#2381469 - 08/20/08 02:07 PM
Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
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BCBrian
Campfire Guide
Registered: 12/26/03
Posts: 4079
Loc: Vernon BC Canada
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Once upon a time, Browning's 7 1/2 lb .375 was considered a very light rifle for such a cartridge. Then, last year, I noticed the Sako 85 was listed at only 7 lbs - even in .375 H&H. Now, I see the new Browning X in .375 H&H is listed at what I would call a "very light" 6 lbs 13 ounces.
I know that good stock design, materials and well designed recoil pads can go along way to mitigating the negative effects of recoil. But, with regards to a cartridge like the .375, I can't help but wonder - with these rifles will it be enough to counteract the lower weight?
In Northern B.C. with it's steep vertical landscape, a light rifle with such "oomph" would certainly not be out of place, especially when hunting grizzlies and moose.
_________________________
Brian
Vernon BC Canada
"Dance like nobody's watching. Love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening. Live like it's heaven on earth." Mark Twain
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#2381607 - 08/20/08 03:30 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: BCBrian]
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jkingrph
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Registered: 02/22/07
Posts: 58
Loc: E. Texas, N. Louisiana
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I just picked a CZ 550 Safari Classic, for the weight and bulk to the stock. With a Leupold VX2 2x7 it's almost 11 pounds and you can tell it is a man sized rifle when you pick it up. I do not plan on carrying it up and down mountains or hill, and just like shooting larger calibers so the weight will be a benefit from recoil control standpoint.
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#2381697 - 08/20/08 04:25 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: BCBrian]
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BobinNH
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Registered: 01/28/07
Posts: 5569
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Brian: I have a 375 on a pre-64 M70 action with a 24" kreiger;stock is a Brown Precision,and with Leup base and rings,and 4X scope it weighs about 8.25 lbs. You would not likely find it tough to carry,or to shoot as the Brown stock is very straight,and "gives" just a hair when fired. It does recoil a bit,but you'd never notice it while shooting at game. But I personally would not want a 6# 375 
I find it less jarring than a buddies 340 Weatherby.
You would find mine a satisfactory rifle for BC, I think...
Edited by BobinNH (08/20/08 04:26 PM)
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#2381845 - 08/20/08 05:37 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: BobinNH]
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Azshooter
Campfire Regular
Registered: 01/17/02
Posts: 1161
Loc: Tucson, Az.
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Brian,
Here is a recoil calculator. http://www.biggameinfo.com/index.aspx?page=%2frecoilcalc.ascx
Personally I draw the line with my 375 Taylor with a 260 accubond going 2775 with an 8 lb rifle. 42 ft/lbs of recoil. Can't imagine shooting a full load in a 375 H and H in anything lighter.
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#2383205 - 08/21/08 11:01 AM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: SuperCub]
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SuperCub
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 06/27/02
Posts: 1646
Loc: SJ/NB Canada
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Probably one of the best ways to get a LW 375 is just to buy one of those 700 SPSs in 375H&H, cut back the bbl to 22", get her tuned up and add a McMillan.
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#2383601 - 08/21/08 02:16 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: BCBrian]
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vigillinus
Campfire Guide
Registered: 03/18/02
Posts: 2501
Loc: Manhattan
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ow
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#2383661 - 08/21/08 02:49 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: vigillinus]
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raamw
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Registered: 08/23/02
Posts: 42
Loc: Lemont, Illinois
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I had two Browning A bolt in 375 SS one with boss and the other with a 26". I bought the boss equipped on to deal with the big bore effect but ended up trading it off for the longer barreled non boss. The boss cuts down the recoil but the recoil is not bad at all for a gun just over 7 pounds, negative drop in the stock is what makes it that way. My friend has an early 300 Weatherby and the muzzlewip and recoil would make a old man cry if he didn't know what he was in for
Edited by raamw (08/21/08 02:50 PM)
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#2383701 - 08/21/08 03:12 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: raamw]
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AcesNeights
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Registered: 05/29/08
Posts: 66
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I've got a Remington 700KS in .375 ouch and ouch and all up with sling, leupy and 3 rounds weighs 7lbs 15oz. Ain't too bad to shoot and it does that in spades. Always 1MOA or under doesn't much matter what ammo. She'll be my big gun in Alaska in 2 weeks. I will primarily be using my Montana in .325WSM.
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#2383782 - 08/21/08 03:48 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: AcesNeights]
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atkinson
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 03/04/01
Posts: 1769
Loc: Filer, Idaho, USA
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The problem I have found with light weight rifles is they get really bouncy in the tight of things and tend to wobble all over hell as your trying to take a stress shot..If you have plenty of time and can chose your spot and take a shot they are fine, but if you need to snap shoot a charging buffalo or Lion then your probably in deep do do! or make a running shot on a Kudu in the thick stuff or a sheep going over a saddle..
I like a 9 to 9.5 Lb. rifle and if thats too heavy to carry all day then someone needs to run some miles every day and drop about 25 pounds, that makes your gun a lot lighter.
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#2384544 - 08/21/08 10:13 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: atkinson]
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RinB
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Registered: 03/05/08
Posts: 137
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I have had several lw 375's. The first was a Pre 64 M70 375 Ackley. By the way it is a real gain in velocity over the H&H. I was shooting 250 grain Bitteroot's at 3100fps. It weighted 7 3/4 pounds and was a handful. I had a second one whose nick name was THOR. Both were real thunder gods but they were very difficult to control. The first got a new barrel and the second went away. Next I tried a std H&H at 8 1/2 pounds and with 300 grain bullets at 2450 it was much nicer. The classic formula for the light 375 was first built by Al Biesen for John Jobson. Jobson had very specific thoughts of what he wanted. Biesen resisted building it but on completion he liked it so well that many more were constructed. It is a 23" barrel and a finished weight of 8 3/4 pounds w/o shells and sling. It was a great formula then and remains so today. I would follow that exactly.
Edited by RinB (08/21/08 10:15 PM)
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#2387132 - 08/23/08 09:34 AM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: BCBrian]
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BobinNH
Campfire Tracker
Registered: 01/28/07
Posts: 5569
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BC: The other day I shot mine, field prone, at 300 yards.I had not previously shot it in a few months.It comes back, but as you point out,the recoil velocity seems like more of a push,slower than a light STW,300,etc.I can't say I'm the least uncomfortable with it.I practice off hand with it and seem to do as well as with any 300 mag.
Handed it to friend who had not fired the rifle before,and he said it was no problem to shoot.I would not be concerned about a 375 weighing 8-8.5 pounds in a synthetic stock.Another match shooter at our club wrapped up in the sling with this rifle and started throwing 10's at 300 yards with it.
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#2387583 - 08/23/08 02:54 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: BobinNH]
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Josh Sorensen
Campfire Regular
Registered: 10/29/00
Posts: 273
Loc: Anchorage, AK
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Until recently I had a winchester 70 classic in 375 H&H. It had been highly customized to be very light weight. The barrel contour was turned down, cut at 20", and all excess metal removed from the action. It ended up weighing right at 6lbs 4oz with the scope detached. The scope brought it up to about 7 1/2 pounds. It was a joy to carry and hunt with. Recoil was brisk but not unmanagable and it was very accurate. I wouldn't think twice about owning a second lightweight 375 H&H they don't kick nearly as hard as poeple are afraid they will. I might even go up to a 375 RUGER or Weatherby on the next one.
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#2387614 - 08/23/08 03:16 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: Josh Sorensen]
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SuperCub
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 06/27/02
Posts: 1646
Loc: SJ/NB Canada
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........ Nice! 
.
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#2387626 - 08/23/08 03:24 PM
Re: Lightweight 375 H&H's - anyone shooting them?
[Re: SuperCub]
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Mark R Dobrenski
Campfire 'Bwana
Registered: 04/19/01
Posts: 13120
Loc: Bozeman, Montana
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........ Nice! .
Big time one of the nicest rigs to ever show it's face around the Fire! That and my G33 in a 270 and a good 223 and life is good...
Dober
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