even then less than max loads for all of them.

3. Allow several months for eventually developing an “adequate load” for the intended game, that is also suitably accurate. Have a sufficient number of those projectiles for both practice and the hunt with some reserves.

4. Keep in mind that recoil energy in ft-lbs is not necessarily the same thing as “felt recoil” by the shooter. “Felt recoil” is more subjective than objective. That is how the “kick” of any rifle is perceived by the shooter. As mentioned, there are several factors involved in perceived recoil: “Fit” of the rifle to the individual being the number one issue – including its weight ready to hunt. My .375 H&H with a 3 – 9 x 40mm Burris scope, plus 3 cartridges in the magazine weighs exactly 10 lbs. Slightly heavy for toting in rough country, but the effect of recoil is reduced to a level that I’m comfortable with in using the load of a 300gr close to 2700 fps – basically a .375 Wby Mags’ physical recoil. If it were 9 lbs ready, instead of 10 lbs, the recoil level would be about 49 ft-lbs. In past years that would have been a bit less than the recoil of my .340 WBY at 54 ft-lbs. But that was 27 yrs ago. . . I not the same man! The goal I’ve set for myself at this stage (89) is 40 ft-lbs recoil, and I’m handling that with ease. 45 ft-lbs from my .375 H&H at AI potential is “up there” but not abusive, and I don’t fear it. Of course, at “the bench” it still requires proper management for it to not intimidate: i.e.

• Pulling it tight to the shoulder WITH BOTH HANDS!

• Holding DOWN on the fore end (with the “free hand”) so it doesn’t “bounce” on the rest!

• NO benchrest style allowed!

• Don’t “crawl” the stock.

• If a scope is used, get one with extra long eye-relief of over 4″. The one on the CZ550 in .458 was a Burris 4x with 5.5″ eye-relief.

The main positives are:

1. When we can manage it to our satisfaction were it doesn’t intrude into our performance in hitting “the target”.

2. When we can shout it out: “Hey, I’ve conquered “this thing” and my fears, and can now use it whenever and for whatever!”

3. Being able to choose and use any rifle without second thoughts.

4. Actually buying and using the “best” rifle-cartridge combo for a particular hunt of jumbos or brown bears, without a feeling of guilt in previously having to choose “second best” due to the recoil issue.

Hoping some of this is helpful and makes sense to someone . . . . .

Till the next. . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble” – Psalm 46:1

Recoil: Its Positives and Negatives P1

There’s one empirical fact: “There’s no free lunch”!

And there’s good news: there are ways and means to manage it!

But, no getting around it, the more powerful a rifle is, all else equal, the more it’ll let you know about it!

It’s all about that “equal and opposite reaction” thing!

There’s also a dictum that says: The more we use it, the less the physics seems to be bothersome.

Look at it this way: Turkey hunters use the most powerful 12ga loads of 3″ – 3.5″ cartridges, and if they kill a “trophy” turkey, they’ll praise those loads (that they’ve practiced with), and never complain about its “kick” because they knew the load needed to be powerful enough to cleanly take that “special” bird! But one thing is certain, that apart fom sighting in and practice, they’re not fired for fun and games!

Many hunters complain over the recoil of a .300 Win Mag, yet it’s far better for a moose of 1200 lbs past 400 yds than a .30-06, as one example. The .30-06 at 400 yds firing a 200gr AB at 2700 fps is down to 2147 fps at 400 yds/ 2047 ft-lbs about right for a 1/2 ton moose broadside through the lungs. The moose will trot off a bit and likely fall over. If not, there will likely be time for a followup shot – then if not, a rodeo is underway!

The 300 Win Mag has a 300 fps advantage starting out at 3000 fps for the 200gr AB, which should add another 200 yds for the same terminal velocity (2143 fps/2039 ft-lbs) at impact. Does that matter? Well, it should if the moose is at 500 yds rather than at 400. . . and obviously any moose at 400 yds will get hit significantly harder from the 200gr AB than from a .30-06 firing the same bullet 300 fps less! That math is simple and should be well understood before going afield!

Same deal for an elk at 500 – 600 yds!

But the recoil will be the same from the 300 mag whether shot for bambi at 50 yds as for a moose at 600 yds! That’s what some hunters like to complain about! “It isn’t needed at 50 yds”!, they shout! “A 7-08 will do the job as well as a .300 Win Mag at 50 yds for deer, elk or moose!” True enough, if you know everything about everything on the hunt before it happens! But is that always the case in all hunts everywhere? No sudden surprises? No moving to another location on the same hunt, perhaps for a different species of opportunity?

Okay, so a brown bear shows up on a caribou hunt! Would I be comfortable in stopping a brown bear with a 270 Win?

As I’ve personally stressed, perhaps a thousand times in these blogs, I choose to go prepared with “too much gun” rather than barely enough for matters to work out perfectly. If they’ve “worked out perfectly” that may have been caused by what some consider “too much gun”!

Think about it! Do you want just enough gas in your vehicle to get to your destination, or some reserve? Do you keep just enough food in the cupboard for a day, or enough for a week, plus spares “just in case” a hurricane goes through? What about insurances?

I much prefer to have more than enough insurance for the unforeseen, than being skimpy hoping that disaster doesn’t strike! We went through an unannounced hail storm in late 2023 that caused $27,000 damage to the house and 1 vehicle. I didn’t make a claim on mine because it would have cost more than it was worth! We thought the wind was going to take off the roof!

SAME with HUNTING!

Yes, that means a bit more recoil, but because that’s been my style since near the beginning it all seems natural to me. When I shot my moose with the .340 Wby, I never noticed the recoil up around 54 ft-lbs, or thought about it before, during or after the hunt. And I’ve continually fired rifles with more recoil than that. . . . my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT, for example, up there around and even surpassing a .458 Win Mag. And I don’t consider myself an extra ordinary male in strength or endurance! I’ve never been over 9.25″ in bare-feet height, and never over 215 lbs out of the shower – which was 30 lbs too much.

But it is a mental game before anything else. It’s what we tell ourselves. . . before and after the fact, not what others have to say about it!

I’m still shooting rifles with more than average recoil, but they can be tempered by handloading. I don’t shoot my .458 Win using the heaviest bullets over max loads anymore, as I’ve experienced that and it’s not needed for anything other than testing bullets. But even then, bullets can be tested in a comparative manner with others at reduced MVs.

MV from a 465gr hardcast = 1551 fps = 2483 ft-lbs. BC = .318, SD = .316. All from my .458 Win Mag.

50 yds = 1459 fps/2197 ft-lbs = 115 TE

100 yds = 1373 fps/1946 ft-lbs =101 TE

175 yds = 1258 fps/1634 ft-lbs =85 TE

200 yds = 1224 fps/1547 ft-lbs =81 TE (If hit in vitals, plenty for the largest moose extant!)

RECOIL = 25 ft-lbs!! from my Ruger No.1H with 1 in chamber and 4 in a stock cartridge holder.

Both the .35 Whelen and .375 H&H, however, have been max loaded for bear hunting over the past couple of years. As measured in ft-lbs of “kick” they run over 40. In closing in on 90 yrs, I’m not afraid of them, though I don’t shoot nearly as often today as in the past. The secret is twofold: I know what to expect, and I know how to shoot them both from the bench and offhand. That comes from the experience of many decades of firing Big Bores and magnums, including the “mediums”. If I didn’t have that background, I’d likely be shooting a 7-08 as a centerfire rifle, plus my two 22 LRs. And my 12ga would be long gone!

After a few years of borrowed rifles for deer hunting, my first owned was a military Mauser in 7 x 57. The 7-08 is a basic twin when handloaded, and they’ve held an attraction for me. As described in past blogs, I actually owned a Win 70 Featherweight in a 7-08, and made handloads for it that impressed me. And it went deer hunting, but was an investment piece so it got traded on something else. The deer load was a 162 Hornady BTSP at ~2800 fps. I was ready to squeeze the trigger on a big buck, waiting for it to cross the road in my direction when a pickup spooked it! I tracked it a bit in the snow but lost it. Recoil was never a consideration – calculated at ~20 ft-lbs.

That load was adequate for a moose of ~1/2 ton at 200 yds (2191 ft-lbs). Many are shot closer, but not all. In Northern Ontario ranges could extend to +1000 yds in clearcuts. I hunted there for 4 seasons and collected one adult bull moose, with a cow and calf nearby. As told previously, my rifle was the .340 WBY.

In such a scenario, the last thing to be concerned about is the recoil of the rifle that could cause a lot of negatives to happen if it became the main focus:

• It spoils the fun!

• It can cause a miss!

• It can cause an accident!

• It can result in wounded game!

• It can result in bad feelings among friends!

• A blame game could erupt!

A dictum for an African hunt is: Take the most powerful rifle that you can shoot well. A .375 H&H on left of a .30-06. The image gives us a sense that the .375 H&H is considerably more powerful than a .30-06. And rightly so! The .375 dishes out about twice the recoil of a .30-06.

Many consider a .375 H&H to be such a potential rifle for the average hunter. Recoil runs about 40 – 45 ft-lbs depending on the load and weight of the rifle. Even that will take some getting used to for someone already confortable with recoil from a .30-06. Nothing can replace practice, practice and more practice in becoming proficient with a .375 H&H if the client hasn’t had adequate previous experience.

Till the next: P2 Managing Recoil – its Positives and Negatives.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

REFLECTIONS . . . . .

I do quite a bit. But reflections without the balance of resolves leaves one restless.

In other words, as we enter a new year, we may reflect on the past year and according to some it’s the best time to make New Year’s resolutions – promises to self, and perhaps to others, of turning the page on the past and being determined to improve our performance in the year ahead.

As said: I reflect a lot, but too much dwelling on past mistakes or sins can also paralize any hopes of improvement. Reflection should also include positives: the good that happened in 2024 in which you were a part and perhaps even the agent – sans hubris.

Then, too, what did I learn – even from mistakes – that has caused me to grow in some positive way? Intelligent people are always learning regardless of age. A retired lady from the U.S. Air Force, who was a high-ranking officer with an earned PhD in a particular field of communications, at age 83 visited a Halifax, Nova Scotia University giving lectures on continuing education. She was also the creator of one significant computer language (I forget which). I heard two of her lectures from St. Mary’s University as I was a pastor in Halifax at the time, and she made such an impression on me that I have never forgotten her!

Like everyone, I have leanings toward particular fields of knowledge, and at 89 I still have a thirst for greater understanding of the Universe at large, and our part that we call home in the Milky Way Galaxy, one of millions of other galaxies. With an estimated 400 billion stars in our own, and many with planets, how many have the potential of life? God knows as he put them all there. Through the use of several home-built telescopes up to 12.5 inches in diameter, I’ve spent literally thousands of hours observing the moon, planets, nebula, individual stars, star clusters, globula star clusters, double stars and other galaxies. . . . . and reflected and pondered and studied what that was teaching me about the Creator. The greatest effect was humbling and a greater knowledge and appreciation of The Creator, who loves even me, knows me, helps me and walks with me in star gazing, walking the woods or shooting a bear!

And I reflect on being grounded here, on this Planet we call Earth. With all its troubles and woes, certainly for some much more than for others. And we all wonder what’s next in the current context of wars, inflation and the restlessness of the masses. No human can straighten it all out and make sinfulness, corruption, greed, lust and self-serving go away! How then should we live. . . . should I live?

In the interim, I’ll use every means at my disposal to preach HIM as Lord and Saviour for those who believe Him and put their hope in Him!

Now, I’m not against Trump! But he’s not God – and there’s NO human that is! Or NO government, or assembly of governments! But there will be (and has been) many attempts to resolve all this by a world government (The UN?) and/or a world ruler! The UN is the laughing stock of free honest people!

In the meantime, apart from preaching, caring for my wife and encouraging the weary. . . well, I’ve plans for handloading, shooting and hunting, if my Father above thinks it’s good for me.<This was the marketing image of the Zastava M70 in .375 H&H. It caused me to go to the store and check it out. Slightly used and in excellent condition, so I bought it.

The .375 H&H is fascinating. . . . . . there’s much yet to learn. While discussions and debates are forever ongoing over the best rifle and cartridge for a one-rifle-safari in Africa, several claiming a .416 is best, or at the very least “better”, yet in sheer numbers it’s the .375 H&H – at least in the more recent videos I’ve watched. Sometimes the rifle cartridge isn’t mentioned in older videos, but the more recent ones usually inform the viewer what the hunter is using. In those that have indicated – there seems more awareness these days that viewers are keenly interested in what was used to shoot dangerous game in particular – I know I am! Occasionally, closeups of cartridges on belts, in hands or in the magazine can be identified. Of course, by times a double is used for elephant in particular and the PH will mention the cartridge he’s using and/or that of a client.

In the last few weeks, with no hunts available for me due to an early winter, I spend the last few hours before bedtime watching recent (2023 – 2024) African and Alaskan hunts. But I must confess, I much prefer the African ones, especially now with drones being used for aerials. The sheer number of African animals, seemingly always in view, along with the scenery is stunning. Having visited Africa once related to my son’s and his wife’s missionary work, and having experienced an African day hunt, if I had the money and were younger, Africa would be my choice for a safari.

What would I choose to hunt, and with what rifle if it were a single rifle for everything? Good question! I’ve pondered it, if based on cartridges for a “trophy” bull elephant down to the smallest antelope. The most powerful I’ve used in hunting here in Eastern Canada is a .458 Winchester Magnum for both bear and moose, and that wasn’t inappropriately chosen because the .458 Win is extremely versatile given the right handloads. For the moose hunt, the .458 was a 22″ Ruger 77 with a tang safety, loaded with the 500gr Hornady SP Interloc at ~1900 fps/4008 ft-lbs. It was my back-up for a .338 Win Mag. I didn’t get a chance to use either mostly due to weather conditions of the back end of a hurricane going through the area. But I did later use it on a black bear hunt in shooting a smallish bear at 75 yds employing a 350gr Speer at 2345 fps/4273 ft-lbs. It was going away and it got hit behind the ribs making exit behind the head taking out several vertebra and the back of the head. That load would have been good in Africa to a couple hundred yards on PG. But then for DG, I’d have chosen a 500gr at ~ 2100 – 2200 fps. Those two hunts were separated by about 1 year and in distinct areas at least 100 miles apart.

The problem with that idea as a single rifle for an African hunt is switching from one load to another if a “trophy” zebra shows up at 250 yards while tracking a rare bull elephant. The problem would be the load for the elephant (500gr) would not have the same POI as a faster, lighter bullet for the Zebra!

Is there a solution? Dr Ron Berry (with the help of some friends) has been working on that for at least a couple of years. He is responsible for the development of the 404gr Shock Hammer monometal that sheds its petals as it penetrates and expands. It has proven itself on Cape buff. The need then became for a 400gr solid with a flat point to match. That has now been produced by McCourry and associates. The problem with that idea is they have significantly distinct ballistic coefficients which assures distinct POIs. But DG are not shot at 250 yards! And the 404 Shock Hammer has a .419 BC that will shoot flatter (and faster if wanted). So that could be worked out, I think, by keeping the 400gr solid in the chamber – that would be sighted dead-on at 100 yds, and the 404gr started a bit faster (100 fps) giving a slightly farther zero for PG.

<My Ruger No.1H in .458 Winchester Magnum.

Let’s see:

400gr solid/.458

SD = .272

BC = .273 (educated guess)

Zero @ 100 yds

MV = 2450 fps/5330 ft-lbs

50 = 2316 fps/4764 ft-lbs

100= 2187 fps/4248 ft-lbs/ 0.0″

150= 2062 fps/3776 ft-lbs/ -1.83″

200= 1941 fps/3446 ft-lbs/ -5.71″

• The above non-expanding flat-point load could still be effective on PG to as far as the hunter could correcty place the shot, assuming a meplat of about 70% (.32″).

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

404gr expanding/.458

SD = .275

BC = .419

MV= 2500 fps/5606 ft-lbs

50 = 2411 fps/5216 ft-lbs

100= 2325 fps/4848 ft-lbs/ 0.0″

150= 2240 fps/4501 ft-lbs/ -1.31″

200= 2157 fps/4173 ft-lbs/ -4.52″

250= 2076 fps/3864 ft-lbs/ -9.6″

• As an expanding bullet the 404 Shock Hammer, having not been adjusted for long-range shooting, would still be effective for PG to as far as the hunter could correctly place the shot.

• In effect, then, the .458 Winchester Magnum could effectively be used as a one-rifle safari choice for both DG and PG without using the heaviest bullets for DG and lighter bullets for PG which would mean a break in the action for resighting the rifle. A domestic example is my load of a 405gr Remington and the 400gr Barnes Buster. Using the same load for each, the 400gr Barnes shoots about 50 fps faster and hits 0.60″ higher at 100 yds.

QUESTION: Therefore, does a .375 H&H have any logistical advantage over a .458 Win Mag as a single rifle choice on an African safari for both PG and DG in using a single 300gr bullet for each?

Answer: In the past, yes, but not anymore due to the proliferation of multiple choices of the best in .458″ premium bullets in “softs” and “solids”, in the same weights that can be shot to the same POI using the same powder charge. Of course, in reality that may mean a slight adjustment in powder charge.

If the .375 H&H has any advantage it would be in the weight of the rifle if made lighter, and in recoil. Generally, it will do on African game what a .458 Win Mag can accomplish, except in the matter of a “stopping rifle” – which without question the .458 is, and generally speaking the .375 H&H is not.

Usually, the heaviest bullet used in a .375-cal is 300 grains, and in .458-cal it’s a 500gr.

A 300gr at 2650 fps =4678 ft-lbs at the muzzle and 113.6 ft-sec momentum.

A 500gr at 2250 fps =5620 ft-lbs at the muzzle and 160.7 ft-sec momentum.

Also: The .458″ projectiles have 50% greater cross-sectional area than .375″ projectiles, regardless of bullet weights.

Plus: There are more bullet weights and styles in .458 than in .375, thanks to the ongoing popularity of the .45-70.

<In this particular lineup of sixteen .458″ bullets, nine were originally made for the .45-70, but all could be used in a .458 Win Mag for distinct purposes at varying speeds. Thr 405gr Rem. is no.5 from left, and the 400gr Barnes Buster is no.8.

So in answering the question: Which would I choose as a one-rifle safari for PG and DG, in an equal fitting rifle of equal weight, it would be a .458 Winchester Magnum.

Another question: Would I ever recommend or choose for myself a .375 H&H for an African safari if: I didn’t own a .458 Win, or for an alternate safari for PG? Answer: In a New York minute! But a .458 Win with a suitable load of a 300gr, 350gr or 400gr could handle any PG hunt all by itelf! And it wouldn’t need to weigh more than 9.5 lbs ready, or hurt more than a top-loaded .338 Win Mag in doing so. . . . . or a 12ga magnum turkey load. . . .

The matter of action type would be another question for another time.

Till the next . . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

If I were to Choose a .416 Magnum

I’ve actually thought about it a few times. Not seriously, you know maybe for an intellectual exercise, or perhaps even from a semi-serious curiosity piece . . . . Who knows for sure, but my long-time big-bore pieces have been .458- calibers: ten in .45-70 and 3 in .458 Win.

So what I’ve done is analyses (plural form) through research of various handloading manuals, plus what users have to say on various web sites. Back in 2010, I did a comparison of my CZ 550 in .458 Win Mag with other Big Bores, including several .416’s, and wrote it up in my blogs. Plus, I did a reloading journal on the .458 Winchester Magnum based on personal results in which I also did some comparisons with my favorite .45-70s and the .458 Lott and came to the solid conviction that the .458 Win Mag was not only the overall best rifle cartridge in that caliber, but the overall best among all rifle cartridges that could be legitimately regarded as “Big Bores” in an African context for the likes of “The Dangerous Five”. My former .458 Winchester Magnum in a CZ 550. It has a 25″ barrel and a full-length Mauser action that allows a 3.8″ COL along with adequate freebore. The scope is a fixed 4x Burris with 5″ eye relief.

“The best” in that context is not intended to necessarily mean “the most powerful”, but rather the best overall in consideration of costs and availability of product, as well as in overall utility and performance in variable contexts and conditions. For example, .458-cal has a far greater number and variety of components available to the handloader, and therefore at more reasonable costs than any other big-bore rifle from 40-caliber to 60-caliber – so increasing its potential usefulness over any others. Depending on how it’s loaded by handloaders, and if the rifle “fits” the shooter, recoil isn’t necessarily more punishing than any other Big Bore – in fact it can be less than an equal-weight .416 magnum, depending on chosen loads.

If, for example, someone were to choose top loads directly from NOSLER’s Reloading Guide 9 for both a .416 Rem and a .458 Win, the 400g for the .416 and the 500g for the .458, and if the rifles were the same weight at 10 lbs each, and without brakes, the .416 Rem would produce 58 ft-lbs of recoil and the .458 Win at 53 ft-lbs. Of course, that particular load for the .416 Rem is just over 2500 fps, which is more than common, and the one for the .458 Win is not quite 2100 fps, which is a poor example for the .458’s true capability. But the point is made that a particular load for any .416 may kick harder than a certain load for equal game in a .458 Win. So to suggest a .416-magnum caliber is preferable to a .458 Win based on less recoil doesn’t necessarily hold true in every case. And if such a choice is made on the belief that a .416 will be lighter and better handling than a typical .458 Win, the potential buyer should handle them side by side before proceeding wirth the purchase. If the barrel contours are the same, the .416 barrel will be heavier (if the same length) due to less metal being removed for the bore.

So, if I were to choose a .416 magnum what would be my reasons, and which would it be?< This Ruger No.1H has been offered in several Big Bores with 24″ barrels: .416 Rigby, .416 Rem, .458 Win and .458 Lott, plus some others. The .416-calibers will be the heaviest if they have the same contours as the .458s. Mine is in .458 Win (pic on the header).

In checking what’s available at my local emporium, where I do most of my research online, and in-store shopping, I see twenty- eight listed under the “dangerous game” section of rifles currently available:

Some examples:

• Sako 85 Brown Bear – 500 Jeffery – $4800 – excellent condition

• Brno 602: .375 H&H – $1500, very good.

• Musgrave 83, .375 H&H – $2750, excellent.

• Win 70 Super Grade, .338 Win – $2399.99, new.

• Win 70 Custom, .416 Taylor – was $4500, now $2995, very good.

• BRNO 602, .416 Rem (Charles Taylor) – $3599, v. good.

• .458 Lott, Dakota – $5995, excellent.

• Jarret M49 Pro, .416 Rem – $5799, excellent.

• McMillan G30 Prestige, .416 Rem – $4899, v. Good.

• Dakota Arms 76, .416 Rigby – $7899, excellent

I’ve obviously not given the complete list, BUT there’s not one .458 Winchester Magnum listed, and there hasn’t been for several months. The last .458 Win Mag was an M70 in like-new condition for ~$2000 and it was gone the next day!

When I look at this list of .416’s (above) the Winchester custom shop .416 Taylor is the creapest at around 3G. I’ve a friend who ordered and purchased a .416 Rem from the Winchester custom shop.

We don’t know how many .458 Winchester Magnums are “out there” because hunters-shooters-collectors are obviously holding onto them. What do they know that they’re not telling the general hunter-shooter public? My guess is biased, but, like me their .458 Win Mags will be the last to go before they’re buried!

Why so many .416’s showing up at EPPS super-store? If I were to purchase one, for reasons I can’t yet imagine, it would be the cheapest on that list, the .416 Taylor.< This is the Winchester Custom Shop .416 Taylor.

Why? Well, that’s obvious – it’s the cheapest but it will do whatever the others can do as well. Plus, it’s the only one to date that I’ve had any serious thoughts about – it can be made from .458 brass. But then, I asked myself, “Why would I do that?” I couldn’t come up with a good reason to spoil the King of cartridges. . . Just to say: “I’ve got a .416!”?

But how do I answer the oft-quoted rational of .416 Defenders? “It can do what a .458 can, and also a .375, so you only need a .416 to replace both of those.”< The McMillan G30 Prestige in .416 Remington.

Uh-ha! Not quite! Both the .375 and .458 calibers have each the greatest variety and number of bullets available than any .416. And the great .458 Win has far more available than even a .375-cal that’s useful/practical for any hunting worldwide!

And if it matters to anyone, upwards of 6000 ft-lbs of energy is on tap from a .458 Win for knowledgeable handloaders from some of those premium projectiles! 5000 ft-lbs was the standard in the era of ivory collection from the largest of bull elephants!

Yeah, I know that anyone living in the right place and under particular cirsumstances can make their own from cast lead, but those are rare individuals. I was able to purchase some cast bullets ready made – some worked quite well and some didn’t. I’m speaking, therefore, of factory produced component bullets, brass and powders – bullets in particular. And I’m counting nine different propellants at my fingertips that have been successfully used in my .458 Win Mags – and that’s not all that’s available and useful.

I haven’t recently counted the sheer number of projectiles I have within arms length in .458″, but they include: 250g MonoFlex, 300g TSX, 300g Barnes O., 325g FTX, 330g Barnes Banded, 350g Speer, 350g TSX, 400g-X, 400g Speer, 400g Barnes Buster, 400g Hawk, 405g Remington, 405g WW, 450g AF, 450g – X, 450g TSX, 480g DGX, 500g Speer AGS, 500g Hor DGX, 500g Hor RN Solid, 500g TSX, 550g Woodleigh Weldcor and 600g Barnes RN Original. No way could I shoot all those in the time I have left here. . . BUT what a selection to choose from! Then Barnes has a few more made particularly for the .45-70 not on this list that could be useful.

Not a complete list, but several .458-cal bullets that I’ve used in handloads for testing and hunting purposes from my .458s and .45-70s. Another lineup containing some of the same and some different.

Why then should I turn to any .416 rifle? A Weatherby for bragging rights perhaps? Too much money, too much weight, too much recoil and too few reloading components! But if somebody needs to make some kind of statement? Then have at it! I’d still choose the Taylor. Brass? I’ve got plenty of .458 Win that is easily necked down by 0.042″ in a single step. Africa and laws? Headstamp? At 89 (in a few days) I’ve no plans.

In actual fact, I’m only speculating with no intentions for a .416 Taylor or Weatherby or any in between.

.458 Win is my gig in a BIG BORE. (The .375’s are not BIG BORES.)

Anything else is. . . . well, interesting for a discussion.

Till the next . . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Depending on the BULLET Used . . .

More time is spent at my desk in comparative analyses (plural form) of bullets, trajectories, KE at impact from comparable rifle cartridges than any other activity except in the writing of blogs. Well, almost, as I spend a couple of hours daily in reading news of the world’s deplorable state from sources other than the legacy media. And I talk with God about anything and everything from a Biblical perspective – which is His view and purpose.

Anyway, I’m not in a bundle over the mess that humanity is in because I know in the end – which is drawing closer with each news’ story – it will all terminate with God in charge, not mankind! And that through Messiah (Christ) Jesus who will traumatize the naysayers – who thought He was gone forever, or never really existed – and had their hopes 100% set in man’s finite ability to save the sinking ship! Ha!

But . . . . in the meantime I have one foot in Heaven and the other on Earth! The one that’s on Earth (temporary) works with and discusses rifles and what’s shot by them and in them. S0 . . . . .

Let’s compare a couple of MEDIUM BORES: The .375 H&H and .340 Wby.

I’m doing this because I just did that on my computer’s ballistic program, and because I was curious having owned each.

I once hunted far away places in the northland of our Province of Ontario, 1600 kilometres (1000 miles) from home. The main object was to kill a bull moose, but I also had other licenses for bear, deer and small game.

My first trip there was with a young man the age of my first two sons – about 35 – 36 year-olds. I was 62 closing in on 63. I took two rifles: My Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT and a .300 Win Mag as backup, just in case it was needed for extraordinary long shots. I did a lot of walking over old logging roads away from our camp site. My young friend rode around on his ATV without a muffler! I could hear it from about a mile away – and I’m sure any moose did as well! There was a confusion of old logging roads, clearcuts and timberlands intermingled with small lakes, bogs, ridges, valleys and streams. Moose could have been anywhere in that mix.

But as my friend apparently found pleasure in his new muffler-less ATV, I spent 5 days walking and becoming familiar with the landscape within 2 to 3 miles of camp. In an area not more than 3/4s of a mile from camp, I came across a fresh rut pit. Bingo! I was toting my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT loaded with Barnes Original RN 400gr at about 2300 fps. Those had a thick jacket that curled over the RN that only exposed a relatively small dimple of lead – far different than what they later produced as a 400gr. I had confidence in that load (with a .302 BC) to 200 yds +.

MV = 2300 fps/4698 ft-lbs

50 yds = 2167 fps/4169 ft-lbs/ +1.85″

100 yds =2028 fps/3690 ft-lbs/ +3.4″

150 yds =1915 fps/3256 ft-lbs/ +2.9″

200 yds = 1796 fps/2864 ft-lbs/ +0.02″

TE at 200 yds = 128.5 – plenty for the largest Alaskan-Yukon moose.

• But there were numerous clearcuts where ranges could exceed 600 yds, making my pet Ruger No.1 far from ideal in that vast area if a bull decided to cross these open areas at anything beyond 250 yds. My 300 Win Mag was perhaps good enough for 400 – 450 yds, but it never saw daylight out of its case! The reason for that was moose sign within 300 yds of camp.

Yep, that rut pit I stumbled on was in mixed bush not more than 300 yds from camp, and that was the last day of the hunt – and I was worn-out from five days of tramping not only old rough logging roads, but thick bush as well. But that’s not the end of this story . . . .

A year later I was back there, that time with our second son Phil. And I was prepared for any case scenario with the .340 Wby Mag in hand as the primary rifle, yet still having the .300 Win Mag along as backup.

And you might know the rest of that story as it’s been reported in several blogs. I chose to camp where we’d camped the previous year and look for that rut pit as I figured that bull would likely still be in the vicinity with a cow, plus a good chance of a calf.

The day before the hunt could start, we scouted the area that I knew quite well from the previous year. My son caught sight of a cow near the lake about 400 yds from camp – he drew my attention to it around 150 – 200 yds from us. It saw us and quickly disappeared into thick timber. At least we knew that if a cow moose was that handy, so it was also likely that the bull was nearby. The following day – oppening day – all three were together (bull, cow and calf), and I shot the bull with the .340 at about 165 yds.

That was 1/4 century ago, and I sold the .340 a couple of years later. Now, with my .375 H&H that I’ve been toting for “My Bear” in this year’s spring and fall hunts, and the encounter with him on October 15 of this year – a mammoth bear of 400 to 475 lbs – and deciding not to shoot him (reasons in previous blogs), I’m wondering how the .375 H&H load might have compared to the .340 Wby load for moose in the “Far North”. So I’ve done that on my computer ballistics program and will share results with you here.

In some ways I regretted giving up the .340 but wondered if the .375 H&H would be comparable in particular situations, such as that moose hunt, or the .340 being comparable to the .375 H&H in my bear hunt this Sept-October?

What do you think?

Let’s see!

First up: the .340 Wby Mag

Bullet: 250gr Nosler Partition

BC = .473

SD = .313

MV = 3000 fps/4995 ft-lbs

20 yds = 2960 fps/4861 ft-lbs/ TE = 136 (20 yds was the range to “My Bear” on Oct 15/24)

100 yds =2831 fps/4361 ft-lbs/ TE = 122

165 yds = 2680 fps/3985 ft-lbs/ TE = 112 (165 yds was the range to the bull moose, shot with my .340)

200 yds = 2615 fps/3795 ft-lbs/ TE = 107

300 yds = 2434 fps/3288 ft-lbs/ TE = 92

400 yds = 2261 fps/2836 ft-lbs/ TE = 80

500 yds = 2094 fps/2434 ft-lbs/ TE = 68 (I consider 50 TE at bullet impact as adequate for any Canada moose.)

*************************************************

Next: the .375 H&H

Bullet: 300gr Sierra SBT

BC = .480

SD = .305

MV = 2675 fps/4768 ft-lbs

20 yds =2638 fps/4635 ft-lbs/ TE = 156

100 yds =2494 fps/4144 ft-lbs/ TE = 139

165 yds =2381 fps/3775 ft-lbs/ TE = 127

200 yds =2321 fps/3587 ft-lbs/ TE = 120

300 yds =2154 fps/3091 ft-lbs/ TE = 104

400 yds =1995 fps/2650 ft-lbs/ TE = 89

500 yds =1842 fps/2261 ft-lbs/ TE = 76

ANALYSIS: Velocity and KE are higher in the .340, but momentum and bullet diameter are higher in the .375 resulting in a greater terminal effect (TE) in the .375 H&H.

Momentum is significantly greater from the 300gr in the .375 H&H vs the 250gr from the .340 Wby.

.375 example: at the muzzle, 300gr at 2675 fps = 802,500/7000 = 114.64 (momentum)

.375 example: at 500 yards, 300gr at 1842 fps = 552,600/7000 = 78.94 (momentum)

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.340 example: at the muzzle, 250gr at 3000 fps = 750,000/7000 = 107.14 (momentum)

.340 example: at 500 yards, 250gr at 2094 fps = 523,500/7000 =74.79 (momentum)

• The momentum average is a consistent 7% greater from MV to 500 yards in the .375 H&H.

• Cross-sectional area of the .375 bullets is 22.6% greater than .338 bullets.

• Sectional density is similar with a slight advantage to the 250gr/.338 @ .313 vs .305 for the 300gr/.375 H&H.

The Zastava M70 in .375 H&H. It has a 22″ barrel and a LH action.

All in all:

First off, note the TE of that 400gr from my former Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT at 128.5 at 200 yds compared to both the .340 at 107 and the .375 at 114! Of course, that load was on the heels of a .458 Win Mag! Sometimes I question my sanity in letting all my .45-70s get away from me! Of course, that was a special .45-70 with a long throat in a Ruger No.1. . . . and it could have made up to 2400 fps from that 400gr. A Marlin, on the other hand could easily make 2100 fps from a 400gr. But still, such being the case, at 200 yds it would be doing 1600 fps from a 400gr! KE would have been = 2274 ft-lbs with a TE of 102, in the ballpark with both the .340 and .375 at 200 yds, and significantly better at any closer range!

But hey!

The encounter at 20 yards with “My Bear”, holding my .375 H&H loaded with the 300gr Sierra SBT at 2638 fps/4635 ft-lbs impact, with crosshairs on his back, gave confidence, but I never felt “over-gunned”!

Close enough to what I saw at 20 yards on October 15 of this year (2024). Not my photo as I couldn’t get my camera from its case hung by a strap around my neck. But a shout out to Love Photoroom for their contribution to my blog.

Some other “bits ‘n pieces”:

• Some say that the 300gr Nosler Partition, or 300gr TSX, or maybe an A-Frame would be much more suitable than the 300 Sierra. I say “maybe” or “maybe not!” That depends on the game we’re shooting, and at what range. If I were hunting Cape buff at less than 150 yds, perhaps I’d be better served with one of the others, but for a soft-skinned bear I seriously doubt it! I’d gladly use that 300 Sierra on elk or moose, so why not on a 400 – 500 lb bear? That 300 Sierra has a very good reputation on such mammals. . . . it has a .050″ jacket.

• The fact is, of course, that any of the medium class calibers (.338″ – .375″) that produce 4000 ft-lbs + at the muzzle are fit for the largest bear anywhere on this Planet! Within range of course, using a suitable bullet, and the 300gr/.375-cal was not made for bambi, though no harm is done in using it for such an application as well as for PG in an African scene.

• I’ve pitted it against a .340 Wby using a 250 Partition. However, there are sleeker and heavier bullets in .338-caliber that would show better results – the 250gr AB being one with a much improved BC of .575. However, personally, I’d never need it (or use it) due to the distances I’ve shot big game – never over 200 yards! For smaller predators than bear – like coyote – and groundhogs, yes much longer, but never for deer, moose or bear.

• With the super-abundance of suitable rifles and cartridges, plus better bullets and powders for handloaders, we have never been so rich in choices for any hunting purposes from long range to short, and from large and dangerous to small and inconspicuous critters.

• So a .375 H&H, like the .30-06, is more useful than ever, so many have chosen it for all – not just big game hunting – but ALL hunting. Like a hammer, it has multiple uses – and it also hits like one! Even these fearsome beasts have fallen to it by the thousands!

Till the next. . . .

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL