Recoil of .30-06 vs .375 H & H Magnum

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orpington

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I had loaded up some loads for my .30-06, and some used SR-4756 powder behind a 173 grain cast bullet. Very mild loads.

I then fired a load using 50 grains of IMR 4350 behind a 220 grain Jacketed RN bullet. The starting load is at 49 grains, and yields a velocity of 2,309 fps and a pressure of 40,700 psi. Since my load was greater, by 1 grain, than the starting load, the pressure and velocity would be somewhat greater, as well.

I fired these in a Husqvarna 1100, and, after the milder loads, the second load definitely got my attention. However, I did fire 10 rounds that day without a problem, so I can handle the recoil. I have LONG wanted a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in .375 H & H, but, so far, I have not found one when I have sufficient funds available for sale at the right price. Should I find one, I was wondering how the recoil compares from what I have experienced to what I might experience. You often go to a gun shop and find a .375 H & H or .416 Rigby (another round I admire) for sale in near mint condition and the story is that the original owner fired one round through it and decided to trade it in for something else.
 
30-06 - 8 pound rifle
220 bullet @ 2350
50 grains of powder

Recoil impulse in lb/sec = 3.18 FPS
Recoil velocity = 12.80 FPS
Recoil energy = 20.36 Ft/Lb


.375 H&H - same rifle weight
270 bullet @ 2,600 FPS
75.0 grains of powder

Recoil impulse in lb/sec = 4.45 FPS
Recoil velocity = 17.89 FPS
Recoil energy = 39.77 Ft/Lb

Of course a scoped .375 H&H rifle will weigh more then 8 pounds.
And I didn't know what your 30-06 weighs.
So I used 8 pounds for both of them as a basis of comparison.

Suffice to say though, that the .375 will get your attention!

rc
 
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The .375 kicks hard but it's a different kind of recoil. It's more of a push and largely depends on the design of the stock. I fired a Sako .375 and the recoil off hand was no worse than a Remmy .30-06.
 
If you load that .375 with 200 grain bullets to the same velocity as in the 30-06, the recoil will not be greater.

A well constructed 375 H&H with a good recoil pad, using 300 grain bullets could feel the same as your stiff 30-06 loads.

The 416 Rigby can be a real punisher if the stock and recoil pad are not optimal.

The construction of the rifle either reduces or amplifies felt recoil.

For example, I tried various loads for my 45-70, but no matter what I did, it was unpleasant to shoot. The rifle is light, the butt very narrow, and so the recoil impulse to my shoulder was unpleasant. Even with 350 grains and 1400 fps, it was not nice to me, so we parted ways.

I then bought a .416 Ruger Alaskan, and now I can shoot 350 grainers at 2300 fps, with no flinch and no discomfort. I also load 400 grains at 2200 fps, and follow up shots can be quite fast with a bit of practice.

Even though the actual recoil on the 416 Ruger is much higher than the 45-70, the felt recoil is far less, because the Ruger is constructed very differently. Mine is the Alaskan model, so the synthetic stock and factory recoil pad does a magnificent job of absorbing recoil.

If at all possible, ask to test fire a few different 375 H&H rifles, using the same ammo in each, and compare how the recoil feels. You can certainly reduce felt recoil with a good recoil pad, if it is not fitted with one already. And you do not want a light rifle in 375H&H, heavier is better.
 
fiftybmg said:
If you load that .375 with 200 grain bullets to the same velocity as in the 30-06, the recoil will not be greater.
Click to expand...
What would the point of a .375 be then?

A well constructed 375 H&H with a good recoil pad, using 300 grain bullets could feel the same as your stiff 30-06 loads.
Click to expand...
Nope disagree, and it could never be if both are firing at decent loads and are in like for like form. Newton's 3rd law is being ignored, you cannot do that.
 
:D
rcmodel said:
30-06 - 8 pound rifle
220 bullet @ 2350
50 grains of powder

Recoil impulse in lb/sec = 3.18 FPS
Recoil velocity = 12.80 FPS
Recoil energy = 20.36 Ft/Lb


.375 H&H - same rifle weight
270 bullet @ 2,600 FPS
75.0 grains of powder

Recoil impulse in lb/sec = 4.45 FPS
Recoil velocity = 17.89 FPS
Recoil energy = 39.77 Ft/Lb

Of course a scoped .375 H&H rifle will weigh more then 8 pounds.
And I didn't know what your 30-06 weighs.
So I used 8 pounds for both of them as a basis of comparison.

Suffice to say though, that the .375 will get your attention!
Click to expand...

What he said :D
 
The only thing the OP didn't mention is why? Why are you considering a jump from the 30-06 all the way up to a 375 H&H? What are you hunting? Can a 300 H&H or one of the 338's do the job?
 
Recoil

Having shot both slug & 375, i cant tell the difference. Gun fit is most important. A shooting table where your standing up to shoot, can be used when test firing high recoil rifles like the 505 gibbs & others. The shooter i watched does not fire many shots in 1 day.
A 2 3/4 inch Magnum shell throwing 1 1/2 ounces of shot at 1260 fps from a 7.5 pound shotgun belts the shooter with 45.9 ft. lbs. of recoil, somewhat more than the recoil of a typical .375 H&H Magnum rifle shooting 300 grain factory loads
Click to expand...
http://www.chuckhawks.com/12gauge.htm The 375 H&H , 300 gr handload gave me a headache. But i remember a Marlin in 45-70 handloaded, that hurt more.
 
The reason for a .375 H & H Magnum: It IS a classic cartridge, John 'Pondoro' Taylor praised it extensively, you do not see it every day in a pre-64 Model 70...etc., etc. Maybe my gift to myself once I pay off a mortgage in less than 2 years.
 
If you can handle a dozen 2 oz turkey loads out of a 12ga, you can handle a 375. Neither is any fun, but to say a 30-06 and a 375 have similar recoil doesn't match any that I have shot. I've had several calibers like 338, 300 RUM, and 375 kick my hat off. I have never had an ought 6 do that.
 
One of the most painful to shoot rifles Ive experienced was a pre 64 model seventy in 3006. This rifle dated back to the 40's I think . The stock was skinny with a lot of drop. Bad experience. Now not the same but comparable, I use a Howa 1500, in 375 Ruger for deer hunting. Because I can!. I hope to return to Africa someday and want to keeping practice, shape etc. I use a Hornady 225 gr spire point t about 2700fps. Its like shooting a 300 mag, same effect on deer. The Howa is Hogue stocked and weighs about 9# scoped. Full power 300gr loads are attention getting, but the weight and the plastic stock mitigate recoil. Off hand or other field positions are bearable, but I limit those sessions to less than 8 shots. I use a standing bench, as was recommended and this makes group shooting/ load workup bearable. If the model 70 Id shot years ago had been chambered in 375, I would have only fired 1 shot and traded it too.
 
orpington said:
The reason for a .375 H & H Magnum: It IS a classic cartridge, John 'Pondoro' Taylor praised it extensively, you do not see it every day in a pre-64 Model 70...etc., etc. Maybe my gift to myself once I pay off a mortgage in less than 2 years.
Click to expand...
I wasn't questioning your reasons, just curious. I was also wondering if you had a specific reason for wanting a heavier cartridge than the 30-06 in that the 300 H&H might have filled the bill with less recoil than the 375 H&H.

You are correct the .375 H&H is a classic and wanting one just because works for me! lol
 
Having shot several .375's including my own .375Ruger; Neither will be "brutal".
My .45/70 Marlin GuideGun w/400gr bullets at 1,900fps kicks more.

The GuideGun kicks like a .458Magnum in either WinMod70 or MkX "Whitworth" Mauser which is very similar to 18.5" bbl Rem870 Pump shotgun w/Express 1oz Slugs.

The .375 with "regular" ammo kicks like a 12ga shotgun with "Duck" loads. (not as bad as 2oz Turkey loads... They're like the .378wby w/o muzzle break).
25-30rds before lunch and you'll have an afternoon 'headache'...!
But neither will "hurt" in a decently stocked rifle.
I actually "enjoy" shooting my .375Ruger after installing a Pachmayer "Old English" "Decellerator" recoil pad.
And the 3-shot clover-leaf groups it shoots are very satisfying.... (mine likes Reloader15 and IMR4350).
My .30/06 MkX Mauser with original stock and 220gr Norma factory ammo (circa 1970's) actually would "hurt" you! One I chrono'd ran ~2,500fps from 24"bbl... got more than one eye-brow cut from the Leupold scope on that one! Cutting stock from 14.25" to 13.5" with 1" recoil pad "fixed" it...
 
I've shot maybe 6-7 rounds through a Win 70 in 375 H&H, it wasn't much worse than my synthetic stock 30-06. I may be a little tender the next day if I shot 20, but I don't think I would do that.

After shooting that one, I too got the Win 70 375 H&H bug, and dreams of going on African hunts. Can't afford either, but someday???
 
The more I go through life, I am starting to think that a pre-64 Model 70 in .375 H & H is one of the essential things in life. You know, food, clothing, shelter, and a .375 H & H!
 
Yes, the .30-06 is practical and I purchased my Husqvarna with scope for $400, so a high quality rifle for little money.

.30-06 is a much more realistic choice than the .375 H & H. But I still want that .375 H & H. But at the right price.

Great poem, by the way.
 
I would think that versatility would be the major factor with the 375. It could be loaded down for low recoil on just about anything and loaded up for anything. However it is not necessary unless you are going to be hunting game large enough to justify the 375. It would make a great one rifle, or be fun just to play with especially for a young guy or someone not sensitive to recoil.
 
i havent shot a 375H&H but i was considering gettting one, they are just hard to find and very pricey. i ended up buying two pre-64s in 300H&H last week. comparing them to my 30-06 in the same platform the recoil wasnt much difference in my opinion but i only shot some factory ammo that i got with the rifles. i really had fun shooting that old cartridge. just waiting on some supplies to roll my own 300s! good luck in you search for the 375H&H
 
A pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in .375 H & H is very pricy these days, at least the prices I have seen. Do that many other folks want these, too? Seems sort of hard to believe. But price is usually dictated by supply and demand and prices suggest that demand is much greater than supply. Or are these the prices being asked and these end up going for more realistic prices in the end? A seller can ask anything he wants to, but it doesn't mean it is worth that price or will ever sell at that price, or even close to it.
 
I just shot a Sako 375 H&H for the first time today.

Started with slightly light loads, 235gr at 2700. No problem at all, a strong push but not sharp. A little stouter than a heavy bullet 30-06. Factory 300gr load had a little more to it, but not painful at all. I think it helps a lot that the rifle is pretty heavy, well balanced and the stock design (pretty beefy with a high comb Monte Carlo) handles the recoil well.
 
Fred in Wisc said:
I just shot a Sako 375 H&H for the first time today.

Started with slightly light loads, 235gr at 2700. No problem at all, a strong push but not sharp. A little stouter than a heavy bullet 30-06. Factory 300gr load had a little more to it, but not painful at all. I think it helps a lot that the rifle is pretty heavy, well balanced and the stock design (pretty beefy with a high comb Monte Carlo) handles the recoil well.
Click to expand...
The OP is wanting a .375 H&H and for the past year or so I have been wanting a 300 H&H and for no particular reason either. It's another classic cartridge and IMO as good or better than the other "new and better" heavy 30 cal. cartridges out there.
 
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