In your opinion = what is the best weight for a 375 H&H ? From current production rifles ,
which are best & why.

IMHO most factory 375 H&H rifles are really heavy. I have two customs that weigh around 9lbs scoped and I like that weight. The Ruger African is a nice weight for a factory gun.

My old catalogs show the weight of the original Holland & Holland rifles as 8 1/2 pounds - which is about what I like as well

I have a CZ-550 in 375 and, while I love the rifle, it's darn heavy at over 9 pounds. I've handled the Ruger RSM and it too is too heavy in my opinion. Can't comment on the Winchester, but I believe it's the lightest of the 3 at 9 pounds even.

It's a bit of a trade off with weight. A 10 pound 375 is very easy to shoot, but a bit heavy to tote around. A lighter rifle is easier to carry, but will recoil more. An 8.5-9 pound scoped and loaded 375 sounds like a nice balance if you ask me.

The other thing to keep in mind, each rifle has some benefits that may out way them being heavy. The Ruger, for example, comes with the "African" look complete with a quarter rib. The CZ holds 5 cartridges in the magazine. Beyond that, you're probably looking for a Whitworth if weight is a big concern.

They are all pretty much overbuilt - which is one reason the new .375 Rugers are catching on as they weight between 8 and 8 1/2 pounds

My standard DGR loaded with 6 rounds and Leupold VX7 1,5-6 (30mm) scope weighs in at just over 8lbs

I had a winchester M70 in .458 Lott that weighed 8,5lbs loaded but with peep sights.

If it is going to weigh more than that it had better be a double

I do quite alot of rifle work for young Appie PH's especially on the CZ rifles which are normally screaming for a bedding job and which (IMO) have too long a barrel. Initially I tell them to get used to the rifle as is, and then shorten the barrel and lighten the stock to get balance right. There is not much you can do to get the magnum action CZ's below about 8¼ to 8½lbs simply because of the size of the action and the thickness of the steel in the magazine box and bottom metal.

NB...just recently I have learned to fit a Northern european style oversized bilt knob...makes for much quicker cycling

I have a Sako 375 H&H, do not know what the exact weight is but weighs the same as my 270 win, but recoil of the bench is fierce (more than my 416 Rigby), but on the otherhand, I can carry it for days and it is accurate. There is always a trade off.

Mine weighs about 9 or 10 lbs. It has a scope and sling on it

My Win 70 express weighs right about 10 pounds I believe, slightly under, with scope. To be honest, I've never weighed it. But more importantly, to me, is it's balanced really well. It just seems to point where I want it to, and with the weight, I can shoot it from the bench in just a t-shirt for load development, without flinching.

Offhand shooting, the recoil is very manageable.

Ten pounds, scoped and fully loaded.

Ten pounds ready to dance.
The CZ can be slimmed down.
I like the set trigger. If you have a few seconds to get on the sticks it is very nice.

Rich

Maximum 8 Ibs. Preferably a full pound lighter..

Mine is 8.25 with scope.

Plans game or DG or both?
Was not the 375 HH designed to be a PG round?

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Mine is 8.25 with scope.

Very close to perfect

please share specs with us on that one, frostbit
.

I wonder why no one has mentioned stock configuration? Weight is NOT the only determinant of felt recoil. I had a Sako in 375H&H which was just completely uncomfortable to shoot off the bench. I sold it. My CZ 550 in 375 H&H was very comfortable to shoot off the bench but quite heavy. My Blaser R93 is much lighter than the CZ, probably the same weight as the Sako, but VERY comfortable to shoot! I attribute the above observations to stock design. Americans chose rifles (and stocks) based on how they look. Not necessarily the best criterion.
Peter.

I have a 375H&H Dakota 76 that has the old Clifton stock and 23" slick barrel. With a 2.5x8 Leupold it weighs 8.25 pounds. To me it is perfect. You can carry it all day and the Clifton just eats recoil. A 9.5#-10# 375 to me is just too heavy.

Mark

what is a clifton stock?

Frostbit: Please tell us more about your incredibly lovely rifle.

My 375 H&H is a Sako Fiberclass. With Leupold 4X and ammo comes in at about 8.5 lbs and it's perfect. I use the brake when shooting off the bench and take it off while hunting. I have a Fiberclass in 416 that weighs about the same - it's a little rough shooting off the bench.

Lou

My Sako AV Mannlicher is 9.4 lbs. scoped.

Sweet little rifle, perfect for a one gun safari, assuming that the hunter can shoot straight under every exigent circumstance.

My last 375 H&H was a stainless m70 classic. with heavy scope and hogue over molded stock it weighed over 11 pounds. I came very close to just leaving it in the woods on a moose hunt, just too heavy to handle. Took it to a local gunsmith and had a complete lightweight job on it. I got it back at a svelt 6lbs 4oz and after scoping it wieghed in just under 7 pounds. That was one sweet carrying rifle. Recoil was pretty severe off the bench but not an issue from hunting positions.

I followed a similar build configuration on my new 375 RUM. Its a tad heavier because of a longer barrel but still just over 7 1/2 punds with scope. Recoil is still pretty severe off the bench but not bad from hunting positions. I may put a muzzle brake on it down the road but so far leaving it bare.

When your hunting requires a lot of hiking, packing, and climbing I would go as light as you can get away with. My motto is "recoil is momentary, gravity is constant!"

I shoot a Brno 602 and scoped (1.5x5 Leopold) in Warne QD mounts. The thing weighs just under 10 pounds and I'd argue it's probably 1 to 1.5 pounds to heavy.

Just me complaining really, but I figure a 9 pound rile is ok to carry most of the day, strangely at 10 it starts to become annoying.

Might also be the length and width of the Brno as well. It is not a small rifle by any means.

Even so, the 375 H&H isn't severe enough in recoil to require a massively heavy rifle. Clearly, 8.5 pounds to 9.0 should be more than adequate. If you're not sensitive to recoil, and the 375 can be "learned" quite well, even 8.0 pounds wouldn't be out of the question.

I shoot a Brno 602 and scoped (1.5x5 Leopold) in Warne QD mounts. The thing weighs just under 10 pounds and I'd argue it's probably 1 to 1.5 pounds too heavy.

Just me complaining really, but I figure a 9 pound rile is ok to carry most of the day, strangely at 10 it starts to become annoying.

Might also be the length and width of the Brno as well. It is not a small rifle by any means.

Even so, the 375 H&H isn't severe enough in recoil to require a massively heavy rifle. Clearly, 8.5 pounds to 9.0 should be more than adequate. If you're not sensitive to recoil, and the 375 can be "learned" quite well, even 8.0 pounds wouldn't be out of the question.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Frostbit: Please tell us more about your incredibly lovely rifle.

Hoffman Arms (Amarillo, TX stamped barrel), 1938 Winchester M70 action, never found out who did the stock but most likely not original to rifle. Swarovski PV-N 1.5 x 6 on the Rifle in the picture. I also have a PV-N 2.5 x 10 sighted in with other Talley QD rings.

More pictures and story from when I first got it

I have a CRF Winchester post 64 that is too barrel heavy to make the right weight in my opinon...would need a new barrel.

Also have a Browning FN (circa 1965 LE) that is just about perfect at 7.5 lbs. Have its twin in 458 win. mag. (actually a bit lighter) that handles just great...it does recoil!

Finally, a Hoffman Arms 375 on a Mauser SSB circa 1927...8 1/2 lbs. A beautiful rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by jjs:
Finally, a Hoffman Arms 375 on a Mauser SSB circa 1927...8 1/2 lbs. A beautiful rifle.

Any pictures you could share?

Hi Frostbit,

I need to take a few pictures and either learn to post or call upon a friend to post them for me. I have been meaning to post them for awhile, in the Custom Gun Forum, but just not had the chance.

Your Hoffman is a beautiful rifle, shoots extremely well and you are putting it to good use! Congrats on your Safari!

Mine has a 26" ribbed barrel, barrel band, quarter rib and front sight that is all integral and along with the Mauser SSB Mag. Action causes it to weigh a bit more.

As soon as I can get some pictures, I will have them posted.

Best,

jjs

Just out of curiosity, I weighed my above mentioned Sako Fiberclass 375 on the bathroom scale and it came in at 8lbs even.

quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Lou:
Just out of curiosity, I weighed my above mentioned Sako Fiberclass 375 on the bathroom scale and it came in at 8lbs even.

They were beautiful rifles! I have a Sako take-off barrel that goes 0.625" at the muzzle and 23" length ... this is perfect. Remington used the same contour (close enough) on the Safari Classic, XCR and the SPS.

This makes for the perfect carrying 375H&Hs. A CZ is only good for a rechamber to 378Wby.
Cheers...
Con

jsl3170

Clifton was a quality synthetic stock that went out of production years ago. Dakota used them in the 90's. I wish I had several of them as they fit me very well.

Mark

Thanks, Mark. This morning on the coast of Maine it is practically Biblical it's raining so hard outside! Looks like synthetic weather to me.

Con, I agree with you on CZ's heavy contour and would add the Ruger #1 and RSM. Their contour is just too heavy for the 375 H&H, but about perfect for the 416 Rigby and 458 Lott.

that's why i dumped mine, lou even after getting the stock recontoured.

i've concluded for me personally the best feeling 375 i have ever laid my hands upon is one of the whitworth express rifles. a m70 could be built up the same way. maybe it's because i don't have catcher's mitts for hands but a nice trim, lively 375 seems like it would be quite a deadly tool in the hand.

8 to 8.5 loaded, ready to dance .. lighter if fine.. heavier? not for me, thanks

My 375 H&H comes in at 9 pounds even with Leupold Vari-XIIc 2-7. It is a pre 64 Win 70 with a 22" Douglas Premium Stainless #5 barrel. I don't remember if that is also with the sling and buttstock ammo carrier. I posted it a few months ago and the post is accurate, but my memjory isn't!

My old .375 H&H was 9 pounds; too damn heavy. My .375 Ruger with a light weight aftermarket stock, and shortened barrel comes in at about 7-1/2 lbs. Love it!

Mine has about 8,5 pounds - that´s OK for me - the .30-06 bumps harder!