Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa soft .375

Don't those RN's automatically drop to the ground after 50 yards?

(Edited: I've seen them do that--inside dead animals that also dropped to the ground.)

I love my RNs, provided they are of the proper construction to match MV of course. For years I used the 220gr Hornady RN out of my 300 Weatherby and it hit like a hammer and out to 300 yards I really saw no difference compared to a Spitzer. Still have a few around. I switched to 180 Hornadys due to a last minute [bleep] by Weatherby (they loaded the old Barnes Xs too hot) and took those to Africa. NVER AGAIN. Next trip I used 180 Partitions with outstanding success. I have now gone almost exclusively to TTSXs including my 416 Rigby and 375.

They both also love the A Frames. My 450NE double likes Woodleigh RNs very well and of course the Hornady DGX (it was regulated with those), but cooked up some very good loads using 450gr North Fork softs and solids. They regulate perfectly and it's a darned good, albeit expensive bullet.

So why the long diatribe? Well, two things, when I shot at garbage (gallon jugs filled w water) I use Hornadys, but when a multiK trophy fee is on the line, I MATCH bullet to trophy fee. It's that simple.

Here are some A-Frames that I pulled out of some of my buffalo. They are so predictable at it is almost boring, but boring in a good way. I have others, and of course many were never recovered. I know that they open up well on smaller animals but have never found any in anything other than buffalo.




By contrast, this bullet was one of six I pumped into a buffalo with a 450 Nitro Express. They all did the same thing. The bull was helpful in that he ran the wrong way (for him) and turned enough that he got shots 3,4 and 5 on the opposite side of the first two. These were factory loaded DGXs, used exactly as they were supposed to be. Hornady is apparently rather proud of these, and has some paid for opinions to back it up.



I'm trying to think of a better word, but "garbage" works as well as anything else.

I'm not one to say that a high price is an indication of suitability for purpose, or that a low price makes a bullet worthless for everything. There are times when I'll use the budget bullets over some "premium" bullets by choice. A trip to Africa with a .375 isn't the time. With high trophy fees, long and expensive flights and the sickening feeling of being able to predict the remaining safaris in my life, it just isn't the time to save a buck.

I can just picture him saying it too. The Aussies have a different mindset, largely due to the hunting they do. They will listen semi politely with a little grin while a hunter tells him how he is geared up with his .300 magnum for the 300 yard Texas heart-shot on an elk that he might have to take someday after carrying his rifle around for 2 weeks without a shot opportunity. The Aussie probably shot 50 of something before lunch with a .308 or 30-06 and Blue Box Federal that he found on the ute floor, and sort of wonders why you wouldn't just shoot it in the back of the head, or plan to shoot it twice since that's likely what you'll end up doing anyway. Or let that one go and be happy with the other 49.

Both guys are sincere in their beliefs, but they would have to swap boots for awhile before seeing from the opposite point of view. Most of the time that doesn't happen.

No one is advocating shooting premium bullets over and over at the range. One or two good trips to see how/where they shoot.
Shoot cheap bullets at the range, premiums on your safari.

How do the Sierra 250's and 300's stack up against the Speer BTSP regarding softness?

DF

They're harder. In fact they're pretty hard.

I'm thinking the 270 Speer BTSP may be optimal for chest shooting WT deer. Seems the 235 Speer is harder than the 270 BTSP and may be more likely to blow through a WT chest with less expansion and friability than the 270. Would like your opinion on that.

I'm looking for the best .375 bullet to use on Louisiana WT's, to give me more experience with my .375 M-70 Classic. By becoming familiar with that gun, I should be more proficient using it on larger animals. Of course, I'll use an appropiate bullet and load for those applications.

DF

Great photo showing good performance:





I've never used Swifts, but was an early - and very satisfied - adopter of the Barnes X -TSX line.

Another bullet that I can rave about, but it is impossible to find these days is the RWS H-Mantle. The performance of that bullet out of my 9.3 X 62 has been down right amazing. From leopard to sable to Cape buffalo, it performed beyond all others. The H-Mantle is not constructed exactly the same as A-Frames or Nosler Partitions. The front end blows up and the rear 70% continues as solid giving exceptional penetration.

Hard to find, and the last time I bought them they were more than a buck a piece. Chump change on a $30k Safari (Ah, the good old days before paying for college tuition, and food, and other foolishness:)

I don't know about WT but the 300 NP does a good job, most DRT, on Sitka BT deer on Kodiak and most anything else you may want to shoot. --- Mel

I'm sure 300's would work well. I was wanted a lighter bullet just for WT's. I have some 225 Horn SP's that I'm going to try. I'll push them around 2,500 to 2,600 fps and see how they perform.

DF

I was thinking about using this bullet in my 378 Bee. I do not really trust them with the jacket core separation in the past so I played with it.

Out of curiosity I shot one 300 gr Sierra gameking in wet newsprint out of my 378 Bee at 3050 fps MV. Impact was at 40 yards. Opened up to 70 plus caliber and retained 214.5 grains. Now if all of them do this I am IMPRESSED! Will found out tomorrow what they shoot like.

That is interesting. How far did it penetrate?

Not sure to be honest....

I found some today, and will give them a try in the new .375 Weatherby barrel on my old CZ and at least see if they shoot. I've spent more time wondering thick skinned capable bullets in .375 than black bear suitability. It could be fun to try it out in the coming weeks.

Another test

Here are some A-Frames removed from a buff. Solids are Barnes. I have used A-Frames on fifteen safaris and have never had anything other that what you see here for results.

it's darn cheap insurance for an expensive hunt.

If one can afford the hunt he can easily afford the bullets.

I concur

A box of 50 300 gr Swift Aframes cost $65 bucks....pretty cheap compared to the cost of an African hunt.