I keep kicking this around in my head. I have a good Mark X action barreled in 30/06 that I could use for the project. I know I could build a 375 ruger with it but I like the 06' case. I have considered it though. I'm thinking medium heavy barrel @ 23" with a richards microfit old classic(low budget). Get the action trued, bolt lugs lapped and so forth. Peep sights with a barrel band front sight. Any ideas or corrections to my thoughts would be appreciated guys. This would be my first build and I doubt I'll hunt any dangerous game with it. Just something I think I want to do. Keep in mind I just want a solid built rifle with a little punch to it. Possibly even use a hogue stock like the rugers use. What do you guy's think?

I would build:
1. 375 Ruger (something new)
2. 9.3 x64 Brenneke (something classic)
3. 9.3 x62 basically an improved 06 case

or smaller:
1. 338-06 (great performance)
2. 35 Whelen (been there done that)

The 06 case just doesn't have the powder capacity for a 375 caliber. I feel it stops at 338, but then that's...

There is a whole bunch of Whelen fans that will argue with me.

My opinion. Nothing more, nothing less.

LOL yeah reckon they will. I have a 35 whelen, which is why I'm considering this build. A 375 hawk has also crossed my mind. A 338-06 also cross my mind but my brother has chosen to build that caliber and I have a 35 whelen. The only thing that may hold me up is forming brass. I'm not sure about that part. The 9.3's just haven't turned my screw's, 375 caliber has and I just want something different. No logic here!

ray....

'Ole SD isn't too far off the mark from my way of thinking either - I like his analogy & cartridge selection, too.

Personally, I'd go with the 9.3x62; which is a sorta "improved" case design good volume but if you're not crazy about 250 & 286 gr. 9.3 (,366") bullets then perhaps I could suggest another Long-Way - Short-Way alternative to your catridge selection consternation.......

The 8.5x63 Reb. Sounds pretty European and it is; since the designer, Werner Reb, a German; is (surpise!) Chief Editor of a popular German hunting periodical.

After you get over the decimal shock - the 8.5 Reb is nothing more than a shoulder pushed forward, improved design .338-06 - but it's a pretty cool cartidge.

Do a Google search on "8.5x63" or "8.5x63 Reb" - it'll be a bunch of German but there's some good cartridge drawings too!

My opinion, nothing more & certainly alot less than SD offered up.....

IMO the 9.3 is too close to the Whelen.

You want punch? Nothing says punch like big diameter. What about a 416 Taylor or 416 Ruger?

If you want a 375, might as well do the Ruger.
Or there is the 375 Taylor or Hawk(as your stated).

Personally, I don't like belts.Taylor

I have looked at the Hawk cartridges, but the case forming just seems to be more trouble than it's worth. Hawk

Or consolidate and build one nice Whelen.

Thanks guys the wheels are turning. I think if I built bigger than .375 bore it would be out of my league in recoil. I've got a while to think about it.

Raybass,

I built a 400 Whelen, and had a lot of fun with it (still do).
I think your 375 Whelen would be great too.

I'd go with a 40 degree (improved) shoulder, since you can easily choose that when the chamber is cut.

The advantage of the .375 bullets over the .366 (9.3 mm) bullets is obvious: there is a ton more bullet selection.
You can shoot from 220 grains on up.

I have rifles in 35 Whelen Improved, and 400 Whelen Improved as well. Someday I'll stick a .375 in there also.

Garrett

Peep sights makes me think you are probably
looking at 200 yards or less. A 270 grain
.375 diameter bullet would give a good thump
there with decent trajectory. Have fun !

dxr

A 375 or 400 Whelen done up maybe on an 03' Springfield in a classic G&H style, O yah!

I've really enjoyed my 375 Hawk.

Zeglin rents the reamer, so you're not out much there.

I used a Mark X action, Shilen #4 at 22", NECG banded front and Masterpiece rear in a McMillan Mark X stock.

Jim Kobe on here did all the work. Its really a lot of fun, balances and points well - and recoil isn't anything at all. It has introduced a lot of people to the .375 caliber, gently.

260 Accubonds at 2610-2615 fps with 56g H4895 or Varget. That's only one grain above Zeglins recommended fireforming load. There's still quite a bit of room left to push them faster if you're so inclined.

I use 35 Whelen brass, neck up to .375, then to .400, then run it through the .375 Hawk die. That will form a small shoulder, load and fireform - and you're ready to go.

Will these cartridges feed well through my action: 375 whelen improved,375 hawk,375 ruger? Which will require alterations to the action? I admit the ruger is looking better, I could down load but the whelen would be cool. I do have a feeling the 375 ruger will knock the snot out of ya. The hardest recoiling rifle I have is the 35 whelen w/225 gr. TSX's @ 2730fps. I've shot some 250's out of it but they didn't seem to kick anymore than the 225's. I'm doing some searches but any info you guys have will be helpful. Thanks P.S. I don't think I'm topped out at my recoil level yet, but I'm getting there.

I can't see any major modifications to the Mark X that Jim would have done to make it feed...and it does feed, slick.

I built a 375 Whelen AI (40 deg) on a VZ24 and love it. I used a Shilen #3 (personally I wouldn't put a heavy barrel on a rifle like this, recoil isn't an issue)and it fed with out any alteration from the Mil mag box perfectly. I get 2600 with 260 Accubonds, it's accurate, and hell on game. I have 375's up to the RUM and still keep coming back to this one. Wonderful round and simple conversion from an '06 action.

Sounds like I may go with an AI 375. Probably just what I'm looking for, the numbers are impressive too Thanks to all. BTW Gerry my first name is spelled exactly the same(dads too).

I think a 375 Whelen would be cool. Go for it man!

Nice choice... I recently traded a set of these dies - 375 Whelen AI (40 deg) to my gunsmith friend as he really wanted one. So we just need to find a reamer we can rent for him to fit this up! I was thinking the old reamerrentals.com had this one in their collection.

Jeff P