Left Hand - Model 70 375 H&H - Help/Opinions Needed

Gentlemen,

I have been on the search for a LH dangerous game rifle and stumbled across the below LH Winchester Model 70 chambered in 375 H&H at Sportsman's Finest in Austin, TX. The rifle looked a little strange but for $1000 I was willing to roll the dice. My Winchester knowledge is limited as there are few LH options in the Model 70, but here is what I know about this rifle.

• Winchester Custom Shop - Model 70 LH 375 H&H (unsure if or how rare a custom shop rifle is?)
• 4-digit G serial number and corresponding custom shop roll mark on top of barrel
• 21" heavy blued barrel with no iron sights or barrel band swivel
• Non-blued bolt, but serialized with matching serial number to action
• Stainless one-piece bottom metal
• McMillan Varmint stock, bedded.
• Rifling looks strong and I will shoot before embarking on any work to the gun

I know aesthetics have no effect on how a rifle shoots, but I would like to get this rifle looking better. I normally gravitate towards synthetic stocks and Cerakote on rifles but the bluing on the action and barrel is very nice and I understand the allure of a classic safari rifle.

Should I want to pursue a classic look:

• How hard will it be to find a replacement stock? My research shows the only LH stocks available are for 2-piece bottom metal.
• What would be the best option for replacement bottom metal? Sunnyhill, Swift, Winchester, etc. If,I replace the bottom metal would changing to a 2-piece model to accommodate a replacement stock be a problem?
• Is there a recommended smith to blue bottom metal and bolt handle, replace bolt shroud, jewel bolt, etc.?

My other thought is to replace the bottom metal, add a barrel band swivel and iron sights from NECG, Cerakote all metal, and have McMillan repaint the stock.

Sorry for the long winded post, but I appreciate any information or thoughts on this project.

LH Win M70’s in 375H&H are not common and bring big money. Your rifle doesn’t look original with all the stainless steel parts, but any way you cut it you’ve got yourself a bargain for $1000.

Winchester released two versions of lefty M70 rifles in 375H&H. I have one and IMO the factory stock is a little chunky and could do with a bit of a trim to make it more lively and handle better. I’d stick with the synthetic stock you currently have.

Winchester M70 “Safari” barrels in 375, 416 and 458 have the same profile which makes the 375 barrels a little heavy. This is likely why yours has been docked at 21”.

If you’re looking to rebarrel I’d run a ruler over the Winchester Alaskan 375 barrel profile as they have a lighter profile. I’d buy a replacement with a profile closer to that of the Alaskan model. You could also go with a SS barrel and then ceracote all the metal work to make it an all weather rifle.

looks dandy fine just like she is - see how she shoots.

Save all the hassles and troubles with the pretty girl stuff and just go huntin'

Left-handed 375 H&H’s are like Pringles potato chips. You can’t have just one.

This is a good place to start your collection.

You lucked out with a great deal! Your ideas for add ons, iron sights, etc, are spot on.

FrogFan said:

My other thought is to replace the bottom metal, add a barrel band swivel and iron sights from NECG, Cerakote all metal, and have McMillan repaint the stock.

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If you're going to keep the current stock, is there any need to replace the bottom metal?

Adding a barrel band, iron sights, Cerakote the metal including the bolt handle, shroud & extractor if so desired & repainting the stock could be an easy minimal upgrade.

PS - I really like my left-handed 375 H&H Safari Express in the traditional walnut. It's a classic.

There are reasonably priced LH stocks still. Ebay and others charge crazy prices. Good to have a 2nd stock. Some are for 1 piece bottom metal, some 2 piece.

Your 1 piece bottom metal (probably Sunny Hill) is superior to the factory 2 piece in terms of strength and accuracy. It's an upgrade. There is no fiddling with the barely tight third screw in the trigger guard to keep from binding the action. I would not change it. You can fit it to a factory stock without issue if wood is your thing. Personally, I would make the barrel band and site modifications as desired, refinish the metal with coating of choice, leave stock as is, and have a fantastically reliable all weather shooter. It would look just like it came out of the custom shop ready for Alaska or a wet jungle.

Great buy. I'll give you your money back if you want to give up on it.

All good advice above, except for painting the stock !
Looks like a McMillan stock.
Please, no paint over the McSwirley, molded in camo and checkering !
Same pattern I chose for this M70 drop belly:



The two-tone polished bolt in blue receiver with stainless bottom metal
reminds me of my favorite Colt 1911 45 ACP "Ronin."
Classy as all get out.
The single steel cross-slot base on the front of the action: Perfect for a red dot that will only add 2 ounces to the rifle for DGR work.
I might just add a banded front sight, and a rear scope base for NECG or Ashley Outdoors/XS peep sight.
Barrel-banded sling stud would be good, or just move the the stock stud to fore-end tip.

If you must go whole-hog on customizing, some examples follow.
Here is a rifle I acquired from a buddy's build:



That is a blued .375 H&H M70 action with stainless bottom metal, for better sweaty hand comfort.
Stainless .375 H&H barrel re-bored to .458 WIN MAG by JES.
Custom walnut stock adds at least 1K to value to this "parts rifle" heh-heh-heh.
He took that rifle to Africa and killed all manner of plains game out to about 200 yards, and cape buffalo at 30 yards, with one shot each.
He and that rifle were first ever to take a cape buffalo with the 404-gr/.458 Stone Hammer (previously "Shock Hammer").
Alternate HS Precision beater stock:


I took that rifle dressed in HS Precision to a Tennessee game farm, for grocery shopping, and Bagwelled water buffalo cow and 600-pound boar hog.

With your McMillan stock, you don't need anything else.
Just make sure the glass bedding is good and only paint should be on any off-color edges around the barrel channel for a good color match.

If you ever do re-barrel, make it a stainless .375 WBY MAG barrel of latest CIP throating spec, and it will be excellent with factory .375 H&H ammo at reduced recoil and increased deadliness according to Doctari.

Come to think of it, you have the Doctari-Increased-Deadliness/Less-Recoil improvement covered by having a 21" barrel for standard .375 H&H ammo.

Monski said:

Winchester 70 Post 64 CRF Stocks | Numrich Gun Parts

Winchester Model 70 Post 64 Control Round Feed Bolt Action Rifle Stocks. Shop current, OEM, obsolete and the rare hard-to-find gun parts and accessories for pistols, rifles, shotguns, long guns, and revolvers from the early musket days to today’s modern firearms (both U.S. and foreign). Numrich...

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There are reasonably priced LH stocks still. Ebay and others charge crazy prices. Good to have a 2nd stock. Some are for 1 piece bottom metal, some 2 piece.

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This is helpful. Thank you. I always forget about Numrich.

Winchester also produced a left hand stainless 375 H&H from their custom shop. Not sure how many they actually built but they are rarer than hens teeth.

Snowwolfe is referring to this Custom Shop model:




Custom Shop 2006 by SN.
A call to BACO/WINCHESTER at
800-333-3288
is required to track down those M70 Classics by serial number.