For some odd reason I've been wanting to build a big bore rifle. There's really no need for it since the biggest animal I have to hunt in south Alabama would be a whitetail deer on steroids maybe, but would like to build one anyway, just in case... I had thought about the .416 Taylor on a Savage action, but don't want to be limited as far as bullet availability. I think I've narrowed my selection down to the .375 H&H and .375 Whelen. I'm leaning more towards the H&H but like the idea of using the cheaper .30-06 or .35 Whelen brass for the other. Any suggestions or preferences? Advice on action selection?

For many reasons, ranging from nostalgia, to the prospect of hunting Africa one day, to resale ease & value, I would go with the .375. It can do anything you want it to and you'll be preparing yourself for an African adventure in the process.

NEED, NEED, NEED? If I had used that rational, I would only have a 22 lr, a 12 ga shotgun, and a 375 H&H to hunt the world over!

JS_280, you can rationalize all you want, and you will only find one real justification for building a "BIG BORE" , and that is, because you want one! It seems to me you really want the H&H, and it is my opinion, you will not be sattisfied till you build one!

I think you know, however, that a 375 H&H will kill an Alabama whitetail quite nicely! Additionally, it will damage less meat, with a 300 gr bullet than the others of your choice.

I think, since you evidently have proper deer rifles already, I would go with the 375 H&H. One never knows when you may decide to go to Alaska, or Africa, and the H&H is a far better choice for those places, than anything else you have mentioned,with the possible exception of the wildcat 416 Taylor, but is , IMO, more versatile, accross the board. One thing sure if you use your 375 H&H regularly, when the chips are down, on something that bites, you will be up to the mark!

JS_280,

It is really hard to go past the 375 H&H for a first big bore. For a rifle, I would look to either the CZ 550 or Model 70. In my opinion the 375 needs to be in the "right" rifle and those two are "right"

If you want a big bore the 35 Whelen and 375/06 just don't make the grade and neither does the 338 Winchester.

If you want to shoot deer in the woods, then stick 39 grains of H4227 behind the 220 Hornady flat nose for 2100 f/s, no recoil, zero blast and good accuracy.

Use the 375 enough and get used to the idea that it was really designed to be used everday on everything, then you can sell your 30/06 off

Mike

I'll vote twice, please

if you are set on a 375, and have a long enough action, the H&H is simply the only choice. you CAN load the 375/06 to near the same power of stock, but you also CAN load the hnh way down.

but, my second vote it the 416 taylor. It's a puppy to shoot, you have bullet choices from 300 to 410 gr available everyday.

Jeffe

Wow! No response for half a day, then 5 in 14 seconds!!

Thanks for the replys. I believe that I've about decided on the .375 H&H with a Pac-Nor barrel. I got to pricing components and it should be just as cheap to reload for it as it would be to buy the cheap factory .30-06 provided I stick to using the 235 grain Speer semi-spitzers or the 225 grain Hornady spire-points in the .375. This will allow for LOTS of practice with it. One more question though...Does anyone have any information on the .375 H&H Ackley Improved? I've heard of the improved version but can't find any information on it. Can you shoot the factory H&H rounds in the AI chamber like you can with the other AI calibers?

>>JS_280<<Thanks for the replys. I believe that I've about decided on the .375 H&H with a Pac-Nor barrel.>>SNIP<<

Good choice!>>MAC <<

>> JS_280 << One more question though...Does anyone have any information on the .375 H&H Ackley Improved? I've heard of the improved version but can't find any information on it. Can you shoot the factory H&H rounds in the AI chamber like you can with the other AI calibers?

Only My opinion, but If it ain't broke, don't fix it! And Yes you can fire factory 375 H&H in the AI chamber! >> Mac <<

I'm not knocking the 375 cartridge , but my opinion is it ain't no big bore . It is a medium bore .

JS

I suspect you could build a .416 Taylor or a .458 Winchester for less than it would take you to aquire a .375 H&H. And would see little differnce in ammo cost with the lighter range of bullets .

Unless of course you don't mind an H&H in a Remington version . But that could be borderline obcene .

As my name says, I love Cz 550s and own one in 375 h&h and one in 416 rigby. I think you owe it to yourself to check them out. The price is phenomenal and they shoot like a dream.

I know the .375 is not a truely big bore, but keep in mind that the average American seems to think the 7mm Rem Mag is an artilery piece. In the same way, if its associated with Africa, its got to be big bore.

Either way its seems to be the entry level bore. Once you get a .375 and realize it wont kill you, your guns only get bigger.

btw, I would, build or buy the .375 H&H.

[ 09-23-2002, 09:50: Message edited by: KBGuns ]

I like the idea of buying a stock new Win model 70 in 458 win mag, knocking the spacer out of the magazine box and running a 458 lott reamer up inside. You would also need to put a 2nd recoil lug on the barrel and bed it well.

The gunsmithing should run in the range of $200 to $300, and then you will have a pretty high end big bore.

I agree with most that the 375 H&H is your best bet, it is a great caliber for any use....

Mike,
I basically agree with you but I think you underestimate the 338 Win a great deal, I have used it on Buffalo and Eland and I cannot see a lot of difference in it and the 375 in killing power and it will shoot a little flatter...It is a great caliber IMO...

Get a cz .375 H&H or M70, I have a cz in .416 and love it. I to will be getting a .375 H&H just to see what all the fuss is about.

Ray,

I am sure you are even more than right but the 338 does not have the "big bore" feel.

It don't look right when you stick round nose bullets in it

Mike