Befudled, bemused and confused

[Grumpybear]

So, I'm looking for some feedback and advice.
 
I curently havd a 1/4 bore Browing and a synhandi 45-70 and I'm looking for some mid-cal handi's for general hunting at short range and maybe some midrange.
 
The smart choice is 357 mag and maybe blow it out to max. But, ... I realy like the notion of a .375 win for general use.
 
So how does one go about makeing a .375? What base barrel should I be looking for, I figured at the end of hunting season there may be some non-shooters show up at the pawn shop. Who can do the reboreing and chambering?
 
So many questions and so little money. sigh!  Your feedback and comments will be most welcom
 
Grumpy

[petemi]

.356/.358 Winchester.  Check the recent posts.  Mine shoots both well.  Ream a chamber and modify an extractor and you're done.

Pete

[twoshooter]

Actually for short to mid range the 444 is very hard to beat, and is close to the 375. The 375 would be throwing 220 to 270 gr loads, the 444 from 240 to 300gr. Both would be probably in the 2000 to 2300 fps range. I also would like to have had a 375, but since it would be so great an expense to rebore, my 444 fills the bill pretty well. There is also the advantage of so much reloading supplies for the 44, and factory ammo availability. The 444 ballistics are not that bad either, you can load to  3000 ft lbs of energy and a point blank range of about 150 yards. Up to 200 yards it will take anything in North America with no problem.
     The 35 Whelan is another close option. I prefer rims in the handi and use my Whelan in a bolt gun, but it is a good choice none the less.

[keith44]

sounds like a 38-55 barrel would be your best bet

[Dinny]

.356/.358 Winchester.  Check the recent posts.  Mine shoots both well.  Ream a chamber and modify an extractor and you're done.
Pete

+1    Rechambering a .357 Mag or 35 Rem factory barrel is the cheapest way.

Thanks, Dinny

[jedman]

  Another way to build a 375 Win. if you know someone with a lathe that would help you out would be a barrel liner.  Numrich sells a Winchester M 94 pre chambered barrel in 375 Win. part # 705050 for $ 50.60 + frt.  It should have a OD that can be turned to fit a 12 ga. barrel, epoxied in and headspaced correctly and fit with a 30-30 ejector would be a option.
       Jedman

[dpe.ahoy]

Or get a 30-30 barrel,  Send it to JES Reboriing and tell him you want a 375 Win. or a 38-55.  No changes to the extractor, bored so there are no problems with the smaller dia. bullets common for the 375 caliber, vs. the larger bore of the 38-55.  It's an excellent round that will take care of most any thing in North America with the proper bullet.  I have 2 of the H&R 38-55's, a Marlin 38-55 CB, Marlin M 375 and a Ruger #3 in 375 Win.  It's ALL good!  I have a 30-30 AI barrel that I may send to Jess to come home a 38-55 and another Marlin 30-30 that will probably have a trip there it's self.  I'm guessing it would be cheaper to have Jess do the rebore than use a barrel liner job done.
DP

[quickdtoo]

+1 on the JES rebore, Jesse has done three H&R barrels for me, the first being a 7mm-08 to 376 Steyr 3-groove(if you want a .375" with a bit more umph! ), cost was $285 including the reamer rental, if he has the reamer, you'll be good to go for just $225 which includes return shipping. Turn around time for the Steyr and 9.3x62 was just one week, hard to beat that! 

Tim

http://www.35caliber.com/2.html

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,257271.msg1099518082.html#msg1099518082

[Grumpybear]

Well, there are some good comments for me to think on. I can start looking for used parts this winter and maybe find a few good deals to get started on.
 
Maybe i can end up with a .357 varient and a .375 win.
 
Thanks for the sugestions and comments.  Grumpy

[keith44]

Hey, Grumpy,


Welcome to the forum.

[spinafish]

have considered having my 38-55 rebored/rechambered to a .405 Winchester..but would probably have to use a football mouth guard when I shot the thing!