I have some observations on this issue of recoil. First of all, some factory .375 H&H rounds don't break 2400 fps in standard loads, such as PMC Barnes XLC bullets, probably "out of print" with the new triple shock bullets now made. If you handload, the maximum powder charge is 66.5 grains with RL-15 with 300 grain Sierra Game King bullets (Hodgdon 26th), giving a velocity of around 2400 fps with 20 inch barrel, mine was 2387 fps at 43 F. The CZ-550 9.3x62mm, using 20.5 inch barrel FS model uses 59.0 grains Varget for 2399 fps at 59 F for me. My Savage 116 .375 H&H weighs only 6 lbs 7 oz, with iron sights. The CZ 550 weighs 8 lbs 10 oz with a Weaver K2.5 on top. With an 8.5 pound rifle in each case, more like the Hawkeye with a scope, the recoil would be 16 fps recoil velocity, 35 ft-lb recoil energy for the 9.3x62mm and 17 fps, 39 ft-lbs for the .375 H&H or similar 375 Ruger (maybe a bit more powder and resulting recoil considering the larger case). Just a parting shot at the .35 Whelen nay-sayers. My Remington 700 Classic with a 22 inch barrel gives 250 grain Speer and Barnes X bullets at 2540 with 60.0 grains RL-12, and 2521 fps with 59.0 grains BL-C(2). In the Nov/Dec 2006 Successful Hunter magazine a .338-06, 350 Rigby Magnum (250 Woodleigh at 2500 fps) and 9.3x62mm 286 Nosler Partition at 2350fps +) were all used successfully on brown bear. Of course, the .338 Win Mag can exceed the .338-06, the 9.3x64mm exceed the 9.3x62mm and the 358 Norma Magnum the 35 Whelen in absolute ballistics. You can add weight for more magazine capacity, more barrel for velocity or sacrifice some recoil increase for weight savings. I think the 6.5 pound .375 H&H a un-pleasant little beast but no doubt a great choice for a over burdened guide or hunter, if iron sights at 150 yards or less, at least with my skill level, is in the cards. The CZ550 FS or the 24 inch American model are great rifles with 5 round magazines and Mauser type extractors. If this appeals to you like it did to me, get them. The CZ550 magnum in .375 H&H weighs close to 10 pounds without a scope, but holds 5 rounds too. I am a whimp with a 7.75 pound .338 Win Mag too. A half dozen rounds and I'm done for the day. Lots of padding are needed if I want meaningful groups from the bench. Mostly I practice off hand and get the feel of working the bolt fast and getting back on a paper plate at fifty yards. Up to now, scoped prone at 200 yards hasn't been a problem, for one or two shots. My limited experience is that I don't expect more than two shots successfully at game animals, so I keep working at the off-hand drills, less pain, more gain. Enjoy any of the rifles mentioned here, handloading adds versatility to the .338 Win Mag and .375 H&H with down loading, less recoil and more useful practice, in my mind. The .35 Whelen is an effecient, effective cartridge in my rifle, 4 rounds in the magazine and light weight, it's just that I've "discovered" the 9.3x62 tto, as an improved ".30-06" class cartridge, more capacity, more cross sectional area.
Last edited by Carson; 04/28/07.
