Hello,
I'm going to have a 375 H&H built from one of my M70 actions and was wondering what the best overall barrel length would be. The rifle would be used up here in Alaska and I've been going back and forth between the 375 and a 338.

Thank you,

Dan

Mine is 23". I find it a good compromise of length and handiness and weight (@ 8.5lbs no scope, 9.25lbs with, which I find about right - but wouldn't miss a half pound.) Hope this helps.

JPK

I have a number of 375's with barrels from 20" to 25". I find when I'm heading out I grab the shorter one most of the time and have never noticed any difference on game.

I have owned 375's with barrels ranging from 20-26.
My current one is sporting the 26 and it is going in soon to be chopped 2-3 inches.
Shorter barrel rifles are easier to swing when you are stuck in the alders!

The USFS here has about 50 375's with 20" barrels. Doesn't seem to be an issue for them for bear stoppers.

USFS is catering to the Lowest Common Denominator: Short People

Randy Newman Sings, Mini Me, etc.

I have had them from 20" to 25" and only regretted those less than 23".

I'm kind of partial to a 26" barrel. The longer barrel hasn't been an issue here in the big thicket of East Texas for hog hunting. I can lose and have lost front sight hoods on 18" barrelled carbines as easily as a 26"er, but point being is handling. Just an opinion but I think the H&H really shines with a longer tube. The 375 Steyr could maybe make better use of a shorter tube. Just an opinion of course, Rodney.

21-22inches especially on that M70 action, 300grain bullet you can get 2550+fps, the 270 bullets you will still get over 2700+fps plenty of power and a great handling rifle in the bush.

USFS is catering to the Lowest Common Denominator: Short People


Actually, for the short people they shorten the other end.
Those guns spend many days a year in the woods of SEAK and are tools for only one purpose, keepin a bear from making snacks of the employees. There was actually studies done about the barrel length and the resulting power loss and effect on stopping ability. They buy cases of 270 gr Remington RN for the purpose.
These guns are intended to be used at 15 yds and the short ones have no disadvantage in velocity loss at that range. They do not buy premium grade bullets and the additional velocity from a longer barrel at 15 yds would only reduce the penetration as the bullets shed pieces and result in a much lower retained weight. Very much like a 458 with 500 gr Hornadys will at 15 yds, out penetrate a 460 with the same bullet.
Granted that if you are wanting to reach out past 200 yds with a 375 a 26" will reduce some trajectory.
If the gun is used more in the interior I'd opt for the longer barrel, but in the woods of SE I'd at least consider a shorter barrel. To each his own.

When I posted earlier I was thinking of the 375H&H as an all around hunting rifle not specifically as a close range protection/stopper as used in Alaska. My preference is a 24 to 26 tube for potentially longer shots. For myself when backpacking and camping {non-hunting situation} where there could be concern for my ranking on the food chain I keep a short barrel 10 guage with a mixture of slugs and buckshot, mostly slugs. Also usually have a large handgun. Otherwise for a purpose intended only rifle I agree with the shorter barrel for protection and for sorting things out. Rodney.

I like a long thinner tube of 26 inches or a short fat tube of 20 inches, no compromise..I want the barrel to hang hard for off hand shooting...I tend to like the 26 inch version, at least lately, but reserve the option to change my mind on a moments notice..Something that is seldom allowed on AR, you will be quoted a year from now you know!

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
Mine is 23". JPK

22.5" is perfect.

OK! OK!
Start with the 26", if you don't like it you can always cut it off.

My pre 64 came with a 25 and that seems just perfect. Then again my sako came with a 24 and that seemed about perfect. Do we have a pattern here?

LRH270: I disagree! 22.3" is perfect!

FWIW, for the terrain I hunt, I like the 24 (23.6) bbl on my Sako. However, I probably wouldn't go shorter than 22. Lou

If one is only going to use it for bear protection then a shorter barrel would carry nicely.

One isn't goimg to shoot it a lot maybe not a all Most every well go through life with out ever shooting a bear in selfdefense.( I still belive one should carry something when in the wild or otherwise.)

If one plans to shoot it a bit then I would go for a longer barrel. Because the muzzle blast is very hard on the ears out of shorter barrels. I have both some 17 inch 18 inch scout rifles. The muzzle blast is what turns me off most. The handle nice and have killed game well. But they are loud.

I longer barrel hangs better for off hand shots.

Maybe thats why I have way more then one rifle that way I can use the one I think fits each hunt.

My Stainless Clasic is in getting chopped to 22" right now.

hi
what would be the velocity lost if you cut the barrel down to 23-22-20 inches with average factroy loadings?
yes

22.5" is perfect.

LRH270: I disagree! 22.3" is perfect!


Prof -- I view the perfection of the 22.5" barrel much the same as I do the perfection of Sara Evans -- there's still room in the universe for the perfection of carrie Underwood also.

I believe your losing between 20 to 25 fps per inch. So the difference between a 26" barrel (on the long side for me) and a 22" barrel (a little too much muzzle blast once again for me) is between 80 to 100 fps. Nothing to lose sleep over for sure.

Chuck

Chuck,
The balistics have little to do with choice here..I like the 26 inch barrel because it is better for off hand shooting and snap shooting..The old timers that lived by the rifle knew that and they were right on IMO...

I can get about the same effect in a very heavy 20 inch big bore, but would keep it to 416 Rem or .375 H&H with the short barrels..

All said, I still favor the 26 inch tube for hunting...

I'd go for a 24" barrel in a .375 double and a 23" barrel, which is what I have, in a bolt. Key, as Chuck noted, is muzzle blast.

Regards

I'm with the 23"ers, my ZKK602 in 375H&H was 25" to begin with IIRC, I had it lopped to 23" & found it handier without any great loss of velocity, about 55 fps with Remington 270 grain factory loads. Muzzle blast didn't appear to be a problem at that length. Unsurprisingly it stayed that length when I had it rebored to 416 Rigby, also a good length for this caliber I believe. Every barrel length is a compromise, as is every all round caliber. You pays your money etc....
Steve.