The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores .375 weatherbyGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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OK so I have 2 .375 Model 70's. One safari express and a hard to find classic stainless. The latter is going to be my Alaska rifle. Nothing against my 338 which has been there but I would feel happier I think in big bear land with a .375. Just because I can't stop tinkering and modifying my stuff I was thinking of reaming it out to .375 Weatherby. Pro's I know of are higher velocity and still able to use H+H cartridges, like my Lott. This makes alot of sense to me. Anyone with more experience with this conversion can chime in and let me know if it is worth it, waste of time or no big deal. Thanks! White Mountains Arizona | ||
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I have a late 1950's era 375 Improved on an FN Mauser. 27 inch barrel. According to respected loading manuals improving adds about 100-150 feet per second. I would expect, given that my Imp has within a grain of the Wby capacity, that velocities would be about the same. Mine is an blown out case with a 35-degree shoulder, so less hassle reloading than the Wby. This is easily the most common sense Wby cartridge. just sayin'... Rich | |||
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I am running 24" barrels so I wonder if velocity would improve much? 100 FPS or less it would be a waste of time IMHO. Or possibly I might go even shorter on the barrel. I was under the impression it was like 200+FPS but I could be wrong? Interesting White Mountains Arizona | |||
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I have a classic stainless that I had rechambered to the Weatherby, also added a HS Precision sporter stock. The other advantage to the Weatherby is that brass doesn't grow and it lasts longer. I anneal my brass anyway before I fireform it, then every second firing. Yes, I'm running a 24" barrel, it is a genuine 200+fps gain with all bullet weights. I've been getting 3000fps with 260gr Accubonds, not even a max load either. You won't lose much going to a 20" or 22" barrel, but I don't see the point in this, 24" is just right for me. Case forming is simple, just use 30gr of Clays, Red Dot or similar and a twist of toilet tissue stuffed below the neck tight. I twist in one whole square and poke it in with a HB pencil. You can shoot H+H ammo and fireform that way, but this will depend on the length of your chamber, if long, I would fireform as I do, without full pressure loads. Cheers.  | |||
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I have a Rem XCR II in 375 Weatherby. We like it a lot. Then again it's hard to go wrong with the 375 H&H. We get a honest 200 fps extra with 300g bullets. If you're going to use if for longer range shots I think it's worth it. If not, or if you're going to shorten your barrel to less than 24" I would say don't bother and stay with the classic 375 H&H Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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A 375 Weatherby I did up about 10 years ago by rethreading a Model 70 barrel to fit a Rem 700 got an honest 2750 with a 300 grainer. IIRC this was with WW760 powder. After removing the Win thread I had about 23-1/4" of barrel. | |||
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OK thanks. Is there a velocity drop shooting the H+H in the weatherby? I heard there was some. Do you lose a round in the mag or does 3 still fit in a M70? Thanks! White Mountains Arizona | |||
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I can't do a direct comparison because my .375 Weatherby conversion involved a different barrel. I can say my 270 grain loads make 2950 fps, and my 300 grain loads do 2800 fps out of a 26" Bevan King barrel. My best speeds with the 270s and 3 H&Hs were with RL15 and were around 2650 fps. Oh, sure I know that everyone and his dog beats that by 100 but I never seem to be around when they clock them. My old 300 grain loads usually hung around 2500 fps; and it wasn't because I was scared to put powder in the case. They killed things in a workmanlike, methodical, non spectacular way. | |||
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Your 375 H&H should be more than adequate for North America, including big bears. Indeed, Double-Tap Ammo markets 375 H&H 250 TTSX ammo at 2900 fps with a 24" barrel. That said, I love my 375 Ackley Improved (~107 grs H20 capacity and slightly larger than the 375 Weatherby [~105 grs H2O], which I can chamber and shoot in my 375 Ackley Improved). I like the 375 Ackley Improved, because the reamer I use has no freebore, which Weatherby reamers usually have an over abundance of. I don't like freebore. It's unnecessary for velocity development, massively over rated, and can reduce accuracy. On my most recent trip to Africa, I used 300 gr TBBCs chrono'ed at 2885 fps, 250 gr TTSX at 3140 fps, and 300 gr GSC-HV bullets at 2920 fps. All with a 26" Lilja barrel on a Rem700 action. When hit properly, everything died quickly and humanely, including a Cape buffalo. If you want to have access to the reamer, pm me. Glad to help. One AR member recently pm'ed this to me... "Dear Sir, Perhaps 2 years ago you kindly provided info about your rifle, its gunsmith, and your developed handloads. Well I had a similar Rem 700 built, LH, by your gunsmith in Washington, and I love this gun. My pet loads: Barnes 250 TTSX with 88.0 SuperFormance, and 300 TSX with 83.0 VV N540. Took my first buf, a cow, last year in RSA, and 21 animals in Namibia. This gun is lethal. Am presently in RSA heading back to Namibia in 3 days time. Leopard and lion possible. Thanks again," | |||
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I have a Winchester Express I had rechambered to .375 Weatherby. Best conversion I had made. With Weatherby factory 300 gr. Nosler Partitions I get 2725 FPS and sub 1 inch, groups at 100 yards. My handload with the 260 gr. Accubonds hit 3000 FPS and will group 3 shots into 1 1/2 in. at 200 yards. Using factory .375 H&H I lose 100 FPS and maintain good accuracy. The only thing I would like to do is have the barrel turned down a bit, little heavy in profile, and put a McMillian Safari stock in a McWoody format. I would recommend the Weatherby any time. The Winchester with the NECG front sight is a .375 Weatherby.   | |||
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If I knew everything that I knew today back when I had Weatherbys I would just buy a 7mm Weatherby and a 375 Weatherby both in AccuMark rifles and just go hunting. I had various calibers around those in 270 300 and in the punishing 378. If I ever decide to not have Model 70s and sell them off and I am still able hunting age then I will probably do just that. Lots of guys say it is only 200 fps increase for the Weatherbys. Really. Thats is quite a bit on the velocity scale. But you probably need the 26 inch barrels (at least in the smaller calibers) to get the most of it. | |||
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Interesting. Can you shoot the H+H in AI as well? Does it affect mag capacity?
White Mountains Arizona | |||
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Did you use standard reamer with freebore?
White Mountains Arizona | |||
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I want to do it because it has huge versatility it seems. Not really much downside I can tell
White Mountains Arizona | |||
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I may take you up on the reamer as that may add even more versatility
White Mountains Arizona | |||
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gunslinger55, The 375 H&H Ackley Improved will chamber and shoot both standard 375 H&H and 375 Weatherby rounds. I chrono'ed the 250 gr TTSX Doubletap ammo in my gun at 2870 fps, and it was advertised at 2900 fps in a standard 375 H&H. I fired 375 Weatherby 300 gr partition ammo in my gun and got 2960 fps, but there were significant pressure signs - likely because factory Weatherby ammo assumes abundant freebore, which I don't have in my gun. Just PM me, when you're ready for the reamer/gunsmith info. Regards, AIU | |||
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gunslinger55, I have custom 375 WBY built by Lon Paul on a Mod 70 w/ 24' barrel. I've wrung it out pretty well and settled on two loads. Using H-4350 and a 300 NF I get a chronographed 2765 fps and the 270 TSX at 2900 fps with the same powder. My rifle shoots sub MOA with both loads. I actually wish I built it with a 26" barrel. I think shortening the barrel will negate the advantage of the WBY over the H&H. Having hunted Alaska for many years I see no reason for a short barrel. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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I had a Ruger #1 375 HandH reamed to 375 Whby and it was a complete improvement. Factory 24" barrel. I got playing around and had a load that chronographed a little above 2900 fps. But pulled the bullets as that load was too hot. But it would do 2750 fps with ease and brass lasted seemingly forever. No sticky extraction or anything. IMO the 375 Whby, Ackley, ect are about the best big game rounds extant. My last 375 HandH I shot the 300 gr TBBC High Energy factory ammo in because it chronographed 2700 fps from the 23" Montana stainless barrel. Nothing wrong with the HandH. But. If you can get the velocity and it doesn't have any negative effects, Why Not. I know that if I stumble on a CZ 550 375 HandH I will immediately have it reamed to the Whby chamber and possibly restock it. Have it cerrakoted and hunt it. Yes it may be a great big gun, in the words of Jeff Cooper, but its a great big gun that will do about any big game task I could ask of it. Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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Mark we have an XCR II in 375 Weatherby with a 24" barrel. We're getting 2750 fps with 300g Swift A-Frames and 2550 fps with 350g Woodleigh PPs. I have a 26" barrel on my Mark V in 270 Weatherby. I too have hunted with longer barrels in the thick stuff, but think 26" is just a little too long in a bolt action. Your rifle sounds sweet. Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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It looks like you are getting at least 200 FPS over the H+H. Me I don't care for excessively long barrels so 24" should be fine for me. Thanks for the info
White Mountains Arizona | |||
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I am very interested in this caliber and have been for a while. A 350gr at 2500fps vs the 2350fps of the H&H would in my opinion be a meaningful performance improvement. I am very interested in the comments on good brass life out of the Wby. Everyone always seems to moan and complain about Wby brass life. Are there any other comments on the brass life of the Wby (the Wby specifically and not the AI)? I've not yet started loading for the only Wby caliber which I have acquired, so I have no experience with it yet. Thanks. | |||
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I have no problem with Weatherby brass life. | |||
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IMO 375 Whby brass lasts longer than H+H. . I think that the 375 Whby is what the 375 H+H wanted to be when it grew up  Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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Do you lose one in the mag? Feeding issues? White Mountains Arizona | |||
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.375 H&H vs .375 Weatherby recoil? I have a measly 7mm Weatherby and it has a decent kick. I can only wonder what a .375 Weatherby might feel like. | |||
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Several years ago, I had a custom .375 Weatherby rifle based on a Muaser action. The rifle was of proper weight, not light, and had a mercury recoil reducer in the butt. I shot both factory .375 Weatherby ammo and factory .375 H&H ammo. The difference in recoil was dramatic. Recoil from the Weatherby round was like a violent slap. The recoil from the H&H round was a big shove. The Weatherby round hurt and the H&H did not. In fact, the Weatherby rounds were so uncomfortable that I ended up shooting only 375 H&H in the rifle. I didn't see the need to suffer for the extra velocity. The 375 H&H is big enough and shoots flat enough. Plus, it doesn't generate the higher pressure that the Weatherby does. I guess you could make the same argument for 340 Weatherby vs 338 Win Mag, 338 Lapua Mag vs 340 Weatherby, or 460 Weatherby vs 458 Lott. If you reall need the extra velocity for that particular caliber then go for it. . | |||
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I didn't think the 300 gr 2700 fps loads were that bad. Yes it is a little more than the 2530 fps loads but it was comparable. And did not impede accurate long range or close range shooting. In a 9 lb. non muzzle broke rifle. . Now the 350 gr load at 2550 would be more recoil but still accurately manageable. Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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Anyone know if you lose a round in magazine by going weatherby in 375 in a M70? What about feeding issues? White Mountains Arizona | |||
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I just stuck 3 rounds of 375 Weatherby into my .375 H&H M70. It will take 3 down and feed, although obviously I cant push the bolt all the way ahead and close it. The CRF action half feeds and fully extracts and ejects, no reason to not rechamber. | |||
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I realise this is an oldish thread... Subsequent to my post I came across a Southgate FN Weatherby in 375 Wby Mag, which I purchased. The date of manufature is around 1957. The barreled action has been reblued, but generally the condition looks very good and the stock is good. Being in RSA it will be a while before I get my hands on it and will be able to wring it out. It was sold with quite a bit of factory ammo too, so it seems I'll at least have enough brass to get going too. So I will get to try this calibre after all! | |||
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Good deal! How long does it take to get possession of a firearm in SA? I have gone off track on my original plan and have not gone farther on it. Let us know how you like it White Mountains Arizona | |||
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Just wondering why you think you're Improved is less hassle to load than the Weatherby. No argument, just wondering | |||
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Also, remember that there are two different throat lengths for the Weatherby...the original freebore of about 3/4 inch and a more recent throat length of about 3/8". You can find reamers in both lengths, but it will probably be easier to get the shorter freebore to shoot. Manson, IIRC, grinds reamers for the shorter length. Do a search here and you can find an epic amount of opinion on this wonderful round! | |||
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Thank you for the replies. This is the wrong time of the year to expect things to move fast, but I guess I could be shooting it by about April or May. Things are a lot better than they were. At one point turnaround was apparently about a month (I never experienced that myself), but around three to four months now. | |||
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I rechambered my early 1950's Sako to 375 Weatherby. I got an easy to come by 200 fps increase in velocity. Accuracy was improved, at least in my rifle. I lose 80-90 fps when I fire factory H&H ammo, but the zero is affected very little. I'm very pleased with the outcome. As this is on a FN Supreme action my main goal was to increase chamber sidewall adhesion reducing bolt thrust and reduce case stretching. This also worked out well. The loads that I have hunted with just barely exceed factory H&H loads but at reduced chamber pressure. I can, if desired, reach 3,000 fps with a 250 or 260 gr. bullet, and over 2900 with a 270. 24" bbl. velocity is like a new car, always losing value. BC is like diamonds, holding value forever. | |||
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My .375 'Bee has the longer 3/4" throat. One thing about the long throat is that most current load data is slow and light in my rifle. I had to pour the coal to it before it woke up | |||
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I did a conversion on a Stainless model 70 quite a few years ago. I reduced the barrel length to 24". My historical load data: Oehler 35 list 300 gr Nosler factory load @ an average 2789 FPS @ 70F. The load I use is H4350 behind a 300 gr TSX at an average of 2783 FPS @ 60F. My Kimber 89 375 H&H will throw a 300 gr TSX at an average of 2525 FPS and after that accuracy goes to pot. I may have a slow 375 H&H.. Generally speaking a spritzer bullet at this mid to high velocity range will slow down about 200 FPS/100 yards so the Weatherby is basically a 100 yard stronger cartridge than the H&H.In my case 250 FPS better. I built my 375 Weatherby with a very special purpose as a very durable, bad weather brown bear gun and I can think of no better. EZ | |||
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It's hell on elk too...  Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Imo, its hard to find anything bad to say about the 375 Whby, A.I., ect. But the Weatherby is a factory.round so there's that. Merry Christmas all!! Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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