375 H&H......... Decisions decisions???!!!

270Buck

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Hello from the UK.

I'm currently looking to buy my first 375 H&H for a brown bear hunt later this year.

I have been considering all options. There are a few considerations I've been making

1) Push feed or controlled feed?
2) Magazine capacity?
3) Detachable magazine or floor plate?
4) Since I'm in the UK and we can have moderators/silencers whether to cut off or modify the front sight to allow threading for a moderator or muzzle brake?
5) Wooden or synthetic stock

I have considered
Winchester Model 70 pre 64 claw feed
Winchester Model 70 push feed
CZ 550 (Mauser type controlled feed)
Bergara B14 (Push feed)
Sako 85 (Push feed)
Ruger M77 (Controlled feed)

Given you guys have got a lot of experience with 375 H&H. What are the recommendations.
 
You my want to consider the .375 ruger too. They come ready threaded, and stainless which would suit brown bear locations.

Where are you in the UK?
 
1. I don't think it matters, buy the gun that feels right to you and take what you get in that regard

2. I'd attempt to have the largest capacity magazine you can find because you'll not have one in the barrel and you may not have time to top it off before firing your first shot.

3. I don't think it matters much. Yes, you could in theory fire all of your shots, change the magazine, and shoot again. I'm not sure a bear is going to give you that many chances. I'd put more emphasis on #2. Additionally, I'd bring a spare magazine if you went the detachable route.

4. Not my thing, I'll let someone else chime in.

5. Up to you. It likely rains a lot where ever you are going so a synthetic may work well (but increase recoil). If going with wood, I'd probably want a laminate.

Others are probably going to very strongly disagree, but I would not buy a FN Winchester 70. I have seen several Featherweights a couple years back and safeties on them lacked any sort of positive click. It was mushy and felt like sand was in it. Your mileage may vary

Personally, I'd probably go with the Ruger or Sako
 
270buck I have shot several brown/grizzly bears myself and did the assistant/ guide thing in AK when I was a lot younger to trade with outfitters for hunting time on my own. so seen a few killed/wounded/charged/etc.
375 is a lot of gun probably top end for a brown/grizzly and I see you are asking about surpressor/brake? if you are at all not happy with recoil get a 300 mag of some sorts way less recoil and it kills bears fine with a well placed shot and the well placed shot from a 300 mag way better than a bad hit from a 375!! Inbetween are 338 win mags they are damn good Alaskan medicine lots of guides/natives carried 338's. when I was the backup gun I carried a push feed custom 375 with synthetic stock low power scope and qr mounts so I could take it off and work in the nasty thick shit where you cant see 10ft. I have seen them shot with 30-06 too good hit they died just fine. I have seen them shot in the guts at 25yds with big 375 stick and you could have heard me curse all the way to Africa and took guys gun away so he wouldn't shoot me in the ass for now I had to track and finish the damn thing in like 5-10ft visibility! SO bullet placement is key just like the PH say in Africa with a buff. bet some PH have been fearful of getting shot in the ass a time or two also.
SO HERE GOES MY PALTRY 2 Cents WORTH
Anyone of the guns you mentioned will work fine in caliber from 300mag to 375 choose what fits you well and you are confortable shooting well
it doesn't matter a rats ass how many are in the mag MAKE THE 1ST ONE COUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!
DO get a synthetic stock Alaska weather sucks and YOU WILL GET WET.
low power scope with QR mounts and irons sights for backup.
 
I don't know if you can get them over there, but a couple more fine control feed rifles are the Kimber Talkeetna and the Montana Rifles Company. Both can be had in stainless steel and synthetic stock.

Good luck in your decision!
 
270Buck - I've got a 375 H&H built on a Montana Rifle Co action. I am very pleased with the accuracy and reliability.
 
I already have a factory Mauser in 375 H & H. If I were looking for another one, it would have a controlled feed, a wood stock for the additional weight and the ability to bed it properly and a floor plate. I'm considering having a Remington 1917 converted to a 375 H & H. The action is long enough and more than strong enough to handle the additional horsepower. I would probably put a Boyd laminated stock on it. I'd ditch the military trigger and have a Timney trigger and safety installed. While it won't be as pretty as some, it will be a good working rifle.
 
What's your budget?

Maximum of £1500. But screwcutting will cost me a further £100

You my want to consider the .375 ruger too. They come ready threaded, and stainless which would suit brown bear locations.

Where are you in the UK?

I had considered the 375 ruger. But on any continent you can get 375 H&H ammo if mine got lost in transit. Ruger ammo is not do easily available.

I live in Northamptonshire

1. I don't think it matters, buy the gun that feels right to you and take what you get in that regard

2. I'd attempt to have the largest capacity magazine you can find because you'll not have one in the barrel and you may not have time to top it off before firing your first shot.

3. I don't think it matters much. Yes, you could in theory fire all of your shots, change the magazine, and shoot again. I'm not sure a bear is going to give you that many chances. I'd put more emphasis on #2. Additionally, I'd bring a spare magazine if you went the detachable route.

4. Not my thing, I'll let someone else chime in.

5. Up to you. It likely rains a lot where ever you are going so a synthetic may work well (but increase recoil). If going with wood, I'd probably want a laminate.

Others are probably going to very strongly disagree, but I would not buy a FN Winchester 70. I have seen several Featherweights a couple years back and safeties on them lacked any sort of positive click. It was mushy and felt like sand was in it. Your mileage may vary

Personally, I'd probably go with the Ruger or Sako

Thanks very much for your feedback

270buck I have shot several brown/grizzly bears myself and did the assistant/ guide thing in AK when I was a lot younger to trade with outfitters for hunting time on my own. so seen a few killed/wounded/charged/etc.
375 is a lot of gun probably top end for a brown/grizzly and I see you are asking about surpressor/brake? if you are at all not happy with recoil get a 300 mag of some sorts way less recoil and it kills bears fine with a well placed shot and the well placed shot from a 300 mag way better than a bad hit from a 375!! Inbetween are 338 win mags they are damn good Alaskan medicine lots of guides/natives carried 338's. when I was the backup gun I carried a push feed custom 375 with synthetic stock low power scope and qr mounts so I could take it off and work in the nasty thick shit where you cant see 10ft. I have seen them shot with 30-06 too good hit they died just fine. I have seen them shot in the guts at 25yds with big 375 stick and you could have heard me curse all the way to Africa and took guys gun away so he wouldn't shoot me in the ass for now I had to track and finish the damn thing in like 5-10ft visibility! SO bullet placement is key just like the PH say in Africa with a buff. bet some PH have been fearful of getting shot in the ass a time or two also.
SO HERE GOES MY PALTRY 2 Cents WORTH
Anyone of the guns you mentioned will work fine in caliber from 300mag to 375 choose what fits you well and you are confortable shooting well
it doesn't matter a rats ass how many are in the mag MAKE THE 1ST ONE COUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!
DO get a synthetic stock Alaska weather sucks and YOU WILL GET WET.
low power scope with QR mounts and irons sights for backup.

I had considered a smaller calibre, but as I intend to use this for buffalo in the future I want a rifle that will be good for both. But I agree it's all about shot placement. I would obviously want a 1 shot kill, but having 3 more in the magazine is definitely not a bad thing.

I already own a 7mm RM which for anything other than DG is ample.

In the UK we are very fortunate that moderators are wholly legal. For load testing, shooting with a moderator will be of definite benefit.

I am not hunting my bear is North America, but is somewhere that is wet, so synthetic or laminate would be my preference.

I don't know if you can get them over there, but a couple more fine control feed rifles are the Kimber Talkeetna and the Montana Rifles Company. Both can be had in stainless steel and synthetic stock.

Good luck in your decision!

We don't really see too many Kimber rifles in the UK.

270Buck - I've got a 375 H&H built on a Montana Rifle Co action. I am very pleased with the accuracy and reliability.

Sounds like a great setup.

I already have a factory Mauser in 375 H & H. If I were looking for another one, it would have a controlled feed, a wood stock for the additional weight and the ability to bed it properly and a floor plate. I'm considering having a Remington 1917 converted to a 375 H & H. The action is long enough and more than strong enough to handle the additional horsepower. I would probably put a Boyd laminated stock on it. I'd ditch the military trigger and have a Timney trigger and safety installed. While it won't be as pretty as some, it will be a good working rifle.

I did consider having a 375 built to my spec but the cost would have been into £2000+
 
The 375 Ruger Guide Gun is built on the M77 frame and as mentioned has already been threaded!
 
The 375 Ruger Guide Gun is built on the M77 frame and as mentioned has already been threaded!

That was the gun that very very much tempted me and I may still be persuaded to get it. It has all the features I want and still retains the iron sights.

The only issue I have is ammo availability if I needed some in the event of mine being lost in the airport.

Also the Ruger website suggests the magazine capacity is only 3. So once loading the rifle only 2 rounds left for follow up shots.......... which hopefully I won't need anyway.
 
I'd say a good used CZ550 with a little bit of action work, cerakote, and a synthetic stock would fit your bill nicely. I picked mine up used for 650USD. Cerakote and a synthetic stock should run you about 600-700USD more.

But I do agree the Ruger alaskan or guide gun in 375 ruger fits the bill perfectly, save for your ammo issue.
 
Browning X Bolt Stainless Stalker is also a great option and a good value.
 
you might want t consider the win70 Alaskan model It is control rd feed, has iron sights on it already, pretty stock and gun but not synthetic but you can chg the stock out. I do not own any newer model 70s so I cant say how the quality of new mod 70s is? I do love pre 64s and have some built out on the action. it would def fit in your price range too. as regards mag capacity, 3 in mag in my opinion means 4 in gun for DG one in the pipe and 3 in the mag period. you will not get 4 shots at a bear before he eats you or you kill him.
 
I don't see the new Winchester M70 CRF on your list, just the pre-64. I don't know how much they are in the UK but here they are roughly $1500. Less than your budget by about $375 that could go towards a scope. They are great rifles and need nothing straight from the box. Mine is fun to shoot albeit a bit heavy for a .375. They are soundly built, accurate and the .375 hits hard. I've got a .416 too but when it comes to a fun gun to hunt and shoot, I typically grab the H&H. Hand loading for it is a blast too and when factory stuff is $80/20 for cheap stuff, it makes sense if you plan on shooting it a lot.
 
A lot of opinions here sir and all good advise. I've taken brown and grizzly bear as well as dall sheep , mtn goat , caribou and black bear in Alaska. Controlled feed is a must on dangerous game. As far as caliber is concerned I personally would not hunt the big bears with anything less then a 300WSM. 338 and larger even better. I took both my bears there with a 338. As mentioned a synthetic stock is a must! Weather changes in moments literally. As mentioned by another member the Ruger guide rifle would be a great choice. Resonably priced and accurate. And the shorter barrel is a big plus as some areas you will encounter some thick stuff.
 
That was the gun that very very much tempted me and I may still be persuaded to get it. It has all the features I want and still retains the iron sights.

The only issue I have is ammo availability if I needed some in the event of mine being lost in the airport.

Also the Ruger website suggests the magazine capacity is only 3. So once loading the rifle only 2 rounds left for follow up shots.......... which hopefully I won't need anyway.

@270Buck when I was in South Africa last year the 375 Ruger Ammo was available! Luggage can be lost for sure but wouldn't let that dictate your rifle.
 
My advice is simple: What ever gun your are familiar with! For instance, if you regularly hunt with a ruger 77 308, then get a Ruger 77 375! If you hunt with a CZ in 270 then get a CZ in 375. I have SAKOs because that's what I like and have.
I do not have to think about where the safety is or the floorplate release or the trigger pull, etc.
My rifles all come up the same and are set up similar (different power scopes) so, really, the only difference is the caliber (the size of the hole in the barrel!!)

I've seen too many people miss a shot because they have to find the safety or get the rifle set to them and when hunting something that may take exception to having holes poked in him, it's not a good time to be distracted or confused.

In England, if you require a moderator, then by all means get the front sight taken off and get the barrel threaded.
As stated previously, make the first shot count, then you don't have to rely on iron sights and digging a wounded animal out of his safe haven.

In the immortal words of Forest Gump: "That's all I have to say about that".
 
Not even close. You listed several depreciating assets of modest quality and one legend.

Buy the pre-64 Winchester. It's superior in every way and if you decide to become a bird watcher and give up your arms, you'll get 85%-150% of your money back. No other gun you listed does that.
 
I plan to purchase a 375 shortly and am struggling on which.
I want a stainless synthetic because:
1. plan to hunt alaska one day.
2. I just like them better.

I had my mind made up to get the Savage Bear Hunter in 375 Ruger for a long time because every Savage I have shoots well.
But, been wavering on that now that I'm down to the last minute. I don't like the camo stock, mainly, and also leaning toward 375 H&H instead.

So, now I am also considering the Weatherby Mark 5 Weathermark and the Montana Rifle Company Extreme V-2. They are both 375 H&H.

I like the looks of both better because of the black stock..... although I could have the Savage Stock painted black I suppose.

The Savage has a muzzle break, which I'm not sure I want. I could just leave it turned to the "off" position though.

The MRC is the only one that comes with open sights, which is great. but, not sure if I would use that, but could do QD mounts just in case. The Savage and Weatherby do not have sights.

The Savage is $400 cheaper, but that doesn't really matter much to me for this rifle.

The MRC has controlled feed, but I've never had a problem with any of my Savage rifles.


I just can't decide.
 

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