Need some advice on powerful calibers

duke1

duke1

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I just bought a Heym SR-20-G in 375H&H through GN and it's a great rifle except that the barrel has been cut to 19". My first tendency is to replace the barrel with one between 24 and 26". But before I do that, I would like to put it through various tests to check for:

1. Reduced bullet velocity

2. Muzzle flash.

3. Excessive noise

4. Change in recoil

I do have a Sako V in 375 H&H with a 24" barrel that I could use as benchmark. I also have a chronograph and probably could borrow a noise level meter.

If I do replace the barrel based on the test results, I might be interested in a caliber other than the 375H&H and right now, the 9.3X64 is at the top of my list. Others that I might consider are the 378 Weatherby Mag, and possibly the 416 Rigby, although these have brutal recoil.

One other possibility would be to add a BOSS type of muzzle break to the existing barrel to reduce both the recoil and basically extend the barrel although this is probably questionable.

Although I'm well equipped in various calibers, including a 300 Win Mag that I use for moose hunting, I would like to try something around the 375 H&H for this type of hunting.

I realize that this is somewhat excessive power for Eastern Canada hunting, but would like to be able to master these calibers.

Any comments, advice, etc, would be greatly appreciated - even trivial ones.

Thanks,

Duke1
 
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Duke, you have a classic pick for cartridge there (9,3x64), I hope to build one some day too. It is expensive, my initial findings show new unprimed cases at $2 each! Not real easy to get either.

Forget the boss/brake, learn to get used to the recoil by either loading your rounds low and working up or just use another caliber that doesn't beat you up. Your ears and your hunting buddy will thank you.

Someone else here had made a carbine of their 375H&H and they were suprised by how little velocity they lost. I would imagine it is a big loud. I want my ears to last and try to have a 24" pipe on all my rifles.

FWIW,

Noel
 
Keep the Heym...and have a gunsmith look into converting to .376 Steyr....keeping the same 19" barrel.......That barrel length sounds just about right for the .376....it should be manageable and vel. loss should not be so bad. I'm not sure about boltface alterations ,etc.
 
"...excessive power for Eastern Canada hunting..." It's excessive for anything in North America.
Put a proper 24 or 26 inch barrel on it. You lose about 100fps per inch of barrel. Plus the increase in noise and blast.
 
geologist said:
Here's the thread on my BRNO 602 .375 H&H carbine.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81417
Click to expand...

Thanks a million for the thread. I had not seen it before but it's a very convincing piece for me to keep the existing barrel on my Heym.

By the way, the LOP is 14" and the overall length is 40" with the 19" barrel

Will see what other people have to say.

Duke1
 
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I'm thinking that would be an awfully handy rifle in the bush. I wouldn't change it.

Also, if you do rebarrel the rifle I'd stick with something of the same case-head diameter. The Rigby would prove to be a costly conversion, though your fear of the recoil is somewhat inflated.
 
Noel said:
Geologist, what is the muzzle blast and exhaust note like with your carbined lil lotta?

Noel
Click to expand...

The muzzle blast is strong. I've only fired it with hearing protection on so I can't say how loud it is (it gets a lot of attention from other guys in the little tin shed at Ridgedale :eek: )

The recoil from a standing or kneeling position is more of a strong shove. Recoil from the bench is stout and not conduscive to shooting good groups.

Overall I'm very happy with the shortened barrel.
 
My 20" Sako does 2600 with 300s. Blast and recoil are not the least bit of a problem. Its super handy and feels like a 308(7 3/4 lbs w/scope). As for fps loss with the short barrel its about 25 fps per inch. Keep it the way it is and enjoy it.
 
If you handload, it does not have to be that bad; I would play with loads and go for accuracy rather than horsepower!

I used to have a 18" barrelled 358 Norma that would cook deer at 50 yds just with muzzle flash, every drawback has a potential up side!
 
oldbadger said:
If you handload, it does not have to be that bad; I would play with loads and go for accuracy rather than horsepower!

I used to have a 18" barrelled 358 Norma that would cook deer at 50 yds just with muzzle flash, every drawback has a potential up side!
Click to expand...


LOL!:dancingbanana:

That brings a whole new meaning to searing the hair off with a torch! :p

Noel
 
tootall said:
Is this you, Mauser98?

I spoke by phone to the originator of this wildcat a few years ago, (I am always on the lookout for new rounds for my cartridge collection), and I recall the guy being around your area.
Click to expand...

Nope. Not me

The developer of the 470 Mbogo is Dave Estergaard of Sechelt.
 
I have a short barrel on my .375 Ultra, and even though I burn up to 100 grs of powder per round, I haven't found muzzle blast to be an issue when shooting from most field positions. If you shoot into the wind it's a bit noisy, and if you shoot prone the sound seems to bounce off the ground and come back at you a bit. This might also be he case if one shoots from under a covered firing point as Geologist pointed out. Take the rifle out and shoot it before you decide to make any drastic changes to it - you might be pleasantly surprised.

With regards to loss of velocity, load the heaviest bullets you can find. The heavier the bullet the smaller the powder charge, the lower the muzzle velocity, hence the lower the measured velocity drop by shooting with a short barrel.

For what it's worth - if you can shoot full powered loads out of your .375 you won't see much of a change going to .416 Rigby - except in cost.
 
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