Project Completed -- 375 RUM Defense Rifle Project Need Suggestions :)

If by jump you mean it comes straight back very hard you are correct I'm very glad that I have a Kick-Eez magnum model recoil pad on it... :eek:

Like I said recoil is very heavy but I am used to it from years of working up to more powerful rifles/cartridges so I don't have much of an issue with it.
 
And people wonder why there's a scout scope on mine. The trouble with the scope almost getting you is that some day you will be in a hurry and get a little careless with your eye relief - just before the blood starts to flow.

X-Fan, I agree about the Butler Creek covers in the cold. Another problem is that when it is very cold and things get covered in frost the springs sometimes don't have enough oomph and leave the cover horizontal rather than vertical. That’s a bad thing.

CC, have you tried shooting with the irons, or just aimed to get the feel? When shooting with the ghost ring on mine I have to mash my face down on the stock and the recoil just about knocks my fillings loose, not to mention the unpleasant sensation when it snaps my head back. If you want a hoot video yourself shooting prone, then play it back in slow motion. Its amazing the pounding you take.
 
I've shot the rifle far more with irons than with the scope on, I went to the club for 2 reasons yesterday one was to sight in the scope and the other was to try out the 260gr loads.

I'm thinking I have shot the rifle appr 50 times with the irons and 20 with the scope now.

My low Weaver ghost ring sight set with 300gr bullets is dead on @ 25 yards and 1" high @ 50 yards haven't tried it further than that yet.

and FYI I have no plans on shooting the rifle prone and I am going to video tape myself shooting it but I'll be standing up as soon as I get the sights set up a bit better.
 
I was just thinking that there are most likely going to be times that I will need to shoot prone when I use the rifle for hunting so ok I'll give it a try and video tape it when I do.

I want to do one of my video's were I spin the rifle and shoot at a 25 yard target as well to see how fast it handles with the shorter barrel compared to the longer barreled 375RUM I'll do 3 shots as fast as I can shoot them.

I won't do the spin at the club again too many wheenie safety nazi's cried to the executive that I wasn't using safe gun handling when I did the other video's... :D
 
The 375 UM prone really isnt that bad (for a few shots).

I have a snappy 8.5lbs 338 Edge that is less pleasant to shoot prone....On paper the 375 UM recoils more, but the Edge is far less "fun" to shoot from prone?

Get some 380's in there Camp and let us know what its like!:eek::D
 
Well guys I finally finished putting everything together on the rifle today.

Made it to the range to try out some new RL17 loads it was raining extremely hard at times so chrono work may not be perfect and some shots failed to even read the velocity but here are some results.

95grs IMR4350 - 260gr Accubonds = 2820fps average velocity

95grs RL17 - 260gr Accubonds = 3030fps :eek:

I loaded up some RL17 - 300gr Gamekings but didn't shoot them due to the weather so next time.

for now 92grs IMR4350 with 300gr bullets = 2640fps

And for your information for me anyway IMR4350 and RL17 are exactly the same except for the huge jump in velocity it was over 210fps with the 260gr bullets.

I never dreamt that I would get that kind of a velocity gain by switching over to RL17...

I also loaded my 280 Rem with some RL17 - 140gr Accubonds averaged 2890fps not wasting anymore RL17 in the 280 switching back too IMR4350 in it.
 
I was working up loads so only fired a few round of each but accuracy was excellent I only shot out to 200 yards though.

I don't know if it's me (my old eyes), the rifle, the rain, how dark if was in the afternoon or what but it seemed like I would group 2 shots almost touching and then the next would group off about 1" to the left @ 100 yards.

This wasn't only with the RL17 loads either I was also shooting 260gr Accubond & 300gr Gameking IMR4350 loads.

Now felt recoil with RL17 was almost the same as the IMR4350 - 260gr Accubond loads but the velocity was so much faster if I wasn't also testing a 280 Rem & a 300RUM while I was at the range yesterday I would have said the chrony wasn't working correctly.

This rifle with these RL17 260gr loads are working out so good and the XS Sights backup ghost rear/NECG Masterpiece banded ramp sight system is now sighted in dead on @ 50 yards with 300gr bullets that I am thinking I may sell my other 26" barreled Rem 700 LSS 375RUM or rebarrel it to 338 Edge.

If I sold it I would buy another set of Leupold QRW rings pop the leupold VX111 4.5-14X40mm B&C scope off and have another scope for this short 375RUM for when I am doing load developement or long range hunting/shooting.
 
I was going to ask about the recoil with the RL17 but you already posted it wasn't' that different. I've got a pound of it I was going to try in my 300WSM, but I may try it in the Mighty 375 Ruger, too.
 
Heavy recoil is heavy recoil but even with the 200fps velocity gain I really couldn't tell the difference between the loads and it is nowhere near the recoil of my 300gr loads.

Now I need to score 2 - 3 lbs more of RL17 so I don't run out this lbs is almost gone.
 
I was curious what this modified rifle weighs compared to my Marlin 1895GS 45-70 that it is replacing.

No I'm not selling my Marlin my son has scored it on me... :)

Marlin 1895GS 45-70

8lbs = empty
9lbs = 4 525gr WLNGC's in the mag tube & 5 more on the butt stock shell holder

Rem 700 LSS 375RUM shortened to 21"

8.5lbs = XS Sights tall Weaver ghost ring backup sight installed no scope no bullets
9.3lbs = same set up as above but with 8 bullets 4 in rifle 4 on butt stock shell holder
9.6lbs = scope installed empty
10lbs = scope & 4 300gr bullets
 
Heavy recoil is heavy recoil but even with the 200fps velocity gain I really couldn't tell the difference between the loads and it is nowhere near the recoil of my 300gr loads.

Now I need to score 2 - 3 lbs more of RL17 so I don't run out this lbs is almost gone.

This is very interesting, as 200 fps is the increase using Re 17 in the 308 Win with 200 gr bullets.

Ted
 
Due to getting an extra 200 + fps with the 260gr loads I decided to switch my VX3 2.5-8X36mm scope and install a VX3 4.5-14.5X40mm B&C scope that I had mounted on my 26" 375RUM.

Finally the weather was good enough to do some longer range shooting so I made it to the club yesterday afternoon, after the initial sight in and fine tuning @ 100 yards I took 1 shot @ 200 yards and 1 shot @ 300 yards.

I sighted in appr 1 3/4" high @ 100 yards the 260 Accubond @ 3030fps was still 1" high @ 200 yards and with a 3.5" hold over it hit the 1" red dot target center @ 300 yards.

All I can say is holy sh*t this is one awesome package, I just love it when a plan comes together but now I have a spare 26" barreled Rem 700 LSS in 375RUM that I don't need anymore so it is now sitting in the back of the safe while I figure out what to do with it.

I ordered 2 more of the NECG front sight posts so I have backup in case anything happens to the one I have installed now.

I also ran out of time so didn't get a chance to try out the 300gr RL17 loads yet.

200 yard target

Pic_s_of_Us_Going_to_Church_Nov_2009_037.jpg


300 yard target the hole in the red dot is the 375RUM the 3 small holes right below are from my 22-250 and the far right hole is the first shot I have ever tried at 300 yards with my new 280 Rem.

Pic_s_of_Us_Going_to_Church_Nov_2009_041.jpg
 
Last edited:
I'll get on that for you... :)

Here you go...

I keep the ghost ring sight/screw driver in the butt stock cartridge holder/pouch so I always have it with me.

Finished_21_Inch_Rem_700_LSS_in_375RUM_Dec_2009_002.jpg


XS Ghost Ring sight installed the scopes are L - R

Burris EER 1X
VX3 2.5-8X36 B&C
VX3 4.5-14X40mm B&C

Now that I have tried the 4.5-14X on the rifle I'm thinking that this is the only scope that I will use and will put the 2.5-8 onto my new Rem 700 LSS 30-06 that Guntech just shortened to 20" for me its now in the mail so I should get it back next week...

Finished_21_Inch_Rem_700_LSS_in_375RUM_Dec_2009_011.jpg


Finished_21_Inch_Rem_700_LSS_in_375RUM_Dec_2009_009.jpg


Finished_21_Inch_Rem_700_LSS_in_375RUM_Dec_2009_010.jpg
 
Last edited:
Latest update I was finally able to get to the gun club today and chronied the RL17 300gr Gameking loads... :)

91grs = 2710fps
91.5grs = 2725fps = 3 shot cloverleaf 100 yard group I will be using this load. :D
92grs = 2740fps

The 95gr RL17 260gr Accubond loads grouped appr 1 1/2" higher @ 100 yards then the 300gr loads.

I didn't get a chance to pop the scope off today and work with the ghost ring sights and the 300gr loads will get to it next time I'm out.

Also I ordered a firing pin/spring assembly and a rear bolt shroud from Accurate Action in Red Deer, Alberta to replace the stock J-Lock bolt system that is on this rifle.
 
Looks good Camp!...except for the Cessna tail wing front sight! lol!
That thing is tall!

Did you get Dennis to re-cut the chamber while you were at it?
FWIW the 338 Edge has a quick snap that needs to be felt to be appreciated...I much prefer the 375 Ultra over it. Both are a bit rough from the prone position, but strange as it might seem I find the 375 more comfortable.
I have shot the .375 300gr Game king out to 600 yards so far...Flat out awesome downrange power that leaves a real impression on the gongs!

That said, the Edge is without peer at long range (in a Remington)...What a beast!

I am almost finished gathering the barrel and bits for the 416 Ultra...Should be interesting.
I would be interested in your action...You could keep your beloved laminate stock, bottom metal, and the barrel for that matter....I just need another UM action.
Let me know if your interested.

Glad to see it worked out nice for you!
 
Not sure what I am going to be doing with the spare 375RUM rifle right now so I'll hold off from doing anything with it all I need to do is wake up one mornning kicking myself for selling it off.

Yeah the front sight post is tall it is 14.5mm in hieght but in order to put together the ghost ring sights high enough so I don't jam my cheek into the stock to hard (I do not want to pound myself more than I have to during recoil) I went with the taller setup.

I had it working with a low Weaver backup ghost ring sight and a front sight post that is half the height but didn't like how low I had to jam my face.

No didn't need or want the chamber recut due to not doing anything other than shorten the barrel also Dennis said I didn't need too because he didn't need to set the barrel back.

500 yards is the furthest I have shot the 300gr GK's and they are amazingly accurate but my 260gr Accubonds which have the identical BC of .477 (if I remember right) but give me 300fps higher velocity with close to the same recoil maybe my long range bullet of choice.

I need to do a lot more work before I make a decision on what load I am going to use more.
 
Back
Top Bottom