What can be done with this gun. Factory sights. Synthetic stock. Bbl band removed and a lot of worn off bluing. Can it be chambered for a 375 RUM? Shot at reduced pressures to make brass last forever? It seems too far gone for a restoration. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Pre 64 375H&H project
- Thread starter toebako
- Start date
Nothing is too far gone for restoration. The question is, is the value of the gun once restored worth it? Sounds like restock and reblue, add a barrel band and it's good as new. If you really want to rechamber it, I suggest the 375 Wby. - dan
A pre '64 should never have had a barrel band. If one was there, it was added later. If the barrel hasn't been cut, and the bore's in good shape, then throw the Tupperware stock away, get a nice piece of walnut, re-black, and you'll have a nice custom rifle. I wouldn't rechamber; you can't improve on perfection.
that would be the advice I would take. And if I wanted the brass to last I would set up my resizing die to allow headspacing on the shoulder ... if that is possble with your chamber and also would start using 235 gr bullets at 2500 fps
A pre-64 375 is a classic rifle. Classic rifles don't deserve to he re-chambered, or being outfitted with a plastic stock. I'd go with some nice wood, re-blue if you want, and a red recoil pad. Then enjoy owning one of the greatest rifles/calibers produced!
Most of the stocks I have seen for this gun are not in great shape. Maybe a reblue and an old stock with a new recoil pad. Would be sweet. I really like the original 375 and just was wondering if it was a good idea to rechamber. Thinking about it more it would be a shame as this makes the restoring impossible for anyone.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Same. I always thought a matching 375 would go nicely with it.
I was in the exact same boat lately. My pre 64 .375 is my guiding rifle, and was looking a little rough around the edges. I opted for a flat black cerakote, and my new semi inleted piece of walnut is waiting at the post office for pick up this morning. If my mind serves me right, I think I read that 25” was a norm for the pre 64 .375? I have to agree with tossing the plastic, plastic doesn’t belong on a pre 64 lmo, but maybe cerakote doesn’t either?? lol.
If you end up going with a new stock, I’d be happy to give you my impression on the one I am picking up this morning. The cost was $250 ( stock was duplicated from the custom stock that was on the rifle ), although I haven’t gotten a chance to look at it yet. If a person does the fitting and finishing himself, it’s. It a bad price. But, there’s still a lot of work to be done from a semi inleted stock.
If you end up going with a new stock, I’d be happy to give you my impression on the one I am picking up this morning. The cost was $250 ( stock was duplicated from the custom stock that was on the rifle ), although I haven’t gotten a chance to look at it yet. If a person does the fitting and finishing himself, it’s. It a bad price. But, there’s still a lot of work to be done from a semi inleted stock.
Backcountryal
CGN Regular
- Location
- New Zealand
there is a pre 64 stock for sale on Trademe.co.nz, starting at $100NZ. looks like its in good nick too
