.375 h&h custom... who made it?

[TheJeremiahSmith]

Hello All,

Recently, I acquired a .375 h&h sporter rifle on gunbroker. It was 1500 usd total, and it shoots like a dream. I'm getting sub moa with it using 250 grain loads, and I'm looking forward to taking it hunting in Africa either 2025 or 2026. Here's the odd thing: there are no manufacturer marks. In fact, the only markings on it are the caliber stamp on the barrel.

I was hoping someone here could tell me what I'm looking at. It shoots wonderfully, and I'm happy with it, but I have zero idea who made it. The seller told me it had a 1917 enfield action, but had no more information on it. I'm stumped. Anyone here know who could have made this or anyone making customs like this?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

What you've got here is a custom made rifle built on a Remington Model 725 action. These used the Enfield Model 1917 receiver (old stock from Remington's inventory) combined with a push feed bolt. They were the predecessor to the Remington Model 700 action. Stock design was extremely popular during the 1970s so that's one clue as to it's possible age. Barrel appears to be Douglas Premium with a 1:14 twist rate (since it shoots so accurately with 250Gr bullets). Rifle was most likely sighted in with the 270Gr Winchester Super X Power Point factory load. I knew an American custom rifle maker by the name of Jim Zahm who built plenty of rifles on the Remington Model 725 action (all while keeping the military style floor plate intact) that look identical to yours. Most of his rifles were unmarked.

 

[TheJeremiahSmith]

What you've got here is a custom made rifle built on a Remington Model 725 action. These used the Enfield Model 1917 receiver (old stock from Remington's inventory) combined with a push feed bolt. They were the predecessor to the Remington Model 700 action. Stock design was extremely popular during the 1970s so that's one clue as to it's possible age. Barrel appears to be Douglas Premium with a 1:14 twist rate (since it shoots so accurately with 250Gr bullets). Rifle was most likely sighted in with the 270Gr Winchester Super X Power Point factory load. I knew an American custom rifle maker by the name of Jim Zahm who built plenty of rifles on the Remington Model 725 action (all while keeping the military style floor plate intact) that look identical to yours. Most of his rifles were unmarked.

That was incredibly insightful, thank you so much!

 

[roklok]

I disagree on one point of Habib's post. Your rifle does NOT have a Remington 725 action. The Remington 725 action was a tubular action the same as the 721, 722, and the modern 700. The 725 did retain the Enfield type safety of the earlier military actions and the Remington 30 Express, but that is where the similarities end. Your rifle appears to be built on a Military P14 or 1917 Enfield action. On the rear bridge you can see a filler piece of metal to fill in the "swimming pool" as they were called. A lot of builders would fill the swimming pool with weld before reprofiling the receiver. This is the major indicator that your rifle has a military action. Also, the jeweling makes it hard to discern, but your rifle does appear to have the long Mauser style controlled round feed extractor, which the 725 does not. Nice rifle !!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I disagree on one point of Habib's post. Your rifle does NOT have a Remington 725 action. The Remington 725 action was a tubular action the same as the 721, 722, and the modern 700. The 725 did retain the Enfield type safety of the earlier military actions and the Remington 30 Express, but that is where the similarities end. Your rifle appears to be built on a Military P14 or 1917 Enfield action. On the rear bridge you can see a filler piece of metal to fill in the "swimming pool" as they were called. A lot of builders would fill the swimming pool with weld before reprofiling the receiver. This is the major indicator that your rifle has a military action. Also, the jeweling makes it hard to discern, but your rifle does appear to have the long Mauser style controlled round feed extractor, which the 725 does not. Nice rifle !!

If it has the original Enfield extractor, then it's even better !

A closer picture of the bolt would be very beneficial.