New to me 375 - This one is going to get my attention

[curtism1234]

Well I picked it up today, you never know what your are going to get when you buy used.

6 pounds 6 ounces - it almost comical to pick it up. This is so light I am not sure how its going to point offhand with no scope (not my intention though). The rifle is like new, I am not sure its even been shot. The pictures showed some scratches on the stock but they are just swirls from the injection process. I have another synthetic stock with a cheekpiece on order to see if it helps bring my eye to the open sights better. Trigger is 4.25 pounds and crisp. I would prefer 3.5 but not sure it's worth spending the money. And this model may even be adjustable as the later non-accutriggers were. The bolt sticks a bit at the bolt head; that may wear off in time or may smooth out if jeweled. Alas, this is a push fed and not one of the rare controlled savages.

Now get this:

The previous owner decided to take a hacksaw to the alluminum mounts cutting them in half and then decided it still didn't fit right so he placed a 3m double back tape under the mount. At least he didn't mess up the threads...

 

[Nhoro]

I am going to do a little Sherlock Homes stuff for you-it is a 6 lb rifle in 375 H&H. First Bubba fitted the scope with a hacksaw, always a good start. Then bubba took it to the range. He did fire it once, he then wimpered a little and very slowly put the rifle down on the bench. He stood for 5 mins thinking if he wanted to fire another shot and then thought better of it and cased his gun and went home and put it up for sale. He probably dispenses advice on the internet and tells everyone that he doesnt feel recoil.So your rifle looks like it has never been fired.

Personally, I would add weight to that gun-maybe steel scope mounts and a decent scope. You can also add weight to the stock with lead until you reach your Goldilocks weight (not too heavy and not too light.. just right)

 

[AZDAVE]

@Nhoro You are most likely correct. I have bought a number of 375 and larger with no more than 3 rounds shot out of the first box.

@curtism1234 That looks like one of the early pre brush or bear hunter models. Those tuperware stocks are terrible at best. One of the bell and carlson aluminum beddeing block models will help with the recoil management and not pickup to much weight. Best of luck on your project

 

[steve white]

Not sure about the xbolt, but the internals of the abolt are the lowest quality of any gun I’ve ever serviced. The trigger group is mostly plastic with some pot metal plated gold thrown in. Absolute junk.

Just something to keep in mind because there is no aftermarket trigger to replace the junk when it becomes brittle.

Agree, and not only that, but the barrels are epoxied in place with threading which would be way too loose without the epoxy--cheaper and quicker I suppose than torquing them down with a wrench but...

 

[curtism1234]

@Nhoro well said and accurate. I will be getting good steel mounts and rings. I have a 12 ounce Leupold and a 18 ounce Vortex (high end) so worst case I will have an 8.5 scoped rifle which I know I can handle just fine.

@AZDAVE It is called an Alaskan Guide - my understanding is a special run for an Alaskan distributor back near 2006. I have the same stock on my 1999 7mag. I agree it is not the best... The Bell and Carlson stock is on my radar but probably only if I need the weight.

Initially, I was going to send the stock off for paint and cerakote the barrel "blued". However, the gun is in so good of shape I may keep everything stock, at least for now. No need to make rash decisions

 

[rookhawk]

@Nhoro well said and accurate. I will be getting good steel mounts and rings. I have a 12 ounce Leupold and a 18 ounce Vortex (high end) so worst case I will have an 8.5 scoped rifle which I know I can handle just fine.

@AZDAVE It is called an Alaskan Guide - my understanding is a special run for an Alaskan distributor back near 2006. I have the same stock on my 1999 7mag. I agree it is not the best... The Bell and Carlson stock is on my radar but probably only if I need the weight.

Initially, I was going to send the stock off for paint and cerakote the barrel "blued". However, the gun is in so good of shape I may keep everything stock, at least for now. No need to make rash decisions

@curtism1234 do you handload by chance?

The "standard weight" 375HH with the "standard load" using the "standard powder" produces 38lbs of felt recoil. I believe that's at 9.5lbs. Obviously, if you're only at 6.5lbs gun weight you're going to be looking at roughly 55lbs of felt recoil, also felt as 458 Win Mag recoil levels.

However, if you simply change powders from the nasty stuff to either H4895 or IMR3031 at similar velocities, you are going to reduce recoil by 25%. This maneuver may offset much of the recoil increase by the rifle's light weight.

All things being equal, the powder that uses the fewest grains to achieve the same velocity with the same bullet as another load will have less recoil. Translation: use loads that are efficient and do not require very many grains.

 

[curtism1234]

I do not. I have been shooting factory 270 Powershok and Coreloct. As long as I can keep getting them for under $60 I will just keep shooting them unless a serouis hunt arises. Honestly. I like the look of round nose bullets - makes me smile for some reason.

My winchester at 9 pounds is fun to shoot. With the 8.5 synthetic stock it is not near as fun but it does not cause a flinch. If I can shoot well at 8 pounds, I would prefer that. So worst case I will bring it up to 8.5 and I should be ok.

No question I will touch a few off at 6.5 to see what its like.

I do have to keep in mind I need to be able to shoot it more than a half dozen times in one session. You don't want to get to a destination only to find your scope is significantly off and you need to shoot a whole box.

 

[BeeMaa]

With proper technique, practice and properly fitting rifle...it is easy to shoot full power 375H&H loads from a rifle weighing less than 8#. I'm 70" tall, weigh 160# and shooting a 7.75# / 375H&H / Blaser R8 / 300 grain PPU.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YWbv88mgJvktPRH9A
Take the time and spend the money on a properly fitting stock, it will make a world of difference in felt recoil and improve your shooting experience and results.

 

[BourbonTrail]

With proper technique, practice and properly fitting rifle...it is easy to shoot full power 375H&H loads from a rifle weighing less than 8#. I'm 70" tall, weigh 160# and shooting a 7.75# / 375H&H / Blaser R8 / 300 grain PPU.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YWbv88mgJvktPRH9A
Take the time and spend the money on a properly fitting stock, it will make a world of difference in felt recoil and improve your shooting experience and results.

I wish all indoor ranges let us shoot magnum rifles.

@curtism1234 - Adding weight is easy, shaving weight is not. Hopefully some of the suggestions here help you get a shootable, scoped 375 that you enjoy carrying afield

 

[BeeMaa]

I wish all indoor ranges let us shoot magnum rifles.

Very true and funny as well. Watching their jaw hit the floor when they realize my wife is shooting a 375H&H is pretty good. Along with the foot shuffle/head shake as they walk away looking at the floor...questioning their recent rifle purchases.

 

[Philip Glass]

I guess I am a little old school. I’d never own a Savage.
Please don’t take a gun like this on a DG hunt.
Philip

 

[BeeMaa]

I guess I am a little old school. I’d never own a Savage.
Please don’t take a gun like this on a DG hunt.
Philip

Don't get started on the CRF/PF or this thread is headed right down the pooper.

 

[Philip Glass]

Don't get started on the CRF/PF or this thread is headed right down the pooper.

Good point!

 

[IvW]

CRF for DG and savage does not make the cut.....