Cut a .375 HH bbl or not? What bbl length?

So I've got my first .375 HH mag coming; a CZ 550 Safari Mag. Like an idiot, I traded my CZ 550FS in 9.3x62 a year or so back - so I went ahead and replaced that rifle I loved with this one, instead of another FS in 9.3, just *in case* I ever get to Africa.

The bbl length is 25".

The question is whether to:
A. Leave it at 25"
B. Cut it to 23"
C. Cut it to 22.5", or
D. Cut it to 22"

Obviously, I want what all of us always want - light, quick, fast handling in thick stuff (such as in Alaska), without giving up *too much* performance.

The main purpose of this rifle is hunting very large OR small dangerous - but NOT the large AND dangerous - game - here and in Africa, to-wit:

North America: Coastal Brownies, Polar Bear, Bison, Musk Ox
Africa: Zebra, Eland, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Lion, Leopard, Hyena
Eur-Asia, Australia, & New Zealand: Brown Bear, Yak, Water Buffalo, Saltwater Croc, Camel, Tapir

...with load A: Probably plain old factory Federal Power-Shok 270s

It is only a very SECONDARY purpose of this rifle to cover the following, since there is a 99% likelihood I'll never be able to afford a tag for one of these:

Africa: Nyati (Cape Buff), Black Rhino, White Rhino, Elephant, & Hippo

...with Load B: Probably a Rhino 380 load.

Realistically, if I hunt any of the latter more than 1% chance, it would/will be the Nyati, but still probably only 5% chance.

I probably WILL get to Africa someday for the plains hunt (Zebra, Eland, Blue Wildebeest, etc), where 25" is no burden (only helps; doesn't hurt, due to the desert-y climate and drivin-round-in-da-truck nature of the hunt - not too much walking).

BUT, this needs to cover the thick stuff for coastal brownies in AK too, which is why I probably want to cut it some.... (lighter, faster handling, less brush snagging in tight cover).

Part of me says that 22" is the MAXIMUM length I want, to achieve the tight cover, good handling aspects (since a lot of guys do the 20" thing in .375 ruger or .375 HH, etc.), but part of me says that 23" is the minimum I want to go and still not lose much velocity - i.e. retain best tradeoff of velocity loss and sight radius (if I use the express irons). Therefore part of me says that I should split the difference and run with 22.5". And a very small part of me says that I should just leave well enough alone at 25", and max out the velocity; that on any coastal brownie hunt I go on (or polar bear hunt); it won't be that mountainous (therefore weight won't be an issue), and that I won't really need the tight handling characteristics. It would likely be guided, and thus the guide/PH would have a .45-70 or something else big right behind me, if we get in the thick stuff. But then again, I'm just crazy & stupid enough to try stuff like that on my own on public lands, so you never know.

What say you, and why?

I'm gonna add one more extreme choice:

A. Leave it at 25"
B. Cut it to 23"
C. Cut it to 22.5", or
D. Cut it to 22"
E. Go all the way to 20" (i.e. 20" is still plenty fine for cape buff even?)

Thank you. If this should go in hunting, well - sorry and can we move it?
 
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Well I have a preference for longer barrels so I'd say keep it at 25''
With that said, cutting it down to 20'' will not significantly effect the cartridge's ability to take down game, IMO. The velocity loss will be more noticeable in trajectory than killing power IMO (unless your intentions are to shoot at big things, at long range)
 
Cut to 22" and put on a muzzle brake. I put one on my Model 70 375 and you'd be surprised how fast you can get back on target and shoot it.

I've shot some hellish rapid fire strings at 50 yards since I put on the brake.

As too ammo shoot what is cheap. When it comes time to go on your hunt, ask your guide what he recommends for the animals you're hunting.

But by using cheap ammo, you'll learn to shoot better and good shooting beats bullet type every time.

I had a mold made up using a short piece of 3/8 copper tubing. Put the tubing in the mold and poor in the lead, Now I have a 270 gr 375 bullet that cost NOTHING, gives me lots of practice. I switch to Hornady Seirra 375 H&H for hunting.

Practice improved shooting abilities and increase confidence in your gun and load. Cheaper ammo and less recoil means more practice. And faster shooting.

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Oh, sorry - obviously I meant "cut" a barrel, not "re-barrel" - I had Re-barrel on the brain when I started the thread because there's another thread up here with "Re-barrel" in the title.

With that said, cutting it down to 20'' will not significantly effect the cartridge's ability to take down game, IMO. The velocity loss will be more noticeable in trajectory than killing power IMO (unless your intentions are to shoot at big things, at long range)

Right. Thanks for the reminder - I kinda knew that but didn't explain it (and implied the opposite with the cape buff comment) - so I guess I meant, "do you think it will hamper me on long shots for zebra, eland, wildebeest and such, in your opinion, with the lighter 270 gr loads?" (since cape buff shots would be pretty close up anyway). I suppose on the tundra, if I got a polar bear tag, I would want that longer barrel.

kraigwy, great advice, all the way around.... except I don't do loudeners (brakes), even if they do help you get back on target - so with that in mind, still recommend cutting to 22"?

Great idea with the mold & tubing. Never seen that - very intriguing. Although I don't do my own casting - worried that I wouldn't handle the lead correctly and give myself The Dumbs even more than I already have by ingesting it.

What I'm leaning toward doing, at the moment, is leaving it for a few years while I'm planning and saving for the Africa trip. I can shoot it a fair amount, and see how I shoot it and how it handles in the whitetail woods in the eastern part of the state (fairly thick), with the full 25" bbl, as a "testing ground" for AK. If I just *hate* how it handles, then I'll probably cut to 22 or 22.5 in a few years ... So I guess the question is a bit pre-mature at this point. Still, thanks for the input.

Also, if the recoil is just brutal on me (don't think it will be, but it might), then that's another reason to leave it - every extra bit of weight will help in that instance, even just 2" of bbl.

Plus, really this decision comes down to the Alaska/coastal brownie/thick stuff component - and with respect to that, even though I am stupid enough to hunt on my own *generally* and do, I don't live in Alaska, so if I spend the money to get up there with a brownie tag, I will likely spring for a guide - who again, will have something in his hands to back me up; minimizing the handling characteristics concern. If I actually lived in AK, there's a very good chance I'd strike out on my own for one like an idiot, espec. since residents get most all their tags free up there. Luckily for my safety I don't and probably never will live up there (even though it's on my short list of paradises).

Besides, there's a chance I *may* get another Marlin 1895 at some point (if the SBLs are ever quality pieces again, I will find the dough) -- and if I do, I'd just use that one for such a hunt anyway. Maybe I'll post pics when it comes in; been doing a lot of horsetrading, selling, & buying lately. Mostly selling & horsetrading.
 
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Well, I'd never go hand to hand - ha ha - the issue is whether the long bbl (with big hooded front sight) gets caught in the brush while swinging on one in tight quarters. Playing dead would work better than hand to hand, I think. :)
 
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FWIW, I've hunted thick brush most of the time in the past 50 years, and have never had a long (24"-25")barrel "hang up" in brush/branches, etc.

YMMV, I suppose.


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A 375 is not a long range chambering, rather a close range stopper and the tiny velocity loss will never be noticed. A 25" barrel is stupid, shame on CZ. I'd split the difference and cut it at 21". If it were 22" already I wouldn't spend the money for 1-2" and leave it as is, but it doesn't cost any more to cut 4" off than 1".
 
A 375 is not a long range chambering

Define long range.

The 375 has about the same trajectory as the 30-06, comparing the 180 gr '06 to the 270 gr 375.

Sighted in at 250 yards, I can keep my PBR keeps the round in the vital area of an Elk/Moose size animal to about 325 yards.

300 yard is the max I like to shoot while hunting.
 
Shoot it first! It may be very accurate and I wouldn't touch it. If you really want to, cut it down to 22" and get someone really good to do it. Hope you are happy with it no matter what you do.
 
The 375 has about the same trajectory as the 30-06, comparing the 180 gr '06 to the 270 gr 375.

And while there is apparently no current factory load, if you load the 235gr right, it matches the trajectory of the 150gr .30-06. And, its quite good for deer and even elk.
 
I like a milder load using the 250 gr Sierra bullet that chronographs out of my rifle at 2715 fps. Which is equal to the Army's 150 gr '06 ball, only 100 grns heavier, pretty much the same trajectory.

It works if you don't want to follow blood trails in the dark.

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Hold your thumb and forefinger 3 inches apart. Is it really a big difference between a 22" barrel and a 25" barrel? No. Think you would really notice any difference carrying in the field? No. I'm not saying a 22" barrel is bad, but why spend money to cut a 25" to that length when there really is very little if anything to be gained?

Both of my 375s have 25" barrels and I see no need to change that. Although to be honest the double is shorter due to not having the length of the action that's part of the bolt gun.

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The main purpose of this rifle is hunting very large OR small dangerous - but NOT the large AND dangerous - game - here and in Africa, to-wit:

North America: Coastal Brownies, Polar Bear, Bison, Musk Ox
Africa: Zebra, Eland, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Lion, Leopard, Hyena
Eur-Asia, Australia, & New Zealand: Brown Bear, Yak, Water Buffalo, Saltwater Croc, Camel, Tapir

I have to ask - what do you consider large AND dangerous if not brown / polar bear or lion?

As far as your original question, if you find a 25" barrel a bit long for the brush, cut it back to 22" and don't worry about it.

Do not put a muzzle brake on it. Great for the bench as long as you're wearing double ear protection and shooting alone, horrible for anyone else within earshot, which would be most of the county.
 
@Mr. Dremel Tool: First of all I envy you for your new rifle and your future hunting trips. Those will be experiences that you will remember for a lifetime.

I like your idea of hunting with the 25 inch barrel before making changes.

As for velocity loss, the ratio of powder capacity to bore volume for the .375 H&H is about the same as the .30-'06. So I would expect the velocity losses to be comparable. GUESSING.. maybe 100 to 150 ft/sec for a loss from a 3 inch change. It's up to you if that is meaningful.

@Kraigwy & Saxon: Thanks for the pictures.
 
It's worth noting that when working with higher calibers and heavier weight bullets, 100-150fps makes a much bigger difference in energy compared to a smaller caliber with lighter bullets.
For example a 50 grain .224 bullet going 3000fps has about 999ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle. Add 150fps to the MV and you get about 1102ft/lbs of ME. Little over 100ft-lb difference.
Compare this the .375H&H shooting a 300 grain bullet. At 2645 FPS you end up with around 4661ft/lbs ME. Add 150fps to that and you get 5204ft/lbs of energy. That's over 540ft-lbs difference in energy at the muzzle, which I'd call significant.
 
Thanks all.

I think I'll try it for a few years in present form and see how I like it, as mentioned - and like someone said, if it proves very accurate in current config, then I ain't touching it. But if it's only a 2 MOA gun, then meh, not much to lose in cutting it and trying for a bit better.

But if I DO someday cut it, I think I'll just run with 22.5, and split that difference between 22 and 23.

Saxon, what's that beauty of a double rifle (C&H) of yours worth, approx.?

natman, I mean - VERY large and dangerous, not large and dangerous - of course I mean the other critters ID'ed below those - Nyati, elephant, hippo, rhino. Yes, I'd say lion and polar bear are both large and dangerous ha ha.

hammie, thank you - but I'm not entirely sure I'll be able to afford much of anything for certain, but hopefully an africa plains game trip will be doable before I croak. Certainly I will be seeking some large north american ungulates on multiple occasions in the coming years, though I have a .30-'06 for that use. The .375 HH may or may not see any actual use, but probably will. I'd say there's an 80% that I'll be able to do *either* Alaska trip *or* Africa plains game trip at least once..... If I hit Alaska, I want to do moose with bow, brownie with gun, and caribou with gun, ideally... or maybe any 2 of those 3.

It's worth noting that when working with higher calibers and heavier weight bullets, 100-150fps makes a much bigger difference in energy compared to a smaller caliber with lighter bullets.
For example a 50 grain .224 bullet going 3000fps has about 999ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle. Add 150fps to the MV and you get about 1102ft/lbs of ME. Little over 100ft-lb difference.
Compare this the .375H&H shooting a 300 grain bullet. At 2645 FPS you end up with around 4661ft/lbs ME. Add 150fps to that and you get 5204ft/lbs of energy. That's over 540ft-lbs difference in energy at the muzzle, which I'd call significant.

That's an excellent point; thank you.
 
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I don't know what it's worth today. I bought it 37 years ago for $1900. About 5 years back I saw a dealer in double rifles offering the exact same rifle for $7,000 and it was refinished. Mine has the original blue. I have no idea if that asking price was realistic or ridiculous. Probably 50% too high.
 
Personally, I think .375 H&H is the perfect chambering for Alaskan walkabout hunting. For some reason, a lot of folks think it is exclusively a dangerous game cartridge, but a lot more antelope, gnu, wildebeest, etc. have been taken with the .375 than have Big 5 animals, and the same is true in Alaska, where you might face anything from a wolverine to an angry brown bear over the next hill. My rifle? I wouldn't touch the barrel, but then again I like the extra carry that longer barrels give and I'm not recoil sensitive. Given the mass of the steel in the CZ 550 receiver, I'd bet you would never notice the extra few inches of barrel length in the handling qualities of the rifle.
 
Wow, pretty nice appreciation, Saxon.

Csmsss, thank you..this is helpful. Like they say, no gnus is good gnus! (that makes no sense in the current context but there it is, ha ha).
 
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