.375H&H Barrel length… what say you?

[BJH65]

I would agree also, all factors considered, I went with 23”
View attachment 727495

I’ll be doing a write up shortly in the Gun Smithing section.

I’ll say this - Tipton Burns did excellent work and is a very honest man that restored my faith in gunsmiths.

That’s a really nice setup and perfect all around barrel length. It may not seem like it but hunting with my 25 inch barrel 416 Rigby in 2024 then recently hunting with my 22.5 inch barrel 458 Lott, comparing the two, I noticed a big difference in the field, even just 2.5 inches less, it seemed so much handier when going through the brush and overall handling. I think 22-23 inches is the perfect all around barrel length. Anyways, that’s a sweet looking rifle you have.

 

[375er]

My .375 sports a 26 inch barrel that I have never felt was a problem and have never had a thought of shortening it. I guess it is what you get used to.

 

[dogcat1]

If you are going to Africa, 22" seems about perfect. If this is for Alaska, then 22" seems perfect.
If you plan to use a suppressor, then 20" is prefect.
Why do I say this??? Because, this is what I did and I like the set ups.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Because of the .375 H&H immense versatility I prefer a 25” barrel. For larger caliber rifles and Stopping Rifles I like 24” and 23” tubes.

 

[DaddyFlip]

I bought a Browning A-bolt with a 26-inch barrel and it doesn't seem too long at all. In fact, I'm looking at another one with a 26-inch. I say have a 'smith ADD an inch to your barrel; now THAT would be something!

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi deewayne,

You did it right!!!
End, to me, with a perfect 375 H&H rifle, indeed!!!
Congrats!

CF

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

If I'm doing a custom, I will always choose 22" for myself, but if it's already set up with a 24", then that is what it has until it might sometime in the future get a new barrel, although I prefer 22" for all my bolts. Any longer than this seems to run into and hit every branch or twig in sight when moving through cover.

 

[Bugger]

Balance is important, depending on weight and distribution, I’d go with a 26” barrel. My pre-64 375 has a 26” barrel I wouldn’t want it shorter.

 

[50Gunner]

My 1952 year Winchester 70 standard rifle with it's factory 25" barrel is perfect, doubly so for unscrewing the scope if need be and using that wonderful rocker rear barrel sight, all the way forward the 300gr CEB #13 solids at 2700 fps are dead on at 25 and 50 yards the best I can hold and shoot an iron sighted rifle.

That longer barrel also comes in handy launching 300gr A-Frames at 2680 fps, the rifle wears a gloss 2-7 Leupold in QD rings because it is so accurate and does have very good all game utility reach/range.

Have had the rifle in the Limpopo thorns North of Alldays without a problem at all, as thick as it was and as fast as some shots happened I wouldn't think of ever cutting it or any other rifle I have's barrel down, I have noticed no more knots on the foreheads of men that are 6'6" vs 5'8" men, we all need to pay max attention to where our heads are, as well as muzzles and trigger fingers.

 

[R eight]

I’ve got a BRNO .375 with the factory 25” barrel, plan is to have it cerakoted, synthetic stock & 3 position safety as an all weather rifle.

Question being, for you guys that have had several different barrel lengths of .375’s; what’s your preference on barrel length?

I had my 602 in 375 cut shortened to 23 inches. I would never do it again.

I hope your experience is different than mine.

 

[Longwalker]

I have owned several .375 with 22-23" barrels, Which I feel are about right. I just sold my Win M70 Alaskan with 25" barrel, and kept my Sako Kodiak with 20" barrel. I could have happily kept shooting the long barreled Winchester, but it had functional reliability issues. It balanced well. I'd actually prefer if the Sako Kodiak had a 22" barrel. But I like everything else on that rifle so the stubby barrel doesn't bother me much. And it is handy. Muzzle blast is excessive though. I like muzzle forward balance, the Sako is neutral.

 

[deewayne2003]

I had my 602 in 375 cut shortened to 23 inches. I would never do it again.

I hope your experience is different than mine.

It’s perfect for me; really enjoying it and it as my deer rifle currently.

 

[steve white]

23" but I would NOT shorten it as is.

 

[coreydb]

My .375 (pictured in my photo) has a 24" barrel.

 

[Rafiki]

If you are a handloader hacking the barrel off, whatever the reason, may be an interesting project up to certain limits. The case capacity is about 95gr H2O; you need to consider burn rate vs barrel length the goal being meet or exceed 100% of powder burn nefore the projectile leave the muzzle; meaning the shorter the barrel the hotter the powder, otherwise you end up blowing unburned powder out the end, does make a pretty fireball though.

Actually it's best to be some percentage more than 100% because it isn't the amount of powder burnt that propels the projectile, it's the expanding gas produced by the burn so you need the barrel to contain those gases.

On this forum I frequently see this fixation on velocity, well that comes from a balance between efficient burn and barrel length (and bullet construction of course). If you shoot factory rounds you are kind'a stuck with the manufacturer's formula and that may or may not be optimal for whatever you hack your barrel off to. If you are hand loading you have the flexibility tune your load but even then you could quickly butt up against pressure limits trying to meet your performance goals.

My Ruger 375 H&H RSM came from the factory with a 23" barrel, I trust the designers.

 

[Rafiki]

If you are a handloader hacking the barrel off, whatever the reason, may be an interesting project up to certain limits. The case capacity is about 95gr H2O; you need to consider burn rate vs barrel length the goal being meet or exceed 100% of powder burn nefore the projectile leave the muzzle; meaning the shorter the barrel the hotter the powder, otherwise you end up blowing unburned powder out the end, does make a pretty fireball though.

Actually it's best to be some percentage more than 100% because it isn't the amount of powder burnt that propels the projectile, it's the expanding gas produced by the burn so you need the barrel to contain those gases.

Correction, obviously you can't burn more than 100%, my excuses is too much Christmas night egg nog.

 

[buffybr]

My .375 RUM came with a 26" barrel and I had a 2" brake installed on it. I've used it on 3 hunts with absolutely no problems.

 

[PCC600]

I finally recieved my custom M98 in .375 H&H yesterday after more then 14 months waiting and must say that I really like the proportions that comes from the rather long barrel, 65 cm or about 25½ inches. I realize that it being somewhat unwieldy in the bush is the price I have to pay for that, but still very happy with my choice.

View attachment 680533

Beautiful rifle .

 

[KJE81]

Beautiful rifle .

Thank you.

 

[coreydb]

I would leave the barrel untouched.