.375 H&H Magnum
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| .375 H&H Magnum | ||
|---|---|---|
 .375 H&H Magnum (Left) .338 Winchester Magnum (Right) US Quarter for scale |
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| Type | Rifle | |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
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| Production history | ||
| Designer | Holland & Holland | |
| Designed | 1912 | |
| Produced | 1912 - present | |
| Specifications | ||
| Bullet diameter | 0.375 in (9.5 mm) | |
| Neck diameter | 0.404 in (10.3 mm) | |
| Shoulder diameter | 0.448 in (11.4 mm) | |
| Base diameter | 0.513 in (13.0 mm) | |
| Rim diameter | 0.532 in (13.5 mm) | |
| Rim thickness | 0.22 in (5.6 mm) | |
| Case length | 2.850 in (72.4 mm) | |
| Overall length | 3.6 in (91 mm) | |
| Primer type | large rifle magnum | |
| Ballistic performance | ||
| Bullet weight/type | Velocity | Energy |
| 200 gr (13 g) JFP | 3,195 ft/s (974 m/s) | 4,534 ft·lbf (6,147 J) |
| 235 gr (15.2 g) SP | 2,964 ft/s (903 m/s) | 4,585 ft·lbf (6,216 J) |
| 250 gr (16 g) SP | 2,835 ft/s (864 m/s) | 4,463 ft·lbf (6,051 J) |
| 270 gr (17 g) FS | 2,694 ft/s (821 m/s) | 4,352 ft·lbf (5,901 J) |
| 300 gr (19 g) SPBT | 2,645 ft/s (806 m/s) | 4,661 ft·lbf (6,319 J) |
| Source: Hodgdon Online Reloading Data | ||
The .375 Holland & Holland Magnum is a powerful rifle round and arguably the best-known medium-bore cartridge in the world. A truly classic cartridge, the .375 H&H was only the second cartridge ever to feature a belt, now common among magnum rounds. It was introduced by the British company Holland & Holland in 1912 as the .375 Belted Rimless Nitro-Express. It initially used cordite propellant which was made in long strands - hence the tapered shape of this cartridge, which was also to ensure smooth chambering and extraction from a rifle's breech.
The .375 H&H is often cited as one of the most useful all-round rifle cartridges, especially where large and dangerous game occurs.[citation needed] With relatively light bullets in the region of 235 to 270 grains (15 to 17 g), it is a flat-shooting, fairly long-range cartridge ideal for use on light to medium game. With heavy bullets of 300 grain (19 g) and greater, it has the punch necessary for large, thick-skinned dangerous game. In many regions with thick-skinned dangerous game animals, the .375 H&H is seen as the sensible minimum acceptable calibre, and in many places (in Africa, primarily) it is now the legal minimum for hunting such game. African game guides, professional hunters, and dangerous game cullers have repeatedly voted the .375 H&H as their clear preference for an all-round calibre, if they could only have one rifle.[citation needed]
Unlike what is seen in most calibers, many .375 H&H rifles also achieve nearly the same point of impact over a wide range of bullet weights at all commonly used distances,[citation needed] further simplifying a professional hunter's choice in selecting different grain bullets based upon the game hunted, without requiring significant scope or sight adjustments, which further serves to popularize the .375 H&H Magnum among professional hunters (PHs).
Contents |
[edit] .375 H&H cartridge specification
- Bullet diameter: .375 in (9.55 mm)
- Maximum case length: 2.850 in (72.39 mm)
- Trim-to length: 2.840 in (72.14 mm)
- Maximum cartridge length: 3.600 in (91.44 mm)
- Shoulder angle: 15 degrees
- Industry maximum pressure: 53,000 CUP (Copper units of pressure)
- SAAMI maximum pressure: 62,000 lbf/in² (430 MPa)
- Case capacity: 96.3 grains (6.24 g) of water
A typical factory load will launch a 270 grain (17 g) spitzer bullet at 2,690 ft/s (820 m/s) with 4,337 ft·lbf. (5880 J) of energy at the muzzle. This load has approximately the same trajectory as the 180-grain (12 g) bullet from a .30-06 Springfield.
There are a great number of rifles (and even a few handguns) chambered for the .375 H&H. Many types of actions are used, including single-shots, double-rifles, and bolt actions. When hunting dangerous game, a double-rifle or a controlled-feed bolt action rifle is most commonly recommended, as a quick follow-up shot may be necessary, and reliability of the firearm becomes of paramount importance.
The 9.3x64mm Brenneke cartridge is probably the closest European continental ballistic twin of the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum. When compared to the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum the 9.3x64mm Brenneke has a slightly smaller calibre and it is a rimless cartridge.
