Hello
Have a friend who was a big game african guide. I am tackfully thinking of asking to be notified if he sells his 375 H&H double so i can make an offer. I would dearly like to own one of 'his' rifles if he sells them.
What are your thoughts on 375H&H on australian game and especially in a double.
I am thinking with the right bullets it is not all that impractical for a sambar, camel, donkey and buffalo as well as reduced loads for fun on pigs and deer in thick stuff.
I realise that I can do the job with less but if I had this rifle would I use it??

Robe! Mate! There is no reason why you should have to justify owning a .375H&H.But the old Saying use enough gun always works for me! I still pull my Bruno 601 in 375 out for a spot of Goat shooting & do'nt mind just letting a few off up & the Range (A)cause I've got one & (B) cause It's one hell of a cal to own!

go for it robe, I don't own a 375 but the win 70 thread on big bores has got me thinking.
I think a 375 double would be a great Sambar rifle and fun on other smaller stuff. I use my 416 on everything including rabbits just cause I can.
Why use reduced loads though?

No way Robe. I think a double in 375 H&H is a piece of shit. Give me his details and I will help him by taking it off his hands.


Seriously ....

Many guys think a non-rimmed or flanged round in a double is a mistake. Especially as a dangerous game rifle. But while their case is actually quite true, myself I would still consider one for the right rifle and the right price. It is a matter of margins - rimless or magnum belt vs rimmed case. A lot of smaller doubles use rimless cartridges.

The next aspect is pressure and back thrust. Is the H&H case too much for a double SS action? A lot of them are made however by reputable double rifle makers so I do not believe they would do so if they were not satisfied with the result.

As for the .375 H&H. It is a great cartridge and calibre. It can handle anything on the face of the earth. It is THE world all-round hunting cartridge.

I have one in a M98 Whitworth bolt action and have used it on pigs, goats, deer, and African plains game and cape buffalo. I like it a lot.

As a sambar rifle a .375 may be a little too heavy to carry for days up and down mountains for just the very rare shot. JMO but lots of guys like big calibres for sambar.

Sounds great for camel, donkey and buffalo and I would use full powered loads for pigs, goats and deer.

As for lighter loads you will need to ensure the rifle if a double regulates ie places both bullets impact on the point of aim at say either 50 yards or 100 yards. Shoot one-right, one-left, one-right, one-left. And see how they impact. In a double keep the velocity moderate. You may have to do a lot of playing around to get the ammo regulating.

Good luck.

Will send you a PM.

The rifle is an u/o. I am sure the rifle is in perfect condition, bar probable scratches from use. He used it on buffalo, leopard and such. When I was just getting into shooting he wrote me a 3 or 4 page letter explaining each of his loads and what they were used for including bullets. Since then he has lent me books on african big game hunting and chatted about all things hunting.

I have no idea how much I am going to pay to make a reasonable offer but figure my beretta shotgun was quite a bit and I have never second guessed that purchase.
I don't know what the make is or anything but will catch up with him in a few weeks and just get him talking on his big game rifles. If I am lucky I may get a shot and I can take it from there.

The thought with reduced loads was that I remember vagely reading somewhere here that reduced loads reduced the kick and muzzle blast but are still about 3006 performance. If I spend what I think I am goin to have to spend I want to hopefully wear this rifle out. This will mean I will want to grab it over my 280rem mountain rifle.
The thought of a fast handling rifle for close thick cover and deer size animals seems like a very natural step up from flushing foxes from your feet with the 12 gauge.

Just approach him from the angle that you have admired his rifle for a long time , and would he consider giving you first right of refusal should he ever want to part with , because you value the relationship you have and the history the gun has for both of you . Worst thing he can do is say "no, go away ...."

The .375 H&H is a big 30/06 and for me makes more sense than a 30/06. You have from speer 235 gr bullets, various aussie taipans, 260 gr Nosler BT's and the big woodleigh's from 235 gr to 320 gr woodleigh's. I own one in a cz bolt rifle and am fond of it.

Thanks all
Obviously I have asked a somewhat biased group Thanks

Amazingly my GF and Dad were more focussed on how such a large capital outlay would affect me in the short term and dad was wondering why I 'needed' one as I own a nice 280.
My GF did warn me that this is not something she would encourage if we were properly hitched which had the expected massive swing infavour of splashing out now. Thick I can kiss the harley aspirations goodbye

I am really only interested in "HIS" double and I don't know its details. However could someone put me in the ball park. I am expecting around $4000. I don't want to offend him so what do similar rifles sell for new and how do they keep their value. Are their any additional features or brands which could dramatically increase prices without being obvious?

I'm sure if you have the relationship with the retired gent that I suspect you , then you may well be able to pay the rifle off over time .

Forget the Harley , you cant hunt much with one of them , and you'll only end up with haemorrhoids from the shaking and that god-awfull seating position . Go with the gun , your missus will see the logic in it when you bring home all that "free" meat that you can harvest , and if she doesnt see that obvious logic then trade her in . Gee mate why buy a book when you can join the library anyway.....

Robe0280,

You must justify this necessity to your better half by explaining it`s far cheaper than a Harley, because if you were to purchase the Harley you`d then need to purchase a utility to pick the heap of s... up every time it broke down.

You can never have too much gun, as the other wise men have said - Go for it.

If you`re like me you`ll enjoy the power & noise & muzzle blast & reloading etc.

Most of all have fun doing it.

Cheers Morton

The gunmaker will have a huge effect on the difference in potential price.


As for the girlfriend, beware of girlfriend's who try to order you around before you are already married. You KNOW what they will be like AFTER you are married.

Thanks all
Have duely taken note of all advice on GF and harleys
After some quick research have realised my $4000 doesn't get many double rifles. For that money I could get a very decent bolt action, scope and with the change have the stock custom fitted. But it will never be a double and certainly won't have the history.
Will wait until I have fired a few shots as it will then be obvious if it becomes one of those things you MUST HAVE.After all will porbably spend the rest of my life worry about stuff like money anyway

Nitro is right brand will affect price. U/O seem to be less than SxS. Have seen the Zoli U/O 30/06 second hand for $2500AUD

Some of the smaller calibre doubles can be had in the $4000 to $8000 range. Black powder big bores can also be purchased in this price range. For a big bore of .375 and up the price for a NEW rifle starts around $7000 and up to $15,000 for a fairly basic grade rifle.

A vintage rifle can very considerably in these ranges and well above - cartridge/calibre, maker, box lock or sidelock, condition, standard etc will all have an effect. I don't pretend to be an expert.

You have said it is an Under and over. A U/O will probably be cheaper than a side by side especially in a big bore. Most guys prefer a Side by Side for big bores.

If it is something like a Valmet or Tikka around $3000 might be very achievable. That is why I said the maker and details make a big difference. A Valmet is not available in .375 H&H but I have seen some custom modifed from .375 Winchester to a larger cartridge in the USA.

I imagine a stack barrel .375 H&H will be a German or Austrian (or Continental) maker.

quote:

My GF did warn me that this is not something she would encourage if we were properly hitched

Don't let'em rule your life mate.Bossy GF's are my pet peev,get a better one.

Thanks Nitrox and 416SW
The price breakdown has lifted my spirits again, the 375 calibre seems to have a good range of bullets and can be purchased of the counter most places (of course shots may not be regulated without handloads). I have an u/o shotgun so I could potentially get them both custom fitted the same which is a HUGE plus for fast shots.
I know he only buys good quality and as it doesn't have lots of classic engraving and from memeory extravegent wood work it may well be within my reach. The thought of decending into a fern choked gully with Sambar sign leading in certainly cries out 375 double to me


As for the girlfriend. Have spent some time in the library (Muzza ) and have come to the conlclusion that most of the good books are not found sitting on the shelf.

Easy_Rollins yes but there are positives and I know what she has to put up with