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12-20-2013, 09:16 PM
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Any use for large calibre hunting rounds besides hunting?
Trying to decide what to do with lots and lots of Ammo. My dad at point had wanted to go Africa to hunt but never did. So have lots of big game calibers - 375 H and H, 458 etc. So question is do i have any use for such calibers besides Big Game African hunting? I would think alien invasion and zombies woul be the only other scenario that such ammo could be used. These big game rifles - does anyone use them as range guns/target shooting?
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12-20-2013, 09:25 PM
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I practice with my Weatherbys so I am ready for hunting, however I do not consider that target shooting for the sake if target shooting.
Neither cartridge is a long range tack driver and I bet the rifles that you have are not comfortable for long shooting sessions. They are light weight enough to be packed in and out of the hunting areas, not heavy target guns.
Sell the ammo. Lots of folks still use those calibers. Keep enough for your rifles
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12-20-2013, 09:30 PM
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Should be a market for them. Don't try and overthink who would want them and why. Like the car dealers say, "there's a rear end for every seat." And they are expensive cartridges, so anyone who wants them will pay pretty good money.
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12-20-2013, 09:38 PM
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I should add I won't ever go hunting - not my thing.
Thanks for the advice.
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12-20-2013, 09:41 PM
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I agree, advertise and sell them. I've shot both calibers many years ago and have not so fond memories of the recoil (especially the 458)
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12-20-2013, 10:07 PM
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The ammo makes good paper weights. Look cool too.
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12-20-2013, 11:07 PM
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Outside of a narrow niche or two, they tend to have limited use in the US, especially in the lower 48. I have known a few guys out here to use a .375 (not sure if it is the H&H; I tend to think not) for elk. A prior chief used one for a bank robbery call that came during lunch - he just went out his door and provided potential cover fire from 100 yards away and a good distance up.
There will be a small market, but the folks who want that ammo will probably want it pretty badly.
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12-20-2013, 11:50 PM
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The 375 H&H is not that bad to shoot and is a great gun for Elk or larger animals. If you can handle it, use it..................
The 400 is a bit of over kill unless you are going for the "Big Game" in the dark continent..................but might be wanted for a person going for larger Bear and wanting a little more "Insurance" ?
Lots of options.
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12-20-2013, 11:58 PM
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I would think .375 would be ideal for moose. In WA, you have to be lucky to get a moose tag.
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12-21-2013, 12:17 AM
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I use em...list them for sale.
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12-21-2013, 08:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nevada Ed
The 375 H&H is not that bad to shoot and is a great gun for Elk or larger animals. If you can handle it, use it..................
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The .375 H&H has a trajectory similar to a 180gr bullet in a .30-06. Like Ed said, if you can handle it, use it.
A number of years ago I picked up a Model 70 Classic Stainless in .375 H&H on a whim. Being an inveterate handloader, I was determined to load different bullet weights and velocities and learn as much about the cartridge as I could.
As it turns out, the .375 is incredibly versatile. You can load 200 grain bullets to either spit ball velocities for practice or over 3000 fps for varmints. The 235gr bullets loaded moderately make it a great deer cartridge. Max loads behind the 250gr Sierra or Barnes can be used on larger soft skin game at distances most of us should not be shooting. 275gr or 300gr bullets are useful for shooting the biggest game that walks the earth. There is even a 350gr. bullet if T-Rex ever get cloned and we have an open season.
I found that my range seasons were best limited to less than 40 shots or I had to force myself to pull the trigger. On the other hand, after shooting over 500 rounds while doing the load work, I discovered that I shot the 300 Winchester or Weatherby magnums better because the recoil no longer bothered me.
There is a good market for the African level guns, so selling them will not be a problem. Probably more new large bore rifles are sold today than at any time in history. Most of us that hunt fantasize about Africa but never actually go. Punching large holes in paper is a close as we get. You won't get anywhere what the ammunition would cost new, so shoot it up before you sell the guns. Zombies come in all sizes.
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12-21-2013, 11:21 AM
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Heck, there is even a Trail Boss load for 375 H&H that gets it down to 44 magnum muzzle energy levels.
http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf
I've hand loaded 375 H&H in the past (not with TB because it didn't exist back then).
I agree with the comments that's it's a very versatile caliber for hunting everything from deer up.
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12-21-2013, 11:31 AM
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My advice would be to sell them. Accurate easy shooting cast boolit loads can be used for the range, if you want to shoot the guns.
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03-29-2015, 04:45 PM
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Hunting ground hogs?
Hunting wild boar?
Hunting coyotes?
Kidding.lol
How about target shooting. I like being able to see the bigger holes in the paper at 100yds. Those little silly calibers hit like mosquito bites. I like sending those freight train hitting calibers down range. When I walk amongst the bears I have no fear for my 338win mag is with me. Having 4,000ft.lbs. is plenty. I always wanted a 375 H&H and a 458win mag but I'm too old now. Probably too old for the 338wm too. I still hunt with the 338 but I don't target shoot.
My point is if your young I'd buy a browning semi auto in 7mm rem mag, or 300 win mag or 338win mag. When you get older the recoil won't bother your old body.
Last edited by BigBill; 03-29-2015 at 04:51 PM.
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03-29-2015, 05:48 PM
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Lots of people own a big bore,,just because. Might be for braggin' rights at the range, some like the recoil, the big caliber holein the end of the bbl, the heavy rifle. All sorts of reasons other than for hunting.
I've got a few myself and haven't hunted anything since the middle 70's! But some quality range time w/the 470 Nitro Express or a 500 x 3" BPE kind of clears the mind.
Any factory ammo in the large bore calibers is pricey stuff to buy off the shelf. Just look at what the retail price of the stuff is going for now at some of the on-line places.
A single box of 20rds of .458 can run from $100 to $125.
A single box of 375 H&H is cheaper at $60 to $70 a box/20.
That 470 Nitro Express..?/?,,,around $200 for a box of 20 rounds....
That's why we reload and look for bargains!
Price it fair and it will sell. Price it at or near what the retailers want and it'll sit in your closet.
Value always is dependent on age, condition, bullet weight & configuration, ect. Ammo is expensive to ship so that must be figured also.
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03-29-2015, 06:02 PM
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When I bought a Ruger #1 in .458 Lott, my wife asked why I needed it. I told her in case I ever needed to shoot a 1959 Buick or a rogue elephant that ran away from the traveling circus. It was a blast to shoot.
After two shoulder surgeries and the ammo getting to $120.00 for a box of twenty, I sold the rifle and a case of ammo. I got more for the case of ammo than the rifle.
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03-29-2015, 08:31 PM
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As already stated, the .375 H&H is either the most, or among the most, versatile cartridges ever devised, and with careful loading can be used for about anything, and need not be a shoulder breaking monster. With careful hand loading, it can be a fun, light shooting plinkster, making the cartridge not only universal, but worth keeping around, even if you aren't a hunter or big game African safari man.
As for price for new rounds, I've actually scored some PPU 300 grain soft points for less than $40,00 a box on the internet, that shot very well out of my new CZ550 American Safari. The cartridge and caliber is common enough that rounds can sometimes be found affordable, as well as reloading components if you are careful. .375 H&H is at the very borderline of many things; the base of what is considered a true Big 5 Safari caliber, the bottom end of what is considered rifle big bore, not quite a flat shooting high velocity cartridge because of its ballistic coeffecient, yet to fast to be similar to its big bore brethren. Also, it is a big boy rifle that can be shot at an every man's kind of price.
As for the .458 Winchester, the cartridge is similar enough to the .45-70 Government that loads can be used for the big magnum, meaning there is potential for light hand loads to make the cartridge a bit tamer. There is potential to drive down power, and recoil, to about a third of the fullhouse magnum rounds, making the rifle a bit more fun to shoot. I understand many feel that even the old trapdoor, low power 45-70's a bit vicious on the recoil, but its still a possibility to consider.
As for overall use outside of hunting, yes, if you like to break things with firepower I hit a full 5 gallon pale of water, sealed, with my 375 H&H, and the results were spectacular. If you ever do shoot targets other than paper, and ones you wish to tear to pieces, the big boys are very entertaining indeed. Although they have a poor ballistic coefficient due to the massive size, they are certainly capable of long range shooting, with the right loads and a good rifle. The 375 can shoot a bit flatter than what people think, and both can reach out and touch things, if you are ready to whip out the bullet drop tables and take a few shots.
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03-29-2015, 10:35 PM
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Definitely overkill for zombies, but great for punching BIG holes in paper targets.
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03-29-2015, 11:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LSUDVM
Trying to decide what to do with lots and lots of Ammo. My dad at point had wanted to go Africa to hunt but never did. So have lots of big game calibers - 375 H and H, 458 etc. So question is do i have any use for such calibers besides Big Game African hunting? I would think alien invasion and zombies woul be the only other scenario that such ammo could be used. These big game rifles - does anyone use them as range guns/target shooting?
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Doc, What are you wanting to do with the ammo?
Gun shops won't take it in due to liability.
My story is similar to your Dad's. After I sold my .375 H&H I had several hundreds of rounds of reloads, 235, 275, 300 in SP and FMJ. I run across a guy in a LGS who bought the last 2 high dollar boxes they had. I mentioned having 10 or 12 loaded boxes. He bought them all. So yes there are folks who love the big calibers and shoot them. For no real need I miss my 375 and have been looking for one I can trade into cheap.
Listing your ammo here might get it gone for you.
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03-30-2015, 12:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quneur
I would think .375 would be ideal for moose. In WA, you have to be lucky to get a moose tag.
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I have a model 70 Winchester in .375H&H magnum. I've taken several Elk and a Moose with it. It works great on big game here in Wyoming. If you can handle the recoil, IMO it's not a whole lot more than a 30.06. More of a push than a jolt.
Probably just the right caliber for hunting Alaska.
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03-30-2015, 01:35 AM
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Absolutely LOVE the .375 H&H! Great handling and easily carried in my Sako AV Handy Carbine, it shoots within 2 1/2" of POA with all three bullet weights I load for it. Enough has already been said about it in previous posts, so...
Your dad amassed this pile of ammo, so he must have had the rifle. Is it still around? Try it, and you may find yourself wanting to keep it all for yourself. If not, there are enough of us here that have voiced a fondness already, so a couple offers via PMs should rid you of any factory loads, and the handloads can always be taken-down for brass & bullets (sorry, I'm one of those guys that doesn't believe is shooting unknown handiwork). Either way, you shouldn't have any problem either shooting or disposing of any & all ammunition you have.
Good luck, and have fun!
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03-30-2015, 08:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LSUDVM
Trying to decide what to do with lots and lots of Ammo. My dad at point had wanted to go Africa to hunt but never did. So have lots of big game calibers - 375 H and H, 458 etc. So question is do i have any use for such calibers besides Big Game African hunting? I would think alien invasion and zombies woul be the only other scenario that such ammo could be used. These big game rifles - does anyone use them as range guns/target shooting?
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Well, if you need the money go ahead and sell them. If not I'd keep 'em. They are not getting any less worth IMO.
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Last edited by JJEH; 03-30-2015 at 08:28 AM.
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03-30-2015, 08:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by k22fan
So far the O.P. has not written whether he has factory cartridges or reloads.
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His last post was 3/19/14, so I suspect we won't get a response.
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04-02-2015, 04:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichiganScott
His last post was 3/19/14, so I suspect we won't get a response.
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Good point, Scott! I gotta learn to read the date on a thread when it sounds interesting. Hate to waste my time giving advice on zombie threads.
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04-02-2015, 04:40 PM
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There is always a market for that ammunition. If I still had my .416 Rigby I'd always be on the lookout for that ammunition - those guns just rock your world! But a torn rotator cuff cured me of that amusement. Not caused by the shooting, however; a totally different source.
I can still shoot .35 caliber ammunition so I can still rock my world just a little with my .35 Whelen - and it's DEATH on feral hogs!!!!
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04-02-2015, 05:10 PM
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Bought my .458 Winchester Magnum way back in 1990 in Loxahatchee, Florida. Saw it hanging on the wall of a small Mom and Pop gun shop. I asked if the owner fired a box of rounds and gave it up and she told me it was 4 rounds and had the original box to boot. For 275 clams I scooped it up as a Ruger Tropical was around 500 back then I think. The wife asked why the Elephant gun. I said we live near Lionb Country Safari,........ ya just never know. Or a Charging Kenworth,... either way. They are a kick in the pants to shoot, albeit expensive. I did luck into some .458 510 soft points that were from an estate sale and they were 40 a box with the second box free. I bought 4 box's and got 4 on the arm and should have bought double. The only critter that has fallen to the .458 was a 150 pound Hog up near Okeechobee and it took a hit behind the shoulder at 40 yards or so and it essentially eviscerated the Hog. The landowner said he's never seen a Hog go down without a twitch prior to that shot. They are impressive and I just plain enjoy shooting the larger bores. It's more than likely a character flaw but that's just me.
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