Is a 375 H&H REALLY overkill?

[aknomad]

I've heard a lot of talk about the "best all around caliber." Many people say that the 375 H&H is great for big game but would be overkill for smaller game such as white tailed deer, wild boar, smaller sheep, ect. However, isn't overkill only in reference to shot placement? Why not rely on head shots for deer, boar, ect when hunting with a 375? In Alaska (as I'm sure it is in many other places) we tend to go hunting for big game and, if we have no luck, shoot smaller game on our last day of the trip. Many times we truly DO have one rifle that needs to be an all around caliber. If you don't see that grizzly or that elk, deer or dull sheep it is (depending on your tags and where you're at). Thoughts on this?

[Admin]

I've seen deer shot with a .300 weatherby, and it isn't pretty.
Alaska is indeed a different scenario without a doubt, and personally I wouldn't want to be in the bush with anything less than a 7MM mag.
But that would probably be my choice for the most part, since the big calibers would lay me on my tail.

[GEO]

the 375 h&h is an afrikans plains rifle and should be reserved for such.



GEO

[Berserker]

For squirell hunting, all you have to do is get close.

[GEO]

the problemo with afrikan squirrels is you can't get close and you need the 375 h&h.


GEO

[Berserker]

I meant it doesn't to be mortal shot, you don't actually have to hit the squirrel, just come close, and you will snap his neck.

[olderthandirt]

I've heard a lot of talk about the "best all around caliber." Many people say that the 375 H&H is great for big game but would be overkill for smaller game such as white tailed deer, wild boar, smaller sheep, ect. However, isn't overkill only in reference to shot placement? Why not rely on head shots for deer, boar, ect when hunting with a 375? In Alaska (as I'm sure it is in many other places) we tend to go hunting for big game and, if we have no luck, shoot smaller game on our last day of the trip. Many times we truly DO have one rifle that needs to be an all around caliber. If you don't see that grizzly or that elk, deer or dull sheep it is (depending on your tags and where you're at). Thoughts on this?

This is a GREAT subject for a few reason. What is the definition of "overkill" In theory I believe it's killing an animal quickly with the least amount of meat damage. If this is true then it would depend on the animal and shot placement. Trying for head shots presents a smaller target and if the placement is not perfect it's either a clean miss or a lot of destroyed meat, neither is acceptable. IMO I think a smaller caliber that will do the job on grizzly and can use a lighter load would be the way to go. But I'd much prefer to have two guns.

[Berserker]

What about different loads? Less powder for certain critters? I haven't noticed it in store bought ammo, but you probably go do it.

[GEO]

What is the definition of "overkill"


overkill...defined?

I dunno.

I think it is like some one said...about porn.

it's "hard" to define...but you know it when you see it.... lol.


GEO :glee:

[Berserker]

I thought you judged it, if you are hard when you see it.

[bigweatherby]

In my mind, when we use the term overkill in dicussions about hunting we are reffering to a caliber that would cause undue damage to the meat. Looking at a whitetailed deer, a 30-30 is a great round. A 300 magnum causes more damage to the meat if the shot is placed in the same spot. Is the extra damage an acceptable loss for the gains in ballistics? This same thing is true with the 375. I placed my shot right through the lungs of the deer I shot with my 375 and lost less meat than someone who flubbs a shot and hits the shoulder with a 30-30.

Am I advocating a 375 for everyone? NO! I don't think everyone would want to carry a heavy rifle with that kind of recoil (even though it isn't that bad at all.) However, I do think the 375 is a fantastic round and is great for larger game in North America as well as Africa. Overkill can be an excuse to write off a caliber that someone doesn't have enough ass to shoot.

[Berserker]

Are you saying, you are a big ass?

[bigweatherby]

LOL. Nope. But I have worked up through the calibers until the 375 is fine for me. But because it isn't someone elses cup of tea doesn't mean it is overkill. I would bet that a 375 would damage less meat than a 7mm or 300 magnum with their super fast bullets.

[CanadaJack]

It's not everyones cup of tea for sure. I've got a 375 Wby that I've shot moose with and I think it would be a great elk stopper but for deer sized game I think it's a little much

[bigweatherby]

Of course I realize it is a little much, but if you could only have one gun...

Wasn't it Elmer Kieth that said a 375 H&H was so good because you could eat right up to the hole?

[dvmcmr]

Of course I realize it is a little much, but if you could only have one gun...

Wasn't it Elmer Kieth that said a 375 H&H was so good because you could eat right up to the hole?


I used to read a lot of elmer and don't remember that one, but it sounds like him. LOL.