Since you speak of weight more in terms of balance, I’d consider lopping off two or three inches of barrel. Better to go to the gunsmith’s shop and cut and try an inch at a whack. He can finish it off after it feels right to you.
I have an older Sako in .375 H&H that has a factory sporter weight tapered barrel, front sight only. I was worried that it would be tough to shoot but it really isn't. Basically like shooting heavy loads out of a 12ga shotgun. My guess is that it weighs 8 lbs scoped.
Work is what you do to finance your real life.....
I'm down to 3 375s again. My favorite is the last one to show up, a Model 70 Alaskan. It weighs in at 8.5 pounds with a 3.5-10 Leupold. Someone should tell Winchester's advertising folks to fix that on the spec sheet. A .375 doesn't have to weigh 10 plus pounds, one of my 270 featherweights (Cabelas supergrade featherweight) weighs tiny bit more and the other a tiny bit less. That changes things.
The .375 is one of the most useful cartridges around, esp if its packaged as a sporter instead of a express rifle. I load 235s in mine and trajectory is basically a match for run of the mill 300 Win loads out to 500.
Life begins at 40. Recoil begins at "Over 40" Coincidence? I don't think so.
I have two rifles in 375 H&H - one with a 24 inch barrel and one with a 26 inch barrel. I've killed a lot of game in Africa with my model 70 safari magnum.
But, I also have two Steyr Prohunters in 376 Steyr. They have 20 inch barrels and push factory 270 grain loads at 2600 fps. That may be all you need.
My 376 Steyrs are very handy rifles in the bush and drop black bears with aplomb.
NRA Endowment Member Firearms Accumulator Proud Trumpster!!
I have had a Mauser .375 that went about 6.5 pounds plus scope. I couldn't keep a scope zeroed on that rifle. I lost count of how many Leupolds that rifle ate, including an older M8 4x that I bought in like new condition. After a few years and 600-800 rounds, I decided that rifle was a little light.
Have had a Kimber Talkeetna, which was just about right regarding weight for a .375. Also, currently have a Model 70 Classic Stainless and Blaser R8, which are both plus or minus 8 pounds before scope and seem about right.
I have had a Mauser .375 that went about 6.5 pounds plus scope. I couldn't keep a scope zeroed on that rifle. I lost count of how many Leupolds that rifle ate, including an older M8 4x that I bought in like new condition. After a few years and 600-800 rounds, I decided that rifle was a little light.
Have had a Kimber Talkeetna, which was just about right regarding weight for a .375. Also, currently have a Model 70 Classic Stainless and Blaser R8, which are both plus or minus 8 pounds before scope and seem about right.
IMO, around 8#'s all up is about ideal for a .375 H&H.
I have a Remington 700 SPS Big Game. 375 H&H Magnum. My opinion is that this type of rifle should be fired from the standing position. Our gun club built a bench for this purpose for the muzzleloaders and 12 gauge slugs.
I would rather sight in a rifle than a 12 gauge with slugs anytime.
I think a 375 rifle is perfect for bear and moose. Anyone who has ever followed a wounded bear near water (swamp) knows this.
I like to do my hunting BEFORE I pull the trigger! There is only one kind of dead, but there are many different kinds of wounded.