Well, the gun's not even remotely ready for action. But darned if I was going to ship it off for 3-6 months without pulling the trigger first!

I went down to my local indoor range (yep, indoor!) last night with my Montana '99 375 and waited until everyone went home. Just me and the manager. And a half-dozen rounds...

Did I mention the rifle doesn't even have sights on it? Bah, who cares. Reduces the chance of scope eye, right?

Two loads:
Speer 235gr. HC over 83.0 IMR 4350
Horn 300 RN over 76.0 IMR 4350

The first shot of the Speer 235's was just plain the best grin inducing shot I've ever pulled the trigger on. That rifle just felt so RIGHT. Recoil was very tolerable and the muzzle blast from the 20" barrel was't bad at all. It was a hoot to watch the pressure wave move all the paper chips and dust on the floor for 20 feet.

The 300gr. loads were also superbly manageable. They were sharp enough for a quick hit, but nothing at all remotely painful. I've fired 3" 12guage rounds that hurt more.

I handed the rifle off to my buddy who took a few shots. The grin was just huge. "Nowhere near what I thought it would be!" he said. He proceeded to punch a few more rounds into the backstop with joy.

Yep, I think this is gonna be one fun project.

PS: the backstop is rated for 50 BMG...
PPS: The concussion of the .375 H&H in an 8-stall indoor shoot range was flippen' fantastic! I can't WAIT to do it again!

You really don't want to let the word out that the 375 H&H Mag. doesn't kick that hard. If you do, your friends will lose respect for you.

I told a friend of mine that my 375 H&H was a pussycat, and didn't kick as bad as my muzzleloader. In fact, I liked shooting it.

As we were at the range that day, I just used my heavy elk load and put a 600 grain White SuperSlug in over 120 grains of Pyrodex, and let him shoot it. Forgot to mention that it was scoped, and he had on a nylon jacket. Took about 10 minutes to get the bleeding stopped!

Funny thing, he has never asked to shoot my 375 or 416 since.

So, welcome to the world of 375 H&H They are the "All Around" African rifle for a reason. And for the power they have are quite tolerable to shoot.

Another muzzle blast incident.

I was up in the woods up in the hills behind my house zeroing a new scope on my 375 model 70 several years ago. I was parked at a rather odd angle to the target and had to shoot standing up using the top of my car (98 Taurus) as a standing rest and shoot over the hood and windshield.

After I'm done (about 20 rounds or so) I get into the car and notice the rear view mirror is laying on the floor. The muzzle blast from shooting over the window compressed the glass enough to knock the mirror mount off, but didn't break the window

Cost Me a whole $20 to have it super glued back in place.

Well, live and learn...

I shoot a 300 grain Interlock over 76.3 grains of IMR 4350, max book load, out of my .375. Love it. Over 1100 rounds and counting. MOA accurate, too. Lot of copper fouling, though.

I can't wait to get this rifle back and really start working with it. With a bit of luck, I'll bring it to Texas for some Whitetail and Piggin' this year!

I shot over 1,000 rounds last year in mine. It's my favorite rifle.

You're going to love your 375! I got my CZ 550 last fall and have been shooting 300gr Federal Factory loads (Nosler Partition) and 300gr Hornady SPT & RN @ 2500 fps. It is definitely more of a "shove" than a "smack", which makes it much more pleasant to shoot than my 338 Win Mag or any 12 gauge slug load.

Congratulations and enjoy!

I shot mine today with factory 270 grainers as well as my M70 with factory 220 grainers and I preferred the 375. I must also say that listening to the sound of it from 30 feet away is simply AWESOME!

For the sport hunter, it feels like the 375 is truly an anything, anytime, anyplace weapon.

I just got my 1st .375 in Dec. (most of you should know, I've already bothered you with a lot of questions about it!), and I have to say I agree with you all. It is just a fun cartridge to shoot. I'm surrounded by a bunch of white tail hunters that think the .30-06 is the end all cartridge (I don't disagree with them about that, either!), and they just shake their head when I show my .375 off...but it doesn't take away from the shit eating grin I get every time I pull the trigger! I'm going to have to break it out this week and shoot it a bit because of this thread. Thanks, haha!

Justin,
I agree. The .375 H&H is a great whitetail cartridge. Yes, my hunting buddies think I am crazy, but they do not laugh when the buck drops in its tracks from my .375! Try the Nosler 260-grain bullet with H414 powder. It is a real laser beam in my Ruger.

Super rifle and good luck with it...

Mike

Well, that's it: The rifle's on it's way to Jim Brockman for a bit of work.

1. Smooth Action.
2. Lap the lugs.
3. Trigger job.
4. Perfect feeding.
5. Pillar bed & free float the barrel.

That's the start...I think I got it covered. If I can figure out an appropriate front sight, I'll have that done and a barrel band sling point installed.

Talley extended bases and rings and the base is cut for the Talley peep sight.

Then, I shall shoot it again, and again, and again...

The most painful part is the waiting now...I won't see my rifle for at least 3 months...the agony.

quote:

If I can figure out an appropriate front sight, I'll have that done and a barrel band sling point installed.

Good on ya Pal, I'm photo challenged or I'd send along a photo of my Winchester Model 70. When I had the barrel circumsized from 24" to 20" I told a trusted German gunsmith I'd like it to look "classic". When returned it had the soldered-on swivel lug replaced with a barrel band swivel & front sight. I'm pleased and the rifle looks; well, Classic!

We're off to Namibia in July; so the travel-easy Blaser R93 set is again being readied for Yoeman service; .243 Winchester barrel for Springbok culling and the .375H&H barrel for serious work.

Have fun with your new Boomer!