.375H&H Barrel length… what say you?

[Philip Glass]

For hunting Africa I like a shorter barrel. You lose something like 25/fps per inch. What would that matter on 100 yd shots on big game?
Whether scrunching through the Jesse in Zim or navigating the nasty willows in Alaska a shorter barrel is welcomed!

 

[Jack Stevens]

For hunting Africa I like a shorter barrel. You lose something like 25/fps per inch. What would that matter on 100 yd shots on big game?
Whether scrunching through the Jesse in Zim or navigating the nasty willows in Alaska a shorter barrel is welcomed!

To me, it’s a matrix of several factors.

The two I start with are: 1) the primary hunting environment (open terrain requiring long shots versus short shots in thick timber or brushy/bushy areas), and 2) what’s being hunted (midwest deer v. DG in Zim or Mozambique).

I look at my hunting rifles of different calibers and barrel lengths like golf clubs in a golf bag. I pick the one that’s most suitable for the “shot.” …. And if you have enough of rifles, there definitely will be some overlap.

 

[KJE81]

Very nice and classy .375. Congrats!

Thank you, very happy with it.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

How magnanimous of you. Please pause while I genuflect in deference.

Here's a view at typical eye relief distance at 1x facing down the frightfully dangerous black Labrador

View attachment 678560

That can looks quite obtrusive to me. I would not want to have to look around it if a buffalo was coming at me.

 

[dchamp]

If it shoots well, leave it alone. If not then adjust your load or find some different ammo that it does shoot well. If you must have a suppressor on it then rebarrel it or better yet build a new rifle.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

For me barrel length depends more on how the gun balances. Fit and balance are the most important factors, especially shooting at moving targets (e.g. pissed off buffalo). I don't waste time at the range shooting my thumper gun. I'll get it sighted and then any further "practice" entertainment is done with my 30-06. So a can is unnecessary. Both my guns have 24" barrels and sling swivels in the stocks. When I'm going through heavy cover, the gun is in my hand not on my shoulder. Rifle with long barrel is no handicap. And for my 404 the extra weight is welcome. It has enough muzzle jump with 24" #5 profile barrel. I can't imagine what it would be like cut down to 20"! Point like a shit and kick like hell. What's to like?

 

[Bandera]

I have a 23” 375 Ruger African and the 20” guide gun.
My Hybrid 46DT weighs 14.1 oz and is 7.61 inches long. Not a big deal.
If you are going to shoot it suppressed the 20” is the way to go.
The 23”barrel suppressed feels a bit unwieldy to me hunt with other than in a blind.

Unsuppressed I can’t tell much difference in the handling between the two in hunting scenarios. It s not like your shooting skeet, or 3 Gunning with the rifle.

Suppressed unsuppressed it doesn’t really matter what the others think. It is your preference, do what works for you. Same for a muzzle break.

Lastly shooting under 150 yards I don’t see where the barrel length matters.

At 100 yards the 20” barrel is moving at 2240 fps & carrying 3342 ft lbs of energy.
At 100 yards the 23” barrel is moving at 2311 fps & carrying 3558 ft lbs of energy.

Bullet drop @ 150 yards with a 20” barrel is about 1.76” with a 23” barrel about 1.62”

If you like the look then cut the barrel.
It is your rifle, make it yours.