.375 Epstein?

[jpr9954]

I've come across a rifle at an online auction in .375 Epstein. No, the rifle didn't kill itself.

From what I can tell, this is a wildcat that was created from a necked-up .338 Win Mag. I've found load data for it and brass is available from Quality Cartridge stamped with .375 Epstein. The loads I've found say it will push a 300 grain bullet at up to 2800 f/s which is faster than a .375 H&H. It sounds a bit like a wildcat version of the .375 Ruger from what I've read.

I love weird off-beat calibers but is this just a bit too far out there? I'm wondering if it would work for Africa.

The only reason I'm considering is that the price is cheap and it is built on a FN Mauser.

 

[BourbonTrail]

Careful it might result in a hang fire…

 

[Captain Munro]

Careful it might result in a hang fire…

I saw something like that coming, but it is still hilarious.

 

[jpr9954]

Fortunately, this Epstein - Big Mike - is still alive. He played first base for the Washington Senators and Oakland A's among other teams.

 

[DieJager]

Saw the title and could not resist. Think the 375 Clinton has a better barrel life...

 

[matt85]

While the cartridge has a funny name, I'm not sure what the advantage is. As you said, it's a wildcat 375 Ruger but... worse. At least the 375 Ruger ditched the belt. The belt is a weak link as it means your brass won't last as long when hand loading. I like wildcat cartridges but generally I would want one that does something currently available cartridges don't already do (and they do it better).

Now to your question of will it work in Africa, of course. But don't pick a gun for hunting Africa because its "cheap". If you really want to save money and aren't picky on the firearm, then rent/borrow a gun from your outfitter. Using your outfitters gun will save you money, time, and hassle of traveling with a gun.

 

[davidg8480]

Can't help myself either!...
Best propellant to use for reloading this cartridge is " Lolita Express #42"

 

[Boyd Brooks]

This cartridge goes by a few names. 375 Chattfield Taylor, aka 375 Taylor, also the 375-338 or the 375 belted Newton. At least the 416 wildcat only got one name, 416 Taylor.

 

[jpr9954]

This cartridge goes by a few names. 375 Chattfield Taylor, aka 375 Taylor, also the 375-338 or the 375 belted Newton. At least the 416 wildcat only got one name, 416 Taylor.

From what I can tell in my research they are very similar. I'm think the shoulder angle may be just a bit different.

 

[C.W. Richter]

At least you know a .375 Epstein is inherently safe. It's absolutely not gonna shoot itself! Crazy that no data is available here, but safe to start w/ min data from a comparable cartridge. More cartridges I have than not feature a belt, and it's NOT a handicap, accuracy-wise. It only takes 1 shot. Of course it would work on everything in Africa, and not even at the high Vs you mention. I recall a 375HH load (270 gr TSX going 2770 fps-it was unnecessary punishment on both sides!) If the deal is good, get it, but do first find some brass and be careful loading!

 

[C.W. Richter]

You'll have no trouble forming brass out of many cartridges made from the 375 HH (i see dies are available for 375 Jeffrey-Epstein.) Yep, looks like one person's crack at a shortened v. of the HH. I don't think you need loads that outshine an HH. It works fine, as is, on up to elephant with proper bullet selection along the way. The advantage is a shorter action (and even a longer bbl) in the same or smaller package. I'd opt for the longer bbl (for added recoil absorption and longer shooting.)

 

[C.W. Richter]

How apropos, as the .69 Gislaine-Maxwell (Rimmed) is just about to be unveiled! Double-barrel. Uncertain of whether it misfires/hangfires as of this moment in the evaulation process...

 

[Anthony George]

Bloody awesome pick up

How long is the barrel ?

 

[C.W. Richter]

It almost looks like you could form it out of a .458 WM? I may have some brass, but want to retain some for the 416 Taylor.

 

[C.W. Richter]

This cartridge goes by a few names. 375 Chattfield Taylor, aka 375 Taylor, also the 375-338 or the 375 belted Newton. At least the 416 wildcat only got one name, 416 Taylor.

I believe it's actually called the .416 Chatfield-Taylor. It's just people are too lazy to write it and too cheap to stamp it on cartridges. I believe Art Alphin of A-Sq may be the one that got it (and a pile more wildcats) SAAMI-approved and standardized for factory guns & ammo (still available today!) He made some great wildcats (both Bob and Art)!!! He was like the Tucker of the gun industry...and the industry may have just stolen a few ideas of his. The 375 Chatfield-Taylor actually makes great sense...he was fond of necking down .458 WMs. I know the WM is 3.5" but the Jeffrey Epstein variant is 3.6 I believe. You may get the extra 0.1 when necking down to .375 but uncertain. The case body appears more straightwall than a 375 but it's deceiving (that would eat up a bit of case length, too.) I'd say go for it, but def do a chamber cast (easy) to see precisely what dimensions you're dealt!

 

[Jamie D Van Roekel]

I've come across a rifle at an online auction in .375 Epstein. No, the rifle didn't kill itself.

From what I can tell, this is a wildcat that was created from a necked-up .338 Win Mag. I've found load data for it and brass is available from Quality Cartridge stamped with .375 Epstein. The loads I've found say it will push a 300 grain bullet at up to 2800 f/s which is faster than a .375 H&H. It sounds a bit like a wildcat version of the .375 Ruger from what I've read.

I love weird off-beat calibers but is this just a bit too far out there? I'm wondering if it would work for Africa.

The only reason I'm considering is that the price is cheap and it is built on a FN Mauser.

I would find it hard to believe that it could push a 300 to 2800. That would put it up to 375 Wby and that is a full length case not a shortened case like the 338 win. Just something to look at.

 

[C.W. Richter]

and the Prince Andrew .22! Coming soon...(Island Carbine edition). <pronounced tu-tu, meaning bottom in French>

 

[C.W. Richter]

I would find it hard to believe that it could push a 300 to 2800. That would put it up to 375 Wby and that is a full length case not a shortened case like the 338 win. Just something to look at.

I had said so much, 'didn't touch on this but thought it! Taylor was fond of shortening case lengths just enough to preserve V (.416 Rigby, 416 Rem, 416 Taylor-all 2,450 fps, but the taylor contains 10-30 gr less powder!) Never did one of his bigger bore improvements (shortening) result in higher than standard length V in the same caliber. That said, I'd expect it to be well above the 2,450 fps ideal V for rather short range DG hunting and bullet performance. A tad higher perhaps, but that'd be ideal for longer PG shots as well...V. good point!

 

[C.W. Richter]

'Leave the safety off at all times (or remove it altogether) w/ an Epstein! And please have the gun restamped 375 Chatfield-Taylor. lol

 

[C.W. Richter]

OMT. If you love (the) Epstein, but the gun deal gets hung-up, consider doing this w/ the 375 variant... "Reports from various internet gunboards indicate that shooters and gunsmiths are rebarreling Browning BAR .338 Winchester Magnum rifles with .416 Taylor barrels thereby creating semi-automatic hunting rifles in a true dangerous game caliber.[3]" I don't want one, but I want You to have one! And We want to see the videos!!!