A friend just bought a Model 94 Big Bore in .375 Winchester and he's wondering if the 200 grain load manufactured by Winchester is adequate for use on Elk, Moose, and Brownie? If so, what are the maximum effective ranges in your opinion? I told him that I think the .375 Winchester is substantially better than the 30-30. He had to "hunt" the four corners of the earth to find the .375 in the Winchester 94. Must be a very rare bird.

Thanks for all you comments,
BOLTACTION

"Unless we protect the freedoms we enjoy, we will one day have no freedoms to enjoy."

Just glancing at a 2001 Winchester Ammunition Guide.
ENERGY
--------------------100yds-----200yds.
.375 Win.200gr.----1506 ft.lbs. 1034
30/30 170gr.-------1355--------- 989
30/06 180 gr.------2436---------2023

So its energy levels are a bit better than a 30/30 but not near a 30/06. It is an interesting cartridge for one who wants a little more power than a 30/30, in a lever action, without going for a really big bore like the 45/70, 444 Marlin or the 450 Marlin.

Edited by - Duffy on 02/10/2002 15:06:18

My brother had a 375 Win lever action. It didn't have much more kick or muzzle energy than my 30-30. I'd say it's pretty much maxxed out on whitetail deer and I wouldn't use it on anything bigger.

Lochorns is right. GO to sixgunner and Paco Kelly is the man when it comes to these winchesters big bores. He loads them way up and if memory serves me right said or did take cape buffalo. Or he knows of others that did and worked great. the win big bore 94 is in a different class than the marlins. Winchester is built better stronger and will stand much more pressure the marlins will. the 375 win big bore is the exact gun I am looking for. enjoy it I will when I get one.

Brian

This being the "Big Game Hunting" forum and not the "Reloading" forum I thought I'd restrict my comparison to Factory ammo. That is what most hunters shoot, I would guess. And factory ammo these days is not as anemic as some might think.

I have a a couple older loading manuals and a book called HANDLOADING FOR HUNTERS by Don Zutz. I compared the max loads in these books with what the 2001 Winchester Factory info I used above.(.375 Big Bore not in all so I compared .308win.)


.308--------150-------165------180 gr. bullets
Hornady-----2900------2700-----2600 feet/sec.
Speer-------2860------2680-----2574
Don Zutz----2825------2750-----2675
Win.Factory-2900------2680-----2620

If this FACTORY ammo is loaded "mild" I'd like to see some hot loads that the average hunter/ loader might cook up.

I went to "sixguunner.com" and looked for Paco Kelly's coments re: .375 Big Bore and could only find "The 375/356 Improved" article. Is this what you fellows are refering to? It is not saying much of anything about the standard .375 BB or even supped up loads for it (in the standard cases).

Robin

Duffy you missed the real story and the capabilities of this great round. It will take just about anything in North America and Africa. You should really read about this gun it is very enlightening.

brian

Edited by - 445 supermag on 02/12/2002 20:13:08