Dave: You nailed it....John George's lightweight 375H&H by Shelhammer was precisely the rifle I was refering to....
He had a second one in 300H&H built pretty much the same way.
Another noteworthy guy who built a similar rifle was John Jobson of Sports Afield.He had Al Biesen turn down the barrel of a M70 375 and cut it off to 23",(likely copying George's rifle)and had it stocked by Biesen as well.The finished product was 9 pounds(the weight of 375 Ruger African). Jobson used it both here in North America and in Tanzania to take buffalo and elephant among other animals.
This was common practice because even back then folks found that M70's could be on the heavy side,and many were turned down and lightened by savy guys.The Ruger African is a faithful reproduction of those rifles and the biggest factor in the weight of the rifle is the contour of the barrel,and the slim dimensions of the stock.the action has next to nothing to do with it.
Current Winchester 375's are still too damned heavy; no need for it at all and if you end up with a heavy 375H&H its your owned damned fault.
