Forgive me for saying this, but the .375 utramag is at the level of recoil where things break and fast. I've been building and shooting guns at and beyond this level for awhile and I'm gonna pass on some thoughts for you to consider. First, the Simmons Aetec will not survive long I'll bet. Plus I hope it has enough eye relief and/or you invest in super-glue for your eyebrow. The Lepolds that survive are generally the Vari X III 1.5-6X or better yet the Swarofski or Zeiss PH models. Again in the 1.5-6X range. You really don't need more than 6X to shoot out to 250 yrds and this gun will most likely be used 99% of the time for shorter distances than that. The mounts to use are the steel Warne premier Quick releases or Tally's. It's also a very good idea to have a gunsmith switch from 6X48 screws to 8X32 or larger and very importantly have the scope bases re-machined for 100 % contact with the receiver. Finally Lap your rings and coat the inside of the rings with 1000 grit lapping compound before fastening them down ( evenly on both sides) so that the scope doesn't move under recoil. Hope this helps.-Rob

I have it.
It's pretty, too. Nice wood. Brown with some nice figure to it.
The synthetic stock I have is at the shop to have the R3 pad installed.
It turns out the 'fits all synthetic stocks' pad is for the recent injection moulded plastic ones.
My 1989 'AS' Arylon Synthetic stock looks to be of a better material and has a slightly different dimension for the buttpad.
Here's where it got interesting. The hard-ass factory pad on that stock was GLUED in. No kidding.
We sliced it up and pulled it out. That's where we discovered the R3 pad would need to have the base contoured to fit. Otherwise, it should be just fine.
I'll gladly pay the $40 to have it done correctly.

The other unforseen glitch is in the mounting system.
I got the Mounting Solutions Plus 'B' Tactical base for the Weaver Grand Slam medium rings and Leupold Vari-X III 4.5-14x40 scope and test-fit them together.
The base is about 1/4" too long at the front, causing interference with the objective bell.
With high rings, it might squeak by, but, I don't want high rings.
A simple cut with the hacksaw and something to cover the cut will get a perfect fit.

Meanwhile, I'll take pics of the rifle in its standard form before I start to change things.
After that, it's time to remove the sights and get the other parts on it.
I think it'll take on a look of its own as I go along, with the final product being quite unusual and satisfactory.
Pics to follow.
Stay tuned.

P.S. Did I mention I FINALLY, REALLY have a .375?!

Well done Bus master,

You will like your new toy I am sure. Pics would be nice !!

What bulleta will you shoot ??

I picked up two boxes of the factory Remington ammo with the Hornady 270-gr. SP to start with.

The main thing is I got the rifle and a something to feed it to see how well I can tolerate the reputed nasty recoil.
When I get a chance to either make my own or have someone reload for me ( I insist on being present if that's the case ) then I'll be looking at the Nosler 260's, I think.

Sounds like quite a rig you're setting up there.A 375 bore is a nice thing to have.There's just something about launching a bullet of 3/8" diameter that's appealing.After years of wanting a 375 and wondering what I would do with one I put one together in 375 Weatherby.I get 270 gr Hornady's going 2850 out of a 23" barrel.Ya gotta like it!

I didn't shoot mine yet, but I took a picture

I mounted my Schmidt&Bender 2.5-10x56 and loaded some Speer 235g.

Since we're parading our .375 RUM's here's mine:



Already claimed the scalp of that Leupold Vari X III 1.75-6 x 32 in 15 rounds of factory ammo. A parts bin special. Left over Safari Express stock (great shape for a factory stock) mated to a Win 70 S/S .375 H&H reamed out to 375 RUM.

Hyena, that S&B is damned tempting. I've got the 1.5-6 on my Sako .375 H&H. This RUM was supposed to be a cheap experiment but I think I love the Ultra & its a keeper. Has more kick that the H&H but not unmanageable. At the moment shooting 1.5inch 3 shot groups with Rem Factory 270gn ammo till scope died. I think it'll shoot better when I learn to shoot it better.

Have fun with it!!

Regards
JohnT

Looking good, guys. I'm jealous 'cuz I don't have pix yet.

I got the synthetic stock back with the new R3 pad installed.
It will need to have the lowest edge at the front filed down a bit.
The 1989 'Arylon Synthetic' stock is dimensionally different than the latest crop of injection moulded plastic ones, so it was somewhat of a custom fit.
Still, it was almost perfect. I'm satisfied.
They found a small hairline crack running longitudinally through the stock on the right side.
It was filled in with the 'Gorilla Glue' that was used to cement the pad base to the buttstock. Solid now.

When I get a chance in the next week or so, I'll head up to my buddy's house and we'll finish taking pictures and get the final configuration of the rifle done to post pix.

I'm a little concerned about the scope surviving now, though.
My mounting system should be adequate, but is the recoil of this round so different it eats scopes?
I've seen a picture of the Leupold STD rear mount bending under the pressure. That guy solved the problem with DualDovetail mounts.
The S&B scope in the picture above looks to be of equal weight as the Leupold Vari-X III 4.5-14x40 scope I'll be using, only mine will be mounted lower and in steel mounts. Think it'll hold up?

Busmaster my Leupold scope failed cause it was always destined to fail. Just one of those mass production statistics.

Hopefully I've had my statistical share of scope failures. I must admit that I looked at those Leupold dovetail mounts & that big Schmidt & Bender & did think of whether they would hold up? I'd prefer the Mark IV rings.

Regards
JohnT

This is from the same guy on Hunt101. He had some interesting pix I found when doing a 'Search' on that site.
Thanks to that Gentleman for posting his pix.

Problem:


Problem solved:


And, just a reminder of exactly WHY I decided to choose the .375 Ultra Mag:



Bending scope mounts and craters in steel...YOWZA!
This has GOT to be one of the coolest and most fun cartridges ever invented.

BusMaster - sounds really great! You're running with the big dogs now. Please don't hold back on the details of the project and shooting as it unfolds. Congrats on getting it in your hands so fast. I was anticipating a much longer wait for you. I'm counting the hours until I get my 375 RUM project underway! I know it will be good! maxman

Rob - That sounds like great advice for all big bores. Thanks for sharing. TIps like this are what make this board great. maxman

The Simmons scope does have plenty of eye relief . It will be interesting to see how long it holds up though ......