New 375 project, need some validation

[TTundra]

Gentleman (and ladies),

I'm hankering for a new project and after seeing a few images and various posts on the desired outcome, I decided to venture down the road of a BLR takedown in 375 Ruger. I know its lighter weight, but I've never been one to turn away from recoil and quite frankly have a morbid gluttony for punishment I guess.

I love the notion of a lever gun in 375 (and lever actions in general) and the BLR lends it so well being able to fire spire style bullets via the box magazine. I know the triggers aren't the best out of the box, so that will be remedied by one of the BLR aficionados.

lastly, I do have a tendency to be attracted to takedowns, but in a BLR, the takedown models make it much easier to have the barrel rebored and rechambered. I've spoken with JES and he is able to rebore the 30 cal BLR (30-06 & 300 Win) to 375 and still be more than safe to fire and function.

Now, the biggest question, is its best to start with a 30-06 and have the bolt head swapped out to the magnum face and have it rechambered and rebored.....or is it better to start with a 300 Win and have the barrel set back and rebored/chambered? I believe the locking up for the barrel to bolt head would not work if the barrel is set back in the case of the 300 WIN? Can anyone lend a comment to what they know (or think) may be the best route? As of now I'm leaning '06 and having the bolt head swapped out and any and all possible fitting there done to avoid setting the barrel back.


This (once completed) rifle would return with me back over the pond as well as a Moose hunt in NA in the next 2 or so years.

Would love any and all insight. I'm sure there are a few that have thought about this route and have more information or possible have some of the few 375 Ruger BLR's already made.

 

[enysse]

An interesting project! I wonder how it will turn out?

 

[AB2506]

Why not try a 375 Scovill? Lots less work, more rounds in the magazine and about 85-90% of the power of the 375H&H.

 

[Pheroze]

I think it sounds like a neat project. Good luck with it.

 

[TTundra]

Why not try a 375 Scovill? Lots less work, more rounds in the magazine and about 85-90% of the power of the 375H&H.

Interesting. I haven't really considered any of the 375 derivatives that would require no bolt change. I wanted to go 375 Ruger from a commercial ammo, brass, and international availability. Worth a good hard look as well. Thanks!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Go with your first thought.........the 375 Ruger. But hey, I might be a little bias

Found this article that might give you some ideas too:
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...from-wild-west-guns-blr-takedown-combo-rifle/

 

[TTundra]

Go with your first thought.........the 375 Ruger. But hey, I might be a little bias

Found this article that might give you some ideas too:
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...from-wild-west-guns-blr-takedown-combo-rifle/

Stumbling on that article and a few others about WWG's conversions gave me the final push to do it. I'm still leaning to the 375 Ruger and am just awaiting a few responses from smiths to confirm the '06 BLR is the best platform to start on. (even though WWG says they used the win mag)

 

[SETH RINGER]

BEING A HUGE WWG FAN SINCE BEFORE THEIR T.V. SHOW, MY 2 CENTS WOULD BE TO DROP THE DIME ON THERE COMBO PACKAGE. THERE WORK AND CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GREAT.

 

[TTundra]

BEING A HUGE WWG FAN SINCE BEFORE THEIR T.V. SHOW, MY 2 CENTS WOULD BE TO DROP THE DIME ON THERE COMBO PACKAGE. THERE WORK AND CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GREAT.

Ive bought some items from them back in the days of using "auctionarms.com". However, pricing it out, to get a BLR and then have it rebored/chambered and minor work done is still less than half of what WWG charges. That, and doing some of the leg work yourself is more rewarding. I also make my own takedown cases, so it would have a more personal story in my trophy room as well.

Appreciate the comment though!

 

[Milehighshooter]

Go with a 7mm Rem Mag and you should have less issues cleaning up the chamber with the 375 Ruger reamer, may not need the set back.

 

[TTundra]

Go with a 7mm Rem Mag and you should have less issues cleaning up the chamber with the 375 Ruger reamer, may not need the set back.

That would solves the bolt head issue and works for length. Didn't even consider it. I'll need to just check the barrel diameter and that it can still be rebored to 375 from 284.

Great suggestion!

 

[Milehighshooter]

That would solves the bolt head issue and works for length. Didn't even consider it. I'll need to just check the barrel diameter and that it can still be rebored to 375 from 284.

Great suggestion!

It should be the exact same dimensions as the 300 Win mag. Factory rifles always have the same dimensions across calibers, except at the extremes. I know JES has done 7mm Rem bolt actions to 375, not sure on the BLR, I believe they have a slimmer profile than most bolts

 

[SETH RINGER]

Ive bought some items from them back in the days of using "auctionarms.com". However, pricing it out, to get a BLR and then have it rebored/chambered and minor work done is still less than half of what WWG charges. That, and doing some of the leg work yourself is more rewarding. I also make my own takedown cases, so it would have a more personal story in my trophy room as well.

Appreciate the comment though!

UNDERSTAND THE REWARD IN THE LEG WORK. JUST SPENT A BIT OVER A YEAR TEARING DOWN (MY PART) AND THEN SHIPPING INDIVIDUAL PARTS OUT ON A SAVAGE 99 TO WHOMEVER I THOUGHT WAS BEST SUITED TO DO WHAT I WANTED TO REBUILD/RESTORE/REFINISH ALL THE VARIOUS PARTS. TURNED OUT REAL NICE AND I'M SURE MY GRANDSON APPRECIATES IT MORE THAN ONE I COULD HAVE GOT OFF THE SHELF. GOOD LUCK WITH YOURS.

 

[mikee]

I have a Remington M700 LA in .375WSM, while you cant buy factory ammo its still easy to load for as its a straight neck up from 300WSM brass.
250gn barnes @2700fps from 16 inch barrel. Recoil is not too bad either.
First deer I shot with it you could look "thru" the hole. Was less meat damage though as compared to the 6.5SAUM I normally shoot deer with

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have a Remington M700 LA in .375WSM, while you cant buy factory ammo its still easy to load for as its a straight neck up from 300WSM brass.
250gn barnes @2700fps from 16 inch barrel. Recoil is not too bad either.
First deer I shot with it you could look "thru" the hole. Was less meat damage though as compared to the 6.5SAUM I normally shoot deer with

I can't imagine shooting a big boomer with a 16 inch barrel. The report has got to be attention getting.

 

[mikee]

Yes it is loud especially when the brake is fitted however for general hunting it wears a suppressor as I value both my own and the dogs hearing. I think unbraked and unsuppressed though it would be a very handy mobile rifle especially if it was a slightly heavier calibre like 416 or 458WSM

I cant see why you couldn't do a similar thing with your lever action

 

[TTundra]

Yes it is loud especially when the brake is fitted however for general hunting it wears a suppressor as I value both my own and the dogs hearing. I think unbraked and unsuppressed though it would be a very handy mobile rifle especially if it was a slightly heavier calibre like 416 or 458WSM

I cant see why you couldn't do a similar thing with your lever action

That sir, is a fine looking setup.

 

[curtism1234]

The problem with my BLR is you can't shoot it off sticks unless you have your hand on the forearm - like it won't hit paper at 100 yards. ymmv

 

[Graham Hunter]

?,?

 

[colorado]

Why not just do a 375 Taylor? I think it would be a lot easier, and unique as well.