project -- 376 Steyr in MRC 1999

06 November 2008, 05:20

I have an original offering (#016) SA chromoly Montana Rifleman Co standard boltface action which I am finally getting around to doing something with. My plans are to build a 376 Steyr. I'm thinking 20 or 21" stainless barrel. I will do much of the work: stocking...initially with a Boyd JRS but perhaps a McMillan later on. Maybe sights and cerekote the whole thing. Scope, etc. Still thinking it out.

MRC will 'update' the action to be sure it functions well, do the installation of barrel, and have the actionwork done to make sure the 376 functions properly. I will mostly shoot factory loads, since I have limited experience with handloading. But could change that in the future.

Any suggestion on twist, barrel length, or other insight into this project? I'm not really interested in other chamberings...short action, big bore is the focus of this project. Standard chambering (even if relatively hard to fine) is highly desired, since I will not handload from the start.

thanks for anyt insight you can provide. --wil--

06 November 2008, 06:22

mstarling

Workin' on one myself. Doing a 1909 Argie that has been polished out and reheat treated. I've built a 338-06, a .376/.416 Steyr Improved and a .458 AR w 22" barrels on Mauser actions and I like them ... very handy! So, I plan to do the .376 Steyr the same length.

Supposed to be a hardy rifle for somewhat rough use so very pretty is not likely. Doing it w custom scope mounts and no irons. Will fit it with my normal safety (a left side FN safety) and a Timney trigger. Going into a Hogue stock and it will be rust blued.

I plan to use 225 Hornadys for deer and piggies and 270s for heavier game like Black Bear. Have other rifles for much tougher or more dangerous game.

Should be a good heavy-medium caliber rifle at a decent weight (8 or so pounds). Looking forward to the challenge of doing new things like the rust bluing.

06 November 2008, 06:25

505ED

Wil,

I had a pro-hunter in this gun, I loved it but alas, I'm left handed and this rifle was sold. I now have a blaser 9.3x62 tracker and it is the closest thing to the go 'ol pro-hunter.

I'd put a 20" in tube on it, and make it as compact as i could, I like heaver contoured barrels that are short so I'd say a 4 or 5 contour.

Heck either a 1-12 or a 1-14 would do nicely (stamdard stuff), but Pacnor makes a 1-10 polygonal barrel in 375 that would be cool!

Heck will I think your on the right track, I'd stock it up a Mcmillian or Hi-tec, have someone like Tip Burns www.burnsgunrepair.com do a QPQ matte finish and take that sucker hunting!

Please post pic when you get done with it, maybe one day a 376 Left hand will come my way!

Ed B.

06 November 2008, 19:30

tsturm

quote:
Originally posted by Wil:
I have an original offering (#016) SA chromoly Montana Rifleman Co standard boltface action which I am finally getting around to doing something with. My plans are to build a 376 Steyr. I'm thinking 20 or 21" stainless barrel. I will do much of the work: stocking...initially with a Boyd JRS but perhaps a McMillan later on. Maybe sights and cerekote the whole thing. Scope, etc. Still thinking it out.

MRC will 'update' the action to be sure it functions well, do the installation of barrel, and have the actionwork done to make sure the 376 functions properly. I will mostly shoot factory loads, since I have limited experience with handloading. But could change that in the future.

Any suggestion on twist, barrel length, or other insight into this project? I'm not really interested in other chamberings...short action, big bore is the focus of this project. Standard chambering (even if relatively hard to fine) is highly desired, since I will not handload from the start.

thanks for anyt insight you can provide. --wil--

I built one on a VZ-24. I went with 22" tube 1 in 12" twist & Hogue stock, the finish is Gunkote flat black & OD green, Love it!!!

08 November 2008, 03:42

Wil

I've been exchanging e-mails with Jeff of Montana Rifle about the build. Since this is one of their early actions, sn0016, they will check it out regarding some of the issues that early actions seemed to encounter from time to time and will make sure it is all A-OK. So, I will have them do the barrel work.

He indicated that the 376 Steyr can be a pain to make work properly and so will need some additional work to insure feeding, etc. That I will gladly pay for. The rest (finish, stocking, etc) general work will be my winter time project.

I plan to use a 1:12 twist barrel but would like input regarding contour. The MRC site says that #4 is the smallest for .375, is there a reason to go bigger contour for a short barrel?

Thanks to all who have responded and in advance to any who will.

--wil--

08 November 2008, 03:50

mstarling

As I said, I am building a .376 Steyr. Last year I built a .376/.416 Steyr on a J.C. Higgins FN action. Was originally a .270 I suspect. Did require opening up the rails at the front some.

Just mounted it on a holding fixture, turned it upside down and used a 3/16" ball cutter from the bottom. Was certainly not as as difficult to do as a .458 AR which is much larger in diameter.

Thought I'd use approximately the same dimensions for the .376 Steyr, starting slightly smaller and working my way up and forward.

12 November 2008, 08:58

WestCoaster

Wil
Handling issues can come in to play when you lop a bbl.
The weight balance will be affected usually when you take a rifle setup at 24" and knock it back to 20". So to counteract that you can go with the 20" bbl and heavier contour (makes up for the loss of 4 inches of bbl weight) to get the same handling effect as you would with the 24" bbl.
Rough an dirty explanation. LOL

12 November 2008, 09:00

WestCoaster

Just curious.. anyone know of the 376 Steyr available from any factory manuf?
I tried to latch onto one here but had no luck.
(Canada)

12 November 2008, 09:30

Macifej

quote:
Originally posted by WestCoaster:
Just curious.. anyone know of the 376 Steyr available from any factory manuf?
I tried to latch onto one here but had no luck.
(Canada)

...er?...uh?...try Steyr....

12 November 2008, 19:39

.366torque

quote:
Originally posted by WestCoaster:
Just curious.. anyone know of the 376 Steyr available from any factory manuf?
I tried to latch onto one here but had no luck.
(Canada)

Have you tried Italiam sporting goods? They deal in Steyr.

13 November 2008, 10:08

WestCoaster

quote:
Macifej

Yep I tried em that was the failed attempt. For some reason Steyr don't seem to want to bring them (376) into Canada. On top of that it seems that now they only catalog the 376 in the scout version.
They do have three new versions..
African 338 rcm, 375 ruger.
Alaskan 30-06, 338 rcm, 375 ruger.
Big bore 450 Marlin.

14 November 2008, 05:51

Wil

Westcoaster,
The balance issue with the shorter barrel makes a lot of sense and I hadn't thought of it. I appreciate the insight. --wil--

16 November 2008, 04:38

Alberta Canuck

My own choice would be the #4 contour, 21" long.

Balance is very important in long-range, precise offhand shooting. I am not certain it matters as much in "snap-shooting" up close where one wants very much to kill something that wants to chew on him. Of course it is always nice if nothing more important is downgraded to achieve it.

I have a Pro-hunter .376 Steyr, with the relatively light 20" barrel, and wouldn't become too annoyed if the barrel was 18" and the same profile. The use for that rifle (in my hands) is to take really quick shots up close in the brush. For that, I love it as it is.

I would build my next one at 21" just to gain a little more velocity (maybe 50 fps?) with the lighter bullets (235 grain) for average-day all-around deer/elk hunting. I know 50 fps won't amount to a hill of beans, but as it won't cost any more, it won't hurt anything FOR THAT USE either.

Isn't it amazing that before we can answer any of the little specific questions, we have to first answer the big one? Like...."How do I want to use this rifle?"