[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Hello to everyone,
I have a 375 Socom barrel/bolt on the way. Its going to be a while until I have the upper done, but in the mean time I can gather supplies!
In looking at bullets for large deer/Elk max range 200 yards. The most readily available 200 grain is the Sierra 200 gr flat point. Then I see the 235 Speer hot core spitzer (out of stock everywhere !). I'd like a 200 gn spitzer but I don't see any that are available. (Maker 200 grain .375 high velocity tipped expanding bullet would work!)
Which of the two would you use? BTW really don't like the flat point. I have a lever action if I wanted that! What is the drop distance between the two? Energy difference at range ?

Thanks
Joe

 

[Moose Ears]

I have a 375 SOCOM also. The 200gr Sierra bullets shoot straight and hit hard with 51gr of 2520! I haven't tried heavier bullets after reading others results with the 235gr Speer bullets. It appears they start slower due to the weight and lack velocity to expand as they lose velocity downrange. Accuracy seemed to be lacking as well, for some reason. Take a look over at 458SOCOM Forum under the 375 subforum. That's where I've found my info.

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Thanks for the info
I also saw these. .375 SOCOM/Raptor 200 Grain JSP Bullets (no cannelure)

They look like the ticket!
Any hunting results?

 

[Big Bore]

The 230 Vollmer semi-spitzer won't start as fast as the 200s but they will have a better long range (250-300 yards) trajectory. The slightly heavier bullet holds its velocity better and therefore, shoots just a hair flatter. All the Vollmer bullets I have tested, 200-235 gr, FP and semi-spitzer, have given me MOA accuracy out of both my .375s with just about any decent load. MOA is the rule, not the exception with this caliber. Also, that Sierra I told you about on another forum is a very good performer although its poor BC really hinders down range trajectory.

I have also been testing some Maker bullets in various calibers, but not in the .375 yet, and the Makers are really getting my attention. They are super accurate in both .338 and .308 calibers and they are designed to expand at very low velocities, even the so called "HV" bullets. The 165 gr. .338 HV Rex bullet expands down to 900 fps impact velocity out of my .338 GRRR. And that is an actual measured velocity, not a guesstimate, and they expand fully in water at that velocity. I know, not as good as ballistic gel but that's what I have and water is always the same consistency unless it freezes. Like I am going to be testing bullets below 32*F, especially in water!

If I were looking for a solid copper bullet for the .375, I would try the Maker in 200 or 225 gr. weight T-REX bullets. The 235 gr. Barnes TTSX is a very poor choice. It shoots pretty good but it needs 1800 fps impact velocity and that really limits the useful range with that bullet in the .375 SOCOM. IIRC it runs out of expandable velocity at about 150 yards while the Vollmer expands in water very reliably down to 1500 fps and the Maker copper bullet will expand down to 1000 fps, I'd bet on it, even though I have not shot that specific bullet.

Both Tony and I had very poor results with the Speer 235 gr. bullet. It was OK and it had a great trajectory, but I got very inconsistent accuracy with it. I got good accuracy the first outing and got pretty excited about this bullet but subsequent testing showed accuracy was not consistent. This is the only bullet that has given me such variable accuracy with the same load.

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

The barrel came in today. Great fast service! Its a beauty. I got the matching bolt and upper.

I will have to try both the 200 and 235 Vollmers. They do look great. I will to try the T-Rex Makers too at some point. I like the look but have no experience with solid copper bullets and I will skip the Speers.

Do you have a recommended muzzle brake that is threaded for a suppressor?

Any real world hunting experience?

Thanks guys. I'm liking this big bore stuff !

 

[Big Bore]

I have zero experience with suppressors. I have no personal game kills with the .375 but Tony had some videos of pigs going to "meat" their maker (sorry) on his web site at one time. It puts those hogs down right there on the spot.
The Vollmer bullets are pretty thin jacketed and really are for deer sized game. I am not sure they would be suitable for heavy game like elk or moose. For that type of game, I would stick with the solid copper T-Rex Maker bullets. They expand double to triple the diameter and they normally stay together with 100% weight retention (OK, you might lose the plastic tip so make that 99.5%) but if one of the three pedals shears off, it makes for a very large secondary projectile that is going to do a world of damage on its own.

So long as you stick within the impact velocity limitation of the Barnes TTSX or TSX bullets, they are incredible killers. I have killed a ton of deer with the Barnes TSX and TTSX bullet in .458 caliber and they will shoot clean through a deer end to end out of a .45-70 at 1900 fps and turns their lungs and heart into soup with heart/lug shots side on. I trust those bullets to drop anything that walks but impact velocity on the .375 must be 1800 fps or more so as I mentioned above, that limits range. Within that range though, there is not an critter on the continent that is safe.

 

[Moose Ears]

At 200 yds max, the 200gr Sierra is going to make a clean kill if the bullet placement is good. You can push it to 2600 fps muzzle velocity with the sacrifice of a primer pocket after a few loadings. The flat nose of the Sierra will deliver the mail and punch a big hole through your elk at that distance.

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Thanks for the information guys. When I get the gun together ill post up some pictures

Joe

 

[48fora50]

NW those vollmer bullets normally get high praise and I have loaded some Maker 308s but not the 375s. The 168 grain 308 is outstanding, the Maker brand bullets have great reviews from everyone that I have read that have used them. I have some 375s at 200 grain but Have yet to load and use them. I'm hopeful for later. The 375 Socom is one of my favorite calibers, I hope you have fun with yours.

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

NW those vollmer bullets normally get high praise and I have loaded some Maker 308s but not the 375s. The 168 grain 308 is outstanding, the Maker brand bullets have great reviews from everyone that I have read that have used them. I have some 375s at 200 grain but Have yet to load and use them. I'm hopeful for later. The 375 Socom is one of my favorite calibers, I hope you have fun with yours.

Thanks. I have a few things to gather yet but hopefully it won't be too long. Biggest decision is the hand guard. Which one. I want a light weight and narrow one that has to fit over the gas block. Shouldn't be much of an issue as it takes the .750 GB; however I don't know if I want an adjustable one or not. Maybe subs, suppressed at some point although not a high priority. I'm leaning toward either seekins or midwest ind.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[backwoodsshooter]

Tagged for when I get my 375 raptor done......

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Tagged for when I get my 375 raptor done......

I looked at the 375 Raptor and looks like a lot more powerful round than the 375 Socom is. Very impressive cartridge. For me it would make more sense as a bolt action round. I'm not ready to make the leap to the G2 platform and the standard AR 308 platforms are too heavy for me without going to some of the light weight strategies. I might just have to find a Savage 308. thanks. I needed another gun !

Joe

 

[backwoodsshooter]

I looked at the 375 Raptor and looks like a lot more powerful round than the 375 Socom is. Very impressive cartridge. For me it would make more sense as a bolt action round. I'm not ready to make the leap to the G2 platform and the standard AR 308 platforms are too heavy for me without going to some of the light weight strategies. I might just have to find a Savage 308. thanks. I needed another gun !

Joe

Yea mine is a slow build. Just got my aero upper receiver in. I've noticed most big framed plat form parts is more available that the small frame counter parts. Plus I have plenty of 308 brass laying around lol.

My 358 and 375 are for bear and what ever other large game. I though about a bolt action in 375 rapoter but, eh, I ain't hiking for miles on end (just up mountains) to hunt

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Yea mine is a slow build. Just got my aero upper receiver in. I've noticed most big framed plat form parts is more available that the small frame counter parts. Plus I have plenty of 308 brass laying around lol.

My 358 and 375 are for bear and what ever other large game. I though about a bolt action in 375 rapoter but, eh, I ain't hiking for miles on end (just up mountains) to hunt

I finished the build, well mostly. I ended up using the Nordic Components slotted free float tube and a UTG A2 butt stock. I'm going to finish both in OD green to match the OD green Magpul grip. Shoots awesome ! Very happy with this build, only problem is that its a long wait until next deer season! A quick sight in on a less than perfect rest gave three shots right at an inch @100 yards. Very promising! Great quality barrel too

Thanks

 

[backwoodsshooter]

I finished the build, well mostly. I ended up using the Nordic Components slotted free float tube and a UTG A2 butt stock. I'm going to finish both in OD green to match the OD green Magpul grip. Shoots awesome ! Very happy with this build, only problem is that its a long wait until next deer season! A quick sight in on a less than perfect rest gave three shots right at an inch @100 yards. Very promising! Great quality barrel too

Thanks

Awesome. Hopefully I'll have mine together in the next couple months. I really thought about dumping my 358 barrel and components for now and swaping over my 375 barrel. I have a good amount of powder for my 375, my 358, not so much.

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Awesome. Hopefully I'll have mine together in the next couple months. I really thought about dumping my 358 barrel and components for now and swaping over my 375 barrel. I have a good amount of powder for my 375, my 358, not so much.

The deciding factor for me was the availability of factory ammo, though limited. I had originally ordered the 358 socom barrel but then learned the extra steps to make the 358 brass; though minor I can get loaded ammo and correctly headstamped brass for the 375 an order away. I cancelled the 358 and had the 375 on its way.

Thanks
Joe

 

[backwoodsshooter]

The deciding factor for me was the availability of factory ammo, though limited. I had originally ordered the 358 socom barrel but then learned the extra steps to make the 358 brass; though minor I can get loaded ammo and correctly headstamped brass for the 375 an order away. I cancelled the 358 and had the 375 on its way.

Thanks
Joe

Yea my end goal was to have the 358 socom/358win then a 375socom/375 raptor lol.

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Yea my end goal was to have the 358 socom/358win then a 375socom/375 raptor lol.

A worthy goal to be sure. I'm going to do the raptor next on a savage action. The 375 is a thumper for sure. I was shooting milk jugs! Good clean fun!
Good luck on your project
J.

 

[SMH]

I've not been too impressed by the big bore AR calibers up to now. This may change my mind.

 

[Moose Ears]

I've not been too impressed by the big bore AR calibers up to now. This may change my mind.

375SOCOM will put a smile on your face, after just one shot. I guarantee it!