New rifle, new journey, my .375 journey starts today.

**Andrew Leigh** · 21-09-2013, 04:26

Morning,

Although not a total stranger to a .375 today (shot one once before) I get to shoot my Sako for the first time. I have loaded up some 30 rounds with 270gr. bullets incrementally increasing the S355 loads for development. Thanks to driepootx for the Quick Load data, Somchem is rather sparse on load data.

Mission 1 - get the scope zeroed at 100m, silencer on. (Rifle was sent with scope detatched.)
Mission 2 - get closer to an ideal load and to understand the rifle a bit better with lead bullets and silencer on.
Mission 3 - remove silencer and rezero with loads made up with "anticipated" sweet spot loads.

Load schedule

Test Round 1	67.30	gr.
Test Round 2	68.60	gr.
Test Round 3	70.00	gr.
Test Rounds 4, 5, 6	71.40	gr.
Test Rounds 7, 8, 9	72.00	gr.
Test Rounds 10, 11, 12	72.60	gr.
Test Rounds 13, 14, 15	73.20	gr.
Test Rounds 16, 17, 18	73.80	gr.
Test Rounds 19, 20, 21	74.40	gr.
Test Rounds 22, 23, 24	75.00	gr.
Test Rounds 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30	73.80	gr.

As this is a new rifle I always start with 3 underloaded test round to "feel out" the pressure. Load devlopment starts with a load of 71.4gr. the final load of 75.0gr. is theoretically overpressure. Will obviously stop when velocities indicate overpressure. I have assumed that the sweet load will be 73.8r. and the final shots will be the real mcoy.

Hopefully all goes well and I can get valuable load data.

Mission 4 - will be to develope a load with mono's. Think this will be my first rifle to shoot mono's exclusively.

Can't wait, will be on the range at 08:00 and will give feedback later, unless I have to visit the orthopedic surgeon first.

Cheers

**Ds J** · 21-09-2013, 05:00

Great stuff, enjoy the ride!

**camouflage762** · 21-09-2013, 05:03

I'll be following this thread with interest.

If you need a shooting range let me know.

**Willie Barnard** · 21-09-2013, 05:05

Congratulations with your new rifle Andrew,

May you spend many happy hours with her.

My .375 (Musgrave model 90)would only group with 300 gr bullets and then again with 200 gr Impalas.
She dislikes anything in between - 270, 235, 265 gr.
In 300gr she gave good results with Hornady, Sierrra, (conventional) and with Peregrine and Rhino.

If you are not completely satisfied with the 270 gr, consider other bullet weights.

Willie barnard

**Musgrave** · 21-09-2013, 05:23

Lekker Andrew! Enjoy getting to know that Sako.

I also got my first 375 this year - a CZ550. I decided to develop a hunting load with Hornady 300gr DGX bullets. They group well (3 shots in 25mm @ 100m) with a speed of 2400fps.

**Andrew Leigh** · 21-09-2013, 06:00

Thanks guys.

Was reading this a.m. that 300gr @ 2450fps seems to be a recipe of choice. A little too late now but hey, would rather start out with the 270gr. than sit at home for the morning

.

@Willie, points to ponder, results on the 270gr. will quickly let me know is she dislikes them. My mate had some laying around and that is why we selected them. My go to bullet is an Accubond, there is a 260gr available and then a 300gr partition. As stated will probably settle on a solid when the time comes, that will allow me to maximise most aspects of the calibre. For now it is simply time to "bond" with my new toy. Rather than just aimlessly firing away I like to take the opportunity to gather as much data as possible. Understanding what they do with the loads will help hone in on other loads much quicker.

Sun is up time to start packing, shooting table, bench rest, chrony, tripod, tool set, chair, cooler box, targets, and the list goes on.

Remounted the scope on the 6.5mm a little lower so need to get her back zeroed at 100m, gonna be a busy day.

**Maroelas** · 21-09-2013, 06:34

Enjoy it Andrew! I hope your shoulder survives up to shot 30! A 375 from the bench isn't a 30-06 from the bench :)

Let us know how she goes.

**MyLani** · 21-09-2013, 07:51

Absolutely nothing wrong with the 270gr bullets.
I use Claw Bonded 270gr in my 375. They are bonded, local, cheap, and they work on all the Eland and Giraffe.
If you decide to go for Buff, then I'd look at some 380gr Rhino's

**Messor** · 21-09-2013, 08:50

Originally Posted by Andrew Leigh

Can't wait, will be on the range at 08:00 and will give feedback later, unless I have to visit the orthopedic surgeon first.

Originally Posted by rboshoff

Enjoy it Andrew! I hope your shoulder survives up to shot 30! A 375 from the bench isn't a 30-06 from the bench :)

Now, I know Sako's are normally a bit on the lightweight side, and I don't know the suppressor make/type you fitted, but depending on what you drink these days, brandy, beer or detox tea, that you come back and say with the silencer on it kicks more or less like your 30-06, or less.

Since you're probably on the range now I'll accept the bet for you :)