RHP

The 375 has considerably more power than the 30-30. Range wise, it may have a little extra but is not all that much different than the 30-30 in the trajectory department. I would probably limit it to 165 to 200 yards, not from lack of power but from bullet drop. As for cost of ammo, if you are buying factory it is going to be MUCH more expensive than the 30-30 or 30-06. If you handload then the cost differential is not so big of a deal.

SC Reb

 

Neither cartridge compares to the '06 in trajectory or power. The 30-30 will be cheaper than either of the others. The 375, in the Winchester Big Bore model, can toss a 250gr bullet at speeds over 2200fps, and a 200gr at around 2500fps.

Where the '06 trumps both is in the long range sector. Due to more streamlined bullets, and higher muzzle velocity it retains enough energy to kill deer cleanly at 800yds, if you do your part. The 30-30 is, on a good day, a 300yd deer round.

In terms of price it would be the 30-30, 30-06 and 375, from cheapest to most expensive.

 

Thanks,that about sums up what I was thinking. In the long run, I'm trying to figure out if the nice condition Marlin would be a better buy than buying a new gun at this time.

 

If you can get into the 375 at a good price, it will increase in value where the new 30-06 will decrease as soon as you shoot it. DP

 

Depending on the bullet, the .375 Win offers about 400-500 ft pounds more energy than the .30-30 at the muzzle - on the order of about 20-25% more energy. That's significant but not earthshakingly so and it's still 500 ft pounds or so behind a .30-06.

In terms of a point blank range with the trajectory within plus or minus five inches of the line of sight, the .375 will extend the 30-30s range by 10-20 yards depending on the bullet - so about 240-250 yards tops.

Ammunition cost for the .375 is outrageous at around $2.50 per round in a 20 round box from Winchester. What's worse is that it's hard to find. Winchester used to sell both a 200 and a 250 gr load but has long since discontinued the 250 gr load and it's rarely found on store shelves. That makes it pretty much a reloading only proposition if you actually plan to shoot it on a regular basis.

Reloading wise Hornady offers a 220 gr bullet that's readily available, otherwise other suitable jacketed bullet options are scarce. There are however a variety of lead .38-55 bullets available that can be used in the .375 Win and they are both affordable and loads of fun. Given the velocities involved, with a 250 to 280 gr gas checked bullet, you can get full performance out of the .375 Win without leading issues. You can also go up to 300-335 grain bullets without gas checks and get very good performance. It's a lot of fun and the Winchester Big Bore 94 uses a fast twist that works well with the lower velocities that come with heavy bullets.

I won't comment on the .30-30 being a 300 yard cartridge or the .30-06 killing cleanly at 800 yards other than agreeing in a purely theoretical sense. In practical application most shooters don't shoot well enough to connect effectively with either of them at the ranges in question - the .30-30 drops like a rock beyond 250 yards making precise range estimation paramount, and the vagaries of range estimation and wind effects on suitable .30-06 hunting bullets reduce the one shot PK at 800 yards to levels I'm just not comfortable with. And, even having spent countless hours and thousands of rounds on the 600 yard line, I'd give serious pause at shooting at game at 800 yards purely for ethical reasons. Your opinions may vary and that's fine.

I certainly do agree that a good .375 will hold it's value while a new .30-06 will not. And the .375 will be more fun to shoot!

 

Out to 200 yards, the .375WCF 220gr. is pretty close to the 220 gr. 30-06. So you get 06 performace from a handy lever. Either is a better choice for game heavier than deer. The 06 flattens out and hits harder down range.

 

I just acquired a .375 Win. Buy it! You won't regret it, also the kind gents. here informed me Marlin only did 16,315 in that caliber.

 

06s are a dime a dozen,get the 375.If you miss it it may be a long while before you cross another.I had 2 375s a marlin and a ruger#3,I sold the marlin for what I paid for it,and have been kicking myself ever sense.I ended up just finding and buying another for about $200. more than the the one I sold. Not the smartest from a $$ stand point,but I can rest easy

 

I would say get the .375 while you have a chance, you can always pick up an 06 later

 

Get the M375 and enjoy it. You can always sell it imediately here on MO if you get bored with it.

I bought one, but I had so much fun with my second one that I just had to buy a third one.

 

Well I went and looked at it again today. They would not budge on the price ($625). I told them if they could throw in some ammo I would take it. They searched high and low but could not find any. I had already looked for some locally and there was non to be found. I don't want to put out that much coin for a gun I can't shoot.

 

You can form 375 cases out of 30/30 brass or use 38/55 brass as is. It is easy to load for and very economical. Besides factory loads are not very impressive. You need to reload for this calibre and ideally cast your own. Sell the 30/30 if you have to.

 

You can form 375 cases out of 30/30 brass or use 38/55 brass as is. It is easy to load for and very economical. Besides factory loads are not very impressive. You need to reload for this calibre and ideally cast your own. Sell the 30/30 if you have to.

Absolutely. I shoot my .375 a lot more than my .30-30, and I've fire formed more than half of the 500 or so rounds of new .30-30 brass I had sitting around to .30-30>.375 brass.

 

Greetings
Get the Marlin while you can. There will not be anymore and there will always be a new 30/06 sitting on the shelf.
Have been shooting 38's longer than 30-30 and have no regrets. The 255 grain 38 caliber lead pills will do far more damage than a 170 grain .310. And you will get the plus factor of the 375 caliber. Built for higher pressure. You will not be sadened with this opportunity to own a classic caliber.
Mike in Peru

 

You can find ammo online for a lot cheaper than the Winchester factory ammo.
.375 Winchester - Reed's Ammunition & Research, LLC
Wisconsin Catridge use to have it and will maybe load more?
Of course reloading is the way to go for cheaper ammo if you are set up for reloading.
You can find the Winchester factory loads on the net a midwayusa or natchezss.com
Winchester Super-X Ammo 375 Winchester 200 Grain Power-Point
Ammo | Rifle | 375 Winchester - Natchez Shooters Supplies

 

I went by there again today and it was still there calling my name. Being a little short on cash I did the next best thing, put it on layaway. So I'll have a little while to find some ammo and dies for reloading.

Here is a not so good cell pic to hold me over until I get it home.

 

A very, very wise choice my friend. Read all you can on the cartridge, do a search on this site and Beartooth's site. This may well become your favorite rifle. For sure one all your friends will NOT have. DP

 

you will have a lot more fun with the .375,more so when you start casting and loading for it,and (you will) . its hard to explain the fun factor with big bores and cast bullets

 

Well fire forming the 30-30 brass sounds like fun and after a quick search around the web, it looks like that's what I'll be doing. I have seen some factory ammo in some of my recent ammo searches locally but I wasn't paying much attention to it at the time. I'll have check a few places next time I go to the range in PA, ammo seems to be cheaper up that way so I'll get a couple of boxes to get me started.
Thanks Rick

 

the 30 cases will come up a little short but you can seat the bullets a little farther out, by the way factory rounds are very impressive on my sholder

 

Well done on the purchase.

30/30 cases will be about 1mm shorter than 375 cases but you will also gain a little in capacity. I run 375, 38/55 and re-formed 30/30 cases in my 375, but keep them separate for different loads because capacities are different. If you are going to reform 30/30 cases try to stick to one brand as I have found that case capacities to vary widely amongst different brands. If the brass has been used previously it is best anneal neck and shoulder before reforming.

When you buy your dies also get yourself a Lee Factory Crimp die for the 375. It will make crimping different length cases easier. It also allows you to optimise OAL as many cast bullet designs in this calibre are set up for 38/55.

 

You wont regret the purchase, but if you do just let me know, I might just make you an offer.

Keith

 

Well four months later, it is finally home. The only factory ammo I came across was at Gander Mountain in Harrisburg PA and they wanted $80 a box, I said no way. So I'll have to start out with my reloads, I loaded 10 of the Sierra 200gr fn with Rel 7 and 10 with 3031 and I've got the Lee 379-250-RF mold coming from Midway.
The bad part is... I've been off work for a few days and will be busy for the next 3 or 4 so I won't be able to get to the range until next week.

 

get busy with that mold, when you start shooting cast there is no going back. plus you will never have to buy ammo or bullets again. after you get tired of being slapped around try the 38-55 page in your book.

 

Does that mean I'm going to be in for a butt woopin when I get to the range? I was already eyeing up the reduced loads, I was was going to hold off on them until I get to shoot it a bit.
It would be nice to have some factory ammo to compare. The bummer is that I had seen 375win ammo on the shelfs for months before I put money down on this gun. Oh well...we can only hope that the anti-gunners are pushed back soon.

 

She looks good! Congrats on your find. DP

 

The rifle looks like it's in great condition and I've seen them go for more than you paid, so you did well. If you need to get some factory ammo, HSM also makes a load using 220gr Hornady flat points with a MV of 2150fps, and it's $35 a box (when they make it again). HSM 375 Winchester 220 gr. Jacketed Flat Point, New