Thank you both. I have been leaning toward a #5 contour and like the +0.7" muzzle diameter.

GeorgeS - as for sights, they would be for 100yd sighting.

Thanks,

Please advise,

What are your recommendations for barrel contour for a standard weight (Not featherweight) 375 H&H bolt action?

I have no problem with recoil, as long as it pushes straight back, and I do like the heavier contour barrels to help the weight.

I am also planning to use it both with open sights and scoped, and already have Warne bases and double lever rings -- but what steel sights would you recommend??

I have a SS M700 magnum that needs new life as big bore and am planning to rebarrel and restock it. This will NOT be a dedicated DGR, but it is what I have to play with at this season of life.

Thanks,

Welcome.

Look at Shilen #4 or #5, PacNor #4 or #5, and Douglas #5 or #5a. They should provide enough heft to dampen recoil.

As for iron sights, at what distances do you expect to use them? Is it going to be short range only (50yds.), or longer (100-200yds.)?

George

No expert here, but have talked to a few (and I stayed at a Holiday Inn too ). Also own a couple of .375 H&H's.

A #5 contour seems to be a good choice between not too heavy and heavy enough. Various manufacturers will have slight differences in what they call a #5 contour, or they might call it something else, but basically that's a barrel with a diameter at the muzzle of about .700" - that's for a 26" long barrel. Add about .01" for each inch shorter, i.e. a 22" barrel would run about .740" at the muzzle.

See this link for Pac-Nor's #5:
http://www.pac-nor.com/contours/

And this link for Lother-walther's 1450 "Super-Magnum Sporter":
http://www.lothar-walther.de/us/abarrels2.htm

John Ricks is putting a .375 H&H together for me. Not knowing much about big bore rifles, I thought a #4 would be about right. He suggested I think real seriously about a #5. I figured he knew better than me, so I went with a #5. Should be finished sometime soon. I can't wait!

Terry

I find the Douglas #5 to be just right.

I have a Remington Model 700 in .375 H&H with the standard size barrel. It is stainless steel and has a synthetic stock. The rifle weighs about 7 pounds. It is punishing to shoot. It kicks harder than my Ruger #1 in .458 Win Mag. I guess for the person stalking an animal this weight would be ideal for carrying and shooting once or twice for the kill, but it is stout at the shooting range. If it was in the 9 pound range with a good recoil pad, it would not be so bad. Just my two cents worth.

When John Ricks built my .375 on a Rem 700SS, we decided on a Pac-Nor #5, and I think it's perfect.

DiamondD,

What does your M700 .375 weigh ready to shoot?

I am hoping the #5 contour will get this one up to around 8.5 without scope.

Also to all....

How does the Lothar barrel compare to others in terms of accuracy and interior finish?
Regards,

GA Airdales,
The Lothar Walther barrels have a special honing process and the inside of a LW barrel is head and shoulders above any of the rest...I have been using them for about two years now and like them better than the Pac Nor, Krieger or Douglas barrels that I used to use, not thaty Pac Nor or Kriger are not good barrels, they are but LW is the best IMO...

I like the Holland and Holland Contour and its now a stock item... It goes with a .375, 416 or 404 caliber well...It is a bit less than a Douglas #5 and a little more than a #4.....

All of mine have shot under an inch, and Jim Brockman reports the same to me...Jack Belk was using them last I heard...

With the tube at 24" and topped with a VXII in Leupold QD mounts, and setting in a Hogue Overmould stock, it weighs around 9 1/2 lbs.

DiamondD,

How pleased are you with the Leupold QD mounts? I know Leupold makes several styles. Are you using the QD with the stud and cam w/winged lever in the base or the Weaver style QRW?

How has this mount held on your .375? I have a set on a 300winmag and have been very pleased so far.

Thanks,

I use the style with the levers and they seem to work fine. I've had the scope off a few times and it seems to return to zero without any fuss.