I have all the pieces to put together a 375. Action, stock, bottom metal etc. but I do not have a barrel. I want it stainless, and ideally finish at .650 at 23". I'm getting a little push back from a local barrel maker and am curious about opinions on the subject here. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Nelson:
I have all the pieces to put together a 375. Action, stock, bottom metal etc. but I do not have a barrel. I want it stainless, and ideally finish at .650 at 23". I'm getting a little push back from a local barrel maker and am curious about opinions on the subject here. Thanks.

I like a slimmer profile on a 375 H&H. I used to have a Ruger RSM in 375 H&H and it had a big barrel, assume their version of a #5. My current 375 H&H is a Mauser M03 with the standard profile barrel - not the Africa or PH barrel. Basically the same profile as my 300 Weatherby M03 barrel. It's 25" and I love it. The rifle is lighter - 7.75 lbs without a scope and needed to magnaport the barrel to stop the muzzle jump - it it's a nice light and handy rifle versus the Ruger.

Chuck, I have a #5 (21") on my MRC 375, with a Bansner stock and a Leupold 1.75-6 comes in a little over 9#. Too heavy for my liking in an H&H.

Chuck,

I just checked my 375 and it "mike's" .625 at the muzzle. This barrel is also 23" long and was patterned after a Shelhamer 375 that I had with one exception, the previous rifle had a 25" barrel and I wanted something shorter. I have been very happy with this decision ever since. Good luck...

Chuck,

I am a fan of relatively light (i.e. "Lively") 375s. Personally, I like a barrel between 20-23 inches with a muzzle diameter of 0.65 to 0.67.

A Douglas-ish #3 is a favorite; as is the Ruger Alaskan / African contour.

Nathan

I guess I'm backwards, I love my 25" Model 70 barrel that is .725" at the muzzle.

A number 4 contour seems about perfect.

I recently dropped my Win M70 Classic Stainless off at Kevin Weavers to get the barrel turned down. It had the very thick and heavy (about .720") factory contour.
I'm having him turn it to .625" and shortened to 22" (I think this is a #3 contour). I'm hoping this is about perfect.
The factory contour was frankly just too heavy and I found myself not using it because of this, I think the rifle will see more use with the slimmer trimmer physique.

Your gunsmith may be giving you push back because the barrel is stainless. There have been reports of stainless barrels rupturing at low temperatures, which is why Kreiger will not make a .375 H&H barrel in less than a #7 contour (0.750 at the muzzle). I personally favor a barrel of about .625 to .650 at the muzzle and 23 to 24 inches long for a .375 H&H. If everything else is reasonable dimensions, you end up with an approximate 8-1/4 to 8-1/2 pound rifle without scope.

I would second what loud-n-boomer said. The push back is likely from the fact it is stainless.

Tikka makes the T3 Stainless, in 9,3x62 with a .625 - .630" muzzle.

But, their stainless is hammer forged.

There steel is likely not Crucible 416 as well.

I had a custom project I worked on a few years ago that I sent a custom contour to Krieger. One of their techs called me and said they could not do the barrel profile due to wall thickness. He and I had about a 45 minute conversation that was very informative. Ultimately they are restricted by their steel supplier, who, if I understand correctly, is the one that did the engineering to determine barrel wall thickness.

By t heir own admission, Kreiger is a bit conservative on their dimensions...and who can blame them? I'm not wild about ANY stainless,but if you want about the lightest safe CM barrel, Douglas is a good bet.

I'll second what Duane said. I got a very small taper CM barrel from Douglas for my Ti lightweight 280AI

Yeah...found Douglas barrels shoot right along side of the other makers ands delivery is time is very reasonable

Just measured my 375/404.

It measures 0.750 at the muzzle, has a 26 inch barrel, 2.5-8X Leupold scope, and weighs 9 pounds with three rounds in it.

Several of us hunt Africa with it every year, for so many years, walking miles on end carrying it.

I would not want to have anything lighter, or with a shorter barrel.

quote:

I guess I'm backwards, I love my 25" Model 70 barrel that is .725" at the muzzle.

Frank, your gun points and feels like a shorter gun. You may have just hit the jackpot, but I doubt you will find better balance in a 375.

I shortened my new Stainless M70 down to 22" which allows me to carry and shoot it one handed, but it does not have the lively balance that yours does.
That may be the synthetic stock, but I wont know that until I get it into a nice new Bell & Carlson next year.

That said though, it shoots like a dream.

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Nelson:
I have all the pieces to put together a 375. Action, stock, bottom metal etc. but I do not have a barrel. I want it stainless, and ideally finish at .650 at 23". I'm getting a little push back from a local barrel maker and am curious about opinions on the subject here. Thanks.

FWIW, I agree with those that prefer their 375 H&Hs to have muzzle diameters of approximately .650 inches. For my taste, the barrels of many 375 H&Hs are unnecessarily fat, e.g., Winchester, Ruger, CZ, etc. My Sako AV 375 H&H's muzzle started life at .630 @ 24", it's now .657 @ 22". For me, this barrel contour provides perfect balance and weight for the 375 bore. I believe all Sako AVs and possibly L61Rs chambered for the 25-06 to 375 H&H have the same barrel contour, mine do.

Does anyone know the weight of the Lothar Walther original H&H 375 contour barrel?