New 375 on the Market

[Riflecrank]

I sure wish 2RECON would copy and paste some of his-story in developing this cartridge,
paste it here, please.

 

[Boone66]

Ahh, that makes since, my problem is I like all cartridges and calibers..well except for the 6.5 Creedmoor

 

[Bigbore585]

I have been wanting to build a 375/338LM for a while now. I just wanted to simplify neck up the Lapua to 375 with no other changes. A dealer here in Canada always has Peterson 338LM brass in stock, and Ive had great luck with it in
My 338. I also started looking into building a 37XC that i could mag feed with standard hunting bullets and single feed with high BC bullets. The 37XC is very similar to the 378 wby in case capacity so i figured why not build a hybrid Dangerous Game rifle/ long range rifle.

I still think a 375-338 Lapua would work the best over the 37xc for what im looking to achieve.

Im very happy I came across this thread! I think i may just bite the bullet and build a 375-338 Lapua.

 

[Ray B]

Or maybe wait for a 105mm/375- but of course a gun bearer is required.

 

[Bigbore585]

Im assuming by gun bearer, you’re referring to something on rails at 105mm, similar to what the Germans designed… Hahahah

 

[BeeMaa]

The 37XC is very similar to the 378 wby in case capacity so i figured why not build a hybrid Dangerous Game rifle/ long range rifle.

I would not want to dissuade you from your pursuit, but it seems that those two disciplines are in direct contrast with each other.

For a DG rifle the normal route is find one with these typical specs.
- Extremely reliable action.
- Caliber ranging from 9.3mm/.375" to .600".
- Barrel length from 16" to 24".
- Barrel profile is typically sporter but appropriate for the cartridge.
- Not typically fitted with a muzzle brake or suppressor.
- Appropriate rifle weight for cartridge.
- Low power variable optic or red dot.
- Expected range to target is less than 100 yards.
- Wood or synthetic sporter stocks that are non-adjustable.

For a long range rifle...
- Many are made with R700 pattern actions (nothing wrong with that, it's just a fact.)
- Calibers range from .22" to .338"
- Barrel lengths start at 24" and go up from there.
- Barrel profile is heavy target.
- Typically fitted with a muzzle brake or suppressor.
- Rifle weight starts at 10 lbs and goes up from there.
- High power optics.
- Expected range to target starts at 500 yards.
- Adjustable stock to allow proper eye alignment with scope.
- Forend of stock is beavertail style for use with bags or bipod attachment.

The reason I bring this up is that I'm concerned that you will go down this path and come out with a rifle that isn't "good" at either one. IMO it would be wise to buy (or build if you wish) a dedicated DGR and then have a separate long range rig. And if you wanted them in the same cartridge, so be it.

Hopefully you live in the US where this is easily possible.

 

[farmer_john]

Most new rounds rise or fall depending on the perceived need for such a creation.

Forty years ago, nobody would have predicted the success of the 300 Blackout, which is a 223 Rem necked to .308, firing most bullets below 2,000fps. What a worthless idea to load such fat bullets into such a small case ending up with subsonic speeds with some bullet weights.

When people finally understood that with 240 grain bullets in a 1 in 7 twist barrel at 1100fps through a suppressor you had an almost totally silent combination that hit like the hammer of Thor. THEN the 300 Blackout started to gain traction.

As I like to say, once you hear the THWACK, you never go back!

Sometimes it takes a while for a good thing to catch on.

Its not really a sucessful caliber IMHO. it was made to fill a very specific nich. That some people latched on to because insert cool socom group used it for a bit.

 

[Bigbore585]

I would not want to dissuade you from your pursuit, but it seems that those two disciplines are in direct contrast with each other.

For a DG rifle the normal route is find one with these typical specs.
- Extremely reliable action.
- Caliber ranging from 9.3mm/.375" to .600".
- Barrel length from 16" to 24".
- Barrel profile is typically sporter but appropriate for the cartridge.
- Not typically fitted with a muzzle brake or suppressor.
- Appropriate rifle weight for cartridge.
- Low power variable optic or red dot.
- Expected range to target is less than 100 yards.
- Wood or synthetic sporter stocks that are non-adjustable.

For a long range rifle...
- Many are made with R700 pattern actions (nothing wrong with that, it's just a fact.)
- Calibers range from .22" to .338"
- Barrel lengths start at 24" and go up from there.
- Barrel profile is heavy target.
- Typically fitted with a muzzle brake or suppressor.
- Rifle weight starts at 10 lbs and goes up from there.
- High power optics.
- Expected range to target starts at 500 yards.
- Adjustable stock to allow proper eye alignment with scope.
- Forend of stock is beavertail style for use with bags or bipod attachment.

The reason I bring this up is that I'm concerned that you will go down this path and come out with a rifle that isn't "good" at either one. IMO it would be wise to buy (or build if you wish) a dedicated DGR and then have a separate long range rig. And if you wanted them in the same cartridge, so be it.

Hopefully you live in the US where this is easily possible.

Oh believe me, I’m well aware it will not be good at either. Basically the Jack of all trades and master of none, is what it would turn out to be. That’s why I was thinking just building a dedicated hunting rifle that has the accuracy to take a long range shot. Think Weatherby Accumark with Iron sights.

 

[Riflecrank]

Yep it is a conundrum.
Here is my first .510/.338 LMI, a hunting rifle with 24" barrel sans brake:

Here is my second, for "long range"with heavier 25.5" barrel sans brake:

And an idea for making the second rifle into more of a hunter:

A switch-barrel in .375/.338 Lapua Magnum ?

 

[Bigbore585]

Those are all awesome rifles! I can imagine that .510/338LM Improved is very effective on game! I was looking to build a 510 Wells a few years back, but with Canada putting in new laws regarding energy limits the plan died.

A switch barrel rifle is definitely a good idea. IBI Barrels is having a Boxing Day sale, so i was going to order .375 MTU contour blank.