Author Topic: Off topic, kinda (Read 729 times)

JPH45 · « **on:** June 02, 2004, 03:21:57 PM »

I have had a hankerin' for a 375 something for at least the last 18 months. I have ruled out the Handi Target Model, as there is apparently some problem with the bore/groove diameter. Seems it runs larger than .375

I have had many thoughts of the 375 JDJ, but don't have the cash for such a purchase. Cruisin' another board, I saw a thread on Mausers, articularly the Yugo/Cech mausers being imported now in of all things 8 x 57.

Well, a light bulb went on. Why not get one of these is good or better condition, rebarrel and chamber to 375 x 444, and use 8 x 57 brass rather than 444 Marlin. essentially making 375 x 8mm Mauser. This should allow me to use dies that are readily available, with brass that will funtion in the action without any changes required to the bolt face. I could also use 30-06 brass if nessicary.

Thoughts?

like2shoot · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2004, 05:40:19 PM »

Check out http://www.pac-nor.com/wildcat/ Look under 375, they have a 375-06 listed. I am not certain if the Yugo is long enough, you may need a full length action. If I typed in the wrong address , search foe Pac-Nor Barreling. Good luck.

Fred M · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2004, 07:09:06 PM »

JPH45.
Stick with the 8mm case. Cheap as dirt. Better than the H&R, and a hell of a lot more accurate. Simple concept with easy to make brass. No action work required other than lapping the lugs. The GI trigger is a cinch to make into a single stage. Reamer for the 375 JDJ is not suitable. Use a 8x57 reamer with a .369 pilot and find a .397 reamer for the neck if you want to go cheap. Ore use a 375-06 reamer for the neck and throat just keep it short. Or just use the 375-06 and run it in 45 thou short Fred M.

jeff223 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2004, 09:02:22 AM »

jph45,you might as well build up a 35 Whelen

handirifle · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2004, 09:24:12 AM »

I'm kinda lost here. Is the 375 and the 8mm the same dia? The 375x444 is esentially the 375 JDJ, since that is what it was made from. He could re-chamber the Handi 38-55 barrel for $80 but you'd be stuck with very limited bullet selection compared to the actual 375. Boer bullets in WA make a jacketed bullet I think is 220gr for the 38-55 and there might be othere out there too, not sure.

The Handi barrel would be a LOT less money but like I said, a bit more limited.

JPH45 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2004, 12:38:14 PM »

Handirifle, No you haven't missed anything, the 8mm is .323 diameter the 375 should be just that ..... .375. That is why I am not willing to invest in the NEF 38-55 barrel, it is a .38, seems most report about .379. A 38 might be period correct, but the Handi is not, nor is 38 correct today, 375 is.

The 8 x57 case and the 444 case are the same length, give or take .010", nothing in chamber. The 8mm would gie up a little length when the body is blown out and the mouth opened up, but again, it would be negligable. The trick here of course is getting a 375 JDJ or close to it, I might even be persuaded to use a 308 case and get a 375 x 308, it would still be a gain of 10 grains capacity over the 375 Win or 38-55 and still function in a Mauser action with no more work than chambering a new barrel.

The 375-06 is very tempting but does need a long action. It would be easier to build one of those on a Savage 110. But it is actually a little more than I want. For that matter a bolt gun is more than I want. Perhaps I need to meditate on finding a Winchester 94 Big Bore. (a joke of course, on second thought, Hmmmmmmm)

Sorry Jeff223, I don't want a 35 Whelen. I'm on a hunt for a 300 grain bullet at 1800-2000 fps that has a better trajectory than the 45-70 offers. Of course I may find the 30-30 Handi is everything I've been looking for, but I do have a pretty serious 375 itch I haven't been able to scratch. I got a 45-70 Handi hoping that would solve it. Nyet.

Edit: a spelling correction