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

Camp Cook

Camp Cook

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After looking for several months for a Rem 700 LSS in 375RUM that I wanted to modify to a wildlife defense/hunting rifle a fellow CGNTZ member pm'ed me that he had seen an ad for a NIB rifle on another internet site.

Turns out the owner of the rifle had bought it to take to Africa when he and his family moved there 3 years ago but due to import regulations he decided to not bother trying to take it with him.

Now he is home and was looking for a smaller caliber so we ended up making a deal where we traded rifles and components absolutely no cash, he ended up with one of my Rem 700 LSS 300RUM's we both figure we each got an excellent deal.

So now I have my project rifle to turn into something like Super-Cub's 375 Taylor or Boomer's 375RUM...

Here are some of the things I am looking at doing.

1) shorten barrel to 21" & re-crown I am open to suggestions on what length to shorten it too.

2) reciever mounted 2 piece scope bases just can't decide which ones also open to suggestions on quick release scope rings I have used Leupold QRW's and am very happy with them but once again is there something better out there.

3) install iron or ghost ring sights if I went with ghost ring I would look at a XS Sights Back Up Ghost ring rear sight that I would mount to the rear scope base I also like the NECG's.

4) install a Kick-Eez magnum model recoil pad these are the best recoil reducing recoil pads on the market.

5) glass bed both stocks the synthetic one is just a cheap Rem factory BDL stock that I painted I'd put it on when I am beating the rifle.

6) Adjust trigger to 3 lbs

Any thoughts you guys would like to suggest would be greatly appreciated ... :)

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try eaw quick detach scope mounts they hold a zeroand are though (they live on my 378weatherby) try jeffs outfitters they are cheaper there they call them a swing mount
 
Cut barrel to 22", install sights. Talley makes nice steel detach rings/bases.
Not too sure about the K-E magnum pads. While they are soft, they are also fairly deep, almost too much. I'd go either pachmyr 1" decelerator or the Rem SuperCell.
Also, throw the cheap stock back in the closet and leave it there...:)
 
Can't agree on not using the Kick-Eez recoil pads I have them on every heavy recoiling rifle I own including a Marlin 1895GS in 45-70, 300 RUM and another 375RUM they are absolutely awesome on how they reduce/spread out felt recoil...
 
I'm not going to make any rifle suggestions, but offer a load suggestion. I know you've got experience with reloading this cartridge, but considering the cost of load develoment with $1 bullets it may save you some money. I've got an XCR with 24" bbl and was having a hell of a time getting near listed max velocity with "normal" 375 RUM powders like RL22 and IMR 4831. Manuals seemed to be using rifles with 26" bbls, so I switched to a faster powder to try and make up for 2" less bbl. Worked like a charm. While I could only get 2825 fps with a full 100gr of RL22 (300gr TSX), working up loads with IMR 4350 to 95.0 grs, I get 2950 fps with no pressure signs. With your short bbl, I'd reccomend powders notably faster that most RUM users are using...
 
Thanks for the heads up on the IMR4350 powder it is one of my powders of choice for my 26" barreled 375RUM yes I now have 2 Rem 700 LSS in 375RUM's...

I have already considered this and had started looking for reloading info for faster powders I also have no plans to work with max loads don't need them with the applications I have in mind 2600fps - 2700fps with 300gr bullets is all I want from this rifle.

Actually have already loaded some 92grs IMR4350 with 300gr Sierra Gamekings no these are not defense loads these will be just to check velocity.

The plan is if and when I finally get my hands on some heavy weight 350gr + bullets I'll start using them exclusively for this rifle.

I just bought a slightly used Leupold VX-3 2.5-8X36mm B&C reticle scope off of the EE yesterday should have it in about a week that I am going to use on this rifle.

Due to my aging eye sight I've now decided that a ghost ring sight is what I prefer when not using a scope so I just bought a couple of XS Sights to try out from The Shooting Edge in Calgary on their 50% off clearance sale.

Now I just need to figure out the front sight... :confused:
 
Im glad that the deal worked out for you.

I've wanted a 375 for a quite a while now but was having trouble deciding between the RUM, H&H and the Ruger.

Figured I'd go with a Ruger #1 in 375 H&H and now I'm back to a 20'' Ruger bolt stainless bolt action in 375 Ruger.

I really like your idea of a 20 or 21'' barrel and the Ghost ring sights with quick detach rings.

I've never used the Kick-EZ pads before but I have Limbsavers on all of my rifles and shotguns (except a single 22-250) and they make a world of difference.

What did you have in mind for a bullet you want to shoot? I've had pretty good luck with Retumbo powder in the Umags I've loaded for.

For a defense type of gun, I like the idea of a detachable mag box. When trouble arises, just slap the mag in and you're ready to go. No individual loading of rounds.
Might be an issue with the large UMAG rounds since the mag boxes are usually the limiting factor for max OAL.

Im not much into the big bore lever guide guns but I really love the idea of the short barreled RUM.

Looking forward to seeing a finished product.
 
Camp Cook said:
So now I have my project rifle to turn into something like Super-Cub's 375 Taylor or Boomer's 375RUM...
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I'd stick with the 375RUM bbl/chamber as the custom dies for a 375 Taylor can be a bit pricey. Better to spent that $$ on brass and download a bit.



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SuperCub said:
I'd stick with the 375RUM bbl/chamber as the custom dies for a 375 Taylor can be a bit pricey. Better to spent that $$ on brass and download a bit..
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Thats the plan I already have another Rem 700 LSS in 375RUM that has only been glass bedded and the trigger done but it is amazingly accurate it has a VX-111 4.5-14X40 B&C scope on it and a Kick-Eez recoil pad.

So I am already loading for the 375RUM and when Mad_Mikee let me know about this one that is now being modified... Thanks again Mike... :)

So in other words what I meant by your rifle was how you had your build done...

I now see that I am going to be doing things a bit differently than you did thought.
 
Mad_Mikee said:
Im glad that the deal worked out for you.

What did you have in mind for a bullet you want to shoot? I've had pretty good luck with Retumbo powder in the Umags I've loaded for.

Im not much into the big bore lever guide guns but I really love the idea of the short barreled RUM.

Looking forward to seeing a finished product.
Click to expand...

I use Retumbo in my 300RUM but haven't tried it in the 375RUM I have found IMR4350 & RL22 worked very well for me so didn't need to try it.

As of now I am planning on loading with IMR4350 powder and the bullets I plan on using for defense will be 300gr Swift A-Frames, I find that 300gr Partitions/A-Frames/Gamekings all hit to the same point of aim in my 375RUM that I have had for a few years now, so if it holds true for this shortened barreled rifle I'll practice with and hunt beyond 300 yards with Gamekings and my defense loads will be the A-Frames.

If I come across some heavy 350gr + bullets of proper construction I will definately give them a try for defense...

I was out shooting my Marlin 1895GS 45-70 today I have a low Weaver XS Sights Backup Ghost Ring sight set mounted on it when I have the scope off.

I am always amazed at how fast and accurately I can shoot this rifle with top loads and after I was shooting today I wondered how will I ever be able to shoot a bolt gun as fast.

Practice... :D
 
1) shorten barrel to 21" & re-crown I am open to suggestions on what length to shorten it too.
Click to expand...
Go to 23 - 24"

2) reciever mounted 2 piece scope bases just can't decide which ones also open to suggestions on quick release scope rings I have used Leupold QRW's and am very happy with them but once again is there something better out there.
Click to expand...
QRW's are all that I've used.

3) install iron or ghost ring sights if I went with ghost ring I would look at a XS Sights Back Up Ghost ring rear sight that I would mount to the rear scope base I also like the NECG's.
Click to expand...
Go XS.

4) install a Kick-Eez magnum model recoil pad these are the best recoil reducing recoil pads on the market.
Click to expand...
Or Sims, your call.

5) glass bed both stocks the synthetic one is just a cheap Rem factory BDL stock that I painted I'd put it on when I am beating the rifle.
Click to expand...
Your call. Bell and Carlson has a decent hunter stock for Remmys.

6) Adjust trigger to 3 lbs
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Go to 2.95 - you'll thank me later.



Sounds like a cool project, RUM based cartridges have always intrigued me - let us know how she turns out.
 
I say 22" and fluted. XS sights and no scope. Then balance the gun so its fast to use. I could always work the bolts as fast or faster than my levers. Practice.
 
bushguy said:
What are you trying to "defend against?" big bad g bears? ,,if it were me i wouldnt go in the woods! :p:p
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Actually that is exactly the reason...

I work as a self employed free miner (prospector) and I do it mostly solo with only my dog for company except I'm taking most of this year off due to wanting to hang out with my 2 1/2 year old son.

Here is a grizzly that I shot last year with the 26" barreled 375RUM that I already have, the skull measures 24 1/16" making it elegible for the Boone & Crocket Life Time awards book and I normally encounter at least 100 black bears and several grizzlies every year some very close and some not so close.

Thus my desire to have the ultimate defense rifle that can also double for longer range hunting unlike a 45-70...

So basically some people aren't afraid of the bush and whats in it because they actually now how to use tools to defend themselves... :p

Ice_Cream_with_Jaiden_Grizzly_Bear_Pic_s_June_2_2008_047.jpg



SuperCub said:
Are not the feed rails different for a RUM cartridge making it hard to go to another case?
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I really don't know and have no reason too, I'm sticking to the 375RUM I was refering to your rifle not the cartridge even though I think the 375 Taylor is a far more efficient round than the Ruger.

In other words I do not have to rebarrel I am already loading/shooting another 375RUM so in the interest of saving money and thinking that the 375RUM is the ultimate case design for the 375 cal due to it being able to be loaded down to H&H/Ruger/Taylor levels and up to above factory RUM levels plus it is an extremely accurate case design.

In other words a RUM can do everything the others can and everything they can't...


:canadaFlag:
 
Come on now you can't start talking about missing and not go into details, I want to hear about that first shot... :p
 
Haha,i have no clue what happened,i shot @60 yards almost facing me,,,,,BOOM,,,nothing,,bear lifted his head up from feeding,i shot him in the chest and he dropped,,figured i must of hit a small twig or maybe the earth spun suddenly,lmao.
 
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