I bought a Winchester stainless 375 H&H a few weeks ago, it is my first big bore and I've shot it about 30 times. The recoil isn't that bad and I think I can lean to shot it but there is a few things I don't like about it. First off it needs a recoil pad, the factory one sux and the stock aint much better. So I'm looking at replacing the stock with a McMillan winchester super grade with a better recoil pad. Also in factory form this thing is Heavy and I'm not looking forward to carring it for days on end so I was thinking of having the local gunsmith turn the barrel down some to remove some of the weight. Now, I know removing weight will increase the recoil so to offset that what about using Mercury recoil suppressors? I have know idea what one weighs but in theory I'd like to take weight off of the rifle, then add the suppressors and endup with a rifle that weighs less but recoils the same before the weight was removed. Sounds good, but will it work???

Well you are taking off weight and puttin it back in the form of Mercury reducer or reducers, now that cannot work...some suggestions for consideration:

1. a Laminated stock from Brockman, that pattern will suck up recoil like a sponge..

2. a muzzle brake that you can take off an replace with a thread protector.Use it at the range off the bench, take it off from time to time and shoot a few shots off hand, take your time and soon you will be leaving it off all the time..It really works this way...

Try a Pachmayr Decelerator pad. I put them on all my rifles.

mark , Ray has the answer to your problem concerning recoil, as far as weight ,you will just have to get used to it. Take it for long walks and soon you will get you "carrying muscles" up to speed. Hope this helps you out. Charlie

Mark,

Charles McWilliams has it right, the best thing you can do is just train with it and get accustomed to the weight. Like any other physical activity your body can adapt with training. I went through the same thing with my Ruger .375 RSM - it's heavy compared to any other rifle I've ever carried. It's a fantastic rifle in every way but gosh I wish it was about 1.5 - 2 pounds lighter!

What I did was just start taking it with me everywhere. I live in a rural area so this is not difficult for me to do. It goes in the truck with me and rides right there on the front seat (we've got coyotes, bobcats and jackrabbits all around here so targets of opportunity!). I frequently take it on hikes and walks outdoors. During last fall's deer season it was with me constantly and I carried it everywhere I went. After awhile believe it or not I've come to the point where it's really not that noticable to me anymore. Like Charles said, you're build up those "carrying" muscles.

If you don't happen to live in a rural area then do it at home... When watching TV do various "reps" with it like you would a barbell, etc. With time you'd be surprised how you'll become accustomed to it. This will strengthen those arms and shoulders and help get you in shape to boot.

The biggest benefit of all? ALL your other rifles will feel like featherweights when you pick one up! My stainless/synth M77/MkII 30-06 (at exactly 8 lbs fully loaded with scope and sling) now feels like a fly-weight when I use it.

I take a PVC pipe and fill it with sand, lead shot, whatever... and cap it. Rig up a sling, and you've got a heavy rifle simulator that won't freak out the folks in the sub-division when they see you carrying it while walking the dog.

BH66.....you and I think a lot alike. A piece of 2" pvc full of sand and slurry concrete weighs 3-4 pounds more than my 470 double. I carry it on 2 mile walks with my wife in prep for a 2006 buff hunt....works like a charm. It also is of similar diameter as the rifle. Good advice.

Gary B.

GarBy, How long is your 2" PCV pipe and what is the final weight? Your approach is making me think about doing the same thing. Walking around with a rifle in my neighborhood is frowned upon.

quote:

Originally posted by mark65x55:
I bought a Winchester stainless 375 H&H...Also in factory form this thing is Heavy and I'm not looking forward to carring it for days

Stop right there, Mark. If you bought the SS model with synthetic stock, it's not heavy, but it is muzzle-heavy.

When you install the McMillan stock, it should balance a bit better.

George

A couple of things here,

First off the rifle will be much nicer to handle once you put a MacMillian that fits you correctly on it. The main thing it needs is a nice soft recoil pad that will take care of about 80% of your precieved recoil straight off.

Second like all things new, right now the rifle feels strange to you. Shoot it a bit and you'll become used to it. I shoot my .375H&H like a .22 I don't even notice the recoil anymore.

By shooting it I mean get off the bench!!NOW! it's already sighted in. Go bust some rocks walk around with it kill some charging logs and evil square horned 5 gallon buckets filled with water. GO have some fun with your rifle and within a couple of sessions you won't notice that it kicks, you'll be thinking about shooting stuff and how much fun it is. As far as the weight goes well that will seem normal after a while too.

I do this with all my rifles. I carry my .470NE double with me all the time, hog and rabbit hunting it has become an extension of my body. I don't even think about shooting it the bullets just go where I want them to and it feels natural to carry as well.

Before you go out and ruin a perfectly good rifle with recoil reducers and muzzle breaks give this a try. I think you'll find it fun and effective.

Greg

Why use a 2" PVC pipe...a SS rifle with a plastic stock won't get anyones attention, it looks more like the wifes toaster than a rifle!!

quote:

Originally posted by mark65x55:
I bought a Winchester stainless 375 H&H a few weeks ago, it is my first big bore and I've shot it about 30 times. The recoil isn't that bad and I think I can lean to shot it but there is a few things I don't like about it. First off it needs a recoil pad, the factory one sux and the stock aint much better. So I'm looking at replacing the stock with a McMillan winchester super grade with a better recoil pad. Also in factory form this thing is Heavy and I'm not looking forward to carring it for days on end so I was thinking of having the local gunsmith turn the barrel down some to remove some of the weight. Now, I know removing weight will increase the recoil so to offset that what about using Mercury recoil suppressors? I have know idea what one weighs but in theory I'd like to take weight off of the rifle, then add the suppressors and endup with a rifle that weighs less but recoils the same before the weight was removed. Sounds good, but will it work???

The mercury inserts I use weight 11 oz.(C&H Research) in all of my big bores. Better than any brake EVER made. Works great without increasing muzzle blast(which every muzzle brake does) or adding ugly holes in the end of your rifles barrel. Check them out, you can get them from 8 to 16 oz. Lawdog


P.S. - Don't ever let anyone talk you into a muzzle brake. Your hearing is worth more than any brake. LD

I don't think taking weight off the front & putting back in the rear is going to help your recoil much. I like merc. reducers, I have one in my .404j, but I also like heavier bbls. especially on thumpers. A good pad, like the Pac.Dec. will help. Shoot it a lot using a PAST type shoulder pad when on the bench. Shoot it a lot more from field positions & recoil will soon not bother you as much. Also load some 235gr Speers @ 2500fps for a pleasent practice load.
I also use the PVC pipe decoy for training, about 10# worth. Works great, people ask & I just say I like to carry some extra weight on my walks.

Wink.....sorry for the late post...just got back in town. My PVC pipe is approx. 42" long and weighs about 14 pounds. Doing the math for my European brother seems to equal 106 cm and 6.5 kg...I think that's right! Yes, this rig doesn't turn heads like my 470 would...and I like in a semi-rural setting! Good luck.

Gary B.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

Before you go out and ruin a perfectly good rifle with recoil reducers and muzzle breaks give this a try. I think you'll find it fun and effective.

Greg

Good point!

And why rudely blow the three benches out at the range, both left and right of you, clear of men and all their equipment?

One could buy one of those "lead sleds" for off the bench if sensitive or needing a lot of rounds tested at one setting.

BigRx

Adding weight to the buttstock throws every thing out of balance in a rifle...adding more to the forend to balance the rifle just makes the gun too heavy for caliber..thats 22 oz.

I much prefer a 2 oz. muzzle brake with a thread protector..Use the brake at the range and for practice sessions then take it off to hunt...My rifles have not changed POI with or without the brake, some claim otherwise...Use them at the range and take them off when hunting. As to the guys on each side of you, they should be wearing ear protection at the range and not be bothered by you...Most everyone these days has a braked rifle it seems..

A brake IS more effective than anything that you can put in the butt of a stock..I have tried both and there is no comparison...

I really don't want any of that stuff on my guns today, but I did some many years ago and the brakes taught me how to tolerate recoil to the point that I no longer need them on any rifle..

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Adding weight to the buttstock throws every thing out of balance in a rifle...adding more to the forend to balance the rifle just makes the gun too heavy for caliber..thats 22 oz.

I much prefer a 2 oz. muzzle brake with a thread protector..Use the brake at the range and for practice sessions then take it off to hunt...My rifles have not changed POI with or without the brake, some claim otherwise...Use them at the range and take them off when hunting. As to the guys on each side of you, they should be wearing ear protection at the range and not be bothered by you...Most everyone these days has a braked rifle it seems..

A brake IS more effective than anything that you can put in the butt of a stock..I have tried both and there is no comparison...

I really don't want any of that stuff on my guns today, but I did some many years ago and the brakes taught me how to tolerate recoil to the point that I no longer need them on any rifle..

Actually, adding the mercury insert to a muzzle heavy rifle like the Ruger M77 Magnum and larger bore Weatherby rifles(and all the rest) balances them out very well. Lawdog