Gents,

I just aquired a left-handed, Ruger 77, MkII, re-barrreled and chambered to 358 Norma. The barrel is stainless and mikes out to .665 at the muzzel. It was not drilled and tapped for iron sights so that would not be a problem as to metal left at the chamber.
Can this gun be re-chambered and bored out to .375HH?

Roger QSL

I don't think so for two reasons. One, the magazine won't be long enough. two the taper of the .375 H&H may be such that the chamber won't clean out properly due to the shoulder area if the Norma being too large.
However, you just might be able to rebore it to the .375 Taylor, a damn fine wildcat which will do anything the H&H can do. The barrel would have to be set back maybe a half inch and then rechambered and rebored. You could even use your .358 Norma brass and resize and trim it to the proper length. Frankly, I much prefer resizing .458 Win. mag. brass to the Taylor. it's a lot easier than running .338 Win. Mag. through the die.
The .375 Taylor is also known and the .375 Chatfield-Taylor and .375/338 Mag.A very fine round that is efficent and very accurate, at least in my rifle. I can get advertised .375 H&H velocity from my rifle and it has only a 22" barrel.
Paul B.

Paul,

Thanks for the retort.
Dummy me, as I tried a dummy loaded 375 with a short 210 Barnes and found out the round is way too long for the action.
How about a new barrel in 458 Win. Will that work on the 77?
Roger QSL

yep, it'll go in with far less fuss than making a 375HH work in a mauser. Order the 375HH bag for the ruger RSM, and you'll see the work required. The thickness is larger than a shilen #4, so it would work.. but unless the stock is special, i would consider a replacement.

though there's not a thing wrong with the norma

What's wrong with the .358 Norma? Doesn't it shoot well?

quote:

What's wrong with the .358 Norma? Doesn't it shoot well?

Nothing at all wrong with the Norma. Gun hasn't even been to the range yet. Got it for a future re-work.

I tried a dummy 458 Win., and it works well in the magazine. The nice stock on the gun might not handle the 458's recoil without some cross-bolting.

I probably will wait till the dust settles on the new Ruger 375, and make a decision as to that round.

Roger QSL