I might be able to pick up a really nice pre-64 model 70 in 375 H&H at an excellent price as an investment.

The problem is that the barrel is ported - a series of small round holes in the last 3 inches or so (no front sight - a low power Leupold scope is mounted).

Does this kill its value? Would anyone want something like this? If I chop the barrel a couple of inches would it be an abomination that would curdle the blood of every dangerous game hunter on the planet?

Opinions welcome.

Its' not an "investment" at this point. Just sayin..

Yup, agree with BSA, I'd go ahead and cut it, chit-canning those 'beta male' holes would help.

LOL, a 21 or 22 inch barreled 375 would hunt just fine, eh Buddy?

22 would probably be fine. I was once told a story about the hardest kicking "sombiotch" that was cut down to 20". My good ol smith said that sucker was loud as hell too. I wouldn't go below 21" personally... I always thought the one I sold you was damn near perfect. Even in the micky stock

Rah-Jah, that old sweetheart I got from you is a hard banging accurate sombitch!

She sure is sweet.... Now, if the OP can buy that 375 for cheap enough, it could also be made into a damn good custom too. There are many benefits of going to the H&H magnum action receiver pre 64 over the standard receiver. One being it's going to be a slightly lighter receiver, 2 is it will hold more magnum rounds than your typical "short action" magnum receiver. My 338 is damn near perfection and a great example of how the H&H receiver can be used:


7 pounds on the nose. Pic was taken before cerakote:


4 in the magazine and 1 in the pipe (5 rounds of magnum ammo) capacity and shoots 5 like this day in day out:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What they said! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ memtb

The mickey is nice, but I've retired her to a fair weather BASHER of game, both here and Africa. everything I pointed it at DIED post haste, and that includes a double tough blue wildebeest bull, PH said if you hit one wrong, he will show you all of Africa ; ]

Bashed his right shoulder in the thorn thickets at 20 yards, he didn't go 15 after, those bullets you sent done a bangup job Buddy.

That's awesome man. I'm glad you put that rifle and bullets to good use!!!!

And will for two or three more decades if granted!

I wouldn't hesitate buying a ported rifle if the price was right and using it as is, porting and all.

I had a 375 ported many years ago and was generally pleased with it overall.

"Kill it? No., but it would take a serious drop.. Maybe 1-1,000,000... I sure wouldn't..

With the porting, it's certainly not an investment - unless you can get it for fifty cents on the dollar.. Because either a new owner would most likely bob the barrel to get rid of the porting, or obtain the rifle as a new build project w/o the original barrel..

JMHO..

It sounds like the "Pendleton" brake. I'd not cut it off unless you just don't like it or accuracy is bad. Just my take on it.

I'd rather have a pre-64, but a good NH with some work isn't bad. This .375 H&H was cut to 21.5", fluted by Karl, still in factory tupperware.

DF





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