I have just started a 375 WSM build, I am finally comfortable with my specs enough to go ahead before I change my mind again.

What I want to be able to do with this gun, is have a light, handy, powerful gun for deer drives and short range shots. (say around 400 and in)

Below are the specs for the gun:

Manners MCS-SL (carbon fiber filled stock, 1.5 lbs)
Bartlein 16" #3 contour barrel (not sure what this will weight)
Remington 700 SA w/ larger bolt knob (again not sure on weight)
Badger M5 magazine system (not sure on weight on this once again)

For deer to 400 yards, what bullet would be the best choice, and what optic? I'm more familiar with precision rifles where weight isn't a concern, but with this build I want it to be solely for hunting.

I have a customer who built one on a Tikka T3 action.

We are just making a Laminated stock for it at the moment.

Let me know how it feeds, I have a 450 Marlin Steyr SBS and I hate the plastic stock. I have thought about building a AICS system for it.

I'll ask him but he didn't say it didn't feed the other day as he threw the action into a Thumbhole Stock that he purchased for his other Tikka just so he could fire a shot out of it and said it certainly went bang !!!

Now I know a Thumbhole stock is certainly not conducive in that heavy recoiling a gun but he desperately wanted to fire it.

I'll keep you informed.


MOA
Where in Australia are you ?
Are you in Brisbane ?

I am in Victoria.

I have a M70 in .416 WSM Functions flawlessly and shoots sub-moa using Norma Brass. Not so good with Winchester Brass.

Tyler,
Sounds interesting.
You can certainly go no lighter or shorter on that barrel!
Might consider adding some length to the barrel for balance
of that heavy stock.
Also would add some velocity for those short shots of 400 or less yards.
Optic: Leupold vx3 2.5-8X and you won't go wrong.

How will the VX-2 1-4x be? It weights next to nothing. Next option was the 2.5x Ultralight. Either scope will be in extra low mounts as the stock has no cheekpiece to speak of.

I was thinking 416 WSM years ago when I got my 270 WSM but the gun fed horribly so I got rid of it.

I would think with the 16" barrel and short case you would look at 260gr Accubonds for speed. I could see 250TTSX's or similar too. You won't need 300's for deer.LOL

Tyler,
I like those Leupolds too.
Get both of them and put them in low QRW rings
and then 8x40 screw and JB Weld the QRW bases to the action.

I had planned on some Talley lightweight extra low integral base/rings.

Anyone had any experience with them? I would be stuck with this scope (or at least a 1 inch tube with small objective), but I still think 1 inch groups at 100 yards at 4x should be no problem. There will be no sights on this rig, so quick release or any of that fun stuff won't be of any use.

"deer drives and short range shots. (say around 400 and in)" !!

Those short range 400 yard shots at deer wouldn't be at "deer running flat out" would they?

There was a guy here a few weeks ago talking about the same thing! That and how elephant hunting was nothing but walking up and shooting one in the ear while it sleeps.

I wouldn't attempt a 400 yard shot on a running deer. Moving slowly, possibly, depends on the situation.

To me 400 is short range, and I would have absolutely no qualms about taking that shot unless there was a tremendous amount of wind.

On running deer about 150 yards would be my comfort range, depending on how much I know the weapon and leads required.

quote:

Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
I had planned on some Talley lightweight extra low integral base/rings.

Anyone had any experience with them? I would be stuck with this scope (or at least a 1 inch tube with small objective), but I still think 1 inch groups at 100 yards at 4x should be no problem. There will be no sights on this rig, so quick release or any of that fun stuff won't be of any use.

I have some of those Talley integral-ring-base-fixed mounts on a rat gun.
Nothing special about them.

Tyler, I thought you made the same ACT and SAT scores as I did,
so surely you will be able to understand:
You are wrong if you think QD is useless on a slick barrel.
I too have evolved to liking slick barrels on big bores.
No need for barrel clutter of any kind.

What you do need is ability to replace a trashed scope in the field, with a pre-zeroed backup scope.
QRWs are better than Talley.
I shoot sub 0.3 MOA for 3 shots at 300 yards, occasionally, with QRWs on the
12.7X68 49-10 ... aka:
The Artist Formerly Known as the 49-Bore/.500-Caliber/.338 Lapua Magnum Improved of 2010

... From my cold, dead hands,
... or when I go blind,
... but I will keep the shotguns if just blind.

The unfortunate part of my dilemma is that if my scope is trashed, it's time for another gun. My college budget doesn't allow for backup scopes

As long as the Talley integrals work well, they're only 2oz and look very low. I will certainly report back.

375WSM

Here is what they are getting or close.

220gn fire forming - 2780 fps
300gn - 2400 fps


These are out of a Ruger M77 or a Tikka T3.

Hope that helps.

I own a .375 WSM and have shot around 15 or so pigs with it and it is a ver good little round. I have ran trajectory figures for many bullets and the 260 gr accubond comes up trumps, followed by the speer 270 gr Spitzer boat tail....for distances out a ways.

I am currently using the Hornady 225 gr spitzer and it perfroms well on pigs and is a little harder than I expected.

The 260 gr Accubond should work well, but they are looong. I don't think your case will like the length of the Nolser AB. The Sierra250gr GameKing is much shorter and has been extremely accurate in my 375 C-T. The only problem with the Sierra is that at 2550 fps it is too soft for elk, which is my primary quarry so I went to the Nosler AB. I am guessing that your 375 WSM would be close to maxed out at 2550fps (it is a light load in my 375) so for your application the Sierra 250gr may work well.

tyler,
on bang for buck you will love the Nikon Slughunter 1.65-5 power scope and 5.0" eyerelief throughout.
It is very short and light and remarkably clear, though priced at only a little over $200. And it holds up to big bore recoil.

On a college budget I would have thought that a 375 Ruger would have served you well, but if you want a shorter case then go for it. or get a 375 B&M.

The reason I went with the .375 WSM is it fits on a short action and you have the ability to use AI mags so you get "neally .308 capacity" with more hitting power. It is nipping on the heals of a .375 H&H. Other friends who own .375 WSM's are getting 2650 with the Nos AB 260 gr. I am getting around 2850 fps with the 225 gr Hornady. Another mate reports a little over 2400 fps with 300 gr bullets. With the 260 gr accubond you get similar trajectory's to a .308 with 175gr pill out to 800 yards or so.....at least thats what exbal tells us.

quote:

Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
...To me 400 is short range,...

wow

I am going with a Leupy 1-4x scope. Planning on using 250 grain Sierra Gamekings.

The M5 DBM should let me seat the bullets out a bit and use most of the case capacity. To 300 yards (the max I'd want to shoot offhand) I should be able to hold on fur.