Any suggestions on building a 375 H&H on an 03/A3 action? What all would be involved? My main concern is how expensive it will be; I don't really NEED a rifle in this caliber. On the other hand, if I do this I don't want to cut corners!

So to narrow things down a bit; would you buy an o3/a3 action or a mauser 98 action to build off of?

I admit that, while I'm FAR from knowledgeable on this subject, a Mauser action sounds like a better idea. I've never heard of that "heavy" of a rechamber done on a M1903A3 action.

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I believe I'd use a 98 Mauser action or a M1917 US Enfield action for that conversion.

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Is the 1917 enfield one to the mauser 98 copies?

I know the 1903 is a mauser design but it is a bit thinner, smaller design. It handles the pressure of the 30-06 round (wiki says 60,200 psi), the 375 h&h is only a bit higher pressure at 62,000 psi.

My original intent was to build off of a 1903/a3 action from aim surplus. These seem like a good deal but, I'm not sure how much it would cost when you add in all the small bolt parts and trigger assembly, etc.

I think the M1917 Enfield would be a better choice, especially a Remington or Winchester receiver. I have heard of many M1917s rechambered to magnum calibers.

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"We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst."
--C.S. Lewis

I have a 404j on an 03 action- works just fine. However, the Jeffery is a low pressure canon.

Ronnn

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I think the biggest problem you'll have to overcome, in using the 03/a3 action, is the difference in case length.

.375 H&H Case length 2.850 inches
.30-06 Case Length 2.494 inches

then there's the bolt face (Rim Diameter) issue.

the .375 H&H has a Rim diameter of .532 in.
the .30-06 has a Rim diameter of 473 in

definitely go with the m1917 action. you can find them on gunbroker daily cheap. better, look for m1917' s that have already been neutered. or with shot out bores or chopped stocks.

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If you want a rifle in this caliber buy a CZ 550, they can be had for less than thee cost of a donor rifle and all the conversion work. Plus the CZ is already built on a magnum mauser style action. If you want a rifle with custom touches, the CZ is a great base rifle to start with, your dollars will go a lot farther.

I have built several sporters on mauser actions. The conversion of 8x57 to 06 length cartridge is easy. My 35 Whelen 25-06 and 280 Rem are all built on Turk M38 actions. They function and feed just fine in the large ring's magazine. I would think that a 375 H&H would feed in an 03 magazine. They are close enough in length to work. The biggest task is to open the bolt face up to accept the case head of the H&H. Not a task for a beginner and costly if a mistake were to happen. My would look for a cartridge that is 06 in length and the same case head diameter. Also I believe the barrel shank / face would need a cut in it for the extractor. Not a difficult job but not a beginner task either. If I needed or wanted a 375 H&H I think I would just purchase one, IMO. Ralph

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Bad idea, problem is not case length but cartridge OAL. 375 is listed as max at 3.60. The 06 is listed at 3.34 and that will just clear a loaded round in standard length magazine boxes. The rifles built for the 375 (and 300) on standard actions had lengthened mag boxes and bolt throws. Stick with a 1917 or better a P14 (the bolt face already will fit a magnum case) or go with the CZ or new Winchester or Remington (don't know if Ruger makes one).