Some of you know I shoot a 380PDK. Based on a blown out 280 case it will push a 260gr Accubond at 2700 fps. Many of you might not be familiar with the 380 Howell designed by the late Ken Howell for American Hunting Rifles.
Below left to right is the Basic 375 Whelen, 380PDK(using 280 brass)380PDK (on Howell brass) the 380 Howell and of course 375 H&H.


The basic difference between the Howell and PDK is the Howell is 2.6" has a 35 deg vs. 40deg shoulder and the PDK is .46 at the shoulder. The Howell is a touch less. Close enough that we can use Howell as a crush fit and fireform.

I "think" the Howell on a "net" capacity basis is a couple grains smaller than the PDK.

I need another 380 like I need another hole in my head. Since my chest surgery last fall I'm light years from being able to shoot my 380 & 400.

All this rambling brings me to the purpose of this post. Wayne at American Hunting Rifles has a fully finished 380 Howell built on a 550 action AAA wood for the bargain basement price of $2995. http://americanhuntingrifles.com/?page_id=66.
That is several $100 less than his Grade 3 Walnut CZ550 upgrade. He has ammo, dies and brass available. I believe his ammo is 270gr and 2550-2600fps.

So there you go H&H velocity, 5 down, custom rifle for under $3000.

Please save me from myself. I don't need another 380 can't be for sure I'll get to shoot the one I have. But, I can't help but go look every couple days seeing if it is still there.

NO! we will not save you, this site is for enablers ONLY!

Beautiful stick, I'd have to grab it were I in the market.

Oh, and the new 250 gr TTSX's at 2700 fps is the very definition of skookum.

Buy it man. You only live once. I might be trying my 375H&H out on elk this year, if the 338 doesn't tag one first... . There's just something about the 375H&H pushing a 260gr. partition at 2,800 fps....

bsa,
As I said I shoot a 380PDK as well as a 400PDK. The Howell gives me nothing I don't already have. But, it is a heck of a deal and I would probably buy it "just because" Except for a major issue. Had a sternum infection last fall. Lost 1/3 of my sternum which is now filled with my right pectoral. Using a chest shield and past recoil pad my 280 & 340 leaves me not wanting to pull the trigger on a second one. Their recoil is far less than a 380 or 400. I simply don't know if I will ever be able to handle the heavy recoil again.

So when I saw Wayne drop the price I wanted to share the deal with someone that could use it. So if someone wants a hard hitting 375 go for it.

Good luck with your H&H. That Howell would probably only get someone 2700fps with the part.

Sorry to hear that ramrod. I'd be worried about recoil at that point too. A guy has to know where to draw the line.

Wow, beautiful rifle and seems like a good deal.

But, as someone once said, "a man's got to know his limitations"

Wow, that's a steal. I was just looking at that and it was $5k.

what else you got to spend the money on? I say go for it if it's not milk or rent money.

You don't need fancy walnut H&H velocity or 5 down which you will never need at one time. Not long ago I have seen Strum & Ruger Hawkeye .35 Whelen with Vortex scope listed for $700. That is all one would hope to need living in Colorado USA. If you buy that rifle and try to sell it later you will loose 30% of purchase price. Trust me finding someone that wants .380 Howell will be next to impossible.

Need? Want? Resale? ROFLMAO

Heck 90+% of all rifle purchases aren't needed. Yep most wildcats including my PDKs have a poor resale value. You couldn't replace the action and stock for that price.

Bargain basement 30-06 and basic 4x scope would cover most if not all NA big game. What would be the fun of everyone having the same rifle in camp. What would we argue about??? Sports??

If he put together .338WinMag or .35 Whelen he would not have to offer it at reduced price. Most out there don't even know what .380 Howell is.