In late 2024 I won a Remington 30-S Express made in 1936 in a Gunbroker auction. I have long been a fan of the M1917 and P14 Enfields, and the Remington 30 which shares the same basic action. This particular 30 Express had the original barrel rechambered for 300 Win Mag with the bolt face opened up and magazine feed rails modified. It held 3 +1 in this configuration. It shot OK, but I had no real desire for a .300 Winchester. It was in really nice condition, other than a recoil pad that looked straight out of the 1960s complete with a lightning pattern spacer. Here is a pic as originally purchased.
The more I handled the rifle, the more I thought it would make a dandy .375 H&H. I sent the barreled action to McGowen and requested they copy the factory contour to 7 inches in front of the receiver, then taper to a .700" muzzle at finished length of 24 inches, matching factory length. This kept the stock channel the same except for the last few inches, and allowed me to save the serial number stamped in the stock's barrel channel matching the receiver. I asked McGowan to minimize their markings on the barrel, so as not to detract from the "period" look of the rifle, my goal was to reasonably look like a rifle that came out of Ilion. Replicating the factory contour also allowed me to reuse the rear sight base and barrel mounted recoil lug from factory barrel.
I installed a NECG rear sight blank in the barrel band in place of the dovetail filler that the factory barrel had. After receiving the barreled action back from McGowan with the .375 barrel fitted, I went to work on the magazine. The H&H length cartridges require a longer "magnum" magazine box, and I found one designed for the slightly wider P14 well. Being the box is wider as well as longer, it held 4 down. After cutting the receiver to fit the wider and longer box, I function tested the rifle. I tried three different followers, the one that worked the best was a magnum Rem 700 follower. I widened the feed ramp to effortlessly feed CEB flat nose solids and polished it. It now is a SLICK feeding 4+1.
I installed a red decellerator pad and a NECG banded front sight. The one piece base was replaced with two piece steel Weaver Grand Slam bases, which will utilize Warne or Leupold QD rings. I just finished regulating and bluing the rear sight. The rear sight received a white arrow cut from a bread bag clip that I find greatly speeds sight acquisition.
I also installed an Edwards recoil reducer in the buttstock. The action and forward barrel mounted lug were glass bedded into the stock. Finished weight without a scope is 8lbs 11 oz and balances nicely at the forward edge of the floorplate.
I am enjoying this rifle immensely, and I think it is destined to become my favorite .375 H&H. It's too bad Remington never produced these in .375 H&H to compete with Winchester's M70, as I believe it is a better rifle. I also think the "Express" moniker is well fitting to heavier chamberings. I am now considering building one in .404 Jeffery.
I am enjoying this rifle immensely, and I think it is destined to become my favorite .375 H&H. It's too bad Remington never produced these in .375 H&H to compete with Winchester's M70, as I believe it is a better rifle. I also think the "Express" moniker is well fitting to heavier chamberings. I am now considering building one in .404 Jeffery.
