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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles
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Ash
.400 member


Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1653
Loc: Australia
Bought a .375 H&H "Improved"
      #234366 - 17/08/13 05:19 PM

Hey guys, had the lust for a .375 and went to a gun show. Well, didn't set out to but I bought a rifle that was labelled as a .375 H&H, but on the barrel had stamped ".375 Improved".
Pretty sure it'll be a .375 H&H Improved (aka the .375 weatherby?). Does this mean I can fire standard .375 H&H ammo in it? What will be the implications (velocity loss etc?)
Looking foward to picking it up in a few weeks!
Owner hasn't shot it before but was under the impression it's a .375 H&H.

Cheers,
Ash

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Tom30887
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Reged: 01/07/12
Posts: 78
Loc: QLD
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Ash]
      #234368 - 17/08/13 06:24 PM

Yes it will be very similar in capacity and performance of the 375 Weatherby, just without the double radius shoulder.

Yes you can shoot standard 375 H & H ammo to fireform Brass.

Tom

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gryphon
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Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Tom30887]
      #234370 - 17/08/13 07:13 PM

Hope the link works for you.

http://ammoguide.com/cgi-bin/bcompare.cgi

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Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.

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gryphon
.450 member


Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: gryphon]
      #234371 - 17/08/13 07:14 PM

looks like it wont here is a cut n paste

Ballistic Comparison Summary Results
# Name Muzzle
Velocity
(Avg. f.p.s.) Muzzle
Energy
(Avg. ft-lbs.) Bullet
Weight
(Avg. gr.) Data
Points Case
Capacity
(Avg. grs. H2O)
1. .375 H&H Magnum 2741 4295 262 157 89.1
2. .375 Magnum Improved (40°) 2882 5273 286 5 97.8
Average Muzzle Velocity Comparison
2741
2882


.375 H&H
.375 Imp

Average Muzzle Energy Comparison
4295
5273


.375 H&H
.375 Imp

Average Employed Bullet Weight Comparison
262
286


.375 H&H
.375 Imp

Case Capacity Comparison
89.1
97.8


.375 H&H
.375 Imp

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Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.

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Ash
.400 member


Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1653
Loc: Australia
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Ash]
      #234380 - 17/08/13 10:41 PM

Thanks for the swift responses.

Here's some pics from the show of it. Top one. Nothing flash, but I don't mind it. Needs some touch ups to the metal in quite a few places (trigger guard/magazine floorplate needs a reblueing as they're very silver, will do when i get it). Do love P14's and M1917's!







Edit: Yes, it has the bolt. And it still has the dogleg (which i also like, so yay!)

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Edited by Ash (17/08/13 10:42 PM)

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xausa
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Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Ash]
      #234382 - 18/08/13 12:07 AM

You probably should have the headspace checked by a gunsmith. I once bought a pre-64 Model 70 Winchester .375 H&H which the owner had "improved" himself with a .375 Improved reamer. The result was .021" excess headspace and a situation which was not necessarily dangerous, but which could lead at least to a lot of case separations.

In those happy bygone days, it was only a question of shipping the rifle back to Winchester for a new barrel to correct the problem. The receiver had been drilled and tapped for an Echo side mount, so Winchester obligingly replaced the receiver also, and returned the original receiver to me, where it became the nucleus of my .450 Watts Magnum, fitted with a Griffin & Howe side mount, using the original holes.

With the receiver bridge reprofiled and the action drilled and tapped for a scope mount, you might consider mounting a low powered scope on your new purchase. I think you will find that your practical accuracy will increase considerably over what you can achieve using only the open sights, not to mention the ease of sighting in a scope affords.

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Ash
.400 member


Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1653
Loc: Australia
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: xausa]
      #234384 - 18/08/13 12:51 AM

Didn't consider that, but will get headspace checked out when I get it. Will also get the screws sticking out of the front replaced with grub screws for a bit. Will see how the opens go before scoping, still need to scope the win mag some day, it's first on queue.

Thanks for advice.
Cheers,
Ash.

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Grenadier
.375 member


Reged: 20/02/08
Posts: 570
Loc: North of the Columbia, USA
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Ash]
      #234396 - 18/08/13 04:29 AM

I had a very well known US gun firm do all the metal work for .375 Weatherby rifle for me from components that I supplied them. It was to be barreled, have sights installed, nice bottom metal, and a checkered bolt handle. One component was a wonderful Jim Wisner made tapered octagon barrel with integral rear rib and front ramp. The idea was that all the metal work would be completed, the rifle would be sent to my stock maker, and then returned to the big US firm for final sighting, polish, and blacking.

However, when the rifle got to the stocker, it arrived without the bolt knob replaced - it still had the original military straight knob. The stocker could not complete the stock without the bolt handle but I didn't want to send it back and wait another six months just for the bolt handle to be replaced. Thankfully, Jim Wisner offered to replace the bolt handle for me.

While he had the rifle, Jim also checked the headspace. He reported that it "barely" passed the no-go test and he was worried that after firing a relatively low number of rounds it would end up with excessive headspace. To remedy the situation he built up the bolt face with a steel wafer. I am not sure how he installed it but it was undetectable and it apparently worked like a charm. When the rifle went back for finishing I advised the firm of the change. Though disgruntled, they confirmed the headspacing as corrected by Jim was spot-on.

If you do find that your .375 Improved has excessive headspace, you might be able to get a similar fix as an alternative to setting the barrel back.

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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1653
Loc: Australia
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Grenadier]
      #234410 - 18/08/13 07:10 AM

If it is I'll be sure to suggest it, as it sounds like less stuffing around than the barrel set back. Especially since I'm unsure if he has the reamer for it.

Glad to hear it turned out okay for you. Would love to see it if you have photos!

To sound like an amatuer: is the wood walnut or something else?

Cheers,
Ash.

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Grenadier
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Reged: 20/02/08
Posts: 570
Loc: North of the Columbia, USA
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Ash]
      #234435 - 19/08/13 02:58 AM

Ash, I sold the rifle four years ago. I found that I didn't like shooting anything but regular .375 H&H cartridges in it so I replaced it with a nicer 375H&H rifle. The recoil of the .375 Weatherby was like a fast slap. The .375H&H recoil was more of a shove.

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tophet1
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Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Grenadier]
      #234441 - 19/08/13 07:43 AM

Well done ASH. Have fun with it.

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Homer
.416 member


Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: tophet1]
      #234445 - 19/08/13 08:16 AM

G'Day Fella's,

Good to see Ash!
Everybody needs at least 1 x .375!!!

Doh!
Homer

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"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"

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xausa
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Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Ash]
      #234449 - 19/08/13 09:40 AM

Quote:

If it is I'll be sure to suggest it, as it sounds like less stuffing around than the barrel set back.



Actually, since you will probably be handloading your ammunition, there would be no reason to correct the headspace, since the .375 Weatherby has enough shoulder use it to to headspace on. If you fire form your brass with cast bullets seated out to touch the lands, using a mild load of propellant, the formed cases will be perfectly headspaced for your rifle, and you can load them with full power loads with no fear of case separation, as long as you don't set the shoulder back in the resizing process.

Headspacing on the belt makes no sense at all with a case formed with a steep Weatherby shoulder.

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Viking338
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Reged: 11/08/11
Posts: 480
Loc: Queensland Australia
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Ash]
      #234453 - 19/08/13 03:49 PM

Hey Ash, looks good, I am sure you will have fun with that. I never thought about joining the .375 club until I picked up my nice 9.5x57 which I totally enjoy shooting. Half the fun is of course fire forming and sorting out loads which I am sure you will get a kick out of

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Ash
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Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1653
Loc: Australia
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Viking338]
      #234454 - 19/08/13 05:00 PM

Heh, yeah. I didn't see you at the Toowoomba show, though! There was a really nice 404 Jeffery, and an FN actioned 404, and 10.75x68 (rather pitted though, and looked restocked)
Do wish it was just a normal .375 H&H though, but can't win em all.

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Rule303
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Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 4938
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Ash]
      #234455 - 19/08/13 07:08 PM

Good pick up Ash. Got to admit I have the same liking for the P14/M17 and dog leg bolt handles.

Be good to see how it shoots.

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Ash
.400 member


Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1653
Loc: Australia
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Rule303]
      #234845 - 29/08/13 04:26 PM

Well, that glorious day has arrived, much sooner than i anticipated, but about when hoped!

PTA got here today, will hopefully get to go pick it up tommorow.

1. Get headspace checked (if good, proceed to 2)

2. Fire some .375 H&H! (and hope it shoots alright, if so, proceed to 3)

3. Be content for awhile.

Cheers.
Ash.

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Rule303
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Posts: 4938
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Ash]
      #234850 - 29/08/13 08:11 PM

Ash i just noticed the sights on your rifle. Williams I think but most certainly the ones remington stick on their rifles.

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Ash
.400 member


Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1653
Loc: Australia
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Rule303]
      #234851 - 29/08/13 08:55 PM

Any good? Will find out this weekend i guess.

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Rolf
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Reged: 26/02/07
Posts: 396
Loc: Germany, Bavaria
Re: Bought a .375 H&H "Improved" [Re: Ash]
      #237471 - 04/11/13 10:51 PM

Hello Ash,

congratulations to your "new" rifle!

I dislike the case stretching and the often necessary shortening process in the .375 H&H.

I have two .375 Weatherbies (Heym and Brno), made of the basic .375 H&H rifle caliber, and I think the improved version is better!
You can use the standard .375 H&H ammunition with only a small shifting in point of impact and have additional power on request.

So if you avoid full length sizing your cases (which will give the headspace problems) you have a winner in your gun rack!

best regards
Rolf

PS: I use the Sierra 250grs SPBT for forming cases and obtained good precision with formed cases with the Barnes 270grs TSX at about 2720 fps.

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