.375 H&H Magnum
The .375 H&H Magnum, also known as .375 Holland & Holland Magnum, is a medium-bore rifle cartridge introduced in 1912 by London based gunmaker Holland & Holland. The .375 H&H cartridge featured a belt to ensure the correct headspace, which otherwise might be unreliable, given the narrow shoulder of the cartridge case. The cartridge was designed to use cordite which was made in long strands – hence the tapered shape of the case, which, as a beneficial side effect also helped in smooth chambering and extraction from a rifle's breech.
| .375 H&H Magnum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.375 H&H Magnum (left) with .338 Winchester Magnum (right) and US quarter for scale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Rifle | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of origin | United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Production history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Designer | Holland & Holland | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Designed | 1912 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Produced | 1912–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Variants | .375 Flanged Magnum .375 H&H Ackley Improved .375 Weatherby Magnum | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specifications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent case | Unique | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Case type | Belted, bottleneck | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bullet diameter | .375 in (9.5 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Land diameter | .365 in (9.3 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Neck diameter | .402 in (10.2 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoulder diameter | .448 in (11.4 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Base diameter | .513 in (13.0 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rim diameter | .532 in (13.5 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rim thickness | .050 in (1.3 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Case length | 2.850 in (72.4 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overall length | 3.600 in (91.4 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Case capacity | 95.0 gr H2O (6.16 cm3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rifling twist | 1 in 12 in (300 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primer type | Large rifle magnum | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum pressure | 62,000 psi (430 MPa) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Test barrel length: 24 inches (610 mm) Source(s): Norma | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The .375 H&H often is cited as one of the most useful all-round rifle cartridges, especially in shooting large and dangerous game. With bullet weights ranging from 235 grains (17 g) to 350 grains (23 g), it has the necessary punch for small to medium game, as well as large, thick-skinned dangerous game. The most common bullet weight available in this caliber is 300 grains (19 g). In many regions with thick-skinned dangerous game animals, the .375 H&H is seen as the minimum acceptable caliber, and in many places (primarily in Africa) 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 caliber if they could have only one rifle. Alaskan game guides have expressed a similar preference for brown bear and polar bear country.
Unlike many other chamberings, .375 H&H Magnum rifles achieve nearly the same point of impact over a wide range of bullet weights at all commonly used distances. This simplifies a hunter's choice in selecting different bullet weights, based upon the game hunted, by requiring fewer scope or sight adjustments, which further serves to popularize the .375 H&H Magnum among professional hunters.