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Posted By: Bugger 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/06/23
I decided to put a scope on my 375WAI. The following are the groups/loads were shot with a suppressor:

375W AI M98, 235 grain SPEER, 61 grains H335, 0.73" group with aperture sights at 54 yards = 1.29 MOA (no suppressor)
375W AI M98, 235 grain SPEER, 61 grains H335, 1.97" group with 4x M8 Leupold at 100 yards = 1.88 MOA
375W AI M98, 235 grain SPEER, 61 grains H335, 1.72" group with 4x M8 Leupold at 100 yards = 1.64 MOA
375W AI M98, 270 grain Horn SP RN, 57 grains H4895, 0.82" group with 4x M8 Leupold at 100 yards = 0.78 MOA
375W AI M98, 270 grain Horn SP BT, 57 grains H4895, 0.66" group with 4x M8 Leupold at 100 yards = 0.63 MOA
375W AI M98, 270 grain Horn SP BT, 57 grains H4895, 0.66" group with 4x M8 Leupold at 100 yards = 0.63 MOA (second group - I couldn't measure any difference)

The 57 grains load with 270 grain bullets are maximum - if you have such a rifle chambered for this cartridge, work up carefully. The good news is the above loads hit at close the same POI at 100 yards. The 61 grains H335 with 235 grain SPEER load centered at about 1/2" higher than the 270 grain loads.

235 grain SPEERS traveling at ~2,800 fps, 3" high at 100 yards, -1.5" at 250 yards, -6" at 300 yards.
270 grain Hornady traveling at ~ 2,600 fps, RN 3" high at 100, -3.9" at 250 yards, -11" at 300 yards.
270 grain Hornady traveling at ~ 2,600 fps, SPBT 3" high at 100, -2.3" at 250 yards, -8" at 300 yards.
The 270 grain Hornady SP BT should be good for anything I'll be shooting at. I have a few hundred of the RN 270's - seconds from MidwayUSA - they should be good for most anything I'll shoot at too. More work to be done with the 235.

I have some other 375 bullets on hand. I'm not sure if I'll be getting away from the two bullets tested much though, I am especially pleased with the 270 Horn loads.
Posted By: anothergun Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/06/23
hahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted By: earlybrd Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
^^^WTF^^
Posted By: anothergun Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
Originally Posted by earlybrd
^^^WTF^^


375 Whelen AI? That's friggin funny
Posted By: Feral_American Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
Not quite sure why anybody would think it's funny, but then again, look who thinks it's funny.
Posted By: anothergun Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
BS cartridge that’s what!
Posted By: TJ500 Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
Originally Posted by anothergun
BS cartridge that’s what!

How so?
Posted By: anothergun Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
It’s not needed. Why else? unless you can come up with a BS reason why it should ! Just like a 338 federal, or a 7mm 08, etc…. BS cartridges.
Posted By: TJ500 Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
Originally Posted by anothergun
It’s not needed. Why else? unless you can come up with a BS reason why it should ! Just like a 338 federal, or a 7mm 08, etc…. BS cartridges.

Was just asking.... which cartridges are not BS cartridges?
Posted By: anothergun Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
Ones that aren’t pushed out marginally, And the little bit doesn’t amount to much that some make a big deal over. You can have the last word.
Posted By: Feral_American Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
It must suck to be so incredibly low life that it's necessary to hate on what another man chambers his rifle for, to glean some form of satisfaction. Nobody in the whole U.S. of A needs a reason beyond wanting it; and wildcatting is the reason for many standard cartridges on the books today.

35 Whelen AI, or anything like it, just oozes coolness.
Posted By: anothergun Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
OH BOY a 375 H&H ain't good enough..... OH BOY ain't much better but it's soooooo coooool ! And wait with the AI you get a teeny weeny bit more powder, and PO says the powder burns more efficiently... but PO you don't really get much more velocity, but we like it anyway ! It's sooooo coool looking !!

Quote
The main reason I went the AI route was the dies and the reamer were immediately available. The straight 375 Whelen was a long wait. I didn’t/don’t see a down side to the AI, but I’d been happy with the 375 Whelen too, I think. I know some feel the AI shoulder is better, IDK. The case capacity difference wasn’t part of the equation for me.

Quote
I feel that the 375 Whelen and WAI are excellent cast bullet cartridges

Bugger said that here too..... and Lee has a section to load rifle powder for cast loads, so any standard cartridge can be as effective as this 375 Whelan AI.... just my 1 cent.
Posted By: beretzs Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
Originally Posted by Bugger
I decided to put a scope on my 375WAI. The following are the groups/loads were shot with a suppressor:

375W AI M98, 235 grain SPEER, 61 grains H335, 0.73" group with aperture sights at 54 yards = 1.29 MOA (no suppressor)
375W AI M98, 235 grain SPEER, 61 grains H335, 1.97" group with 4x M8 Leupold at 100 yards = 1.88 MOA
375W AI M98, 235 grain SPEER, 61 grains H335, 1.72" group with 4x M8 Leupold at 100 yards = 1.64 MOA
375W AI M98, 270 grain Horn SP RN, 57 grains H4895, 0.82" group with 4x M8 Leupold at 100 yards = 0.78 MOA
375W AI M98, 270 grain Horn SP BT, 57 grains H4895, 0.66" group with 4x M8 Leupold at 100 yards = 0.63 MOA
375W AI M98, 270 grain Horn SP BT, 57 grains H4895, 0.66" group with 4x M8 Leupold at 100 yards = 0.63 MOA (second group - I couldn't measure any difference)

The 57 grains load with 270 grain bullets are maximum - if you have such a rifle chambered for this cartridge, work up carefully. The good news is the above loads hit at close the same POI at 100 yards. The 61 grains H335 with 235 grain SPEER load centered at about 1/2" higher than the 270 grain loads.

235 grain SPEERS traveling at ~2,800 fps, 3" high at 100 yards, -1.5" at 250 yards, -6" at 300 yards.
270 grain Hornady traveling at ~ 2,600 fps, RN 3" high at 100, -3.9" at 250 yards, -11" at 300 yards.
270 grain Hornady traveling at ~ 2,600 fps, SPBT 3" high at 100, -2.3" at 250 yards, -8" at 300 yards.
The 270 grain Hornady SP BT should be good for anything I'll be shooting at. I have a few hundred of the RN 270's - seconds from MidwayUSA - they should be good for most anything I'll shoot at too. More work to be done with the 235.

I have some other 375 bullets on hand. I'm not sure if I'll be getting away from the two bullets tested much though, I am especially pleased with the 270 Horn loads.

Thanks for all the load work Bugger. That's a pile of great data. I have never had or fired a 375 Whelen Improved, but that is pretty serious horsepower from a 30-06 case. What rifle are you using?
Posted By: anothergun Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
Originally Posted by Feral_American
It must suck to be so incredibly low life that it's necessary to hate on what another man chambers his rifle for, to glean some form of satisfaction. Nobody in the whole U.S. of A needs a reason beyond wanting it; and wildcatting is the reason for many standard cartridges on the books today.

35 Whelen AI, or anything like it, just oozes coolness.

actually it feels good not to be sucked in to the BS that most of you are in.
Posted By: Feral_American Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
Originally Posted by anothergun
Originally Posted by Feral_American
It must suck to be so incredibly low life that it's necessary to hate on what another man chambers his rifle for, to glean some form of satisfaction. Nobody in the whole U.S. of A needs a reason beyond wanting it; and wildcatting is the reason for many standard cartridges on the books today.

35 Whelen AI, or anything like it, just oozes coolness.

actually it feels good not to be sucked in to the BS that most of you are in.

It's HIGHLY doubtful Bugger made this post yearning for YOUR approval.

You've made your typical asinine insult.

Since you can't appreciate the endeavors of others this thread isn't for you, you should probably just move along.
Posted By: anothergun Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/07/23
moving along !!
Posted By: earlybrd Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/08/23
Fantastic
Posted By: Gaschekt Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/08/23
I'll be carrying a 9.3x57mm Mauser in pursuit of venison in a few days. Necessary for whitetails? No, but the local regs specify 35 cal plus bottle neck cartridges. 375 Whelen AI fits the bill nicely as well. Last year my standard 35 Whelen filled my tag. It does the job quite nicely. Good luck Bugger! Great rifle chambering.
Posted By: Bugger Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/08/23
This rifle was one I did as much of the work myself, at least what I could do without a lathe. I bought a 98 receiver from a Mauser guru. (I've had Mauser 98's all my life, but I am not an expert on Mausers!) It's a BRNO VZ 24 if that means something to one who would know.
I bought a semi-blank stock - mostly inletted but needing a lot of wood removal. I shaped the stock to fit me and put a Pachmayer recoil pad on it. I bought a blank 375 barrel from Shaw. I rented a reamer and cut the chamber by hand, that is without a lathe. The reamer was available right now and the dies were available right now. I had sold my lathe 30 years ago and while I've opened up chambers by hand, I never started from scratch - uff da - it's a lot of work. (I rust blued the barreled action myself also.)
I hired a gunsmith to mount a decent set of sights, which I had. Steel Lyman aperture rear sight and the front sight from Brownells. I found I could shoot it pretty well at 100 yards, but the first time out deer hunting with it I saw deer at 200 to 250 in the trees. Those sights and my eyes were not compatible with that scenario. I had a Leupold base for a 98 lying around and once again had to rely on a smith to install the base. While at it, the safety was converted to a 3-way safety that works with a scope. I put on a M8 4x Leupold scope, which I consider about right for the cartridge. The barrel is threaded for a suppressor and with that on the rifle, the recoil is mild.
As far as why a "375 Whelen AI", I wanted something different. I've owned center fire rifles since the late 50's and had many different common rifles chambered for common cartridges. I put a lot of work into this rife and it wasn't going to be a 30-06 or whatever some dude thinks it should have been. I figured the 375 Whelen Ai was about the most powerful cartridge based on the 06 case (I was likely wrong as the 400 Whelen might well be a more powerful round.) I also picked 375 because I owned a 375 H&H, a 375 H&H AI, and a 375 Win. I had plenty of molds in 375 and had a good selection of 375 bullets on the shelf. Plus, there is a plentiful supply of bullets on the market. I'm considering a 375-444 Ruger #1 since I have a #1 action that I'd like to modify.
I didn't pick a 35 Whelen AI as I had a 35 Whelen and a 35 Brown Whelen. and felt the 35 Whelen AI was more common than the 375 version.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]
Posted By: earlybrd Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/09/23
I like that stock
Posted By: Hipshoot Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/09/23
Another thread that "THE FOOKIN IDIOTS TOOK OVER!!!"
Posted By: beretzs Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/09/23
Great rifle Bugger.
Posted By: Bugger Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 12/09/23
Thanks
Posted By: SakoAlberta Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 01/01/24
I'll have a .375 Whelen AI almost ready (Canyon Creek) Defiance Rebel, 3POS, CRF. 25" Lilja barrel, walnut stock.
My plan is to try a 300 gr Sierra but I may go to a 270 gr.
I have a 375 HH already and a .375 Wby almost ready so and I don't need to load this one up too much - I'll have the others if I need to reach out with a .375 bullet. This rifle will be , mostly likely, my black bear rifle - from a stand - with maximum shots of 150 or so.
As Im just starting to round up compenents (I have redding dies now) I REALLY apprerciate the loads and work you've done here. It will make my starting point way easier.
I'm certainly open for any suggestions!
Mausers and whelens just go together so well.
Posted By: Bugger Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 01/03/24
If you choose to use a Mauser, like I did and you want it chambered for an “improved” cartridge beware that you’ll likely need to modify the rails and the ramp, which is a process.
I chose the improved chamber for several reasons, two of which: 1. The reamer was available, 2. The dies were available. Ordering these items can be a long wait - if that’s not a problem then fine. But I advise looking for these things before your decision on what cartridge.
One other issue, I ordered the barrel from Shaw. They didn’t offer a pre-chamber.
Posted By: SakoAlberta Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 01/05/24
Originally Posted by SakoAlberta
I'll have a .375 Whelen AI almost ready (Canyon Creek) Defiance Rebel, 3POS, CRF. 25" Lilja barrel, walnut stock.
My plan is to try a 300 gr Sierra but I may go to a 270 gr.
I have a 375 HH already and a .375 Wby almost ready so and I don't need to load this one up too much - I'll have the others if I need to reach out with a .375 bullet. This rifle will be , mostly likely, my black bear rifle - from a stand - with maximum shots of 150 or so.
As Im just starting to round up compenents (I have redding dies now) I REALLY apprerciate the loads and work you've done here. It will make my starting point way easier.
I'm certainly open for any suggestions!


Attached picture 413386156_942168153912052_3353551871603140356_n.jpg
Posted By: Bugger Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 01/05/24
Originally Posted by SakoAlberta
Originally Posted by SakoAlberta
I'll have a .375 Whelen AI almost ready (Canyon Creek) Defiance Rebel, 3POS, CRF. 25" Lilja barrel, walnut stock.
My plan is to try a 300 gr Sierra but I may go to a 270 gr.
I have a 375 HH already and a .375 Wby almost ready so and I don't need to load this one up too much - I'll have the others if I need to reach out with a .375 bullet. This rifle will be , mostly likely, my black bear rifle - from a stand - with maximum shots of 150 or so.
As Im just starting to round up compenents (I have redding dies now) I REALLY apprerciate the loads and work you've done here. It will make my starting point way easier.
I'm certainly open for any suggestions!



Wow, nice looking rifles.
Posted By: beretzs Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 01/05/24
Those are some dandy rifles Sako.. Wow.
Posted By: SakoAlberta Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 01/05/24
Originally Posted by beretzs
Those are some dandy rifles Sako.. Wow.

Originally Posted by Bugger
Wow, nice looking rifles.

Leroy and Connie are amazing.
Posted By: beretzs Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 01/05/24
It looks it!
Posted By: LJBass Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 01/18/24
Little Late to the party, and I'm not going to post a picture.
I'm using 54gr of TAC in R-P brass, Winchester large rifle primer, and a Speer 270gr Spitzer Boat tail on top. This particular Savage has a steel butt plate, and this load is accurate and reasonable recoil. I did run the charges up to 57gr, no sign of pressure, accuracy dropped off and recoil was getting pretty snappy. I think 58 would probably be a Compressed load.

This is with the 40* shoulder. Not for fireforming.
Posted By: SakoAlberta Re: 375 Whelen AI Loads - 04/06/24
Originally Posted by LJBass
Little Late to the party, and I'm not going to post a picture.
I'm using 54gr of TAC in R-P brass, Winchester large rifle primer, and a Speer 270gr Spitzer Boat tail on top. This particular Savage has a steel butt plate, and this load is accurate and reasonable recoil. I did run the charges up to 57gr, no sign of pressure, accuracy dropped off and recoil was getting pretty snappy. I think 58 would probably be a Compressed load.

This is with the 40* shoulder. Not for fireforming.

Thanks!! I've got my .35 Wh brass - will open it to .375 ASAP, then load fireforming loads soon after. I will post here as it goes!
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