[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

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

You are spot on. Very fun and accurate. I did end up getting the Tromix magazine followers. The regular 556/223 magazines worked ok but I like how the Tromix guarantees center feeding. YMMV.

 

[cowboybart]

I don't have any experience with the SOCOM, but, I too, am putting a Raptor together. Looking at Raptor ballistics, they are similar to the 375 JDJ in a Contender. I am very familiar with the JDJ and mine really likes the Hornady 270 gr bullet. For elk I would lean toward the heaviest bullet that your barrel and magazine like. If you are hunting elk in grizzly country, then the 270 is where I would start. If ALL things are perfect and you get a good hit, elk will go down with a 200/235gr with no issues. If you misjudge the wind, distance or shooting angle, a wounded bull elk can soak up lead like there is no tomorrow!!

 

[Moose Ears]

Just don't expect the heavier 375 bullets to expand at SOCOM velocities. They are made for African plains calibers. The 200gr shoot like a laser beam from my rifle but like any large bore, they drop off quickly after 200yds. Also, the 270gr start a lot slower than the 200gr. Even the 235gr is considerably slower to start off.

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Just don't expect the heavier 375 bullets to expand at SOCOM velocities. They are made for African plains calibers. The 200gr shoot like a laser beam from my rifle but like any large bore, they drop off quickly after 200yds. Also, the 270gr start a lot slower than the 200gr. Even the 235gr is considerably slower to start off.

I've looked at the ballistics and agree that the heavier 375 bullets wouldn't open at the Socom velocities. I will limit myself to the 235 grainers. But after a few shots on deer, I'll get an idea of how they handle heavier game. We have some big deer in Northern Wisconsin. I would wager that the 235 would hit pretty hard for a short/medium range gun.

That said I am going to build a 375 Raptor on a savage bolt action next.

Thanks guys
J

 

[Raffica762]

Love my 375 Socom

 

[cowboybart]

The 250 Sierra from my 14" 375 JDJ Contender dropped a nice 5x4 whitetail in his tracks. It was close (about 75 yds) and no bullet was recovered. I'd have to look up the velocity, but I would guess in the 2000fps range. I don't know if the Sierra will expand at that velocity or not, but the critter died none the less.

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

The 250 Sierra from my 14" 375 JDJ Contender dropped a nice 5x4 whitetail in his tracks. It was close (about 75 yds) and no bullet was recovered. I'd have to look up the velocity, but I would guess in the 2000fps range. I don't know if the Sierra will expand at that velocity or not, but the critter died none the less.

I really like my Socom too. Very nice shooter, looking forward to fall hunting for sure. I bet those 200 grain flat points will do very well on the deer as well

Thanks, Joe

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Its been a while, but I have some 200 grain Maker solid copper bullets and I'm ready to start loading. I don't have or haven't seen any load data for that bullet. Can I use starting loads for the 200 grain Sierra? I have AR Comp. I'm sure I will have to adjust the COL considering a minimum .050 bullet to land jump for the solid copper bullet. I haven't measured anything yet, just looking for a starting point for anyone who has used this bullet

Thanks

 

[Moose Ears]

The 375 working pressure is relatively low as long as you use the appropriate powders such as ARComp and A2520. Start at the lower load data and work up.

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Do you agree with starting .050" off the lands for solid copper bullets ?
Thanks, J

 

[Moose Ears]

Some bullets like more jump to the lands than others. It varies sometimes with different bullet/powder combos, but that's more of an accuracy issue. Pressure is affected slightly when there is no jump but slight diff in jump doesn't have an adverse affect on pressures that I've seen. Again, you're not in pressure danger with the proper powders.

 

[cowboybart]

This is apples to oranges but; this year I worked up my 6.5x47 Lapua using old skool Barnes X bullets. I tested at .100", .150" & .200" off the lands. Not happy, I went to .050" and .025" off the lands. The winner was .025" off the lands.
The results at 147 yds:

 

[NW_Dear_Hunter_44]

Thanks for the reply. I ended up loading some 200 grain Maker hi velocity bullets. The gun just plain shoots, 18" Tromix. I was happy with 3/4" groups with the SBR 200 grain Sierra flat points, but these Maker bullets beat that, closer to a half inch! Not sure how fast they were moving, best guess is about 2350 fps. I didn't do much load development due to components being scarce as they are and this is quite good enough for anything I plan to do. Anyone looking to load these bullets in their 375 Socom needs to start low and not use the max load data for the 200 grain Sierra. The Maker is a long bullet with a boat tail and sits pretty deep in the case and I stopped well below that.

Be safe and start low!