375 H&H or 458 Win Mag Switch Barrel System

[358Scout]

I have a 458 Win Mag as my play gun. I don't hunt. Use it for the odd gopher and when I go out as the family protectorate. I load my own - Barnes 500gr at about 1700fps and now working on cast 480gr. I def. don't like firing full house loads.

If I were to change to 375 for the same uses would it be worth it. I do know I can probably get better accuracy and distance from the 375.

Does a switch barrel ( I'm assuming all you need to do is screw on off the other on) make sense? Or should I pick up a Mauser 98 and have it chambered for 375 H&H

And so nobody starts - I will not even look or consider the 375 Ruger.

 

[westcoaster]

Without checking a manual I believe the 375 H&H has a longer COAL than the 458wm and is generally produced in a "magnum" sized action although it is my understanding that the Winchester Model 70 in 375 H&H was a modified standard long action.

Not sure about the bolt face and feed rails...

Probably be a better use of your time and money to just buy a 375 H&H.

 

[Tumbleweed]

I think you'll run into issues with magazine length, to start with. Besides, everybody knows that a .375 H&H isn't big enough for gophers (unless you're from B.C. or someplace where they're really scrawny little buggers)!

 

[Gatehouse]

A .375 H&H case is considerably longer than a .458 Winchester case, so depending on the rifle, you could run into issues like not fitting into the action without cutting some of it out, or magazine length being too short. What rifle is it?

A .375 Ruger is the same length and would fit right into the magazine and the action wouldn't need to be modified.