It's winter here in Canada, which means I have too much time to think. I have been thinking that as much as I like my Model 70 375H&H, at almost 10lbs without a scope it is heavier than it needs to be for a 375.

I think a reasonable approach to this problem would be to attack it from two fronts with a pincer movement. Firstly by using a bigger bore cartridge to justify the weight, and secondly by reducing weight by having a bigger hole in the barrel.

I know the most reasonable approach would be to sell it and get a 416 Rem. But that would also be too normal.

Which leads me to a question for those with more experience than I. If I were to simply have the 375 rebored and rechambered to 400H&H, how much work would need to be done to make it feed well?

This would likely be followed in the future by a nice rust bluing, with some case colouring, and a top quality restocking.

Does this sound like a reasonable project?

Canadaboy,

Your project sounds great.

I don't see much on these forums about the 400 H&H so it would be fun to follow a build like this as it comes together.

You might want to check out the bottom metal Duane Wiebe makes and see if he has the correct box for the .400. I would think that one of Duane's setup would help with the feeding & reliability.

Keep us informed if you decide to go ahead with it...

Best,
Dave

Chopperguy here had a 400 H&H made by Jim Kobe that turned out to be spectacular. Contact Jim for the details.

Pretty sure a re-bore won't work because the 400 has such a long neck. I asked this question not long ago and got this answer. Bob

I strongly suspect that it would require both a rebore and a rechamber but it would be one hell of a grand gun. What many shooters fail to take into consideration is reliable and smooth feed. The H&H cartridges were always built with Africa on the mind and the knowledge that in dangerous game hunting, as in combat, reliability trumps everything. Though the ballistics of the .416 Rem and the .400 H&H don't differ by anything worth a bucket of warm spit, that long shoulder and tapered case are definitely worth the cost, especially if you find yourself the object of attention of some thoroughly pissed off griz.

This is why the 404-375 makes sense.

Canadaboy.....
This summer I re-barreled a new WIN Mod 70 in .375H&H to 400H&H using a Shilen carbon barrel with pretty much the same contour so little wood work was needed. Feeding problems were not an issue using the factory magazine box, I did however put in a second recoil lug to help with the extra energy. Like the 416's this cartridge is capable of pushing a 400grn bullet at 2400fps for 5000lbs of energy and do it with less pressure than the Rem and Taylor.
This gun has been quite accurate and very pleasant to shoot the only drawback is the availabilty of projectiles as the 400H&H is of .411 diameter. I found that there are plenty of .410 diameter projectiles available but you need to be able to change your resizing die for a smaller diameter neck. There is .411 stuff out there but most have been made for the 405 win and the traditionally made bullets should not be driving at the speeds the 400 is capable of.
I have been shooting the Barnes 300gr .411 dia TSX at 2550fps and have been loading Hawks 400gr .411 dia bullets at 2450, Northfork makes a 360gr .411 that I am interested in and have talked to both CEB and Northfork about the cost of producing .411 dia bullets. According to a Gulf Breeze firearms of Florida advertisement who sells Dakota rifles, Barnes is suppose to be loading factory rounds for the 400H&H only time will tell, I also am under the impression that Superior Ammo is loading for the 400 as well.
Good luck with your project if you undertake it and if you have any questions please PM me
All the best in the new year.....

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
This is why the 404-375 makes sense.

But the .375 already feeds like grass through a goose. Personally, I'd rather have more frontal area than more velocity.

It is very do-able and requires little rail work or magazine work..rebore and rechamber and most rebore businesses will do both at the same time at a very reasonable price...but I would suggest the .416 Rem. the 400 H&H has damn little to offer by comparison, and taking all into consideration. It was a "look what we did" by a traditionally "Look what we did" company..

quote:

Originally posted by Oldsarge:

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
This is why the 404-375 makes sense.

But the .375 already feeds like grass through a goose. Personally, I'd rather have more frontal area than more velocity.

The 423 bullet on the 375 case.
The 423 bullet eliminates the shoulder but maintaines body taper.

quote:

Originally posted by Zephyr:
Canadaboy.....
...the only drawback is the availabilty of projectiles as the 400H&H is of .411 diameter.

If I remember correctly, the 400H&H was made to shoot the same bullets as the .450/400 Nitro Express. I expect you will find any of the .410 bullets made by Hornady, Barnes, and Woodleigh and listed as appropriate for the .450/400 will also do equally well in the 400H&H.

I am about to have a 400H&H made up myself. It will also be made by re-barreling a 375H&H rifle. I have never fired a rifle chambered in 400H&H but I have played with some dummy rounds in a couple of rifles. The design is almost intuitive and I can only wonder why H&H or someone else hadn't gone that way before. In addition to the bullets I listed above, I plan to try the 300gr Barnes TSX. If the 400H&H is as much fun as I predict it will be, then I'll probably order a new gun in that caliber - maybe another single shot to match my .300.

Grenadier..... The bore dia of the 400H&H is .411 but you can shoot .410's dia bullets quite accurately. Reloading dies come with a .411 neck so you have to get a special neck sizing die. Beware the Woodleigh .410 dia 400gr softs they were designed for the 450-400 and their useful velocity range as published is 1800-2200fps. Rumor has it that they produced a batch of .410 400gr protected points for the 400H&H velocities and they are being loaded for H&H.

Woodleigh lists three different 400gr RN SP bullets for 450/400:

Catalog
Number.........Caliber
40 .............. .411"
40A ............ .408"
40B ............ .410" for Ruger 450/400 3"

Their number 40B bullet seems to be the most readily available.

Point taken about velocity. All three bullets have a recommended impact velocity of 1800-2200fps. A 400gr bullet fired from the 400H&H won't be down around 2200fps until about 50yds beyond the muzzle.

Anyone interested in a left handed one in 400 H&H? The one I built for Chopper guy will be in Dallas next week.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
Anyone interested in a left handed one in 400 H&H? The one I built for Chopper guy will be in Dallas next week.

Jim

Meaning it's for sale? Got any pictures, not going to Dallas