Barrel Length for 375 H&H

[CodyBoots]

Good morning gents,

I've been trying to push a couples safari (it'll be both my fiancé's first hunt in the continent) which she's definitely ok with now. I have a couple model 70's that I grew up admiring, one being a pre 64 in 300 H&H that I would like to have a big brother for it . I would like to pick up a newer model 70 in a 375 H&H, but most of the rifles available today have 25"-ish barrels, what would the shortest you'd go or would you leave it?

Cody

 

[spike.t]

i like 22inch barrels but have a couple or so with 20inch ones. now i await MR @Velo Dog to tell me i am wrong and you should only have 25 to 30 inch barrels.......

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I like the shorter barrels too. Not sure why Mike does. It may have something to do with neither of us is any danger of being accused of being tall. As such I find the shorter barrels to be better handling.

 

[CodyBoots]

I do like shorter barrel rifles for hunting as well. But I dont have any magnum calibers with short(er) barrel lengths. Just getting a feel from guys that have more experience.

 

[bassasdaindia]

23" is my all round favorite length, in saying that I do have shorter barrel rifles .

it really depends on how the rifle feels on your shoulder .

 

[Rob404]

I'd think 22" or 24" my DG rifles are 24, that being said I wouldn't pass up a deal 0n a 20" if was Mannlicher stocked

 

[matt85]

id say it really depends on what your using the rifle for. if this rifle is a close range gun where you wont likely be shooting over 100 yards then a 20" barrel is OK but if you plan for longer ranges on PG then your going to want more velocity. it also depends what sort of bullets you plan on using, if your plan is to use heavy bullets then the shorter barrel wont hurt you as much because the weight of the bullet is what kills not so much the velocity but again the ranges will need to be kept shorter for shorter barrels.

-matt

 

[bassasdaindia]

id say it really depends on what your using the rifle for. if this rifle is a close range gun where you wont likely be shooting over 100 yards then a 20" barrel is OK but if you plan for longer ranges on PG then your going to want more velocity. it also depends what sort of bullets you plan on using, if your plan is to use heavy bullets then the shorter barrel wont hurt you as much because the weight of the bullet is what kills not so much the velocity but again the ranges will need to be kept shorter for shorter barrels.

-matt

I consider the 375 h&h one of the most versatile African calibers, it is therefore difficult to say that you want a 375 H&H for close range or over 100 yards or even longer , this is why I suggested a 23" barrel , for me seems to be the most versatile.

 

[Pheroze]

I do like shorter barrel rifles for hunting as well. But I dont have any magnum calibers with short(er) barrel lengths. Just getting a feel from guys that have more experience.

In my 22" 375 H&H the 270 gr comfortably goes 2650 fps. I don't think there is a loss of speed that makes any difference.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Cody,
With the 375 being such a versatile cartridge, it finds itself at home not only in Africa but out west as an exceptional mule deer, elk and anything else you can throw at it rifle. I find 24" to be my preference, mainly due to what Matt has said above. For cross canyon shots or a waterbuck that is about to slip into the bush at 350, the extra velocity doesn't hurt. Now move up over .40 and I like a shorter barrel for the ease of handling, bullets in the 400+ categories are a different subject indeed.
Cheers,
Cody

 

[CodyBoots]

Cody,
With the 375 being such a versatile cartridge, it finds itself at home not only in Africa but out west as an exceptional mule deer, elk and anything else you can throw at it rifle. I find 24" to be my preference, mainly due to what Matt has said above. For cross canyon shots or a waterbuck that is about to slip into the bush at 350, the extra velocity doesn't hurt. Now move up over .40 and I like a shorter barrel for the ease of handling, bullets in the 400+ categories are a different subject indeed.
Cheers,
Cody

I hear you. I remember a few stories about my dad using his out west and up in Alaska on a few hunts. Too bad we lost our 375 in a house fire 10 years back. I do want a general do all type rifle, I dont see myself going all the way down to 20 but i think 22-24'' might be the ticket.

Maybe down the road i'll look at something bigger... i wouldnt mind have a 416 of sorts and a 458 LOTT in the safe.

 

[Rob404]

Cody,
With the 375 being such a versatile cartridge, it finds itself at home not only in Africa but out west as an exceptional mule deer, elk and anything else you can throw at it rifle. I find 24" to be my preference, mainly due to what Matt has said above. For cross canyon shots or a waterbuck that is about to slip into the bush at 350, the extra velocity doesn't hurt. Now move up over .40 and I like a shorter barrel for the ease of handling, bullets in the 400+ categories are a different subject indeed.
Cheers,
Cody

I love messing around with my 375HH Whitworth, I can load 300g and get a respectable 2583fps(not a max load) or swap scopes(quick release) pop in some 235g and get 2923fps for distance shooting not to shabby for a 375, next will be some 200g just for fun

 

[Velo Dog]

i like 22inch barrels but have a couple or so with 20inch ones. now i await MR @Velo Dog to tell me i am wrong and you should only have 25 to 30 inch barrels.......

Como?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Current Winchester data for the Model 70 Safari Express indicates 24 inch barrel. I'd take it as-is and be happy with it.

 

[JES Adventures]

+1 spike.t When I built my 375 on a Mauser action I spec'd it for a 22" barrel. Easier to carry when slung, and more balance to swing and shoot in heavy bush.

 

[IronCowboy]

23" if I were building a do-all .375H&H from ground up, 24-25" if it'll be a PG primarily.

While a longer barrel might speed you up, you're really not losing nearly as much in a large bore to cut short as you are in a smaller bore. A 22-24" for the .375H&H will burn very nicely, and the lost 80-100fps to give up those 2" of tube won't hurt you. For reference, a 21-22" barrel in 375H&H burns powder just as efficiently as a 24" .30-06.

Purpose driven weight and balance makes the most sense - if a 23" balances best in your hands and carries best for you, then all the better. Gaining 80-100fps from a longer barrel seems like it matters a lot on paper, but in the field, you're really only talking about ~2 inches difference at 300yrds, or ~3.5" difference at 400. Nobody is shooting 1,000yrds with a .375 H&H, and at DG or even PG ranges, you're not talking about enough difference for 2700fps vs. 2600... Even if you cut off 300fps - which should be about an 16" barrel in .375H&H - you're still only talking 5" difference at 300yrds. If you can get the bullet to the target at 300yrds with one 375H&H, then you can get it there with any .375 H&H.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Hi Cody,
My .375H&H is also cut to 22". Just took another Cape Buffalo with it a couple of days ago. If you shorten the barrel, simply develop the load to match your equipment and load with a powder that will give you an efficient burn.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

 

[Boela]

Good day Cody,
I have a .375 H&H mod70 that I have had shortened to 20", had the front sight moved back in order to accomade a moderator. This was done late last year and have I hunted exclusively with this rifle this year. I found it a joy to hunt with in the dense Zululand bush, swinging the rifle onto targets was quick and what a joy to carry the rifle when slung over the shoulder. I had no issues with the 20" barrel regarding accuracy. Do take into consideration that we hardly shoot further than 200m here. I attach an image of a 100m grouping using PMP, 300gr factory ammunition. With handloads the grouping is even better.
Regards.

 

[BobT]

The barrel on my Whitworth Express is 60cm or not quite 24" long, I have carried the rifle in some pretty thick stuff here in Missouri but haven't had any problem yet. One of my friends had his Sako .375 bobbed to 22" and using factory ammo exclusively, has taken Cape Buffalo and Elephant plus a bunch of moose, bears and the like in Alaska with no trouble.

 

[sheephunterab]

22-24"