Brno ZKK .375

J

jim in anchorage

Inactive
I have one I bought in 1990 and never used. Did not care for the long heavy 25" barrel. Living in Alaska[for 17 years] I can use a .375 but have managed with a 30-06.
Should I just sell it[there seems to be a lot of interested buyers.]
Leave it as is.
shorten the barrel to 22" for a first class bear gun.
Leave the barrel alone and rechamber to .378 Weatherby for a long range big game rifle?

Help.
 
Realistically how much handier is a 3" shorter barrel going to be? If you really don't care for the rifle sell it and buy what you want. I think you'll find a buyer for a Brno .375 H&H pretty easy, especially if you are willing to ship.
 
Yes that's what I should do. I have a pre war M-70 30-06 just begging to be rechambered to .358 Norma. Would do anything I need.
But the 602 is a true magnum Mauser. Not many of those around, it would kill me to sell it..
 
Well, IMO a short (22") heavy barrel won't be all that much more likeable than the issue longer (25") heavy barrel, nor much lighter, either.

If it was my rifle - and I happen to think that a BRNO ZZK 602 Magnum-length action is super desireable - I'd surely shorten the barrel,

BUT

I'd also have the diameter turned down (& reblued or coated) to a lighter-cum-sporter contour, and then have a good set of front/rear express sights mounted on it.



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I would either just use it or sell it. No one wants a 375 with a 22" barrel. And a 375 with a shorter barrel that has been lightened will not attract many buyers either.
 
FWIW, I made my suggestion with the presumption the OP would be keeping, and not selling, the ZZK 602.

BTW - I've seen folks buy an entire ZZK 602 rifle, just for the action, and build the DGR of their dreams on it, so I couldn't agree that no one would want it.



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I wanted a shorter barrel more for handiness in thick cover then to knock off weight. I don't need to make a sheep rifle out of it I just want a more maneuverable rifle in the[mostly] thick area I hunt.
As far as shooting a 22" inch .375, the 20" .375 Ruger Alaskan is selling well here.

That magnum Mauser action just seems wasted on a .375. I can put .378 weatherby ammo in the dropped magazine as is.
I may rebore to .416 Weatherby and under load it. That's not silly, My moose hunting spot is thick with brown bears.
 
Yes, the 375 Ruger is generally sold with a shorter barrel, but the cartridge construction is different (short/fat vs long/skinny) so the powder burn is different. If you are going to shorten the barrel, you could cut off the threads, rethread the barrel, and rechamber to the 375 Ruger and get the combination of shorter barrel and full performance. Personally, I like that option better than just chopping off the barrel, but you may feel differently.

The 378 or 416 Weatherby would require you to open up the bolt face. Not a huge issue, but a consideration, as you would then be restricted to Weatherby cases if you decide to rebarrel in the future. You could rebarrel to 416 Remington and not do anything except rebarrel, that way you could get maximum performance with less powder than you would use downloading the Weatherby cartridge, or you could download and use even less powder. A customer of mine uses the 416 Remington in AK and in Africa every year, and is quite enthusiastic about it.
 
You could probably trade it for a Ruger Alaskan in 375 Ruger which seems like it would suit you better.

Jimro
 
As long as those Brownies aren't in your garden........... .
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No, but they get in my trash a lot. Believe me guys they are thick here. The limit went from 1 every 4 years to 2 a year.

Think for now I will postpone the 602 and build my prewar M70 project in.358 Norma.
 
BTW - I've seen folks buy an entire ZZK 602 rifle, just for the action, and build the DGR of their dreams on it, so I couldn't agree that no one would want it.
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This is true. I know from personal experience.
 
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