CHOICE in .375 - Guidance please!

Originally Posted by andriesdeklerk

If you are thinking about hunting the big fellas that can hit back then please forget a push feed in other words the sako! I have two CZ actions which are based on the old 98k Mauser. Anything based on the old Mauser action gets the thumbs up from me. The CZ I reckon is good value for money but the Winchester model 70 will do just fine. As mentioned the cz magazine box takes that extra round which could be helpful!

+1, I got the CZ because I had a feeling I was going to rebarrel / rechamber to something bigger. No regrets, I love my rifle. I'm looking for a left handed stainless / synthetic M70 in 375 H&H for my oldest son. I promised him one when he finishes his four years in the Rangers which is coming up in less than a year. Both are excellent DG rifles

fhm,

I noticed the Winchester you listed is a stainless/synthetic stock version. I'm not sure when and more importantly where this rifle was made, but would have to say not in the new factory. I may be mistaken but I don't believe that Winchester is making a .375H&H in anything but the Safari Express. Now I say this as a fan and owner of Winchester rifles. I own two stainless/synthetic "Classics" in .270 and 7mm RM that were made mid/late 90's. I love them both and can't see ever selling them.

But, I have read reports on Winchesters made in the 2000's prior to the new factory opening that were junk. So, I'd be a little concerned when/where that rifle was made. If you can get your hands on one of the new Safari Express versions, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, I own one and it's extremely accurate. And I continue to just read glowing reports on the M70's coming out of the South Carolina plant.

My vote for the CZ, control feed, good value for money.

Appreciate guys,
Interesting about the Win - will check it our carefully and ask a lot of questions - where made / when made etc.

I am always very wary and really full of b/s when it comes to buying a new rifle. Inclusive the scope and other acessories this will set my bank balance back with around U$ 4000 - no chicken feed!

Will let you guys know what i have decided on... or what rifle has 'decided on me'.

My dad used to say - " you do not choose a hunting rifle son, it always chooses you"

Thank you for all the information / guidance / tips.

I owns a CZ 550 with a straight stock. Hunted many plains game and buff with it. Smooth and quick action. Never had a problem accept once when I short fed it on a moving buffalo target on the Big Bore range (BASA). Lucky it was a paper buff that was stopped by a mechanical mechanism. Take 5 rounds and shoot straight. Good wieght for calibre as well. Scoped mine weighs 4.6kg. See my hunting photos in my profile. Eland, kudu, buffalo, giraffe, blue wildebeest etc. CZ is a no nonsence, reliable rifle. Also owns a BRNO (CZ's older brother) in 458 Express and is as very happy with the working.

fhm3006,

Same here,
own a CZ 550 De lux. Rifle is great . Feed is smooth and reliable with a strong action, and is really accurate for a calibre as big as a .375H&H. Grouping about 10mm at 100 m. Modifying it now, so will post pics when i'm done.
Only thing is the wooden stock is absolutely rubbish. Think they made it from pallet wood. This is also part of the modifcation stage, so rectifying the stock.
Otherwise, CZ all the way.

Best Regards
Marius Goosen
KMG Hunting Safaris

So it takes 5 rounds. Wow! The number of times I have needed a 3rd shot I can count on the fingers of 1 hand. The number of times I have needed a 5th shot I can count on the thumbs of 1 foot.

Originally Posted by KMG Hunting Safaris

fhm3006,

Same here,
own a CZ 550 De lux. Rifle is great . Feed is smooth and reliable with a strong action, and is really accurate for a calibre as big as a .375H&H. Grouping about 10mm at 100 m. Modifying it now, so will post pics when i'm done.
Only thing is the wooden stock is absolutely rubbish. Think they made it from pallet wood. This is also part of the modifcation stage, so rectifying the stock.
Otherwise, CZ all the way.

Best Regards
Marius Goosen
KMG Hunting Safaris

Sorry to hear about your CZ stock. I like mine a lot and it's stood up to 400 rounds of full power 500 Jeffery loads, about 100 rounds on the lead sled. I did have Wayne at AHR install his M70 type 3 pos safety, single stage match trigger, and straighten and fill the bolt handle. Those were all "wants not needs". That's AHR's CZ #1 package and cost me $500. I find the stock comfortable using both irons and my low mounted Leupold 1.5 - 5x scope. My 500 Jeffery only holds 3 down. That should be enough!

Your stock looks wonderful. Is there really such variation in stocks within 1 model?

Originally Posted by colorado

Sorry to hear about your CZ stock. I like mine a lot and it's stood up to 400 rounds of full power 500 Jeffery loads, about 100 rounds on the lead sled. I did have Wayne at AHR install his M70 type 3 pos safety, single stage match trigger, and straighten and fill the bolt handle. Those were all "wants not needs". That's AHR's CZ #1 package and cost me $500. I find the stock comfortable using both irons and my low mounted Leupold 1.5 - 5x scope. My 500 Jeffery only holds 3 down. That should be enough!

Curious as to Marius's complaint about the "pallet wood" stock. Every CZ I have seen had at least functional if not very nice wood. Of what style was yours, American or Euro and what was the real problem with it? Did it fail or crack? Thanks!

Most of the CZ American Safari stocks are very nice Turkish Walnut. It helps if you can look at a bunch of them on the gun rack and pick the one you want. More important than looks is how the bolt / action feels (is it tight but smooth?), the trigger / safety, etc.

My personal choice would be the Win Mod 70 375H&H (being one of the new one's out of new haven), restocked and fitted with a Duane Wiebe XRM, so to take 4+1

Otherwise looking at your options, go for the CZ for 15k, sell the original stock, and use the funds and difference (20k budget, so 5k) on shortening the barrel, adding a barrel band, slicking up the action and restocking

With all the different options out there for rifles it amazes me to see how many people want to buy a rifle, then spend thousands rebuilding it. Search for the rifle that has all or most of the features you want and have done with it. Or just go the custom route to begin with. My first and one of the best safari rifles I have ever owned is my Interarms Whitworth Express .375. Came with all the safari features I wanted and is a superb performer. All for $485 dollars in 1984.

For a 375 H&H the choice is easy in my mind. I'd get a brand new Win M70. Has all the features you want, works out of the box, accurate too.

For other calibers, particularly the big boys (505 Gibbs, 500 Jeffery) a custom rifle will cost upwards of $6000 and still may not work right the first time. I had to have my 500 Jeffery worked on by two gunsmiths, but it looks good, handles beautifully, functions flawlessly (it's been torture tested with hundreds of full magazine dummy loads fed and ejected, slow and fast from many different postions) and shoots sub MOA if I do my part all for $2100. Here's a picture of my 500 Jeffery with me and my youngest son after dropping a 450 lb feral hog at 8 feet in thicket. Going to Alaska for brown bear next month, hopefully Africa for DG the year after that.

Originally Posted by philip in china

So it takes 5 rounds. Wow! The number of times I have needed a 3rd shot I can count on the fingers of 1 hand. The number of times I have needed a 5th shot I can count on the thumbs of 1 foot.

Yeah Philip!? Same way you don't need airbags and safety belts in a car until you are involoved in a collision!?

For Calibres of 375 and up, the CZs are a good option. The last couple I used (458LOTT and 416Rig) fed flawlessly. HOWEVER the stocks are light weight walnut that is prone to split in heavy calibres and must be suitably bedded, pinned and screwed down to minimise this problem.
Oh, and when hunting DG, I prefer a bolt rifle to carry a minimum of 3 down and one up.

Not sure about the titan, but the 375 Ruger caliber is great. I've used on two trip and was very satisfied with its performance. I have two Ruger Hawkeye's in synthetic and they are very comfortable and accurate. Everything from Impala to Elephant and it's been a great caliber. Only downside is ammo availability.

price aside, I would pick the Winchester model 70. The reason is that I have found them to fit me well and, in general, need no adjusting save maybe a trigger adjustment. I have heard that the new Mod 70's do not need a trigger job. Next in line would be the CZ's. If price were a consideration I would go for the CZ. It is a solid rifle that should give you a lifetime of service.

I know, again, you've been patient but here goes:

Winchester Model 70 Safari Classic
Brockman bases with the pop-up peep sight
Talley QD Rings
Leupold scope ( 1.5 - 5, 1.75 - 6 or 2.5 - 8, your choice, same money)
toss the scope caps
get a nice cotton sling with some forged/machined swivels (rolls up and slips easily into your pocket)
Out the gate under $2,000 USD

Slip it in a nice Boyt case and drop the assembly into a TufPak and "Momma, we're headed for Afrika"

Totally agree with Second Wind ...