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.375 H&H Magnum: the King of Hunting Cartridge

.375 h&h magnum
Written by Dan Goldsmith
Last Update: August 11, 2023

There are few cartridges as versatile as the 375 H&H Magnum. When these cartridges were first introduced (in 1912), they were considered to be the deadliest of all.

The renowned British gun manufacturer Holland & Holland was the first to introduce such cartridges.

These highly versatile cartridges were one of the most successful cartridges of all time for big game hunting.

Although there were many cartridges invented and developed after the .375 H&H, these managed one of the top big game hunting cartridges with impressive accuracy, high muzzle velocity, and low recoil.

What is the .375 H&H Magnum?

What is the .375 H&H Magnum

Also known as the 375 H&H Mag, (pronounced as 375 H and H Magnum) The .375 H&H Magnum is a medium-bore rifle cartridge that uses .375 H&H ammo.

These 375 H&H Magnum cartridges have a belt that replaces the rim for providing a better headspace. These cartridges use a smokeless propellant to fire up the bullets.

You can use two kinds of bullets onto the cartridge, one being 15-17 grams of weight which is ideal for small to medium games.

The other heavier bullet weighs around 300 grains (19g) and can easily penetrate through a thick-skinned game.

Specifications

Specifications of the .375 H&H Magnum

The bore diameter of the .375 H&H Magnum is 8.91 mm (0.351) inch.

The maximum cartridge pressure is 62,000 psi, which is higher than many other cartridges that are found. With this immense pressure, the bullet can easily pass through the thick-skinned game.

Unlike many other hunting rifle cartridges, the .375 H&H Magnum produces clear smoke when fired.

Ballistics

The .375 H&H Magnum packs in 75.0 grains of gunpowder, which makes it a very powerful cartridge.

Upon firing, the bullet is shot at around 800 meters per second. At this speed, you can easily take down larger animals at a long distance.

Recoil

Due to the high ballistics, the .375 H&H Magnum can deliver immense pressure onto the projectile (bullet).

As the bullet passes through at supersonic speeds, you will feel backward energy from the rifle. This recoil energy is higher than most other cartridges.

When compared to the widely used .30-06 cartridge, it was found that the 375 H&H Magnum is deadlier but has almost double the recoil energy than the .30-06 cartridges.

Velocity

As mentioned previously, the .375 H&H Magnum cartridges can shoot bullets at speeds exceeding 800 m/s. This is higher than most other cartridges, and it is more than enough to kill a large game at a long distance.

Trajectory

Trajectory of the .375 h&h magnum

The bullets are built with aerodynamics kept in mind, which enables the bullets to travel further with fewer distortions in the path.

The bullet travels at a flatter path, which means that you can accurately hunt down larger animals with higher accuracy if you know how to adjust your angles properly.

Pair the 375 H&H Magnum cartridges with a high-quality scope or a rangefinder, and you can shoot at longer distances with high accuracy.

Penetration

The velocity correlates with the penetrating power of the bullets. The higher the velocity at which the bullets strike the game, the higher the penetrating power the bullet will have.

As the .375 H&H Magnum cartridges already can deliver one of the highest muzzle velocities, it also delivers the highest penetrating power to the bullets.

This is why you can shoot from a bigger distance and not worry about the bullets not hitting the game.

Accuracy

Accuracy is the most important aspect that you should consider.

You may have a high-quality cartridge that can deliver immense power to the bullets, but it would be useless if the bullets don’t strike the target or have a higher deviation at longer distances.

The 375 H&H Magnum cartridges, however, won’t disappoint you. Due to the lower deviation and flatter trajectory, you can hunt the animals with high accuracy.

These cartridges provide one of the best accuracies in the market and can be relied upon when shooting larger games at a longer distance.

Safety Precautions

The .375 H&H Magnum cartridges can be very deadly cartridges, and you should not play with them.

It is recommended that you practice with these in an H&H gun range so that you can get used to the recoil energy and trajectory of the bullets.

You must always unload the gun after you’ve used it. Never let children play with the gun, and always try to follow the gun’s law.

Conclusion

The 375 H&H Magnum cartridges are one of the best hunting cartridges that you can buy. It can deliver high performance and accuracy with each of your shots.

These cartridges ensure greater ballistics, higher muzzle velocity, higher penetration, and overall great accuracy. The only downfall to such cartridges is the recoil energy, which means that it is hard to control the rifle after a shot.

These cartridges are expensive, but it’s an obvious choice if you want to get a premium hunting experience with fewer missed shots. All in all, it is the best hunting cartridge that you may find.

FAQs

Can You Hunt Deer With a 375 H&H Magnum?

Yes, you can use a 375 H&H Magnum to hunt deer. However, because of its high recoil and power, it may not be suitable for all hunters or situations.

What Is the 375 H&H Magnum Used For?

The 375 H&H Magnum is a popular and powerful hunting round that is suitable for taking medium-sized to large game, such as deer, elk, moose, and bear. It can also be used for long-range shooting targets with its accurate trajectory.

Is There a Difference Between 375 H&H and 375 H&H Magnum?

Yes. The original 375 H&H cartridges were introduced in 1912, and the 375 H&H Magnum version was introduced in 1925 with higher velocities and energy than its predecessor. The Magnum version is the one commonly used for hunting and long-range shooting.

About the author

Dan Goldsmith

Hi, this is Dan. We all know firearms are dangerous, but only when one doesn’t know how to use and care for them. I have 30+ years of experience with different types of guns and for the last 10 years, I have taught numerous people how to hold and shoot a gun while staying safe and keeping the surroundings unharmed.

My neighbors are some of my biggest admirers who enjoy talking to me about their guns, firearms safety and maintenance.

Whenever I am able to catch a moment of free time, you will find me enjoying my family or heading to the range on my motorcycle. I have enjoyed shooting sports ever since my dad introduced them to me as a child.

I like to think of myself as an outdoorsman who lives his life to the fullest. I hope you will benefit from my efforts to create valuable resources on this website. Happy reading!

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