GSI doesn't import Steyr, Dynamit Nobel doesn't list any rifles in 376.....so......what's the deal......is the 376 going to just fade away??? I've been thinking about buying one, but I don't want a rifle that I can't get replacement parts or even brass for in the future!

So, what's the scoop???

GH,
It's not the world's most popular round, which is too bad. Brass can be had today, and I am buying 200 more when steve gets around to running this lot. The brass can easily be made from cutting down 9,3x64..
In a 24" barrel, it meets 375HH factory loads, and in a 19" barrel, it's close enough. Eric has published quite about in that config.
Recoil is mild, for a 375, around a 338 winnie, mebbe? accuracy is great, and if you bought a prohunter, you would have a rifle that you can hunt the world with.

jeffe

It isn't the world's most popular round because there isn't any good reason for it to exist! It does't do anything either the (difficult to find, also) 9.3x64 or the (world conquering) .375 H&H will do. It will fit into a .308 length action but that hardly makes it the greatest thing since a bread knife. It seems to be now, and will likely be in the future, a true crank's caliber. If you absolutely must have something no one else you know has, it ought to be very effective on game. Given that it duplicates cartridges that have been effective on game for a century, that comes as no surprise. I think Jeffe has the right approach. Buy up a whole Hell of a lot of brass and then if (when!) it goes off the market, you won't care. When that day dawns, you will have an even more unusual rifle and can really gloat to your partners!

GonHuntin,

I have a Steyr .376 ProHunter, and I have been following the .376 Steyr story.

The factory originally thought they might develop a line of Steyr cartridges from the basic case; recall the Mannlicher-Schoenauer cartridges from the last century. They introduced the .376 Steyr, but decided that the .416 Steyr would not offer enough velocity to impress velocity-conscious US shooters. Of course, there are wildcatters out there doing a lot of development work for them.

Last year at the 2002 SHOT show Steyr-Mannlicher (who was acquired themsleves shortly before) announced that they were going to change US importers from GSI to Dynamit-Nobel/RWS. Buzz on the street had it that the new Steyr owners were on good terms with the DN/RWS people. DN/RWS says they are getting up to speed on Steyr sales and service, but if so they have under-whelmed the shooting community in the US. Buzz also has it that Steyr is not building any more .376 Steyr rifles until they get an order for new rifles -- presumably from DN/RWS.

CDNN Investments appears to have acquired the remaining stock of .376 Steyr rifles (in both Scout and ProHunter configurations), and is holding a fire sale. The ProHunter for example is now selling at $449.99.

Hornady remains the ammunition maker, and the 270-grain and the 225-grain factory loads are still available. They also sell the brass, but availablility has been off and on. People are trying to buy more brass than Hornady has made it seems. Hornady also sells dies. Others do too, and there is loading data available from Hodgdon and others.

Meanwhile the SM factory is sitting back and watching for the results of the wildcatters. This is one way to do development work "cheap and cheerful". I don't know if this is their strategy, but it has worked for Winchester, Remington and Ruger in the past. Stey's new owners could save $ with this developoment strategy.

jim dodd

Jim

I have been looking at the Pro Hunter sale at CDNN....I was thinking about building a custom 350 mag on a Rem model 7 but I'm now thinking that the 376 Pro Hunter might be a better and less expensive choice? If I get one, I would buy several hundred pieces of brass....that's a given....but what about spare parts for the rifle? How many magazines should a prudent shooter gather up for the future (at $59 a pop I hope it isn't too many!)? What about other parts? Are there any weak links in the rifle that would warrant having spares on hand??? I just don't want to buy a "white elephant"!!!

Thanks

[ 12-26-2002, 21:56: Message edited by: GonHuntin ]

GonHuntin,

I bought two of those extra magazines, as my rifle only came with one. I figured to have one to carry in the field, and the second to put away in case of a magazine loss somehow or other.

I also have a Steyr Scout rifle. For it I got an extra extractor and spring. I have not broken anything on either rifle, knock on wood. I know people putting a lot of use on the .308 Win Steyr Scout without breakage, but who can say for sure.

I expect most gunsmiths to be able to make small parts if necessary.

jim dodd

Jim. Iwas thinking about the fact that CDNN has them so cheap. I was wondering what we could chamber one for easily. Might make an intersesting project. I must admit I am quite fond of that little gun. Getting brass is still however still an issue.

Well, I was interested in one of these rifles in .376 Steyr also. The Scout is no longer made and it is near impossible to find a ProHunter on any local dealer's shelves. The ammo is also around, but sporadic in availability, somewhat costly and limited in amount and selection (270 grain load hard to find here). I shelved the idea.

[ 12-29-2002, 05:35: Message edited by: targshooter ]

Jeffeosso has a .376 Steyr on a Mauser action, that route will always be available.

I like the ProHunter with the 20" barrel too, and Steyr will build rifles if there is demand. I have bugged the factory (engineering and marketing) and their new US distributors about improved marketing -- to no good that I can tell.

I saw a dummy .30-.376 cartridge case on a gunsmith's bench at a recent visit, I am sure there are more wildcats out there. Perhaps that is where all the brass went!

I don't have any trouble ordering dies or loaded ammo (both 225 and 270 grain Hornady loads), but brass is hard to find now. It was selling on the auction sites earlier this year.

Marketing is what sell rifles. Jim Busha of Heavy Express had lines of "WSM" cartridges in either Winchester M70 or Ruger M77 short action rifles. Winchester droves his sales almost to zero, and he is out of business (except for custom work). Big Red and Big Green understand marketing to American hunters and shooters. Not many makers compete effectively with them.

jim dodd

Even as we speak my backorder from 7 months ago was delivered today!