My first 375 Marlin

[Mac11700]

My lovely wife just let me pick up a like new Model 375 Marlin for my birthday next week...It's my first foray with this caliber...The rifle has a pro-fitted pachmayer decelorator on it..Leupold base & rings..$375..It's been well looked after by the gentleman who sold it to me..He says it is a tavk driver..but will keep them all inside a 2" circle at 100-150 yards...

I don't know much about this paticular round..so let's here all about your real experiances with it..and how it fairs in the fields...

Mac

[Lloyd Smale]

never owned one but one of the guys i used to work with did all his deer and bear hunting with a #3 ruger and swore by it.

[fknipfer]

I purchased on about two months ago and it sounds like you got a better deal than me.  You can purchase only one factory round a 200gr cartridge from Winchester.  I don't know how long they are going to build it.  There are three bullets you can buy if you hand load a 200gr, a 220gr and a 255gr.  Sierra; Hornady, Barnes make the bullets.  I have been trying to develop a load for mine and am now going to try RX7 powder.  AA1680 wasn't any good in my rifle so I look on.   AA1680 probably gives more speed than any other powder but in my rifle it is very inaccurate.

When I get a round developed I intend to use it for black bear hunting.  If you find any brass buy it as it is hard to find.

fknipfer

[Pecci]

i bought one new from JC Penny back in the 70s.  I paid $129.  Sold it on Gunbroker for $815.  Great rifle.  Great caliber, but I don't re-load.

[nomosendero]

Maybe we will see on an AR mountainside this fall what happens to a Bear, Hog or Deer if they are on the receiving end. It appears that out to 200yards it will do very well.

[handirifle]

Mac
Sounds like you got a good deal.  Been going for around $500 here.

Never gotten any game with mine yet but I have no doubt that under 200yds no matter what you hit will be dead very soon.  I make my own bullets, 250gr Hornady, fron cutting off the tip of a 270 Hornady meant for the 375 H&H.  I cut the tip off with a Harbor freight cutoff saw (about $20 or so on sale).  They are very accurate and about half the cost of the Barnes bullet of same weight.

[Mac11700]

I cut the tip off with a Harbor freight cutoff saw (about $20 or so on sale).  They are very accurate and about half the cost of the Barnes bullet of same weight.

Hmmm.....vary inteeeeeeeeresting...Tell me more...and post or PM me a pic of them...I've been trying to locate some 225 Barnes originals..and these might fill the bill...

Mac

[handirifle]

Mac
Here is a pic of it from harbor Freight.


Here is a link to it on their web site.  Currently at $23.99.

The easiest way to explain it is on my web site.

Hope this helps.

Handi

[Mac11700]

Mac
Here is a pic of it from harbor Freight.


Here is a link to it on their web site.  Currently at $23.99.

The easiest way to explain it is on my web site.

Hope this helps.

Handi

Cool...Thanks a-lot..That little saw looks like it would come in handi for a-lot of things .Let me know when you get the penatration testing done with that bullet...It looks like it has become a"controlled expansion" type..and would like to see how it opens up at 200 yards at the 375's velocities..

I don't think I'll be keeping this paticular 375 rifle..it has too long a bullet jump already..and anything else would make it even worse..I'll have to just find a better one later on...and most likely will wind up with another 1895 45-70 for my bear hunt this fall...Just gotta deciede on wither I want another stainless guide gun...or one of the new XLR's..

Mac

[handirifle]

Mac
Before you get rid of it there is something you might try.  Using the 38-55 brass, it became necessary to trim the tip of a 200gr bullet off to feed it properly in my BB.

If yours will feed longer ammo, you could use the 220-250gr Barnes bullets, in 38-55 brass.  The Barnes bullets have the ferrule closer to the base, thus seating the bullet out farther, allowing for more powder room which equals even higher velocities than I was getting.  Just a thought.

[Mac11700]

Handi:

He had tried the Barnes bullets..and 38-55 brass with it..Didn't make a difference according to the original owner..I spoke with Nonneman guns Thursday..he could fix it by setting the barrel back on it..but I really didn't want to go this route from the start.

Normally...I would have..but..this time I elected to return it and put it's value against one of the new Marlin 45-70 XLR's..

I appreciate your help and advice..and the link to the cut off saw and your website..Lots of interesting stuff there..I will wind up with another one sooner or later...and hopefully it won't need working on from the on-set...

Mac

[handirifle]

No problem Mac.

I understand completly.  I got rid of a brand new scoped Marlin 336 in 35 Rem for similar reasons.  It shot about 1 1/2" groups, at best, with factory ammo, AT 50 YARDS.  No desire to keep an inaccurate rifle.   Kinda like a mean dog, too many good ones out there to a bad one.

My Win 94 BB in 375 prints clover leafs at 50yds, with the Williams Peep on it, as does the 94 trapper in 44 Mag.

Hopefully the XLR is as good as they advertise.

Good luck on it.

[TNrifleman]

My 375 Marlin shoots the 225 grain Hornady bullets into very pleasing little groups. I love this rifle. I finally founf a nice one about two years ago. She ain't for sale. Good luck with yours. It sounds like you got a real deal. Hey, I'd recommend keeping that wife too! :

[cwlongshot]

GREAT rifle even BETTER round!!!

 One of my ALL TIME favorites!!  You got a real score at at price you paid!!!

I am lucky enough to have both models, the M 375 and the M 375S. One has a safety and one does not. here is the 375S:




 I put a Scout scope set up along with a set of HD peeps W/an Iridium front blade, as backup.

 My all time favorite hand load scoots a 225gr bullet at close to 2200 Fps.  Shot a number of deer with this load, works great. Accuracy was better with reg scope, but fine for hat I use it for. At or just under 2" at 100. With the std scope mount and the 225GR load, I was easily under 1.25@ 100 yards. The 2X fixed scope just doesn't let you see as good. But like I said, under 2" is all I require form this gun.

 Good luck with yours!!!

 CW

[handirifle]

cwlongshot
I wish my 94 BB came with the receiver drilled and tapped.  I like that scope setup.  Makes easy access to the hammer.

[cwlongshot]

cwlongshot
I wish my 94 BB came with the receiver drilled and tapped.  I like that scope setup.  Makes easy access to the hammer.

 I thought it was?   Its an angle eject, no? There should be holes along the sides of the bolt. The rear mount is a bridge style. As for a peep, I cannot remember for sure, but those too where tapped on the sides for many years.. there is another MFG...XS I think that makes a rear peep that mounts to the top of the receiver....
http://www.gunaccessories.com/ExpressSights/scout.asp
 
Double check you gun!!

I tried to search Brownells site for you...their search IS AWEFUL!!! I am pretty sure they will have it.....if you have a couple hours to wade thru all the junk to find what you really need.....

Good luck,
 CW

[handirifle]

I will look on the front side again, but there are NO holes on the top.  It is a TOP eject.  Not sure if some later 375's Win 94's were angle or not.  I know some of the 356 and 307's were but not this 375.

I have a Williams FP on the back and it bolted to holes already there.

[R J Talley]

I have spent a boat-load of time since may working on loads for my .375 Win (BB94 pre safety and AE) So far, cast bullets won't group under 3.5" at 100 yards. jacketed do a bit better. I've got both 220 and 250 grain jacked bullets and the 250 slugs work best. In the win, there is about .435" of free-bore and the lead is .380 in dia. the barrel slugs at .377. I have ordered a mould from LBT that has a .380 front driving band. I am hoping to get 3" or smaller groups at 100 yards using open sights.