.375 AI

[Dick Campbell]

As a retired gunsmith I have lots of stuff from 50+ years in the trade; I've got a P14 Enfield action and a .375 Shaw barrel blank, I'm thinking of a .375 AI as I have lots of H&H brass. I've built many big game rifles but not this one; it's just because I'm bored not building rifles, I'm never going to Africa, or Alaska, just need something to keep from going crazy!!
Any thoughts on this combination?? I've got lots of military 4831, and old 4350 to burn up before I croak, so can I get a thumbs up?
Dick C.

 

[1dirthawker]

you could build a 375 AI, but....a 375 h&h would be hard to beat, easier to sell, easier to shoot, kill em just as dead, etc.

full disclosure, i have a 375 ruger and a 375 h&h double (chapuis o/u) good luck on your project. i suspect if you put some special wood on the gun, it will make you smile every time you look at it.

 

[Dick Campbell]

you could build a 375 AI, but....a 375 h&h would be hard to beat, easier to sell, easier to shoot, kill em just as dead, etc.

full disclosure, i have a 375 ruger and a 375 h&h double (chapuis o/u) good luck on your project. i suspect if you put some special wood on the gun, it will make you smile every time you look at it.

I agree, but after so many rifles I've made, please, no more .458's, I just want something special, no factory loadings please, I've been there! I have built several H&H's, even still have the reamer but I retired it when I retired! As I have cancer, I may never shoot it, but building keeps my old brain goin, so shooting is an option someday.

 

[Arthur Morta]

As a retired gunsmith I have lots of stuff from 50+ years in the trade; I've got a P14 Enfield action and a .375 Shaw barrel blank, I'm thinking of a .375 AI as I have lots of H&H brass. I've built many big game rifles but not this one; it's just because I'm bored not building rifles, I'm never going to Africa, or Alaska, just need something to keep from going crazy!!
Any thoughts on this combination?? I've got lots of military 4831, and old 4350 to burn up before I croak, so can I get a thumbs up?
Dick C.

In my humble opinion - This is a project for you... Being a retired Gunsmith go ahead Sir and create the master piece to your desire!

 

[Ray B]

The 375AI is a great cartridge. I say go for it. Yes there is all that stuff about a 375 Wby is similar performance and is factory loaded (at least on occasion), but it wouldn't be as special as an AI. I should know, as CP Donnelly built a 22/30-30AI, a 257 AI, and a 338/06 AI for me.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Dick, welcome to the AH forum! Sorry about the cancer, but I for one would love to see how the 375 AI project goes! I’d be very interested to read about your project all the way through to it’s performance!
I vote you go for it!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

 

[Rob404]

Welcome to AH

 

[JimP]

I haven't looked at the data but isn't a 375H&H AI essentially a 375 Weatherby?

I know that you can shoot 375 H&H ammo in the Weatherby which will fire form the brass to the Weatherby's chamber

 

[Ray B]

isn't a 375H&H AI essentially a 375 Weatherby?

the main difference with whether you prefer the Wby double radius or the Ackley 40 degree shoulder.

 

[Velo Dog]

.300 H&H

 

[Shootist43]

Welcome aboard Dick. Being a retired gunsmith you are qualified to chime in on many questions submitted by other AH members. Have you had any experience / luck getting CZ 550 Rifles to feed properly and or building 404 Jeffery(s)? If the answer to either question is yes and you wouldn't mind doing so on a limited basis I'm sure that a few "projects" would be sent your way. Regarding the 375 AI go for it.

 

[AZDAVE]

Go for it, keeping the mind and hands active are so very important, If your AI reamer isn't coming out of retirement I have a 375AI reamer you can use.

 

[TTundra]

Build it and make it truly yours.

 

[meigsbucks]

Welcome to AH. Go for it. It sounds like a great project.

 

[RayAtkinson]

From one old curmudgeon to another since you never intend to go to Africa, it doesn't make much difference what you decide to to, the world is your oyster!!
But, if you were going to Africa I would strongly suggest you just build a 375 H&H, a much better option, and it should be loaded to 2500 FPS, then you would get much much better bullet performance and better kills…

 

[perttime]

If you want an AI, go for it.
I suppose it could mean a little more tinkering to get it to feed with total reliability and smoothness.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

As a retired gunsmith I have lots of stuff from 50+ years in the trade; I've got a P14 Enfield action and a .375 Shaw barrel blank, I'm thinking of a .375 AI as I have lots of H&H brass. I've built many big game rifles but not this one; it's just because I'm bored not building rifles, I'm never going to Africa, or Alaska, just need something to keep from going crazy!!
Any thoughts on this combination?? I've got lots of military 4831, and old 4350 to burn up before I croak, so can I get a thumbs up?
Dick C.

@Dick Campbell
Congratulations Dick you have just invented a cartridge similar to the 375 weatherby. Just run the weatherby reamer and call it quits.
Bavarian fun mate the p14 is a beautiful action.
You could trim the action down to a Remington 30s profile and still retain all its strength but have a more beautiful rifle.
Bob

 

[RayAtkinson]

The Rem 30 or the enfields make beautiful custom guns and in the really big calibers

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The Rem 30 or the enfields make beautiful custom guns and in the really big calibers

@RayAtkinson
The one with the laminate stock is in 35 Whelen AI and profiled to 30s style. I left the Dogleg bolt as there is just something about them.
Bob