Porting The Barrel On A 375 H&H

[Colorado Luckydog]

Sorry, to keep bugging you guys but I have another question. If I bought a lighter 375 H&H like the Browing X-bolt would it be okay to port it? I already own several guns with muzzle brakes and they don't bother me at all. However, I wouldn't want to put a muzzle brake on an open sight rifle. I might add the kick on a 45/70 or a 12 gauge doesn't bother me at all. But I think the 375 H&H might be be more especially in a gun that weighs less than 7 pounds. I'd appreciate your thoughts on this matter please.

The reasons for me wanting the Browning over the heavier rifles are; it's lighter to carry, I can actually find one in stock and the price fits my "hush money Honey don't know about account and budget"!!

 

[sureshot375]

I’m not a fan of porting or breaks, but sometimes you need them.

We have a rem 700 375 that didn’t need a brake,but my father, in one of his many poor life decisions involving women, had a brake installed so my second evil stepmother could shoot it.

Having the brake past the open sights doesn’t seem to hurt anything. Also, the brake comes off and you can install a thread protector to use the rifle sans brake. The machining is so good you can’t see the line where the brake attaches with your naked eye. You might check to see if you can find a good gunsmith to add a removable brake with the same barrel contour.

 

[Bonk]

It would be cheaper and less hassle to thread the barrel and add a muzzle brake.

Please don't take my next comment as anything other than constructive criticism. If the number one reason you're buying a rifle is because it's the cheapest one you can find in stock let me humbly suggest you pass until you can afford the one that best fits your needs/wants. You're already expressing concerns about recoil in a light rifle and that's a valid concern. If the rifle is too light to shoot comfortably you won't shoot it well and you won't shoot it enough to get proficient with it. That doesn't do you any good and it dang sure isn't good for any game you might shoot with it. Clean quick humane kills should always be the prime goal. You can't do that consistently with a rifle you're afraid of and IMO a muzzle brake isn't the answer. I think your claim that the Browning is lighter to carry isn't really a primary consideration. It's an excuse to buy the one that's available right now.

A CZ550 or something similar can still be found for around $1200. That can't be be much more than a few hundred dollars more expensive than even a screaming deal on an X-Bolt. Probaly more like only $200-300 difference. If you factor in the cost to port or brake the X-Bolt you'll end up paying just as much or more than buying a CZ or something similar.

Do not misunderstand. I've owned several X-Bolts. They're excellent rifles but IMO not suited for heavier calibers. They're an excellent 243, 270, 30-06, etc platform but anything above a 300WinMag is a bit much from my experience.

There's also that old adage of buy once, cry once. I'm not saying you have to spend a gazillion dollars on a bespoke rifle but chambered in 375H&H a Browning X-Bolt is trying to be something it wasn't designed to be. YMMV.

 

[Colorado Luckydog]

It would be cheaper and less hassle to thread the barrel and add a muzzle brake.

Please don't take my next comment as anything other than constructive criticism. If the number one reason you're buying a rifle is because it's the cheapest one you can find in stock let me humbly suggest you pass until you can afford the one that best fits your needs/wants. You're already expressing concerns about recoil in a light rifle and that's a valid concern. If the rifle is too light to shoot comfortably you won't shoot it well and you won't shoot it enough to get proficient with it. That doesn't do you any good and it dang sure isn't good for any game you might shoot with it. Clean quick humane kills should always be the prime goal. You can't do that consistently with a rifle you're afraid of and IMO a muzzle brake isn't the answer. I think your claim that the Browning is lighter to carry isn't really a primary consideration. It's an excuse to buy the one that's available right now.

A CZ550 or something similar can still be found for around $1200. That can't be be much more than a few hundred dollars more expensive than even a screaming deal on an X-Bolt. Probaly more like only $200-300 difference. If you factor in the cost to port or brake the X-Bolt you'll end up paying just as much or more than buying a CZ or something similar.

Do not misunderstand. I've owned several X-Bolts. They're excellent rifles but IMO not suited for heavier calibers. They're an excellent 243, 270, 30-06, etc platform but anything above a 300WinMag is a bit much from my experience.

There's also that old adage of buy once, cry once. I'm not saying you have to spend a gazillion dollars on a bespoke rifle but chambered in 375H&H a Browning X-Bolt is trying to be something it wasn't designed to be. YMMV.

I can tell you have never hunted in the mountains of Colorado. Having a light rifle is very important.
And I'm lucky enough guy that at this point in my life, I can afford whatever rifle I decide to buy without saving up for it!! LOL! And I'm not scared of the recoil on any rifle. The reasons I'm considering the Browning is for the exact reasons I stated. Not the ones you are making up in your head. Thank you.

 

[Red Leg]

I can tell you have never hunted in the mountains of Colorado. Having a light rifle is very important.
And I'm lucky enough guy that at this point in my life, I can afford whatever rifle I decide to buy without saving up for it!! LOL! And I'm not scared of the recoil on any rifle. The reasons I'm considering the Browning is for the exact reasons I stated. Not the ones you are making up in your head. Thank you.

Another consideration is not whether or not the muzzle brake bothers you or what rifle you can afford - but the brake's impact on your guide, tracker, or PH.

If you are using it alone on a hunt in the Rockies, then fine. But if you are planning to take one to Africa, then be aware that most African PH's loathe the things. They have the potential to damage hearing, and those who hunt dangerous game depend on clear directional hearing as much as their eyes to keep clients and trackers safe.

 

[Randy F]

I can tell you have never hunted in the mountains of Colorado. Having a light rifle is very important.
And I'm lucky enough guy that at this point in my life, I can afford whatever rifle I decide to buy without saving up for it!! LOL! And I'm not scared of the recoil on any rifle. The reasons I'm considering the Browning is for the exact reasons I stated. Not the ones you are making up in your head. Thank you.

What I like about this forum is that the experience and advice given by the members here, as a whole, is second to none in a setting such as this and it’s freely given.
Based on your original question, @Bonk made some assumptions that I think anyone would have. You stated you have several rifles with muzzle brakes and were asking about porting another. That in itself implies a recoil concern. You also stated you wanted to find one to fit your “hush money account”. This implies a budget concern.
How else are these statements to be interpreted?

It’s unlikely you will completely agree with every answer to your questions. I respectfully submit that if someone takes the time to answer your questions, you may want to give a little leeway and/or be a bit more specific with your question.

Have a great Easter

 

[Colorado Luckydog]

Another consideration is not whether or not the muzzle brake bothers you or what rifle you can afford - but the brake's impact on your guide, tracker, or PH.

If you are using it alone on a hunt in the Rockies, then fine. But if you are planning to take one to Africa, then be aware that most African PH's loathe the things. They have the potential to damage hearing, and those who hunt dangerous game depend on clear directional hearing as much as their eyes to keep clients and trackers safe.

Some of the guides in Colorado won't let you use them either. Most of them have gotten over it by now but there are still some that won't let you have a muzzle brake. Back in the day, some of the guides preferred you didn't shoot with a magnum cartridge either. And they still question you when you arrive about your rifle and if you know how to use it properly. However, I don't hunt with PH's or guides. I hunt solo but thank you for pointing that out.

 

[Colorado Luckydog]

What I like about this forum is that the experience and advice given by the members here, as a whole, is second to none in a setting such as this and it’s freely given.
Based on your original question, @Bonk made some assumptions that I think anyone would have. You stated you have several rifles with muzzle brakes and were asking about porting another. That in itself implies a recoil concern. You also stated you wanted to find one to fit your “hush money account”. This implies a budget concern.
How else are these statements to be interpreted?

It’s unlikely you will completely agree with every answer to your questions. I respectfully submit that if someone takes the time to answer your questions, you may want to give a little leeway and/or be a bit more specific with your question.

Have a great Easter

I'm sorry my dear sir, but anytime you have to tell someone not to take their comment wrong before you say it, you probably should reword it. I like muzzle brakes because they are a good thing. I even have one on my .223 and 6.5 Creedmoor. The recoil on those two rifles are very light. The comment about hush money is a joke told by hunters for centuries. Thank you for your input. I also thanked him.

 

[Red Leg]

Some of the guides in Colorado won't let you use them either. Most of them have gotten over it by now but there are still some that won't let you have a muzzle brake. Back in the day, some of the guides preferred you didn't shoot with a magnum cartridge either. And they still question you when you arrive about your rifle and if you know how to use it properly. However, I don't hunt with PH's or guides. I hunt solo but thank you for pointing that out.

Then you obviously don't hunt Africa or have the intention to so. Therefore, you can disregard my comment entirely.

 

[Fixfire]

Another consideration is not whether or not the muzzle brake bothers you or what rifle you can afford - but the brake's impact on your guide, tracker, or PH.

If you are using it alone on a hunt in the Rockies, then fine. But if you are planning to take one to Africa, then be aware that most African PH's loathe the things. They have the potential to damage hearing, and those who hunt dangerous game depend on clear directional hearing as much as their eyes to keep clients and trackers safe.

Exactly my opinion as well!!!

 

[buffybr]

I had my Trap and Skeet competition shotguns Ported, but I would not Port any of my rifles. Read the Magnaport website. Porting was designed to reduce muzzle jump. They advertize their Magnaporting on rifles as reducing felt recoil up to 15% and their Magnabrake up to a 45% recoil reduction.

IMO reducing muzzle jump on a bolt action rifle is a moot point for a quick second shot as when most people work the bolt they move the rifle muzzle more than it moves from recoil. However the Proporting on my O/U Trap and Skeet shotgun does reduce muzzle jump enough that I can take a second shot just as fast as I can pull the trigger.

I have KDF muzzle brakes on my .375 RUM and my .300 Weatherby. I would not shoot either one of them without their Muzzle Brake. My other rifles from 7 mm RM down do not have brakes, but they are still loud enough to cause hearing damage.

99% of my hunts here at home are DIY, and many of them are also solo so I don't have to worry about damaging someone else's hearing. And when I am hunting with someone else, I always carry extra foam earplugs and offer them to anyone with me.

I've taken my .375 RUM on guided hunts in Zimbabwe and Alaska, and on multiple hunts in South Africa. I've used my .300 Weatherby on hunts in Texas, New Zealand, and Azurbaijan, and on multiple hunts in both South Africa and Mozambique. Our own Brickburn, who I met on a hunt in Mozambique, beside him taking my Avatar picture, he used my .300 Weatherby to shoot his Roosevelt Sable.

Of the 9 or so guides or PHs that I've hunted with when I hunted with one of these braked rifles, not one of them said anything against the brakes. One of the African PHs did ask that if I died, could he have my braked .300 Weatherby.

 

[Bonk]

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this matter please.

My apologies if I misunderstood this sentence.

Best of luck with your new rifle.

 

[Red Leg]

Of course they don’t - you are the client. As I say, I do not know a single one who doesn’t hate them.

 

[meigsbucks]

My 375 weighs ~8.75# with a scope. I don’t find recoil obnoxious. Get the Browning, shoot it and then decide if you need to port or brake it.
If you find really want to cut recoil, a brake is the way to go.
I had a handgun with single Magnaporting. It did cut down muzzle jump significantly. However, I didn’t notice much difference in felt recoil.

 

[R eight]

If you're going to be shooting/hunting alone then go ahead and port the barrel or put on a muzzle brake.

However, if you like the company of your shooting and hunting friends you will forget this madness.

 

[colorado]

Don't do it! If you feel the 375 recoils too much you can shoot my 500 Jeffery (I live in Colorado), i guarantee you your 375 will feel like a pussycat after. Why do you want a 375 H&H to hunt in Colorado? Are you planning to go to Africa or hunt brown bear in Alaska (both good reasons)?

 

[curtism1234]

Don't let folks talk you out of a lightweight 375 if thats what you want and you can handle the recoil. I recently bought a 6.5 pound savage 375hh. I can carry that thing all week long like it was a 22lr. Does it kick? Hell yeah it does, but imo iron sights tend to stay in place where scope zeros shift quite often. One of my rifles i have used iron sights for almost 30 years and never once have the zero moved.

A 6.75-7 pound rifle turns into close to 8.5 pounds with a scope. That is a perfect weight for 375 imo

 

[7MAG]

Sorry, to keep bugging you guys but I have another question. If I bought a lighter 375 H&H like the Browing X-bolt would it be okay to port it? I already own several guns with muzzle brakes and they don't bother me at all. However, I wouldn't want to put a muzzle brake on an open sight rifle. I might add the kick on a 45/70 or a 12 gauge doesn't bother me at all. But I think the 375 H&H might be be more especially in a gun that weighs less than 7 pounds. I'd appreciate your thoughts on this matter please.

The reasons for me wanting the Browning over the heavier rifles are; it's lighter to carry, I can actually find one in stock and the price fits my "hush money Honey don't know about account and budget"!!

Id look at a Ruger Hawkeye African, alaskan or guide gun in 375 Ruger

 

[CoElkHunter]

It would be cheaper and less hassle to thread the barrel and add a muzzle brake.

Please don't take my next comment as anything other than constructive criticism. If the number one reason you're buying a rifle is because it's the cheapest one you can find in stock let me humbly suggest you pass until you can afford the one that best fits your needs/wants. You're already expressing concerns about recoil in a light rifle and that's a valid concern. If the rifle is too light to shoot comfortably you won't shoot it well and you won't shoot it enough to get proficient with it. That doesn't do you any good and it dang sure isn't good for any game you might shoot with it. Clean quick humane kills should always be the prime goal. You can't do that consistently with a rifle you're afraid of and IMO a muzzle brake isn't the answer. I think your claim that the Browning is lighter to carry isn't really a primary consideration. It's an excuse to buy the one that's available right now.

A CZ550 or something similar can still be found for around $1200. That can't be be much more than a few hundred dollars more expensive than even a screaming deal on an X-Bolt. Probaly more like only $200-300 difference. If you factor in the cost to port or brake the X-Bolt you'll end up paying just as much or more than buying a CZ or something similar.

Do not misunderstand. I've owned several X-Bolts. They're excellent rifles but IMO not suited for heavier calibers. They're an excellent 243, 270, 30-06, etc platform but anything above a 300WinMag is a bit much from my experience.

There's also that old adage of buy once, cry once. I'm not saying you have to spend a gazillion dollars on a bespoke rifle but chambered in 375H&H a Browning X-Bolt is trying to be something it wasn't designed to be. YMMV.

I agree in part. I have several CZ 550s in .375 and up and I LOVE them! But they're too heavy for elk hunting in the mountains here. Since the mid '90s, I've used my Browning A Bolt .338WM for elk hunting. It's fairly light scoped and is very accurate. With a Limbsaver recoil pad I have no need for a brake. I would like an X Bolt, but Browning seems pretty proud of their price increases on it over the last couple of years. The X Bolt does have a better magazine system though.

 

[WAB]

I'm sorry my dear sir, but anytime you have to tell someone not to take their comment wrong before you say it, you probably should reword it. I like muzzle brakes because they are a good thing. I even have one on my .223 and 6.5 Creedmoor. The recoil on those two rifles are very light. The comment about hush money is a joke told by hunters for centuries. Thank you for your input. I also thanked him.

I may be wrong, but I think he was commenting on your response to @Bonk. We have no shortage of opinions, but we try hard to treat each other with respect as we offer them. There is a lot of expertise on this site. If you want it, it is offered freely.