Tiger2001
AH veteran
Winchester M70 in .375 H&H hands down! Classic safari caliber in a classic rifle. And the naysayers be damned. The Portugal FN made Winchesters are amazing quality and rival anything ever produced in New Haven.
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Ruger M77 African 35 Wheelen or Winchester M70 375H&H?
- Thread starter dhughes66
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Bob Nelson 35Whelen
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@wildwilderness“What’s not to love” was my 35 whelen conversion having the mysterious “head space” issue that multiple gunsmiths failed to fix. I would have FTF on maybe 20% of loads. Ended up having to jam bullets to trust it.
That said when it does work it is a thumper, and options to stretch it further.
My solution to the Whelen was to rebarrel it to a 9.3x62 and have never looked back. A lot more support than the Whelen especially in Africa
I would have run a 358 Norma mag reamer into it, opened up the bolt face and gone from there.
Strange no-one could fix the headspace issue.
If it closes on a no go gauge the space is wrong but if it closes on a go gauge should be fine.
Unless the shoulder has been bumped back to far when loading.
Bob
wildwilderness
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It was all checked. Nobody could figure it out. Factory ammo did it on occasion as well so not too much shoulder bump.
The barrel was a rebore factory SS Ruger 270- I originally asked JES to make a 338-06 but he said he didn’t like how it turned out; so went to a 35 Wln. Said that Stainless is harder than a regular barrel to work on.
For the money it would have been cheaper and easier just to have McGowen put a new barrel on in the first place. which is what I did in 9.3 x 62 just because it’s a cooler cartridge for Africa and I’m wary of the Whelen now
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I went with the Whelen, stuff all difference between a 9.3X62 and a Whelen, performance wise. If you use CFE223 like Bob then the Whelen is in front.
I have never been keen on the Win 70's. Mainly because everyone I picked up just did not feel right. I know a stock replacement will fix that, but I don't spend money on a rifle I can't take out hunting without major works, unless I am planning on a build. The other thing with a Ruger is, if something goes badly wrong you can always use it as a club without worrying about breaking the rifle.
I have never been keen on the Win 70's. Mainly because everyone I picked up just did not feel right. I know a stock replacement will fix that, but I don't spend money on a rifle I can't take out hunting without major works, unless I am planning on a build. The other thing with a Ruger is, if something goes badly wrong you can always use it as a club without worrying about breaking the rifle.
Bob Nelson 35Whelen
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@KevinNC
I feel the same as you. All my pg were one and done.
If I had the chance I would use it on cape Buffalo as well without any qualms.
Bob
As an owner of both, I’d say depends what you want to hunt.
If DG isn’t a concern then the whelen is my pick. I used my Ruger African 35 whelen in Africa this past May and it dropped anything I pointed it at easily.
I also just took the Ruger “Alaskan” or whatever they call it to Newfoundland 1 week ago and dropped 2 moose no problem with that. Handy 20” barrel.
The Winchester, well it smooth as glass and so light that it kicks way more than it should. Weighs less than my Rugers.
Both are great rifles so just get both
If DG isn’t a concern then the whelen is my pick. I used my Ruger African 35 whelen in Africa this past May and it dropped anything I pointed it at easily.
I also just took the Ruger “Alaskan” or whatever they call it to Newfoundland 1 week ago and dropped 2 moose no problem with that. Handy 20” barrel.
The Winchester, well it smooth as glass and so light that it kicks way more than it should. Weighs less than my Rugers.
Both are great rifles so just get both
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K_P wrote on Buckleyguy12's profile.
Good morning from Montana.
I'm looking at a post from 2018 where you were looking for a lefty Winchester in .375 H&H Magnum. I'm selling mine. My email is [redacted] in the event that you're still searching for a unicorn.
Best,
Kelly Palmer
I'm looking at a post from 2018 where you were looking for a lefty Winchester in .375 H&H Magnum. I'm selling mine. My email is [redacted] in the event that you're still searching for a unicorn.
Best,
Kelly Palmer
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