.375 H&H Magnum

Infobox Firearm Cartridge
name= .375 H&H Magnum


caption= .375 H&H Magnum (Left) .338 Winchester Magnum (Right) US Quarter for scale
origin= flagcountry|United Kingdom
type= Rifle
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer= Holland & Holland
design_date=1912
manufacturer=
production_date=1912 - present
number=
variants=
is_SI_specs=
parent=
case type=belted, bottleneck
bullet=.375
neck=.404
shoulder=.448
base=.513
rim_dia=.532
rim_thick=.220
case_length=2.850
length=3.6
rifling=
primer=large rifle magnum
is_SI_ballistics=
bw1=200
btype1=JFP
vel1=3195
en1=4534
bw2=235
btype2=SP
vel2=2964
en2=4585
bw3=250
btype3=SP
vel3=2835
en3=4463
bw4=270
btype4=FS
vel4=2694
en4=4352
bw5=300
btype5=SPBT
vel5=2645
en5=4661
test_barrel_length=
balsrc= [http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp 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.Fact|date=September 2008 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.Fact|date=September 2008

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, 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).

.375 H&H cartridge specification

* Bullet diameter: .375 in (9.525 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.

ee also

*List of rifle cartridges

References

* [http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp Hodgdon Online Reloading Data]
* [http://www.stevespages.com/jpg/cd375hollandandhollandmagnum.jpgCartridge Dimensions]

External links

* [http://webpages.charter.net/375magnum/ The .375 H&H Magnum Website]
* [http://www.deerstalker.com/imp_375.htm Improving the .375 H&H Magnum]
* [http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/375hh.html The Reload Bench - .375 H&H Mag]
* [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_7_46/ai_62893436 .375 H&H Magnum A Hunting Classic]