Freakshow10mm's new project: 375 H&H Magnum Pistol

[Adam10mm]

Yup, you heard right. A pistol.

Ordered a TC Encore pistol frame last week, should be here soon. Got it for 256 Win Mag but getting a barrel will take 8-10 weeks through the custom shop and I can't wait that long.

So, seeing as how I have over 700pcs of 375 H&H brass, RCBS dies, bunch 'o Varget it just seemed like a natural course in life to get stupid.

I ordered a 26" Encore SS barrel off of Wholesale Hunter (for only $235!!) chambered in the awesome 375H&H Magnum. I got a guy from GT that's going to lop it off to 14" and (hopefully can) thread it for a Vais muzzle brake. Then I'll have my very own 375 H&H Magnum pistol!!:mrgreen:

I got two molds I need to cast yet, a Lyman 375449 (264gr FNGC) and 378674 (335gr RN). Should be mild enough with cast boolits but I might run some blemished Noslers I got inbound.

[johnly]

A 375 H&H in a pistol ought to be a hoot.

I have a 15" Encore barrel in 444 Marlin and it's a handful with a hefty charge of RL-7 and 300 grain bullets. Your hand just tingles after dropping the hammer on a round.

John in Oregon

[45nut]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/45nut/pistols/IMG_1164.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/45nut/pistols/Twinott.jpg

50 Alaskan and 458 Win Mag,,, near twin Encores. 375 H&H is still a middle bore. :p

[Adam10mm]

Nice. My "big bore" is my Guide Gun 45/70 spittin' out 4000fpe.

The 375 Holland shouldn't be too bad. I'm running boolits most of the time.

[Lloyd Smale]

worse one ive ever shot is kelly brosts 458 lott encore. Had just gotten my middle nuckle operated on for bone spurs from shooting big guns and it ripped the stitches open!! Probably would have been fine if i had enough sense to put it down after the first shot!!

[ebner glocken]

I thought my 45-70 barrel on my TC was a kicker. What is the barrel length on that 458 and what kind of brake is on it?

[Mohillbilly]

I gotta Competitor single shot with a 25-06 barrel for a plinker,and a big bore in 470 Capstick, that needs shoot'n.I got a feeling that its gonna take some time to break that one in.......

[9.3X62AL]

All o' y'all Handcannon Fanatics re-define "sanity" every time you squeeze the triggers on those monsters. I knew Ken was kinda warped from some of the stuff he brought to NCBS, and I know he takes comfort in knowing that others pursue those same tendencies with vigor.

And with Tylenol, I reckon.

[redneckdan]

:veryconfu

[Lloyd Smale]

It was a 14 inch gun and it had a pretty big brake on it. Still kicked like a mule though. Actually wasnt to bad with factory 458 win mags though. But when the full loaded lotts were shot it really woke up!!!
I thought my 45-70 barrel on my TC was a kicker. What is the barrel length on that 458 and what kind of brake is on it?

[Mohillbilly]

I gotta American derringer 4" in 45 colt/.410 in the lower and 45-70 in the upper.That upper with win 300gr will get your attention! I'd say it kills on one end and maims on the other....A couple of shots outta that and I'm all done in......

[9.3X62AL]

Pardon my saying so, but all these Mondo Crazy Handguns remind me of the urban legend from a few years ago that claimed to document a case in AZ where someone attached a JATO aircraft unit to a pre-Columbian Chevrolet product--just to see what happened. The claimed results were 300 MPH speeds--airborne lift off--and augering into an adjacent hillside.

[Adam10mm]

Pretty sure I'll be the only one in the UP with a 375 H&H handgun.

[OBXPilgrim]

Hey, what's a little recoil...umongst friends. Besides, everybody has to have something that you can turn to your friend & say, "I bet you can't".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlLewWKw-Rw

[JSH]

Warped? you want to talk about warped. I have been looking long and hard at a 12Ga rifled barrel for an Encore, with the thoughts of cutting it down to at least 15" and maybe shorter. A poor mans Howdah to hunt tigers with.
Anyone got an elephant for sale cheap?
I used to be some what sane until I started hanging around here,lol.
Jeff

[OBXPilgrim]

Hey, finally found the one I was really looking for.

By the way, be sure to video those first shots from that bruiser!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lzri8dn7p0&feature=related

[9.3X62AL]

You all got dropped on yer heads as infants, I just know it. Of course, one "UP" side to the practice is the cool cocktail party conversation that flows from having one's thumb moved down around the crook of yer elbow.

But I digress.

[leftiye]

Don't look like he had much of a grip on that! Gun twere movin'. Blurred even at slow motion! Glad he didn't mess up my peestola thataway.

[Adam10mm]

You all got dropped on yer heads as infants, I just know it. Of course, one "UP" side to the practice is the cool cocktail party conversation that flows from having one's thumb moved down around the crook of yer elbow.

But I digress.

Yeah, but I'm only 26. I'm still in the "young and stupid" category. If I get hurt I'm sure I'll heal.:mrgreen:

[MakeMineA10mm]

Freakshow - You really gotta quit trying to top BigSlick!

It's NOT a competition, man! Jes let him be the king of the knuts!

:mrgreen:

:drinks:

[Adam10mm]

I don't think I can ever top 'Slick.

[BigSlick]

Trust me when I say, a .375 on an Encore frame tops anything I got the cohones to do on a regular basis.

A man has got to wonder what kind of scope holds up to those hand cannons long term.

I've smashed more glass than a drunk sailor with the 500 Mag and a few mid range loads.
________
Lesbians Kissing (http://www.****tube.com/categories/734/kissing/videos/1)

[Adam10mm]

What did you settle on for the Big Smith? Been looking at glass. For rifle I like Burris and Nikon. Had a bad experience with Leupold; nervous about them. Fixed 2x or 4x would be super.

Bushnell 4200 series riflescopes are supposed to take thousands of rounds of the Holland.

Looks like 45nut has Leupies on his boomers.

[45nut]

Fixed 2 & 4x Leupolds are the only glass I trust on those two. 4x Leupold on my 454's also.
I do have a 2-7 TC scope on my 460S&W Encore though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/45nut/pistols/100_0817.jpg
Another OTT bbl, 1/2 Oct-1/2 round with an internal brake fitted with some walnut.

[BigSlick]

What did you settle on for the Big Smith? Been looking at glass. For rifle I like Burris and Nikon. Had a bad experience with Leupold; nervous about them. Fixed 2x or 4x would be super.

Bushnell 4200 series riflescopes are supposed to take thousands of rounds of the Holland.

Looks like 45nut has Leupies on his boomers.


I ended up with a Trijicon Reflex II for a dot and a Leupold 2.5x8 VX-III for a conventional.

The Reflex II is very nice for hunting, allowing for quick acquisition and I just like the dot. The Leupold is fantastic, but even with EER, my long monkey arms it can be a chore getting a good picture. From bags it is outstanding as far as the view goes, but for off hand/field use, it is heavier than I would like.

Not to second guess your scope options here, but I wouldn't use another Nikon scope if someone paid me. In my opinion, their customer service couldn't be worse. I bought a Nikon dot ($275) for the 500. I called before I laid out the cash to make sure it would hold up to the recoil. Their customer service sent me an e-mail confirming the recoil wouldn't be a problem.

I ponied up the cash and headed to the range to get it sighted in for the 400 JSP Sierra (before I was casting) and second shot inside the tube went out of alignment. The dot was at the roof of the tube, and wouldn't move. I called Nikon, they suggested I stick it up my ****. I reminded them of the fact that I called ahead of time to inquire, and that I even had an e-mail from customer service indicating it wouldn't present a problem.

They were mildly suprised. Then offered to fix the scope if I paid shipping both ways and a $200 service charge, expected turn around time 12-14 weeks.

I trashed a Millett dot too, but at least Millett said they weren't sure if it would hold up or not. When I called about repair, they told me damage from recoil wasn't covered. They did offer me a replacement scope for $59, but it was only a $70 dot to begin with and I really didn't think it would hold up to begin with, so I blew that off.

The Trijicon folks told me hands down absolutely no problem with the recoil and the Reflex II. First cylinder the sun shade launched to the unknown (never found it), but the scope itself does hold up, and provides an excellent view, albeit a little too bright at times.

The Leupold holds up great. I just wish it offered a more heads up view and was about 100 lbs lighter and two feet shorter.

I have damaged Leupold scopes in the past, and every time bar none, they have bent over backwards to make me happy. Last one I smashed, a case of .308 blastin ammo shifted when leaving the range and fell over on top on a soft case, smashing the scope all to hell.

They sent me a replacement scope, got it in three days, with a prepaid shipping label for the return of the damaged scope.

I called and told them the damage was entirely my fault, and not even close to a scope defect of any sort. They wouldn't take payment - period. I called the head sales/customer service guy and explained I really appreciated their efforts, but it was only right I pay for the replacement. He said no way, won't hear of it, don't even try.

I sent the busted scope back, along with a check to cover the new scope and they returned the check.

Then called a couple of weeks (very nice female voice ;) ) later to make sure I was 100% happy with my customer service experience.

Here's their warranty statement :
-----------------------------------------
Leupold and Stevens, Inc. is an American, family-owned, fifth-generation company that has been designing, machining, and assembling precision optical instruments for 100 years. Leupold?s? success has been built on our commitment to your absolute satisfaction, and our commitment to building the best optics for the shooting sports and for the law enforcement / military community. It?s for these reasons that we offer the Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee.

If any Leupold Golden Ring? product is found to have defects in materials or workmanship, we will, at our option, repair or replace it. FREE. Even if you are not the original owner. No warranty card is required. No time limit applies.

Certain special purpose products are covered by specific warranties in regard to their own individual features.
----------------------------------------

I'll buy one of their scopes in a heartbeat if it fits my needs. If they make a dot scope, I'm not aware of it. If they ever do, I'll buy one immediately.

I've paid a hell of a lot for good glass over the years, and the only mfr that consistently delivers the performance that the higher end Leupolds have (in my experience) is the NightForce NXS series, at about ~ $1200.

I personally would have purchased the 2X instead of the 2.5x8, but it was a gift and I wouldn't think of being rude enough to get rid of it. Especially when I fondle my 500 almost daily just to stay sane and the person I received it from sees it all the time.

I keep hearing good things about Burris (new) scopes. I've had mixed results with them in the past, but everyone I've spoke with since they were bought out last time says they love em.

One thing is for certain, just as soon as you get a scope/gun combo that works, stick with it until hell freezes over solid.

It can be a real PITA to get a good combo.
________
Avandia injury lawyer (http://www.classactionsettlements.org/lawsuit/avandia/)

[Adam10mm]

Maybe I'll have to give Leupold another shot.

The guns I've had Burris and Nikon on have been light kicking rifles-a 7mm-08 and a 338-06 & .376 Steyr switch barrel mauser I made.

Leupold used to make the Glimore RDS but those are long gone. They make that tactical red dot for ARs and there is a new RDS I see in the gun rags that doesn't use batteries.

[Johnch]

Leupold has been my choice for years
Last fall I droped a pair of 10+ year old Leupold binoculars off a ledge
On impact 100' + below they were in several pieces and not 1 unbroken lens

On a whim I called Leupold
They sent me a prepaid shipping label
I sent them the remains and less that 2 weeks later I got a new pair of Gold ring binoculars
And a note saying the old pair was not able to be fixed and they no longer made the model I had
So they sent a comperable model , that retailed at over $600
All for no cost

And I had bought the binoculars used for $50 at the gun show a few years earlyer

That is why I buy Leupold when ever I can

John

[Adam10mm]

Picked up the frame on Saturday and got the barrel a few minutes ago. Going to send the barrel out today and get it chopped, faced and threaded.

Will have to get a rifle forend as the pistol one is too short. The holes don't line up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/DSC02879.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/DSC02880.jpg

[45nut]

I would suggest getting that barrel D&T'ed for the pistol forend, the extra weight of the rifle forend has been problematic for some with the "boomers". The plastic pillars crack and break and you also run the risk of stripping the threads from the barrel.
Since you are already sending it out for work you may as well send the pistol forend along.

My .05

[Adam10mm]

Sounds good.

How long are your barrles on the 50AK and 458 Win Mag?

I'm going to get it threaded for a Vais muzzle brake. The brake is 2" long but I don't know how much of the brake slips over the barrel. I'm looking for a 14.5" barrel length with brake when all is said and done. I'm tempted to cut it down with my air tool myself and try to face it so I can shoot it but I don't have experience doing anything like this so I'm letting someone else do it that did it before and has a lathe.

[45nut]

16"s

I only have one rifle length Encore bbl, a 30-40.

[Lloyd Smale]

you probably have rightfull claim to that!! Dont let the girls talk you out of it, it sounds like fun to me! but then ive allways been a a few cents short of a dollar
Pretty sure I'll be the only one in the UP with a 375 H&H handgun.

[ovendoctor]

hang on and don't limp wrist it[all ready got one reload called HEAD BANGER] LOL :drinks:

:castmine::redneck:

[happy7]

Great Videos!!!!!

[redneckdan]

dude, you got serious thrill issues.:Fire:


before I noticed you we're getting a brake I would have said lets do it here in the campus shop. I wouldn't thread there though, the machines are pretty well beat.

[Adam10mm]

Dan, you know you're just dying to shoot it!

Maybe we can do another barrel there. I got another idea.:)

I got an air cutoff tool I wanted to try out. He's sending the scrap piece of barrel back to me so I can whack at it and practice cutting and facing on it.

The guy that's doing it is doing it for free. I'm shipping the barrel out today and having the muzzle brake sent directly to him via Brownells.

[redneckdan]

I'll probably try it, but I definitely won't be the first one to try it. Think we can shoot it down at the MTU range? Might have to set up 2 or 3 buckets of range scrap to shoot through and slow it down some before it hits the trap.

[Adam10mm]

Lyman's cast data shows a 264gr FNGC at 1850fps and a 335gr RN at 1700fps froma 24" barrel. Taking 50fps for each inch I'll be about a 15" effective barrel so take 500fps off of that maybe.

Looks like the 264gr will be @ 1400fps for 1149fpe and the 335gr will be @ 1250fps for 1163fpe. So I'll be under the threshold with cast.

Jacketed 270gr runs 2700fps from a 24" with 300gr running at 2450fps. Corrected will be 2250fps for a 270gr at 3036fpe and the 300gr will be 2000fps for 2665fpe. I'd have to download the jacketed but think the cast will be alright. I'm going to load cast first and then use the cast data with jacketed.

I have to play with Quickload and Load from a disk. I'll be using non traditional .375 powders for the jacketed, like IMR4198, Unique, Blue Dot, possibly Varget.

I'd like to shoot over the chrony just to check. I think we should err on the side of caution and get something like you said setup. I'd hate to wreck the trap.

I'll pick up some wooden dowels. People said they use those for the screen holders instead of the metal rods. Cheap to replace.

[redneckdan]

do you have a copy of quickload? I'd like to see how that works, never seen it before but I hear it works.

[Adam10mm]

Yup. I got Load from a disk and Quickload. QL difinately has a learning curve to it. Haven't read the ReadMe file yet. Disappointed in the lack of bullets in the database. There are only three or four .375 bullets listed. 6mmbr.com had a writeup/review on QL and said how to create a bullet database. I'll have to read that over and try it.

Some stuff is way off. I tried to input the data for the .380 Auto and it gave a velocity of 400fps from a 3.5" barrel. No clue. Haven't had much time to play with it.

[Adam10mm]

I'm not liking it the more I play with it. Can't find out how to delete somethig. According to 6mmbr.com you can make files so you can only get stuff for cartridges you load. Say I load 223, 7mm-08, 375 H&H, and 45/70 I can have a file like "My Cartridges" where the cartridge name will be listed and then all the bullets for those cartridges will be linked to that, so if I'm working with 223 data only .223-.224 bullets will show up on the drop down menu.

Easier said than done. You need a degree in software engineering to use this program. I'm stuck with 223 data using Winchester bullets and can't back out or change to include all .224" bullets. I'm going to have to uninstall and reinstall the whole program. This is more trouble than it is worth. I'd save the $150 if I were you.

[Adam10mm]

Money problems dictated I couldn't send it out to have the barrel worked on yet. I really want to shoot it so I did a pathetic job of doing it myself. Well, just a cut and face. I'll clean it a bit more but send it out for the finisher when I get the money for the brake. The barrel will be threaded for it so the barrel will have to be cleaned up before that happened anyways. Just needs to be cut back a bit.

Should be able to shoot it this weekend. Gotta rush an order for a .377" sizer for the cast boolits I dropped the other day.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Encore%20Pistol/DSC02921.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Encore%20Pistol/DSC02923.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Encore%20Pistol/DSC02924.jpg

Got some flash on the muzzle. The cutter I was using was .750" and the barrel was .812" so I should have gotten the 1" cutter. Should clean up with a file or dremel with a grinding stone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Encore%20Pistol/DSC02925.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Encore%20Pistol/DSC02926.jpg

[johnly]

Like's too short for shooting a barrel with a messed up crown. I can cut a new one for return postage, but it might be simpler to have it done locally.

John

[Adam10mm]

Thanks for the offer. ANeat (guy on here and GT) is going to do it.

[shotstring]

It ain't the cartridge that kills the shooter, it's the grip and the direction of the recoil! The worst gun I have ever shot for recoil was a standard size stainless derringer in 10mm. It broke blood vessels on my right palm and almost dislocated my right thumb. 44 mag, 454 and 45-70 can be shot comfortably all day, particularly if your pistol or revolver recoils up rather than straight back into your palm like the S&W 29. But put the same cartridges in a light rifle with unforgiving stock design and straight back recoil and we are talking one painful experience! Give me a handgun any time over that experience!

375 sounds like a fun round in a handgun, especally the muzzle blast. :roll: I envy you. My last 375 in a Ruger #1 blew a 10 inch hole in the hood of my volkswagon WITH THE MUZZLE BLAST when I got careless while sighting across the hood and shifted to a target that caused the muzzel to drop to within about 6 inches of my hood. :( Folded the metal right back down into the trunk. I repaired the gaping hole with bondo, sprayed on some paint that was close and returned the car to the dealer I had purchased it from a few days prior and told him I had changed my mind and didn't want the vehicle after all.