Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers 375 Win loads

Found a decent 375 plinking load.

245gr Lightning RNFP
10.5gr Unique CCI-200 Starline brass
Mean velocity 1329fps

I loaded some test groups from 9.5-12.0 grains and 10.5 was the sweet spot. Below 10.0 and above 11.0 all shot like garbage out of the rifle.

Iron sight group from 75yds yesterday.

200 grain Sierra’s

Best for accuracy in my 375 Win so far (iron sights):
375 Win, Winchester 94 XTR, 255 grain Barnes, 34 grains RE 7, 1.25" at 50 meters or 2.21 MOA

Best cast load:
375 Win, Winchester 94 XTR, 235 grain Cast, 19.9 grains IMR4227, 1.67" at 50 meters or 2.95 MOA

I have some 220 grain Hornady's but Have not loaded them yet. I also bought some 225 grain Fury FP, which arrived recently. They are still in the package.

Those 245 RNFP also shot very well for me with 24gr N130, but the recoil was stiffer than I was looking for in a playtime steel dinging load.

Tag 4 reference

Love my 375 Win. It was a great development and should have taken off..it is lots of fun and very useful. Blows the doors off the 30-30 in the same weight platform and is all the cartridge you need with open sights. Too bad Hornady stopped the 220 FP and a 220 FTX would have been fun too. If it had been popular Winchester was planning a 40 caliber in the Big Bore 94. Instead they went with the 356 and 307 in a very accurate platform with a heavier barrel that to me reduced the balance and handiness of the 94. They also had enough range to tempt scope use and the 94 was "improved" right out of everything (handiness, speed of handling and compactness) that made it so excellent. Would have loved to see what the 40 would have been like but glad to have a 375. Light recoiling, powerful and super handy. Great 5-125 yard moose gun. In fact maybe nothing better!

200 Sierras.... AA1680 is your huckleberry... Mine hits an accuracy node at around 2300fps.... Bullet is short so doesn't take away much powder capacity. This allows for some pretty impressive foot pounds of energy as this bullet can be loaded to impressive speeds,Awe inspiring hydrostatic shock at 75 yards and under but penetration is low for anything bigger than deer.
the 200 Sierra mushrooms really well but can core separate at close range, but only after some awe inspiring damage. For deer this might be the way to go as it really hits hard. Keep it away from shoulders!
220 grain Hornady bullets RL 7 at 2200 fps get's decent groups but not as good as the 200 Sierras. This bullet hangs together well and penetrates pretty well. Wouldn't be scared to use on moose but would aim for a broad side shot.
255 Barnes Original at 1900 with RL 7 is the most accurate load in my rifle. Can core separate at 50 yards and under but opens up well at long range and hangs onto speed well. Might well be the best all-round choice.
270 Jet Hard Cast with Rl 7 at 1800fps is very accurate as well.

H4198 is second most accurate with most bullet weights, and I would use in a pinch as a substitute. In my rifle some lots of 200 Factory Winchester really shoot well, but other lots not...velocity is always low at about 2050 or so. The old 250 factory loads seemed more uniform but are discontinued. Both bullets were really well made for expansion while still hanging together well and penetrating within their sectional density.

One fly in the ointment is the difference in point of impact between the different bullet weights is extreme (over 1 foot at 100 yards) You are best sticking with one bullet weight. I found 300 of the old Hornady 220 grain and am sticking with them as I like the bullet action for caribou too moose. Loaded to 2200fps they hit the same POI as the 200 factory loads.

Oh..and yes be careful with brass capacity. Now that Winchester brass is often unobtanium..brass capacity is variable between brands and even between Lots of the same brand. Use a chronograph and don't try to chase the last FPS in the traditional levers... pressure signs are harder to read and the margin of safety reduced. I had to reduce my loads a full two grains using starline brass. Your results may vary... but as always be careful and let caution be your guide, these old rifles are irreplaceable as are your fingers and eyes.

Finally got back out and tested a few more groups with those 245 grainers.

21 and 21.5gr IMR4198 shot really well. Accuracy went to hell beyond 22 grains.

21.0 @50yds mean velocity 1358fps


21.5 @50yds mean velocity 1389fps

My bad, yes