And So It Begins - .375 WSM Project

[Llama Bob]

You can't buy .375 Ruger brass (or loaded ammo) right now as far as I can tell, and can't make the brass with any reasonable level of difficulty it since it's got no parent case. Oftentimes a good wildcat is much easier to deal with than an unavailable factory round. And at this point it's an open question if there will ever be another brass run for the .375 Ruger. Hornady doesn't seem super interested.

I guess you could have RCC do a run, but that's both very slow and very expensive.

 

[DocRock]

You can't buy .375 Ruger brass (or loaded ammo) right now as far as I can tell, and can't make the brass with any reasonable level of difficulty it since it's got no parent case. Oftentimes a good wildcat is much easier to deal with than an unavailable factory round. And at this point it's an open question if there will ever be another brass run for the .375 Ruger. Hornady doesn't seem super interested.

I guess you could have RCC do a run, but that's both very slow and very expensive.

I bought Hornady 375R brass in April at Cabela’s.

 

[Llama Bob]

Well they don't appear to have it now - the only Hornady brass they list is .338 Norma which I'm sure would be fun but not really relevant to me. There may be a stray package on a dusty shelf somewhere, but nationwide it's sold out. So is the ammo.

 

[DocRock]

Well they don't appear to have it now - the only Hornady brass they list is .338 Norma which I'm sure would be fun but not really relevant to me. There may be a stray package on a dusty shelf somewhere, but nationwide it's sold out. So is the ammo.

Unlike everything else, which is falling from the the trees on which brass and ammo grow...

 

[horsemen61]

@Llama Bob looks like it’s coming together!!!!

 

[Llama Bob]

@Llama Bob looks like it’s coming together!!!!

Yup - there's going to be some waiting while the rifle is re-bored, but all the pieces are in place.

 

[Llama Bob]

Unlike everything else, which is falling from the the trees on which brass and ammo grow...

This is why you want to be on a case with 5 manufacturers rather than 1. When Hornady decides they don't care about the .375 Ruger, that's it. Game over unless you're willing to pay mucho and wait a year plus for RCC cases. But the WSM cases are firmly in place with a large rifle population and will always be made. Running them through a sizing die isn't the problem you think it is.

 

[Llama Bob]

And of course at the end of the day the WSM will still be the superior short action rifle giving you the same performance in a lighter, handier package. If the Ruger was the better supported round, that might tip the scales but since the WSMs are both superior technically and better supported there's no reason to go Ruger.

 

[DocRock]

And of course at the end of the day the WSM will still be the superior short action rifle giving you the same performance in a lighter, handier package. If the Ruger was the better supported round, that might tip the scales but since the WSMs are both superior technically and better supported there's no reason to go Ruger.

Still funny. 1/2” bolt throw difference constitutes “technological superiority”

Hope the project turns out well. Enjoy

 

[Llama Bob]

Still funny. 1/2” bolt throw difference constitutes “technological superiority”

If you want a rifle that's longer, heavier, and has a longer bolt throw, that's fine by me. You do you. Why not just weld a few extra inches of pipe on the end of all your muzzles and make your rifles better still?

As for me, I'll take shorter, lighter, and better

 

[DocRock]

If you want a rifle that's longer, heavier, and has a longer bolt throw, that's fine by me. You do you. Why not just weld a few extra inches of pipe on the end of all your muzzles and make your rifles better still?

As for me, I'll take shorter, lighter, and better

.

Hilarious. Maybe 1/2” longer receiver ? I absolutely guaranty that my Mossberg Patriot in 375 Ruger weighs less than yours. But hey, whatever it takes to justify it in your own mind.

As for me, I’ll take the ease and assurance of a rifle properly chambered in 375 Ruger.

 

[Llama Bob]

You're certainly welcome to weigh your Mossberg. The number to hit is 6.6 lbs based on the weight of my .300 WSM rifle in the same stock and the amount of metal to be removed from the barrel. Although the purpose of this thread is not really to discuss the Patriot, it does pretty much everything the opposite of how you want it on a DG rifle. Some of those things, like plastic in the feed system, save weight but aren't confidence inspiring. Still I wouldn't expect the Mossberg to be notably if any lighter given the longer action and barrel.

 

[DocRock]

You're certainly welcome to weigh your Mossberg. The number to hit is 6.6 lbs based on the weight of my .300 WSM rifle in the same stock and the amount of metal to be removed from the barrel. Although the purpose of this thread is not really to discuss the Patriot, it does pretty much everything the opposite of how you want it on a DG rifle. Some of those things, like plastic in the feed system, save weight but aren't confidence inspiring. Still I wouldn't expect the Mossberg to be notably if any lighter given the longer action and barrel.

6.5 lbs. But then, I am not afraid of the hard charging death-elk.

 

[LoonWulf]

Why not just weld a few extra inches of pipe on the end of all your muzzles and make your rifles better still?

Because I'd be tempted to put washers in a cap on it ......and that's not legal here.......

 

[Llama Bob]

If elk was the problem I'd shoot a 6.5mm. The problem is the grizzly bears that come when you shoot the elk. There's been two guides killed that way in the last 3 seasons in the Western Wyoming/SW Montana area. Plus another in SW Montana that stumbled on a bear's moose kill.

 

[horsemen61]

If elk was the problem I'd shoot a 6.5mm. The problem is the grizzly bears that come when you shoot the elk. There's been two guides killed that way in the last 3 seasons in the Western Wyoming/SW Montana area. Plus another in SW Montana that stumbled on a bear's moose kill.

I bet that 300 grain A frame will make Yogi change his mind about eating you for sure!

 

[Robert]

As interesting as this is, it doesn't do anything for me that my H&H won't do. Neat project and I bet it'll be fun, but I've never looked my H&H and wished the action was shorter. And it's the one round I've been able to find during the most recent unpleasantness.

 

[Llama Bob]

As interesting as this is, it doesn't do anything for me that my H&H won't do. Neat project and I bet it'll be fun, but I've never looked my H&H and wished the action was shorter. And it's the one round I've been able to find during the most recent unpleasantness.

It does exactly the same things an H&H will do - that's the point. And it does those things 1.5-3 lbs lighter than any commercial CRF H&H (or Ruger):

Win 70 Alaskan: 8 lbs 8 oz
Win 70 Safari: 9 lbs 0 oz
M77 Hawkeye African (.375 Ruger): 8 lbs 0 oz
M77 Hawkeye Alaskan (.375 Ruger): 8 lbs 2 oz
Kimber Talkeetna: 7 lbs 12 oz
CZ 550 American Safari Magnum: 9 lbs 6oz (discontinued)
MRC 1999 AVR: 9lbs ??? oz (discontinued)

Oh, and is 4-6" shorter than all except the M77 Alaskan. And has a better slate of reliability features than any of those rifles except maybe the MRC (true CRF, open trigger, 3-position wing safety, Oberndorf bottom metal, safari-type backup irons etc.).

I've at various times owned 3 of the above. I know I'd MUCH rather be carrying around a 20" rifle on a WSM action/sporter barrel than any of them. The downside of course is recoil, but it's not a huge difference.

 

[DocRock]

Who knew that the 6.5lbs (actually a bit less), 22” Mossberg Patriot was the greatest thing since sliced cheese Shorter than, and weighs less than, all those listed and this 375 WSM, even with that monstrous abomination of a standard length action

Doesn’t have the cache of a classic wood and steel 375 H&H though, something I’d be happy to take the weight penalty for.

 

[Llama Bob]

The issue with the Patriot, as already stated, is the features of the action. It's light, but push feed, 2-position non-locking safety, round bottom, plunger eject, cartridge trigger, plastic in the feed system, exposed magazine eject etc.

It's chambered in a DG cartridge, but it's not a DG rifle.

 

[DocRock]

The issue with the Patriot, as already stated, is the features of the action. It's light, but push feed, 2-position non-locking safety, round bottom, plunger eject, cartridge trigger, plastic in the feed system, exposed magazine eject etc.

It's chambered in a DG cartridge, but it's not a DG rifle.

And yet, I will happily hunt elk with it.

It’s not a problem for me. Your ursophobia may require other features however. Happily, there are many rifles in the world.

 

[H&Hhunter]

It does exactly the same things an H&H will do - that's the point. And it does those things 1.5-3 lbs lighter than any commercial CRF H&H (or Ruger):

Win 70 Alaskan: 8 lbs 8 oz
Win 70 Safari: 9 lbs 0 oz
M77 Hawkeye African (.375 Ruger): 8 lbs 0 oz
M77 Hawkeye Alaskan (.375 Ruger): 8 lbs 2 oz
Kimber Talkeetna: 7 lbs 12 oz
CZ 550 American Safari Magnum: 9 lbs 6oz (discontinued)
MRC 1999 AVR: 9lbs ??? oz (discontinued)

Oh, and is 4-6" shorter than all except the M77 Alaskan. And has a better slate of reliability features than any of those rifles except maybe the MRC (true CRF, open trigger, 3-position wing safety, Oberndorf bottom metal, safari-type backup irons etc.).

I've at various times owned 3 of the above. I know I'd MUCH rather be carrying around a 20" rifle on a WSM action/sporter barrel than any of them. The downside of course is recoil, but it's not a huge difference.

Obviously you are comparing apples to oranges EG a stock off the shelf factory rifle to a highly customized build. I’ve got a .375 H&H built on 90’s action with the open trigger that sports a 20” barrel in a lightened McMillan that tips the scales naked at just over 7lbs. MV with that 20” pipe is just at 2450 for a 300gr bullet and right at 2700 FPS with a 270 Gr TTSX LR.

I am not disparaging your build as you are wanting a certain case for practicality reasons. But a .375 H&H does feed, function and extract slicker than owl snot. I’ve had feeding issues with several WSM’s in M-70’s.

Also I get the platform you’re looking to achieve with your build. A fast handling DG style rifle. Of course that has a lot more to do with how it’s scoped and cheeked and how it balances in the hands than anything else. For the little inland, lower 48 grizzlies you’d might have to deal with your good old 7MM with a controlled expansion bullet would be perfectly adequate. They are not big bears as compared to a costal brownie.

And with that being said I’m a big fan of the .375 diameter and have killed several dozen elk with them out to over 400 yards. They are simply a reliable killer of game, any game from rabbits to elephant. That same rifle has potted several Cape buffalo and North American Bison and more hogs than I’ll admit too. So as far as usefulness in general you’ll be building a rifle that far outperforms your 7MM everywhere but at extended range. I like that!

 

[LoonWulf]

there are many rifles in the world

That there are!
Ive been trying to have a .375 Raptor built, but the shop thats got my gun quit talking to me a while back.....if i cant get that one back, ill probably build another short action 375, and a 375WSM sounds interesting.

 

[Llama Bob]

And yet, I will happily hunt elk with it.

It’s not a problem for me. Your ursophobia may require other features however. Happily, there are many rifles in the world.

It looks like Colorado is on pace to have to put down almost 200 bears this year for either injuring someone or breaking into houses. I don't know what the ratio of injuries to break-ins is, but that's up about 3x from where it was a couple years ago. Most bear attacks in CO aren't fatal (although there's been one fatality this year) but surviving being mauled is still being mauled. It appears that as a state there's no plan for bear population control other than killing them after they hurt someone, which seems retarded but that's where we are.

While I don't think a .375 is required to deal with a black bear that comes to your elk gut pile, I think a very reliable rifle and at least very heavy 7mm or .30 is a good plan given the way things are going. A .300 WSM on a similar M70 classic/B&C stock setup is what I use for Colorado elk. The .375 is more likely to get use for Wyoming elk and predator called bear hunts.

 

[H&Hhunter]

After

It looks like Colorado is on pace to have to put down almost 200 bears this year for either injuring someone or breaking into houses. I don't know what the ratio of injuries to break-ins is, but that's up about 3x from where it was a couple years ago. Most bear attacks in CO aren't fatal (although there's been one fatality this year) but surviving being mauled is still being mauled. It appears that as a state there's no plan for bear population control other than killing them after they hurt someone, which seems retarded but that's where we are.

While I don't think a .375 is required to deal with a black bear that comes to your elk gut pile, I think a very reliable rifle and at least very heavy 7mm or .30 is a good plan given the way things are going. A .300 WSM on a similar M70 classic/B&C stock setup is what I use for Colorado elk. The .375 is more likely to get use for Wyoming elk and predator called bear hunts.

After our exchange last year I thought for sure your were a died in the wool 7MM man! With its superior BC and all that?