The Accurate Reloading Forums
Cutting winchester M70 .375 to 21"
09 November 2015, 00:53
gunslinger55Cutting winchester M70 .375 to 21"
Stainless classic. Who has done it? Velocity lost? Muzzle blast? suggestions? Looking to lighten it up.
Thanks for the info
White Mountains Arizona
09 November 2015, 01:56
458WinI cut mine to 21" and it helped a lot. I then had it turned down to ftw contour and love it.
Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship
Phil Shoemaker
Alaska Master guide
FAA Master pilot
NRA Benefactor
www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com 09 November 2015, 05:56
Dead EyeI cut a remington to 21" and notice no more muzzle blast.
Velocity was lost of course but I'm still pushing a 270 tsx at 2700 fps. Which is fine by me
09 November 2015, 06:38
Snellstromquote:
Originally posted by 458Win:
I cut mine to 21" and it helped a lot. I then had it turned down to ftw contour and love it.
Hey Phil
Any noticeable change in accuracy?
I have a Stainless Classic too, very very accurate rifle but it is heavy, been thinking of trimming to 22" and re contour but scared that it may not be as accurate.....
09 November 2015, 09:06
gunslinger55Thanks Phil. Sounds like a plan
quote:
Originally posted by 458Win:
I cut mine to 21" and it helped a lot. I then had it turned down to ftw contour and love it.
White Mountains Arizona
09 November 2015, 22:54
458WinThe accuracy on mine wasn't any too good at the beginning <2moa> and neither the cutting or turning seemd to change things either way. But it sure is light and handy and 1 1/2 to 2 moa is plenty for the animals I use it for.
Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship
Phil Shoemaker
Alaska Master guide
FAA Master pilot
NRA Benefactor
www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com 11 November 2015, 19:42
AtkinsonPierre Van Tonder has an old iron sighted pre war model 70, no blue, drift wood looking stock, 20 inch original barrel and its a tack driver..Id give my left nut for it, I have shot a lot of game with that old gun..tried to buy it year after year, to no avail.
Just get after it, still gets you the ideal 2500 FPS with a 300 gr. Woodleigh.

Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
13 November 2015, 00:42
gunslinger55Mines a bit better than that and yeah it's not a varmint rifle
quote:
Originally posted by 458Win:
The accuracy on mine wasn't any too good at the beginning <2moa> and neither the cutting or turning seemd to change things either way. But it sure is light and handy and 1 1/2 to 2 moa is plenty for the animals I use it for.
White Mountains Arizona
13 November 2015, 08:36
SnellstromI found a load for mine that it really likes with 300 grain TSX Barnes and Reloader 15 powder, shoots 5 under an inch if I'm doing my part, have shot several 3 shot groups that are .6" (yes at 100 yards) 2.5-8 Leupold on it.
Shooting the way it does I'm wondering if I should mess with it however it is heavy and I'd hunt more with it if it were trimmer.
13 November 2015, 10:54
lavacaWhy would you
do that? MAYBE a big boomer, but I wouldn't even do that.
13 November 2015, 18:10
Big Wonderful WyomingThe portability of a short barreled 375 is wonderful. I am going to do mine that way once I figure out what fiberglass is going to replace the wood stock for hunting.
21 is a really good place to start.
14 November 2015, 02:33
gunslinger55I went McMillan
White Mountains Arizona
14 November 2015, 08:38
Big Wonderful WyomingI have a HS Precision for my Ruger African. I am thinking about doing the same for my M70. I'd like to try an Echols' Legend.
Maybe I can fingerbang one at Safari Club.
14 November 2015, 13:19
A7Davequote:
Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
The portability of a short barreled 375 is wonderful. I am going to do mine that way once I figure out what fiberglass is going to replace the wood stock for hunting.
21 is a really good place to start.
I put mine in a B&C Medalist with the aluminum bedding block. Worked well for me. Minimal grinding to fit the trigger guard.
Dave
16 November 2015, 20:58
gunslinger55Less expensive for sure. I have one on a factory Winchester and seems like a nice stock.
White Mountains Arizona
17 November 2015, 00:06
458WinThe original rifles H&H built for their 375 H&H round weighed 8 1/2 pounds. They were well balanced with realatively long, slim barrels.
The longer barrels were good with iron sights and the loads of the time but with our modern loads it is easy to match or better the original ballistics with shorter barrels.
Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship
Phil Shoemaker
Alaska Master guide
FAA Master pilot
NRA Benefactor
www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com 17 November 2015, 04:07
A.J. HydellIt really depends on where and what you're hunting with the .375 H&H ...
In Africa, especially for longer shots, I'd keep the tube to 24" minimum.
Up in Alaksa, out in the bush, a 21" barrel would be handy and very manuverable for quick shots on something close and nasty, and moving fast.
All The Best ...
17 November 2015, 05:19
BoxheadMine is cut to 21" and with the heavy fluting and Brown 'pounder stock is spot on for me. Working loads now for spring bear next year and it is doing well enough with the 270 gr TSX.
17 November 2015, 09:11
lavacaBoxhead,
That's a nice practical rifle, no doubt. .458 Win's is prettier, not even open to debate.
By the way .458, I really like the stippling on top of the receiver.
I like both working rifles and pretty rifles -- partial to working rifles, frankly -- but I don't like short barrels. Or on doubles either.
17 November 2015, 18:43
Big Wonderful WyomingThe stippling was done on most mausers to remove the military markings. Can't have a Holland Rifle with Swastikas on it.
17 November 2015, 20:41
PKWThat is a nice looking rifle to be sure! Mine is a Sako Kodiak, w 21.5" bbl. easily sub moa at 100 yds with factory ammo - either Rem 270 gr SP or Swift A frame in 300 gr. I'm working on loads in 270 gr Swift A frame.
18 November 2015, 22:27
gunslinger55Getting it cut to 20" so the hole for the front sight is removed. Going to get front sight re attached. Was only 23 1/2" from factory strange. How much weight did that fluting take out? I may do that as well. Plus getting stock lightened.
White Mountains Arizona
21 November 2015, 05:20
gunslinger55How much weight will a 20" heavy contour .375 lose with 6 flutes? Anyone know?
White Mountains Arizona
21 November 2015, 07:13
Cold Trigger FingerNot sure, 20" is totally sufficient for the 375 HandH. Or Ruger. I'm sure you will still be able to get 2700 fps with a 270 gr bullet. And have a real handy rifle.
Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle."
23 November 2015, 07:05
mlfgunsI have a Win. .375H&H that I had cut down to 21" with no regrets.
24 November 2015, 09:50
chuck375We had my son's LH Model 70 Classic in 416 Rem cut to 22" It's absolutely fine, having the barrel contour turned so it's lighter would be awesome too, they are so barrel heavy. Replaced the sights with NECG, put Talley QRs and a 1.5 - 5x Leupold on it. Nice rifle.
Regards,
Chuck
"There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit"
Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness"
26 November 2015, 01:37
AtkinsonI have never felt these bigger calibers killed with velocity anyway, they kill with mass of bullet and cross section of bullet..I know some claim the .375 as a long range caliber but its trjectroy is about that of a 180 gr. 30-06 unless you go with monolithics and the in itself is a misused bullet in many cases in that it sheds velocity quickly and in the ultra light for caliber is fails to penetrate contrary to some stuff I have read. IMO you can go one weight below a standard for example you can shoot a 150 gr. Monolithic as opposed to a 180 gr. Nosler or whatever and get about the same result...but realms of knowledge have and will continue to be expressed on this subject!

Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
09 December 2015, 08:41
gunslinger5519 1/2" Looks great. Perfect. Did not lose much weight may flute it but will shoot it first. Still 8 lbs 14 oz in McMillan stock no scope. Looks great with that short barrel and very handy.
White Mountains Arizona
09 December 2015, 09:23
Mark ClarkI cut the barrel on this rifle, I think the piece weighed 2-3 oz. the scale not accurate at that point.
It does look better, I may cut mine to same length.
Mark
09 December 2015, 11:38
faisalCut my M70 Safari Express to 22", still getting 2550fps with 300grain Barnes TSX and Swift A-Frame (using H4350) accuracy 3/4MOA
10 December 2015, 21:35
SAFARIKIDWhy so long??!

I ♡ the short barrels...16" 600s on down! Shorten your forend "African" Style and it will look in perfect proportion! The animal Will NOT know the differnce when you smack him right!
"That's not a knife..THIS is a KNIFE" !
11 December 2015, 01:48
gunslinger55Good job Mark looks clean. The rear screw for front sight looks funny, was there a problem? As long as it does not fly off I'm OK with it.
quote:
Originally posted by Mark Clark:
I cut the barrel on this rifle, I think the piece weighed 2-3 oz. the scale not accurate at that point.
It does look better, I may cut mine to same length.
Mark
White Mountains Arizona
23 December 2015, 21:22
Bob GCut my custom Rem.721 375 H&H to 20" and installed a muzzle brake. Velocity loss was negligible.
Accuracy was neither better or worse.
Do it right the first time.
23 December 2015, 22:06
AtkinsonI have been back and fourth on barrel length with most calibers all my life..I am a bit extreme in that I like a short fat barrel or a long slim barrel at 20 or 26 inches..For off hand shooting, at least this week, I like the 26 inch barrel and see no real advantage to a carbine length except for horseback, but that's apt to change anytime now!

Bottom line is both suit me just fine, as long as they are accurate.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
25 December 2015, 02:04
lavacaI agree with Ray. I like a barrel of 26" on a bolt action rifle. I'm thinking of having a .500 built and will probably go to 25". Hate super short barrels. You give up too much for limited gains in handling.
25 December 2015, 16:42
gunslinger55I am exactly the opposite. 26" tube unless on a target rifle is an abomination

White Mountains Arizona
25 December 2015, 23:26
Bill73I have rifles with barrels from 21" to 34",single shots,Double rifles,lever action & bolt action,my latest is a custom built on a win 71 lever,the barrel is 26",I chose the longer length to get the most speed,I am pleasantly surprised with this gun,it weighs in at 8.9 oz balances perfectly,easy to carry,I would not hesitate to get a longer barrel any more as long as the weight is reasonable & it is light to carry.
DRSS