The lightest .375 Nosler Solid ?

[Guy Miner]

I see that Nosler has a .375" 260 grain flat-nose solid, in addition to the more traditional weight of their 300 grain solid.

Do you suppose the 260 gr solid is sufficient for large/dangerous game in situations where a solid bullet is advisable? I have NO experience with dangerous game and solids. Just tossing the question out there, hoping someone here will have some input.

I really like my 260 gr AccuBond .375 H&H load. At only 2620 fps it's easy shooting, accurate, and still churns up 4,000 fpe. Am thinking the 260 gr solid would be a good bullet to compliment it - if the 260 gr version is adequate.

Would the 300 vastly out-perform it on something big & dangerous like a cape buff?

This also begs the question: Wouldn't a 300 gr Nosler Partition be entirely appropriate for cape buffalo hunting? I've got at least 150 of those rascals, looking for a mission other than water jugs!

Thanks for any insight.

Guy

 

[JD338]

For big nasty dangerous game, I would think you would want as much SD as you could get. The 300gr solids are used for elephant, buff, etc so it is a given. I am thinking the higher velocity of the 260 gr solid might be enough for the big stuff but I think I would stay with the heavy weights.

JD338

 

[russ808]

Guy,
I got the 260 solids for my 375 since I was shooting 260 abonds. Wanted to keep the impact point the same. Never got around to finishing that project, as I sold the 375, but still kept the soilds. I think I still have some Barnes 300 solids also. Never got around to shooting them.
Russ

 

[longrangehunter]

I would assume Nosler made these to be used with their other 260 gr. Accubonds for the 375 H&H. A few bullet Companies lowered their weight used in the H&H, but honestly either will work as well. My 375 H&H loved the Barnes 275 XLC, and 300 TBBC but didn't like A Square's solids or the Barnes solids as much so I used Woodleigh solids. I was of the opinion that since they were made of brass, rather then the traditional copper jackets that they didn't shoot as well. I also hated removing that brass from the barrel and didn't like shooting copper jacketed bullets over the brass fouling in the barrel.

Don't get too caught up in making a bunch of solids Guy, a really tough soft point bullet will work fine. Most of the .375 cal. bullets are made with thinker jackets. Most of the PH's swear by the Barnes bullets acting as well as a solid on the big stuff, but I can not speak for the AB's since I've never seen them used on the Big 5. The TBBC do work all most as well, but that is a toss up.

I don't really think speed is the name of the game when it comes to the big stuff. Slow heavy bullets tend to work better which is why every PH's hates to see a Big Wby. 378 show up! Shot placement from a 9.3x62 works better then the super high velocity bullets at very close range which is how must of the big stuff is taken.

 

[JD338]

Cole,

Good points!

JD338