Ultimate Guide to 375 H H Ammo: The Legendary Big-Game Cartridge
Introduction
The .375 Holland & Holland (H&H) Magnum is one of the most legendary and versatile big-game hunting cartridges ever developed. Introduced in 1912 by Holland & Holland, this powerhouse cartridge quickly gained a reputation for taking down the world’s most dangerous game, including elephants, Cape buffalo, grizzly bears, and moose.
With its high energy, deep penetration, and reliable stopping power, the .375 H&H Magnum is widely regarded as the best all-around safari cartridge, equally effective for African dangerous game and North American big-game hunting. Its well-balanced ballistics, moderate recoil (for its class), and superior versatility make it a top choice for professional hunters, guides, and serious sportsmen. As one of the leading examples of all round rifle cartridges, the .375 H&H Magnum is preferred for its performance across various distances and bullet weights. Additionally, it is made using only the finest components to ensure reliability and performance.
Whether you’re heading to Africa for a Cape buffalo hunt or pursuing Alaskan brown bears, the .375 H&H Magnum ensures you have the stopping power needed for ethical and effective hunting.
Best .375 H&H Magnum We Sell At Pro Armory:
What is the .375 H&H Magnum?
The .375 H&H Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked, centerfire rifle cartridge designed for maximum versatility and stopping power. Originally developed to provide reliable performance in both bolt-action and double rifles, it has remained one of the most trusted big-game cartridges for over a century.
Why the .375 H&H Magnum Stands Out
- Extreme Stopping Power – Delivers over 4,000 ft-lbs of energy, making it effective against thick-skinned dangerous game.
- Deep Penetration – Heavy, controlled-expansion bullets with high weight retention ensure reliable penetration on large game animals.
- Versatile for Any Big Game – Effective for Cape buffalo, moose, grizzly bears, lions, and elk.
- Moderate Recoil for Its Power – Surprisingly manageable compared to other dangerous-game calibers like .416 Rigby and .458 Win Mag.
- Proven Reliability – Over 100 years of successful use in Africa, North America, and beyond.
- Bonded Bullets with Lead Core – The use of bonded bullets combining a copper-clad steel jacket with a lead core ensures controlled expansion and deep penetration, enhancing performance and reliability in tough conditions.
Ballistic Performance of .375 H&H Magnum
The .375 H&H Magnum offers a balanced combination of velocity, energy, and trajectory, making it a versatile choice for both close-range and long-range big-game hunting.
.375 H&H Magnum Ballistics Chart
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Bullet Weight (Grains)
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Muzzle Velocity (fps)
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Energy (ft-lbs)
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100 Yards (fps)
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200 Yards (fps)
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300 Yards (fps)
|
|
250 gr. Barnes TSX
|
2,700
|
4,050
|
2,450
|
2,200
|
1,980
|
|
270 gr. Federal Trophy Bonded
|
2,690
|
4,335
|
2,400
|
2,170
|
1,950
|
|
300 gr. Swift A-Frame
|
2,530
|
4,275
|
2,280
|
2,060
|
1,850
|
|
300 gr. Hornady DGX Bonded
|
2,500
|
4,200
|
2,250
|
2,030
|
1,820
|
Key Takeaways
- Over 4,000 ft-lbs of Energy – Ensures clean, ethical kills on big-game animals.
- Excellent Penetration – Heavy bullets maintain momentum through thick hide and bone.
- Moderate Bullet Drop – Still capable of accurate long-range shots with proper bullet selection.
Best Bullets for .375 H&H Magnum with High Weight Retention and Their Applications
Choosing the right .375 H&H Magnum ammo depends on the type of game you are hunting, especially when targeting large and dangerous game such as African buffalo and elephants. The .375 H&H Magnum is renowned for its powerful performance and versatility, making it a preferred choice for hunting formidable animals. The best bullets for this caliber often feature high weight retention, which ensures controlled expansion and deep penetration, crucial for effective performance against tough materials.
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Bullet Type
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Features
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Best For
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Barnes TSX (Copper Solid)
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Lead-free, deep penetration, maximum weight retention
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Elephant, Cape buffalo, grizzly bear
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|
Swift A-Frame
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Bonded core, controlled expansion
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Moose, brown bear, large plains game
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|
Hornady DGX Bonded
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Heavy bonded bullet, designed for thick-skinned game
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Lion, hippo, thick-skinned game
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|
Federal Trophy Bonded
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Soft-point, rapid energy transfer
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Elk, moose, black bear
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|
Nosler Partition
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Controlled expansion, high energy retention
|
Plains game, North American game
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For thick-skinned dangerous game like Cape buffalo and elephants, solid or bonded bullets like the Barnes TSX and Swift A-Frame offer maximum penetration and deep wound channels.
For softer-skinned game like moose, elk, and black bear, soft-point bullets like the Federal Trophy Bonded and Nosler Partition provide excellent expansion and energy transfer.
Hunting Applications of .375 H&H Magnum for Dangerous Game
The .375 H&H Magnum is widely regarded as one of the most versatile big-game hunting cartridges ever made, capable of taking down any animal on Earth.
Recommended Uses by Game Type
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Game Type
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Recommended Bullet Weight
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Recommended Bullet Type
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Cape Buffalo / Elephant
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300 - 350 gr.
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Barnes TSX, Hornady DGX Bonded. Ideal for large and dangerous game, these bullets often feature a lead core for controlled expansion and deep penetration.
|
|
Grizzly / Brown Bear
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270 - 300 gr.
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Swift A-Frame, Federal Trophy Bonded
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|
Moose / Elk
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250 - 270 gr.
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Federal Trophy Bonded, Nosler Partition
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|
Plains Game / Deer
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250 - 270 gr.
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Hornady InterLock, Nosler Partition
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- Perfect for African Safaris – The .375 H&H Magnum is widely accepted for dangerous game hunting in Africa.
- Excellent for North American Big Game – Ideal for hunting moose, elk, and brown bear in Alaska and Canada.
Choosing the Right Bolt Action Rifles for .375 H&H Magnum
The .375 H&H Magnum is available in a variety of bolt-action and double rifles, making it an excellent choice for dangerous-game hunting and safari adventures.
Top Rifles for .375 H&H Magnum
- Winchester Model 70 Safari Express – Classic bolt-action rifle, designed for dangerous game hunting.
- Ruger Hawkeye African – Built for rugged reliability in harsh conditions.
- CZ 550 Safari Magnum – Controlled-feed action, perfect for dangerous-game hunters.
- Blaser R8 Safari – Premium straight-pull bolt-action rifle with modular design.
Most .375 H&H rifles feature barrels between 22-26 inches, balancing velocity and maneuverability for both stalking and long-range shots.
Reloading and Customization for .375 H&H Magnum
For shooters who reload their own ammunition, the .375 H&H Magnum offers great flexibility for customized hunting loads.
- Popular Powders: IMR 4350, H4350, RL-15 – Provide consistent burn rates for maximum velocity and accuracy.
- Bullet Selection: Lighter bullets (250-270 gr.) for plains game, heavier bullets (300+ gr.) for dangerous game.
- Custom Stocks & Optics: Improve accuracy and recoil management with custom stocks and high-quality scopes.
Reloading allows hunters to fine-tune their loads for different game species and shooting conditions.
Final Thoughts
The .375 H&H Magnum is one of the most capable and versatile big-game cartridges ever made. Whether you're hunting Cape buffalo in Africa or Alaskan brown bears, this cartridge provides the power, accuracy, and reliability needed for dangerous-game hunting.
- Best For: Big-game hunting, dangerous-game hunting, safari shooting
- Bullet Weights: 250 - 350 grains
- Top Features: Deep penetration, massive energy, moderate recoil for its power
Shop .375 H&H Magnum Ammo Today!
Find the best .375 H&H Magnum ammunition from top brands at Pro Armory for big-game hunting, safari adventures, and long-range shooting!
