.375 JDJ question
 

I'm considering purchaseing a 15" .375JDJ pistiolbarrel for my Encore to use when in my blind. The longest shot from the blind is about 100 yards with most in the 50 to 60 yard range. My question is how much of a drop is there at 100 yards? I imagine it has great knock down power, as I want to use it on bear as well as deer. I'm also thinking of leaving my thumbhole stock on the Encore instead of the pistol grips and using a red dot scope.
Any thoughts?

RE: .375 JDJ question
 

Data for this cartridge doesn't grow on trees but Hodgdon shows about 2000 fps with the 300 grain Hornay RN ans 2202300 for the 200 grain Sierra FN. Tragectory for these bullets is not great as the 300 gr would drop 11 inches when zeroed as 100 yards. I know there are some good spire point bullets available that would increase its effective range bu a good amount. I have studied this cartridge quite a bit and I know that many Elephants and cape buffalo have been taken with it. Do a search for data on the JDJ cartridges. I think Hornady makes loaded ammo for it as well. I picked up a Encore yesterday in 405 Winchester which falls into the same class of thumpers. T/C has brought this old goodie back. Don't overlook the 45-70 barrel and believe it or not the 35 Remington is a great caliber in the Encore and Contender and will reach about 21-2200 fps with the 180 and 200 grain Spire points.

RE: .375 JDJ question
 

And it's not legal to leave the TH stock on w/ the 15" pistol barrel... it's considereda short barreled rifle at that point.

RE: .375 JDJ question
 

James B thanks for the info. KBacon, I was wondering about that, thanks for clearing it up for me. I love this board:)

RE: .375 JDJ question
 

I have had 375 JDJ (14" Contender)for years and have tried various bullet weights from 200-300grs. While the 300 gr Sierra BTSP and 300gr Hornady RN shoot well for me I chose the 220 gr Hornady FN for deer and hog load. I dont have my load data onhand but do remember I used IMR-4064 with a Rem formed case which pushed it right at 2200 fps. Never had to make a shot over 120 yards withthe 375 JDJ and can say it's quite capable of taking deer size game with authority. Recoil isnt as bad either with the lighter bullets.

As already stated about the 15" barrel on a shoulder stock, please check your state laws concerning OAL. Here, it would be considered a short barreled rifle. Min barrel legnth, 16" and an OAL no less than 26". Best to play it safe with the laws.

RE: .375 JDJ question
 

I have a 17" SSK barrel on my old style Contender with a rifle stock. It just makes it past the legal over all length. I zero it 2" high at a hundred. I have made a 130yd shot with it. I love it, i think you will too. Yes it has plenty of power. Look at Handgun Hunter Magazines web site. There are some articles on this cartidge, and the bragging board has a few pics of animals takin with it.

RE: .375 JDJ question
 

i agree with James B that info for this caliber is hard to come by.
if you contact SSK industries they might send you there reloading data ,they did for me.
i have found that R15 and Speer 235 gr work very well ,using 54 gr of power , velocity is over 2200 fps.
my second choice is a Sierra 250 gr sbt
the info that i got from SSK shows a 270 hornaday RN with 52gr ofRE 15
the velocity they show is 2128 fps.
the recoil is on the severer side ,i hope you have the rubber grip,i cant even imagine why any one would want to use the wood grip. other than that ,hold on and don't let it go off untill your ready.

RE: .375 JDJ question
 

You might think about leaving the thumbhole buttstock on there and adding a couple of inches to the barrel. BATF regs specify the attachment mustbe, as a minimum,spot welded or silver soldered in place to qualify as "permanently attached". Red loctite doesn't meet their definition. Could be something as simple as apiece of steel tubing with an inside diameter the same as the outside diamter of the barrel's muzzle. These guns are a real handful with just the pistol grip.

RE: .375 JDJ question
 

I checked the NYS DEC regs, aslong asthe barrel is under 16" it's considered a pistol if it can be shot with one hand. I talked to a local DEC Officer who informed me that the ThumbHole stock is considered a pistol grip because you can shoot it with one hand (not that you would want to). He also stated that you must have a pistol permit in order to carry it. I'm not surehe knows what he's talking about, he was a little confused when I asked him about it, hesaid he's never heard of anybody using a thumbhole stock with a15" barrel before.

RE: .375 JDJ question
 

If it has a shoulder stock and a barrel less than 15"... then it's a short barreled rifle.. and according to FEDERAL REGULATIONSit is NOT LEGAL!!!