Bass Pro 375 H&H

I agree with you on the stock. I said as much to the representatives of Montana Rifle Company when I saw the prototype at an SCI convention. Their composite stock is quite similar to the Winchester. I wish their wood stock was too.

I’ve been looking for another Model 70 375 and this gave me the excuse I needed to pull the trigger.

illini said:

For the money, I think it checks a lot of boxes for a classic safari rifle. I like it a lot more than the Tsavo. Especially the stock profile. If I didn't already own a Model 70 safari express I would consider this a top choice for a classic rifle at an affordable price. My safari express is the Portugal production and it is extremely accurate. I am a sucker for nice wood so im considering an Accurate Innovations stock for mine, the regular safari express has really boring wood. I also like red butt pads and ebony tips. The AI stock will put me way over this price point but I will still be less than a used dakota. Am I on the wrong track here?

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AI stocks has some great wood on their inventory page. Been eyeing it myself

liam375 said:

AI stocks has some great wood on their inventory page. Been eyeing it myself

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I wonder what the lead time is for a AI stock. I just recently got my rifle back from having a new stock made and it was abour 14 months from raw wood to finished.

Is this rifle offered in a Left Hand model?

Rafiki said:

I wonder what the lead time is for a AI stock. I just recently got my rifle back from having a new stock made and it was abour 14 months from raw wood to finished.

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I sent them an email about 6 months ago and they said it was about a 1 year turn around time

Cannot address everyone's taste in the esthetics on this rifle, but, the Model 70 made today is better than the ones made prior to 1964. I have shot both extensively and had accuracy issues as well as mechanical issues with the old ones. I much prefer and do not buy the pre-64 hype machine by "collectors'.
If you want a pretty rifle, then this one works. If you like CZ, they work. If you like the Ruger version, they work.
After 15 trips to Africa, the rifle is not the "end all be all". The shooter is the key and being able to hit what you aim at. On half my trips I used camp guns. Never had an issue.
I ask every PH what they want to see in a hunter. They answer the following -
1. Be in decent physical shape.
2. Have broken in boots.
3. Listen to the PH.
4. Be able to hit what they aim at.
5. Be able to handle the caliber they bring or use.
6. Use a .375 HH bolt rifle.

I have never heard one say - "Gosh, I am glad you brought that pretty rifle" or "I am so glad you use a .500 Buffalo Stomper". A rifle is an inanimate tool... It has no life and does what you direct it to do. You never see a carpenter stand in front of a house with a picture of him and his hammer. I never get the love affair with a tool.

I won't even say what they say about doubles, single shots, bows or lever guns. At the end of it, the PH wants to give you a great experience. Being able to shoot is a big part. So use what works.

^^^^ I actually believe the only reason a PH even attempts to act interested in a rifle is because it’s obvious the hunter wants him to drool over it. Most couldn’t care less what you’re carrying. Most likely preferring one with the checkering and blueing worn off and your fingerprints worn into the trigger. And old worn out boots is commonly one of the things guides and PHs look for.

dogcat1 said:

Cannot address everyone's taste in the esthetics on this rifle, but, the Model 70 made today is better than the ones made prior to 1964. I have shot both extensively and had accuracy issues as well as mechanical issues with the old ones. I much prefer and do not buy the pre-64 hype machine by "collectors'.
If you want a pretty rifle, then this one works. If you like CZ, they work. If you like the Ruger version, they work.
After 15 trips to Africa, the rifle is not the "end all be all". The shooter is the key and being able to hit what you aim at. On half my trips I used camp guns. Never had an issue.
I ask every PH what they want to see in a hunter. They answer the following -
1. Be in decent physical shape.
2. Have broken in boots.
3. Listen to the PH.
4. Be able to hit what they aim at.
5. Be able to handle the caliber they bring or use.
6. Use a .375 HH bolt rifle.

I have never heard one say - "Gosh, I am glad you brought that pretty rifle" or "I am so glad you use a .500 Buffalo Stomper". A rifle is an inanimate tool... It has no life and does what you direct it to do. You never see a carpenter stand in front of a house with a picture of him and his hammer. I never get the love affair with a tool.

I won't even say what they say about doubles, single shots, bows or lever guns. At the end of it, the PH wants to give you a great experience. Being able to shoot is a big part. So use what works.

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On the pre-64s and I currently own one, my .30-06 actually kicks more than my .338 Win. Mag., and the safety is noticeably harder to engage.

I also have a New Haven made .338 Win. Mag. from the early ’90s, and IMO, it is about as good as it gets: excellent fit and finish, beautiful wood, and outstanding accuracy. Personally, I find it much superior to my pre-64 and better than the newer-production ones as well. Of course, that's just my experience and opinion.

You make some very good points. But I can’t even entertain the notion that M70s today are better than pre 64s. No way. Not close. Just the fact alone that they used true machine steel parts instead of the cheaper stamped components of today is insurmountable. At least the CRF cake back in the new new ones. When they were push feed that was another huge factor.

migrabill said:

You make some very good points. But I can’t even entertain the notion that M70s today are better than pre 64s. No way. Not close. Just the fact alone that they used true machine steel parts instead of the cheaper stamped components of today is insurmountable. At least the CRF cake back in the new new ones. When they were push feed that was another huge factor.

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I didn't say that.

This is what I said - I also have a New Haven made .338 Win. Mag. from the early ’90s, and IMO, it is about as good as it gets: excellent fit and finish, beautiful wood, and outstanding accuracy.Personally, I find it much superior to my pre-64 and better than the newer-production ones as well. Of course, that's just my experience and opinion.

I have and used both.

I don’t know what time frame of make is better. I do know that on a recent trip to Zimbabwe, my very experienced PH, told me again and again to get a 375. I was using camp gun, a safari express in 375. I liked it. It worked very well

I’m interested in this new Bass pro rifle. I may grab one in a few weeks

SStomcat said:

I didn't say that.

This is what I said - I also have a New Haven made .338 Win. Mag. from the early ’90s, and IMO, it is about as good as it gets: excellent fit and finish, beautiful wood, and outstanding accuracy.Personally, I find it much superior to my pre-64 and better than the newer-production ones as well. Of course, that's just my experience and opinion.

I have and used both.

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My reply was to the OP (dogcat). Not you.

dogcat1 said:

Cannot address everyone's taste in the esthetics on this rifle, but, the Model 70 made today is better than the ones made prior to 1964. I have shot both extensively and had accuracy issues as well as mechanical issues with the old ones. I much prefer and do not buy the pre-64 hype machine by "collectors'.
If you want a pretty rifle, then this one works. If you like CZ, they work. If you like the Ruger version, they work.
After 15 trips to Africa, the rifle is not the "end all be all". The shooter is the key and being able to hit what you aim at. On half my trips I used camp guns. Never had an issue.
I ask every PH what they want to see in a hunter. They answer the following -
1. Be in decent physical shape.
2. Have broken in boots.
3. Listen to the PH.
4. Be able to hit what they aim at.
5. Be able to handle the caliber they bring or use.
6. Use a .375 HH bolt rifle.

I have never heard one say - "Gosh, I am glad you brought that pretty rifle" or "I am so glad you use a .500 Buffalo Stomper". A rifle is an inanimate tool... It has no life and does what you direct it to do. You never see a carpenter stand in front of a house with a picture of him and his hammer. I never get the love affair with a tool.

I won't even say what they say about doubles, single shots, bows or lever guns. At the end of it, the PH wants to give you a great experience. Being able to shoot is a big part. So use what works.

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Strange attitude for someone from Texas.

I agree entirely. Don't care to have smoke blown up my butt, whether it's a waitress or car salesman or PH. But we both know that many who have the money to afford safaris expect to have their backside apple polished constantly. They are the ones who usually show up in new safari duds looking like an extra for King Solomon's Mine movie. And yes, they're often unable to see their belt buckle without a mirror. So little experience hunting they soil themselves the first time they're on the sticks pointed at a blesbuck a hundred yards away. And then shoot it in the guts. Everyone wants to be a PH ... everyone but me. I can be a friendly person ... except to people who expect me to be their friend because of what's in their pocketbook. And my tolerance level for nincompoops and fools is just about subterranean. The first client I had to put up with who couldn't hit water if he fell out of the boat but demanded that I worship him nonetheless would get the tip thrown in his face ... after tips were paid to other staff. And that would be the end of that career. Oh well. I know how to do a lot of other things for a living.

Your list of PH expectations is undoubtedly spot on! Though I'm sure most PHs keep their expectations to themselves. Putting them up on the lodge's webpage would probably be the kiss of death for that outfit.

I’ve heard many times from unbiased owners that many new model 70s are better in many ways than Pre 64s.

Back in the day it was a human building them. Like the car manufacturers. If it was superbowl Monday. You probably did not want the cars built that day.

CNC machines don’t know it’s Monday or Friday.

migrabill said:

My reply was to the OP (dogcat). Not you.

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Timing is everything

2 Winchester 70s.

The rifle on the left in this pic above is a Ruger.

For $2400 that Bass Pro Win M70 is the best value in current "production" safari rifles without a doubt. Are they super refined? NO. Do they work? YES. Does it have a 3k piece of wood, NO, is that engraving even done by hand,.....?---Probably not. But who cares.

They did a run of similar M70 wood guns with the Big 5 theme in the early 2000's that retailed for $1800 ish, they sold as fast as we could get them,...I was a buyer at Scheels at the time. They are just bringing back something they already did 20 years ago with some different lipstick. That's all any of these manufacturers are doing. Their manufacturing techniques are improving a little, fit and finish is probably getting a little better, the triggers and barrels are a lot better than they used to be.

Think about all the companies that have all but abandoned the Safari market:

Kimber
CZ
Remington

......to name a few

I'd mention this past weekend at an event I was working I did see a very interesting rifle if you are into a "utility" type stainless safari setup. The Nosler 21 in 375 HH. The fact they are selling that rifle with the component group that it's built from with a price under 3k is an incredible value. They could charge $500 more for it and would probably sell more if it had sights........that's the only thing I would change.....or in modern thought, maybe have a base already on the barrel in the appropriate spot ready for electro optics.

Though I have 2 375 H&H rifles, I went ahead and purchased the Bass Pro edition. Guess I'm a sucker for Winchesters and I think that is a very nice put together rifle.

Seems like with only 250 made, they are going to sell out pretty quick. I wonder when the next offering will come out.