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375 tactical long range

Glassaholic

Glassaholic

Optical theorist and conjecturer
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Nov 30, 2012
    8,236
    9,550
    Panhandle, FL
    With the recent announcement by Sierra for their new .375 caliber 350 gr HPBT Matchking with an impressive .805 BC it's got me thinking about big bore builds again. Since it came out I have really fancied the 375 Ruger with its ability to drop into a standard long action with magnum bolt face. Right now I have a 7mm WSM sitting in an AICS chasis with Alpha 300 mags. The Alpha mag is basically a modified AICS 308 mag with the feed lips expanded and some other tweeks.

    So here's what I'm thinking, Remington 700 LA with magnum bolt face with a 26-28" bbl and brake. On a heavy gun the recoil should not be a killer and with an AX chasis or similar I could modify some AICS 300 WM 10 round mags to accomodate maybe 7-8 375 shells?

    I think the only detractor is the recoil so if I can take that I think this would be one fine missile launcher with those Sierras. Just curious if anyone else has worked up anything similar and what your experiences are/were. Thank you
     
    I don't think that the 375 Ruger cartridge will be able to push the new SMK fast enough to really reap the benefits of such a high-BC bullet. The 375 Ruger seems to be more of a safari/brush cartridge for dangerous game and large animal hunting whereas the 375CT (the most popular cartridge for sending .375 bullets down range accurately) was developed for long range use. Based on a lil Google-Fu it seems the 375 Ruger has a case capacity around 100gr H20 and the 408CT (which ought to be very close to the 375CT) has 159gr H20 capacity. That's a good bit more "oomph" which is how DTA gets their 352gr 375CT ammo going 3100fps!

    In short, I would stick with the 7WSM as you'll be able to push the 180gr Bergers (.674 G1 per their website) at around 3000fps which will be very comparable (wind-wise per JBM) to the 350gr SMK at around 2400fps (what I'm assuming you'll be able to load it for) out to 2k. So you'll get slightly better performance, less recoil, and less cost for reloading components.

    Of course I can't discount the "Because I f($*#'n want to" argument either (primary reason I have a 50BMG), haha. This IS America after all!
     
    Thank you very much Early. I have wanted to avoid the 375 Cheytac because it's a completely different ball game, different action, different bolt face, more expensive reloading, more powder and much more recoil. That being said, you might be right, the 375 Ruger may not have enough oomph to send the 350 at the speeds in order to reap the benefits. That being said, some have been testing RL17 with the 375 Ruger and have been getting very positive results. Most load data for the 375 Ruger is from a 20" tube, throw in RL17 and a 26-28" tube and I'm curious what the 375 Ruger could be pushed to.

    Like you mention, this is more out of "want" and curiosity than it is out of need ;)
     
    I'd still be interested if anyone has played around with the 375 Ruger with longer barrels and what your results were. Also, any wildcat 338-375 Ruger. I've read up about as much as I can elsewhere on the internet and simply cannot find much ballistic data. Thank you.
     
    I have a rem 700 long action that is chambered in a 375 ultramag and about 100 of the smk''s. Once I get back on the lathe and finish the contour on on the barrel I will bed it and start load testing. Running through a calculator supposedly 1700yds is right about the time it goes transonic at 3800ft elevation. Thats running the 350smk at 2600fps at the muzzle. I have access to a 338 lapua barret mrad and am going to compare real world results.

    Barrel length is 29 1/2 inches and will most likeyl be cut further down as I continue to play with it. I'm really curious how running slower powders in the longer barrel such as US869, and Ramshot magnum will do in it.
    Currently casting lead ingots to use on the rifle rest so I can fire it from a safe distance, prolly not necessary first time I've rechamber / built a gun on this level.
    Trying to get overall weight down to 14-15 lbs to easily meet rifle weight limits for hunting.

    I'll start a thread with all the info when I finish, the idea was to build a poor mans cheytac.
     
    oh wjm308 my friend is on the fence wether to do a 375 ruger to run the 350 gr smk's or if he's going to do a 378 wby. If he does the ruger I'll post some info on it too.
     
    8541recon, what's the weight on your rifle and barrel length. Will be curious to find out what kind of recoil you're getting.

    Blackhawk41, I'll be curious to hear your results with the ultra mag as it seems the 375 Ruger is close. Interesting about your friend and the Weatherby, you just don't see much of those in custom builds but the 378 definitely has the case capacity advantage. The reason I kept thinking about the 375 Ruger was because it is similar to a WSM or PPC type design but in a long action size. I was hoping the efficiency of the case design and a longer barrel would help it some but I think Early might be right in that unless you get close to 2900fps with that 350 it's just not going to perform as well as it should. Now if Berger were to come out with a 300gr .375 with BC in the high 7's or low 8's that might open the door a bit.
     
    I recently tested the 375 SMK in my 375 Ruger Alaskan with a 20" barrel. With 72 grains of RL-15 I seen 2,500 FPS. So I ordered a 28" Brux barrel. And am building it on a CNC blueprinted Remington action. With this setup I will be able to seat the bullet out almost .400" further gaining case capacity. Also I am going to modify the throat and chamber a little to accomadate this. I believe with 8" more barrel and the seat work. I will be able to push the 350 grain SMK at just over 2,700 FPS. It will have virtually identical ballistics as the 338 Lapua Mag to a 1000 yards, but with 400# more energy. I have built a 338 Wildcat off this case before we call it a "Demon". It pushes a 250 gr bullet at 3,130 FPS with 93 grains of N570. In my opinion this case is phenomenal and very under rated. I will post my results in a couple weeks when I finish building it.
     
    Also look at the near Ultra Mag performance Gunwerks is getting from their 7-375 Ruger wildcat. I believe they call it the 7mm LRH or LRM.
     
    Pushing 230's at 2925 fps out of my 30-375R with 30" barrel. It'll go another 50 fps faster but brass life and accuracy suffers. A friend has a 32" 300RUM, it goes 3150 fps with the 230's.

    Only a few interesting things with 375R and 350's. Barrel life and energy on target. But I think using a case with more powder is a better choice. 338-375R/285-300 grainers would be a good compromise, more speed and almost the BC.
     
    In the 338 improved im using 40 Degree shoulder. Im not sure what the case taper is. Im using AICS Lapua CIP mags. On the 375 improved Im going to have Kiff do it the same. I just looked at the reamer spec sheet it doesn't have case taper on it.
     
    rigmaster10 said:
    I recently tested the 375 SMK in my 375 Ruger Alaskan with a 20" barrel. With 72 grains of RL-15 I seen 2,500 FPS. So I ordered a 28" Brux barrel. And am building it on a CNC blueprinted Remington action. With this setup I will be able to seat the bullet out almost .400" further gaining case capacity. Also I am going to modify the throat and chamber a little to accomadate this. I believe with 8" more barrel and the seat work. I will be able to push the 350 grain SMK at just over 2,700 FPS. It will have virtually identical ballistics as the 338 Lapua Mag to a 1000 yards, but with 400# more energy. I have built a 338 Wildcat off this case before we call it a "Demon". It pushes a 250 gr bullet at 3,130 FPS with 93 grains of N570. In my opinion this case is phenomenal and very under rated. I will post my results in a couple weeks when I finish building it.
    Click to expand...

    93 grains??? 80 grains of Retumbo is up to the top of the shoulder on my 30-375R.

    N570 must be a very dense powder.
     
    I like to see the 375 Ruger tactical come alive again. Very anxious to see your results rigmaster10, especially seeing that you are using the AICS Lapua magazines that give close to .400 extra seating depth which should increase case capacity considerably. I wasn't sure if this mag would work with a standard long action, do share the details.
     
    Will do when im all done wjm308. And as for the demon load density. Very compressed and have had to run some of the loaded rounds back through the resizer die with the guts out of it. No pressure signs though. I have found that 90 grains and about 3025 fps to be allot easier to reload.
     
    wjm308 said:
    I'd still be interested if anyone has played around with the 375 Ruger with longer barrels and what your results were. Also, any wildcat 338-375 Ruger. I've read up about as much as I can elsewhere on the internet and simply cannot find much ballistic data. Thank you.
    Click to expand...

    338-375 with pressure tested ammo. 285's @2655 27" barrel.
     
    steve123 said:
    Only a few interesting things with 375R and 350's. Barrel life and energy on target. But I think using a case with more powder is a better choice. 338-375R/285-300 grainers would be a good compromise, more speed and almost the BC.
    Click to expand...

    Oh come on Steve123, that's not the only interesting things about a 375R tactical, what about the shear joy of flinging 350 grain .375 caliber projectiles accurately downrange... who wouldn't love that ;) Then throw on an STW Systems, Inc. M375 Suppressor and have some fun!
     
    rigmaster10 said:
    Thats seems fairly slow. Im getting 3130 with 250 grain Hornady's. To be fair 3050 if dont want to resize after I load bullets
    Click to expand...

    I question those numbers also. The 2655 fps is with ammo that meets military temperature and pressure specs. Can it be run faster? Sure it can but not in all conditions.

    I'm fortunate in that I have resources others don't but if I was looking at an affordable 338 it would be the 338-375.
     
    wjm308 said:
    Oh come on Steve123, that's not the only interesting things about a 375R tactical, what about the shear joy of flinging 350 grain .375 caliber projectiles accurately downrange... who wouldn't love that ;) Then throw on an STW Systems, Inc. M375 Suppressor and have some fun!
    Click to expand...

    Well yes, just about anything that goes bang and is accurate turns my crank, some more than others though. I had a 375 Cheytac, now that's interesting, it absolutely hated those 350 Sierra's for some reason. I tore a friends steel right off the welds at 1200Y with it, we all laughed it was so astounding, grin.

    It's hard to beat 30-375R for being efficient and accurate. Good barrel life and low recoil are nice too. I've proven a couple times that it'll take on bigger cartridges pushing 300 grainers and best them.

    Oh, another nice thing about 375R with the 350's... load and shoot, no necking up or down.
     
    Well I finished the 375 Hammer. With 85 grs of 4831SC I got 2590 fps. In the initial tests. No pressure signs. I am going to switch to IMR 7828 SSC it should get me to 2700 FPS mark with a 350 SMK. The rifle was shooting .6 Moa right off the lathe. I will figure it out and dial it in a little better. Then off to build a 7X375 Ruger. I really like this case
     
    rigmaster, can you share your build specs? What action did you use, which bottom metal, barrel twist and length and all that fun stuff. If you're able share some pics of your finished rifle as well.

    If I get around to building one myself I think I'm going to call it Mjollnir ;)
     
    CNC blue printed Remington action. 27" Brux barrel. Cheap Laminate stock. Used a standard 375 ruger reamer. I over polished the chamber a little not much. And added .400" free bore.
     
    IMG_20130926_182755_032.jpgIMG_20130926_182818_846.jpg
     
    When I get home I am going to try a new powder and get that magic 2,700 FPS. Also I am going to build a 7 x 375 Demon. Im thinking a 22" barrel maybe 2,950 for speed with 180 berger.
     
    Parts have all arrived for the 7mm Demon. And its hunting season so trying to get everything done is going to be tricky. But When im done building and all of the R&D work I will post my results for all of the Ruger Mag Wildcats I have done. Load Data, Speeds and lets not forget problems. So look forward to 7mm x 375 Demon, 338 x 375 Demon, 375 Hammer info.
     
    Yes its a 7mm X 375 Ruger mag. Basically the same as the 7 LRM. But I built my first wild cat on this case back in 2007. We named it Demon so we are sticking with this designation.
     
    rigmaster10 said:
    Yes its a 7mm X 375 Ruger mag. Basically the same as the 7 LRM. But I built my first wild cat on this case back in 2007. We named it Demon so we are sticking with this designation.
    Click to expand...

    The LRM has had the shoulder pushed back, Theres a guy in New Zealand who has done a fair bit of work with 7/375 cartridge.
     
    Well we got the 375 Hammer to push a 350 gr. SMK to 2,700 fps. No external pressure signs. But it hammers on both ends even with a break. I think I need a heavier chassis.
    And the 7 Demon runs about 3,050 with 180 Berger Hybrids. Having some pressure issues though I think the bullets are seated out to far. Ill keep playing with it to get better results.
     
    Just got the new 1-10" twist bench mark 28" Heavy barrel For the 375 Hammer. The other barrel shoots well but it kicks hard even with a break. So time to put the heavier one on. Its also an inch longer. I think I may try cutting edge 320 gr bullets. Hoping for 2850 Fps. With the same bc. It should be nasty.
     
    rigmaster10 said:
    Just got the new 1-10" twist bench mark 28" Heavy barrel For the 375 Hammer. The other barrel shoots well but it kicks hard even with a break. So time to put the heavier one on. Its also an inch longer. I think I may try cutting edge 320 gr bullets. Hoping for 2850 Fps. With the same bc. It should be nasty.
    Click to expand...

    How'd all that go?

    OP, what did you end up doing?
     
    I am currently having a custom build in 7mm RSAUM and working on some AR projects, mainly a SBR 300BLK project right now. The big canon's got put on hold ;) I have pondered an AR-10 build in a 375 Whisper but I doubt that will ever come to fruition... I just love the idea of flinging the big 350gr projectiles down range but it is a much more expensive endeavor (bullet and powder wise) than the smaller builds.
     
    Never got around to the 320 grs. and the 2,700 fps is tearing up the brass with 350 SMK. I was going to play with it more but my attention has been shifted,
     
    Haha, you guys are just like me!....distracted to other fun gun projects and dedicating the funds there.

    Hey if we were all rich we could get all kinds of projects going.
     
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