| 400NitroExpress |
| (.400 member) |
| 23/08/07 06:16 AM |
Re: ".375 Flanged Express Short" = .375 2-1/2?
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Saw a rifle for sale listed as ".375 Flanged Express Short". Are these one and the same?
That certainly isn't a correct name and reflects a seller that isn't expert on these rifles. Ask about the proof marks. A .375 2 1/2" Flanged will be marked ".375EX" and "Cordite 40 - 270 MAX". A few are marked "300 MAX", or "320 MAX" (the .375 No. 2 load), which are merely variations of that cartridge.
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From what I can tell, the .375 2-1/2" case would be very close in size to my .38-72 WCF (essentially a .405 WCF case, very gently necked down to take 270-grain bullets of 0.377" diameter).
Not far off. One of Elmer Keith's favorite rifles was a Lancaster in this caliber, and he made cases from .405 Winchester.
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Sounds anemic for a double rifle.
Absolutely not. That's like saying a .30-06 is anemic for a double rifle.
The .375 2 1/2" Flanged is a really nice DR chambering, and is extremely effective on ordinary game, which is what it was intended for. Holland & Holland introduced it in 1899 as a replacement for the .303 in the Indian market when the latter was banned there in the same year. It wasn't intended for dangerous game, although it was used for it with considerable success. It's a superb cartridge when used as intended and was quite popular. The fact that Elmer liked it so much should tell you something. Such a double is damned hard to beat for elk back in the black timber.
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Could a .375 2-1/2 be (safely) rechambered for the flanged version of the 375 H&H?
Tragically, many have been, and this conversion usually isn't very successful. The rifles simply aren't built for it. Far better to leave it alone and use it the way that was intended.