The Accurate Reloading Forums
VZ24 action with .375 barrel, what should I do?
01 June 2004, 09:53
M1TankerVZ24 action with .375 barrel, what should I do?
I have a VZ24 with a 24" Shilen barrel fitted to it. But it is still not chambered or anything else done to it. I had origionaly planned on doing a 375 Hawk but after the gunsmith who was supposed to do the work sat on it for several years I asked for it back so I can find another smith to complete the project. But now that I know a little more about the 375 bore I am not convinced that this is the best choice to go with.
The intent of this gun is not to be a DGR but as a hard hitting using rifle for elk/bear/hog.
What suggestions do you have for caliber to chamber it in?
M1T,
I think your most convenient calibers would be the 376 Steyr or 375 Dakota. Both will fit without the need to remove metal like the 375HH requires. The Steyr is available in Hornady ammo and brass will be much cheaper than the Dakota so that would be my vote.
Best of luck,
Dan
01 June 2004, 10:32
CraigPMy vote would go for the 375 Chatfield-Taylor if you don't want to open the action up to the H&H. The 375 Chatfield-Taylor will give you H&H ballistics ina standard length round. Just run 338 Win Mag brass through a 375 Chatfield-Taylor sizing die, load some rounds and you are all set. Below is a link to a site that has some load data for the cartridge.
416 Taylor When you get to the homepage just click on the Reloading Data link, then on the 375-338/375 Taylor link and you're there.
Craig
M1
I am doing the same thing as you are right now.
I have a vz-24 at my gunsmiths and the .375" barrel should be here in a week to be made into a 376 steyr.
RNS
01 June 2004, 11:26
jeffeosso376 steyr.... open the bolt face, and should require VERY little rail/ramp work, if any
jeffe
01 June 2004, 16:46
tsturmQuote:
376 steyr.... open the bolt face, and should require VERY little rail/ramp work, if any
jeffe
EXACTLY!! & 2425fps W/300g round nose 
01 June 2004, 17:34
Bwana-be375-300 RUM x 2.5"!! Match H&H actual ballistics, with fairly cheap brass opposed to Dakota, for instance.)
01 June 2004, 17:34
Bwana-be375-300 RUM x 2.5"!! Beat H&H actual ballistics, with fairly cheap brass opposed to Dakota, for instance.)
01 June 2004, 20:15
congomikeI guess someone here has to be the strange one, so why don't I just volunteer....How about the .375 Nitro Express, otherwise known as the 9.5X56 MS....I always wanted to build one as I have a like new 1908 Brazilian Mauser action in my safe just waiting for something unusual....just a thought......................
04 June 2004, 05:49
<eldeguello>I believe both Redding and RCBS could supply you with .375 Whelen Imp. dies, and there may be others as well. I suspect they are in the "special order" price grouping, however, but don't know for sure.
How about opening up the action and going with a 375RUM. Then you can go as mild or wild as you want. Cheap brass, factory chambering, factory dies off the shelf. The only thing faster is the 378 Wby.
RCBS has dies. AKA as the 375-338 win. mine is on
a 1909 Mauser. Mag is more than long enough, even
with 300 gr bullets they are under 3.250in, without
taking up powder room. I get over 2600fps with
5 gr. less powder than the 375 HH at the same vel.
Lyle
I goofed
The round I was referring to is the 375 Taylor.
AKA 375-338 win.
Lyle
07 June 2004, 15:51
nelsontedI suggest the .376 Steyr. I've got one and love it! THere is a guy named Jeffeoso that has one and has posted about it on this forum- he could help you.
07 June 2004, 21:16
M1TankerAfter doing some serous studying I am going to go with the 376 Steyr. This particular rifle is intended to be a hard hitting "truck rifle". I wanted something with some serious punch in a nice package and I think this will work perfectly for what I have in mind. Thanks for all your suggestions and input. It was a huge help.
08 June 2004, 00:50
jeffeossoTanker,
if you are in Houston ny time soon, you can shoot mine... it's NOT a truck gun (nice stock), but it gets hunted hard...
in fact, I have the finish reamer, ifin your smith needs to rent one
jeffe
08 June 2004, 04:08
M1TankerJeffeeosso,
If I am ever in Houston I will take you up on your offer to give her a go.
The rifle will have a Boyds JRS Pepper laminate stock and have a Leupold 4X put on in a set of Warne rings and bases. The idea for the gun came after my first TX hog hunt while I was stationed at Ft Hood. I was using a S&W 629 and put my first round on his shoulder. The big boar spun around and saw me and put me up a tree. I had to finish him off with a round in the top of his spine while dangling from a pecan limb by one arm and my legs wrapped around it. my buddies who were on the other side of the creek laughing their heads off at me. I decided I wanted a compact hard hitter that could take crashing through the mesquite thorns and rocky ledges that are around the central TX creeks. And punch a hole through any shoulder a pig can offer. The whole concept seemed pretty good at the time. Now since i have shot a lot of pigs since I learned to poke them just behind the shoulder I realize it is serious overkill for hogs. I figure it will make a great close range bear/elk/moose gun back home in Idaho.
08 June 2004, 04:43
jeffeossoTanker,
I got tree'ed as a kid, so I prefer far overkill than to ever being marginal .... and the 376 will do the trick, every time.. then again, I think the 358 winchester is the smallest true "anywhere" pig gun
jeffe
08 June 2004, 08:06
M1TankerAnybody who thinks hogs are shy of humans and easy to kill have never been treed or seen a hog throw off a shooulder hit like a bug bite. I think pound for pound hogs are close to the top for sheer toughness and meanness. I have met a few guys who use 223's but I like a lot more slap on the critter. Hunting them with a handgun is an absolute blast. The real crazies are the ones who use a pig knife and stick them by hand. Not for me thank you. Now that you got me thinking back to hunting pigs the 376 Steyr is sounding just about right.
08 June 2004, 09:02
AtkinsonWhy would you do anything other than a standard 375 H&H, with that good action...??????????
08 June 2004, 11:01
M1TankerQuote:
Why would you do anything other than a standard 375 H&H, with that good action...??????????
Big reason is budget constraints. I would rather take the amount it would cost me alter it to 375 H&H and put it towards my 375 H&H project. I already have an extremely nice Lilja barrel with quarter rib, etc... The barrel came along long after this project under way. I want my H&H to be a very nice safari rifle. It will basically be my dream rifle with great wood, bottom metal, all the whistles. The 376 Steyr is meant to be a hard working gun. Not what I care to subject the H&H to.
It will only cost a couple hundred more to complete the project compared to just new bottom metal alone that will cost double the completion costs of the VZ-24.