I have a cousin that makes custom rifles. So, I recently asked him to make me a .375 RUM with a Kreiger barrel. I like the idea of the RUM because it can be loaded to hit with the same muzzle energy as a .416 Remington. I figure this to be an improvement of 1000 ft. lbs over the .375 H&H.

The other day he called me and said that in order to build one like that(with the Krieger barrel), he would have to get a reamer, with me bearing that expense, since he doesn't have anyone standing in line to buy this caliber. He suggested instead that we order a barreled Sendero action from Remington and he'll customize it. This came as a shock since he normally throws away factory barrels. When he builds a rifle, even a heavy sporting cartridge, he's not satisfied unless he gets consistant 1/2 MOA groups. He claims factory barrels simply can't do this consistantly.

I know the Sendero is a pretty good action and barrel, but I'm not sure which way I want to go. I realize, of course, that Cape Buffalo are seldom shot at distances of over 100 yards and that at that range there's very little difference between 1/2 MOA and 2 MOA. But what about later? Then again, maybe it will shoot just fine

He didn't tell me how much the reamer would be, but I gather that it is rather expensive for a one-shot deal.

What would you guys do? Buy the reamer and get the match grade barrel, or go with the factory barrel?

I was just looking at the reloading books, and th 416 shoots a 300 grain slug at something like 2900 fps. Heavier slug, same velocity, flat, and more retained energy.

I think the 550 comes with a 25-6 inch barrel, and many people are really happy with their accuracy.

Go have a look at the What's your most accurate bigbore thread, and you will be amazed how many people say 416, in one, ragged hole.

Besides, a 416 would be useable on any game in NA.

gs

My second suggestion would be to chamber that rifle in .378 weatherby magnum rather than .375 ultra, just a little more stoke than the rum and your smith will probably be able to lay his hands on a reamer. Just my thoughts on the matter.

Regards PC

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I don't think the Sendero comes in 375 Ultra. You would need to buy either the BDL or African Game Rifle, which is expensive, but if you are happy with Rem 700, it might give you want you want straight out of the box.

Here it is

http://www.remington.com/2001/fi_700abg.htm

You don't appear to be real caliber minded or a traditonalist, so I would by pass both the 416 Rem or 416 Rigby and for a couple of reasons. The amount of big game you will ever shoot you are never going to see the difference. But if you want to play around, then basically bullet availability drops way off once you go past 375 bore size.

I think your best bet would be to buy the BDL, and have a play with the rifle and caliber, and then go from there.

Actually if I was not so pro Winchester and anti Remington and also stuck on 375 H&H, I would have a safe full of 375 Ultras for all my shooting instead of Model 70s in 375 H&H.

John S's suggestion of a 375 Wby (375 H&H Improved) is another suggestion and does have merit over the 375 Ultra, especially if being able to fire 375 H&H factory ammo is an issue for you. Also with top loads the 375 Ultra will probably be only about 100 f/s quicker, at the very most, over the 375 H&H Improved.

I have always thought that the 375 H&H had the best combination of practicality, pizzaz and performance but the 375 Ultra might just beat it.

Remember Saeed's two 375/404s are in reality 375 Ultras and he uses those two rifles exclusively for eveyrhing.

Mike

[This message has been edited by Mike375 (edited 12-31-2001).]

It's like $29 to rent the reamers. I won't vouch for the quality of their stuff as I have no experience with it but I've seen them advertise in many of the major mags, so if they have a bad rep your smith should have heard about it.

The classic knock on rebated cases such as the Remington UM and SAUM is problems with feeding. I would like to hear some real world testing on dangerous game with the M700 and the .375 UM before going with that caliber. In addition to Craig B. and Chub Eastman shooting one buff each that is.

Aspect number two is bullet versus velocity. .375s already have a lot of penetration, some in Afdrica load the H&H down a bit for close range use on Cape buff. Kevin Robertson has written about his experience using .375 reloads with the MV down around 2,450 fps.

I shoot two .375 H&H rifles and one in carbine in .376 Steyr. For a one hunt rifle with follow-on use in North America, there are lots of reasons to stay with the .375.

The .375 Weatherby version is recommended above, and that is a good choice. Weatherby has re-introduced the caliber into their line and is once again making ammunition. The .378 Weatherby is too much of a good thing though, and I would not recommend it for you. Weatherby says on their site that their 300 grain .375 W load had an MV of 2,800 fps, while Remington says 2,760 fps for the 375 UM -- call that identical for our purposes.

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

If you are thinking of having just one rifle for everything, I think the 375 is a better bet.

I have use them for several years in Africa, and shot all sorts of game with them. Ranging from the small antelope, the klipspringer, to elephants.

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saeed@ emirates.net.ae

www.accuratereloading.com

You guys have just about convinced me to give up on the Ultra Mag and go with the Weatherby. Same ballistics, more versatile.

Since I am a handloader (like most of you), how do I get brass for this caliber? I understand that I can fire-form H&H brass, but do I have to do anything after that? When shooting H&H ammo, will it perfom in the larger chamber of the Weatherby?

Then again, I guess I'll have the same problem of reaming the barrel, but maybe I can talk him into renting a reamer.

Thanks guys.

I believe you are over-engineering the solution to a simple problem. Get a 375 H&H and learn to shoot it well. As a handloader, you will find it to be a wonderfully versatile cartridge for all game.

I think the 375 RUM and the 375 Wby and 378 Wby are a problem maker for most shooters. If you think a 416 doesn't make sense for North America but these hopped-up 375's do, you're kidding yourself.

Most importantly, be careful saying in advance "this will be my one and only trip to Africa". You may find yourself eating crow.

Enjoy your planning and enjoy your trip.

Forrest

I think it was Boddington's book I saw this in, but I could be wrong.

The problem is that some countries will insist that the caliber stamped on the rifle match the headstamp of the cartridges. That way, it doesn't appear that you are importing ammo that you don't intend to hunt with.

According to whoever it is, and I think it is Boddington, you can run into a problem trying to bring in, say, 458 Lott cartridges made from 375 H&H, because the case heads will still say 375 H&H, and your rifle doesn't. A 378 Weaterby rifle and fireformed H&H cases sees to give you the same problem, unless you've talked yur gunsmith into not stamping the new caliber on the rechambered rifle.

Anyone ever hear of this being an actual problem?

H.C.

I have seen the checking entering Namibia. There was an Austrian ahead of me. The firearms inspector took all the ammunition out of its boxes and checked the headstamp. One by one -- pretty tedious for shotgun shells I can tell you!

The Austrian did not have problems, so I did not get to witness any ammunition being seized. My ammo was in my laggage which didn't make it, so it was not checked at all when it came in on a later flight. (It was forwarded from the airport to camp.)

Other places I have been the customs people just ask for a declaration of number and type of cartridges.

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

quote:

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Originally posted by George Hoffman:
...I also, had some with no headstamps and they let them go.
Georg

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Bet you're glad you did.

H.C.

[This message has been edited by Ralph (edited 01-01-2002).]