This rifle is available in 300wby, so is the magazine able to handle the 375HH? I don't have the rifle available to measure the magazine, does anyone have an idea of why this wouldn't work? Also, I figured on using a sako classic McMillan, and wondered how that pattern might do on a rifle that kicks such as the 375. Thanks for any help.

Sure, that should be no problem, the Sako Classic wouldn't scare me either.

Yeah, I haven't handled a sako classic, but figured to do a gelcoat classic stock, a 3x20FXII and talleys. Got any ideas of what Douglas contour you'd do?

Do it: I had a Vanguard 7mm rebarreled with a new take off Howa 375 Ruger barrel; it cycled like "buttah" and shot to an inch or a little better right out of the gate; sold it to local guy who was planning to take it to Africa.

Go 375 Ruger; shorter, faster, better.

That's an idea. The problem, is there's only two magnums that are interesting to me, and they're the old H&H's. I don't "need" a magnum, i might as well get the old classic. the rifle is currently a 257wby, but i just can't warm up to it. Was the howa barrel a regular magnum contour or heavier? how was the recoil?

If you got a 257 Roy, slap a H&H tube on it, no reason to go Ruger.

What do you think, a 12 twist #3 or #4 douglas at 23"? I've got it in a Boyds laminate for now, maybe I'll hold off on the McMillan until i shoot it. But that stock is heavy.

Either should be fine.

it was from the factory; sporter contour

It was a 24" barrel and the gunsmith didn't have to cut it back to get it to headspace. I thought it was a smoother "push" than my 20" 375 ruger.

Thanks all for the info and input. I really should look into flipping the rifle for what I can get, and putting the money toward something more useful to me, like a 6.5 creedmore, . I have this magnum action rifle sitting here, and didn't know what else to do with it.

You won't have a problem flipping a 257 Roy; that is a really popular cartridge/rifle combination. I had one and sold it in no time.