I would like to thank all of you that have taken the time to respond. I will take all suggestions under consideration. As far as the weights - already working on it - I do 75# curls and front & lateral raises with 15# dumbells . However, I am planning on making this my Alaska rifle also and I'd just like to shave a little weight here or there.

Thanks and salute.

P.S. Go vote - especially you guys in the "swing" states. Texas allows early voting and I've already checked the W box even though Texas has never been in the "toss-up" category.

I have a Model 70 Classic Stainless in .375 H&H, and I am considering trying to make it a little lighter. My first thought was to get the barrel fluted. Does anyone have any idea about how much weight that would take out and if it would be better/cheaper than getting the barrel turned to a lighter contour?

Thanks in advance for any help.

I took mine (well, actually my son's, but he wasn't looking) and had a #3 Douglas barrel swapped for the factory barrel (or you could have yours turned or whatever).

It shed 1.15 lbs. (Went from 8.35 lbs. to 7.20 lbs.)

Doesn't sound like much but makes a world of difference, for the better IMO.

I looked into the fluting etc - eventually took two inches off the barrel which TRANSFORMED the balance and handling - it shoots so well with the relatively heavy barrel that I wouldn't consider touching it now. The other option especially if shortening the barrel would be a lighter stock - that would keep the balance point right. NECG sights and Leupold QDs have helped to make it my 'can't leave behind' rifle when I go to Africa despite having a number of 'sexier' ones.
Charlie

Shorten it, don't flute it. Fluting can introduce all sorts of stresses to the metal.

George

Or just take up pushing barbells.

As to fluting, it would only take off 1/2 lb most likely.

Shilen will tell you that fluting will warp a barrel and swell its bore unevenly, by introducing new stress or disturbing the "stress balance" in the barrel. They will not do it.

Dan Lilja will tell you the opposite, and happily flute his own barrels to sell to you. Saeed has done well with a fluted .375 Lilja barrel I reckon.

Turning down a barrel can also upset the "stress balance" of a barrel, and aggravate a wandering POI with barrel heatup, etc.

Will has followed my recipe partly.

I used a Pre-64 M70 action, a Brown Precision one-pound stock, and a N0.3 sporter contour Douglas Premium barrel (0.625" at the muzzle), and NECG banded/hooded front sight to produce a 6.75 pound rifle.

By the time you add a scope, sling and the 5 rounds of ammo it holds, it is 8.5 pounds, field ready.

It has served me well in Alaska and Africa. It is capable of 0.75 MOA for three shots (24" barrel) of Barnes-X 300 grainers at 2528 fps.

I'll never change that rifle.

To appreciate more affectionately the weight of the factory barrel on your .375 H&H M70 Classic, just rechamber it to .375 Weatherby. That worked swell for me. See Saeed's Reloading pages, .375 Weatherby. That's my data.

The .375 H&H is such a tame round that it really works well in a 6.75# bare weight rifle.

The muscle bound hulks who like to hump the hills with 11 pounders are lying or they are recoil woosies.

Check out Rifles Inc. as making rifles light is thier bread and butter. Mine weighs about 7# loaded, scope and sling in place.

Man, you can definitely count me among the ranks of recoil wussies!

Just the thought of a 6 3/4 or 7 pound .375 H&H makes my head hurt. Had an 8 lb 11 oz .375 and, while manageable, as in I "managed" to fire 40 rounds from the bench and lived to tell about it, it sho'nuf ain't no fun at all.

Even from off hand it came back at me too quick for my liking. I'll just keep my 10 lb 5 oz .375 for now. Besides, the girls like the way my muscles bulge when I'm carrying it.

Jim in Idaho,

Quote:

---

Man, you can definitely count me among the ranks of recoil wussies!

---

Me too!!! I like my rifles on the heavier side. Helps make recoil managable without adding a silly looking brake that ruins your hearing.

Quote:

---

Even from off hand it came back at me too quick for my liking. I'll just keep my 10 lb 5 oz .375 for now. Besides, the girls like the way my muscles bulge when I'm carrying it.

---

Maybe that is why I like mine on the heavy side. Lawdog