Gentlemen...a quick question concerning your favorite .375...what would be a good weight for the complete rifle??? One that will be hunted with, carried, shot a lot, scoped, etc...In other words, what would be the best compromise between shootability and rifle weight? 15 lb. guns are wonderful to shoot, 7lb 375's might not be quite so much fun...and remember, no muzzle holes or attachments...Ideas??? Thanks, Arthur

My orginal pre-64 M-70 in .375 H&H with a Lyman 4X and Bhueler one piece mount weighs 9lb 15oz

This is the correct weight therefore.

[ 06-05-2002, 04:12: Message edited by: Don Martin29 ]

Arthur,
I generally won't complain unless a rifle gets over 11 pounds for all day carry.

The 375 H&H is special, with modest recoil (whump) for the amount of "whomp" it delivers on the other end, at the target critter.

As such, I can tolerate a very light 375 H&H happily. My favorite is a trifle under 7 pounds with iron sights, call it 6-3/4 #. With my latest scope setup it weighs 7 # 11 oz (on certified scales). Add the lightest 1" nylon sling and 5 rounds of ammo, 4 in the magazine and one up the spout, and it is barely over 8 pounds fully loaded and field ready, call it 8-1/4 #. I like it!

It shoots 3/4 MOA with 300 grain X Bullets at 2528 fps from its 24" number 3 contour Douglas stainless barrel. The action is a Pre-64 Winchester Model 70, that once was a 300 H&H. The stock is the graphite and Kevlar "Brown Pounder" from Brown Precision, which weighs one pound with a Pachmayr Decelerator pad.

The light stock and light barrel balance perfectly in handling. The recoil is nothing compared to other big bores I get my kicks from.

I could easily hunt mountain sheep or cape buffalo with this gun and load.

This is my best pair of black shoes. My other 375's are in the 9 to 10 pound range field ready with scope and 4 rounds of ammo (not 5 ), and a sling.

My light weight 375 H&H is called "Uru" after the Marvel comic book name for the hammer of Thor.

The old Icelandic saga name for the hammer of Thor is "Mjollnir" which is pronounced something like "Mule Near." I save this pet name for the really heavy kicker, my 10 # 10 oz. 510 JAB/500 A2. Damn near kicks like a mule! That is about where my tolerance stops.

Arthur,

My favorite and only .375 H&H is an off the shelf Ruger No. 1 tropical. It weighs 9 1/2 pounds with scope Redfield 2 X 7 and a leather sling. It is heavy enough that I can hold it steady in a strong breeze or when I'm out of breath. The recoil is rather stiff but not painful at this weight. Since it is a single shot it is shorter than a bolt gun of the same barrel length and easier to get through the thickets with.

Arthur

Consider changing the weight of your .375, to suit the task!!

Build your rifle light to carry (say 8 - 8.75lbs field ready) and when you are in off season and shooting alot, add sand to the buttstock behind the pad. This is what I do with my rifle (easier of course with a hollow synthetic stock!). Saves some wear and tear on the shoulder/brain during practice, and on the legs/arms when hunting.

tarbe has a good approach if you have time/inclination to mess with it.

Recoil is such a personal thing that you have to do your own trial and error. It depends on how much you shoot and how much you hunt. Personally I hate heavy rifles and am willing to withstand the abuse of recoil for ease of carry and faster handling, vis-a-vis a 7 lb 375.

Get out the check book and start experimenting.

Will