.375 H&H Mag. Load Data

Caliber Overview

The .375 Holland & Holland Magnum—commonly known as the .375 H&H Mag.—stands as one of the most respected and enduring rifle cartridges in the world, particularly among big-game hunters and experienced reloaders. Introduced by the British gunmaker Holland & Holland in 1912, the .375 H&H Mag. was designed to offer reliable performance on dangerous game in Africa and India. One of the first cartridges to utilize a belted rimless case, it ensures smooth feeding and extraction under adverse field conditions. Over more than a century, its versatility and reliable terminal performance have made it the international benchmark for a “general-purpose” dangerous game cartridge, trusted by generations of professional hunters and safari guides.

In practical application, the .375 H&H Mag. excels in a wide range of hunting scenarios, delivering a powerful blend of velocity, penetration, and manageable recoil. Its primary niche is African dangerous game—such as Cape buffalo, lion, and elephant—thanks to its deep-penetrating abilities and reliable expansion. At the same time, its manageable recoil and relatively flat trajectory make it effective on North American big game like moose, elk, and bear. Reloaders appreciate the cartridge’s forgiving nature, as its ample case capacity allows for a variety of powder types and bullet weights, making it adaptable for everything from heavy, bone-breaking solids for thick-skinned game to lighter expanding bullets for plains game or even long-range hunting.

The choice of target species for the .375 H&H Mag. highlights its status as a versatile workhorse. In Africa, it is commonly the minimum legal caliber for hunting the “Big Five”—lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, rhinoceros, and leopard—due to its proven stopping power and reliability in high-stakes situations. In addition to dangerous game, it is also a popular choice for plains game such as kudu, eland, and gemsbok, particularly for hunters who want a single rifle for all potential quarry. In North America and other regions, it is often used for moose, bison, and Alaskan brown bear, where deep penetration and controlled expansion are required to ensure ethical kills.

A key characteristic of the .375 H&H Mag. is its range of typical bullet weights, most commonly from 235 to 350 grains. Standard factory offerings usually feature 270-grain and 300-grain bullets—both enjoying a balance of trajectory, energy transfer, and penetration. The 270-grain bullet is popular for soft-skinned game and longer shots, while the 300-grain solid or expanding bullets are the go-to choice for dangerous game where deep penetration is essential. The cartridge generates muzzle velocities typically in the 2,500 to 2,700 feet-per-second range with these weights, producing energy levels sufficient for the largest game animals. With its long, tapered case, belt for reliable headspacing, and legendary feeding reliability, the .375 H&H Mag. stands out as both a reloader’s favorite and a classic cartridge that continues to deliver, whether at home or abroad.