Do you have your ideal rifle or are you still looking for it?

[WAB]

I have what I consider the perfect .375. It began life as a M70 stainless synthetic. Because it was initially a dedicated coastal bear gun I had Gary Junk cut the bbl to 22”, install an island mounted ghost ring and front safari sight, and then Arctic coat the metal satin black to prevent rust. Fast forward to African adventures and I ditched the synthetic stock and had LeRoy at Canyon creek make a beautiful classic walnut stock for it. The result is an accurate, reliable and beautiful rifle that can withstand anything you care to throw at it.

 

[steve white]

For years on end I thought the Sako Safari was the best looking production gun made. I finally found one I could afford, and wouldn't change a thing--except perhaps a higher grade of wood. It's kind of like being single again--you might have the prettiest girl on your arm and totally satisfied, yet always at least a little open to an upgrade....(I'll catch hell for that, doubtless)

 

[358 Norma]

Not sure what my main Buffalo rifle's going to be for my upcoming hunt in June. But I think my Winchester model 70 stainless Classic 375 H&H mag, wearing a HS precision stock and a Leopold VX5 2-10 is going to be my backup rifle.

I'm sending off my donor Winchester mod 70 and Pac-Nor barrel .475 barrel to Kevin Weaver on Monday to be built into a 470 Capstick. If I can get a load worked up for it and the paperwork done in time for my June hunt it my be my main rifle. My other options are my Chapuis Elon 470 nitro or a Dakota 76 416 Remington magnum.

 

[One Day...]

This will surprise no one amongst the regular inmates, but my quest is over and I have found happiness with the Blaser R8

It covers anything I need with .22 LR, .223 Rem, .257 Wby, .300 Wby, .375 H&H and .458 Lott pipes.

I have even been poaching my wife's R8 battery for dense vegetation and medium range. I initially bought the .270 Win and 9.3x62 barrels for her (she does not like shooting past 200 yards and is a recoil-sensitive petite), but I am now trending on using "my" barrels for longer range hunts (open plains, open mountain ranges) and using "her" barrels at "bush range". It works wonderfully well.

The more I use the R8, the more I understand the old wisdom "Beware the man who only has one gun. He probably knows how to use it!" (attributed to Thunder Ranch founder Clint Smith).

The thousands of .22 LR rounds I shoot annually with the R8 (I shoot a few dozen rounds almost weekly on my own 100 yd range at home) have done wonders for my shooting form. It is a rare day when I do not get 100% hits on the 2" plate at 100 yd standing from the quad sticks, and often enough they group neatly in half the plate (a.k.a. 1 MOA), and the practice has translated flawlessly to the bigger calibers when I bolt them on the R8.

To me, in addition to all the usual reasons to select and stick with the R8 (trigger, ergonomics, universal accuracy of barrels, ability to bring 3 calibers to Africa in <62" <50 lbs. Pelican, reliability of detachable scope mounts, etc. etc. etc.) the ability to practice endlessly with the very rifle that will kill a Cape Kudu on the next ridge, or stop a Buff or Ele in its track, is the great unsung quality of the system. I mean, seriously, who shoots their .375 or .458 thousand times per year? No one, right? You can if you shoot a R8...

As to the Mauser extractor and CRF debate, it is as obsolete as writing letters with a Mont Blanc fountain pen, although I continue to enjoy both but recognize their being a thing of the past

Yes, I continue to think that a pair of matched Rigby Stalker in 7x57 and 9.3x62 would be quite something to grace the rifle rack, but I have already re-sold a number of lovely rifles (double, kipplauf, bolt) and have no regret whatsoever. Matter of fact, I plan to continue to empty the safes and convert the $$$ into more actual hunts. It finally dawned on me that hunting in Africa is even better than compensatory gun buying

 

[Javaman]

Rigby Big Game in .404 Jefferey ordered for delivery Q3 2026. Use enough gun.

 

[Doug3006]

I came full circle…

Started with a Win 70 375 H&H… transitioned to a 416 for a while .. toyed with a 458….

And now my DG rifle is a Win 70 375 H&H again..

It just works for me.. it feels right in the hands.. shoots straight.. recoil is easily managed… and I’m a buffalo guy, not an ele guy.. so it’s just about perfect medicine with a 300gr TSX… which also makes it versatile.. it’s also my primary PG gun that can serve me for everything between dik dik and eland…

Mine is also a classic stainless… I ditched the original stock and dropped it into a Bell and Carlson with a longer LOP, installed a Timney trigger, and topped it with a zeiss optic…

It’s about as ideal of an Africa rifle as I’m ever going to own I believe (although I have to admit I am jealous as hell of my wife’s double lol)..,

What he said! I have two 375s. A Kimber Caprivi and a Winchester 70. There’s really not a dimes worth of difference. Both qualify as my perfect DG rifle,

 

[Wolfe375]

I'm a shotgunner with a fascination for doubles that deer hunts. I won't bore anyone (pun intended) with the full story but, while I've killed whitetail my whole life, the first first in 1977, I never considered myself an actual deer hunter until 2017 then lost a nice buck in 2019.

The buck flopped and did the Curly Howard (3 Stooges) routine on a grassy road. My muscle memory for loading/reloading is irrevocably based on tens of thousands of shotgun rounds from top-lever guns so by the time I worked another round in the chamber of my bolt rifle, the deer had gotten up and run off. It was raining and we couldn't even find a blood trail.

I had always wanted a Browning Continental so this lost deer convinced me to go ahead and do it. I didn't find a Continental but did find a Superpose Express in .30-'06 with a Leupold 1.5x-5x scope already mounted. I already have a 20 gauge bird gun so I got the Express. Best I can tell, it's my soulmate (when it comes to rifles).

It's weird but I have zero interest in big game hunting in the western US but was always loved Africa hunting. I had books on hunting Africa but nothing on hunting the Western US. I knew more about hunting Kudu than Elk. I've described this as being fascinated with space but never wanting to be an Astronaut. When I got the Express, I decided to take it to Africa just because. It was the greatest 8 days of my life.

I have 4 Africa species, 12 whitetail bucks and a black coyote under my belt with this gun. So, yes, I think I have my ideal rifle.

I've never lost an animal with this gun but I won't go as far as saying it was because of the immediate second round. I will say, without doubt or hesitation, that several animals including a couple of 8-points, a 12-point buck and a warthog, were much, much easier to find because I was handling a rifle with a familiar action.

That is a beautiful rifle

 

[BigGame]

Stuart Satterlee built Custom Rifle with his action in 375 H&H. One of the true great custom rifle builders. He built this one for Tanzania. The craftsmanship is outstanding.

 

[chino_cba]

Remington 798 custom, 375 H&H, length barrel 21.5". apel and Leica Scope 2.5-10x42 ret 1. stock custom. ammunition hornady factory Superformance 270grs : 2770 F/s.

 

[Odinsraven]

303 404 505 job done. .....problem is been seeing a 416 behind their backs.... A 425 WR on the way....and probably only three good hunts left in me......

 

[Tex .416]

....and probably only three good hunts left in me......

Don’t let the old man in. Keep going out for whatever you can for the days remaining. Slowing down does not have to mean giving up.

 

[Franco]

Still looking, the ones I have just don't seem to go with what I'm wearing - simply repeating what my wife says when she buys another pair of shoes.

 

[Fatback]

In 375H&H, I have these two, which would be perfect for any application I would use them for. Both are New Haven Model 70s, both have Timney triggers set at 3 lbs and both are topped with VX5s 2-10, firedots. The top is in a McMillian stock and has been cerakoted. Both are still the standard 24 inch barrels. Both are 14.25 inch LOP and fit me perfectly. I just got the top one put together and have shot it at paper. The bottom one has been to Africa and has taken kudu and impala. I’ve also shot plenty of deer with it here at home. Including this nice buck last season.

I know either one of these would work fine for DG in Africa, however, I have found that I prefer to shoot DG with a caliber that starts with a 4. To that end, I think I have settled on this 416 Rem Mag, built on a left handed Model 70 action. It also has a Timney trigger in it, set to 3 lbs and is also topped with a VX5 2-10, firedot. I took it for buffalo and elephant in 2025 and it worked perfectly for both. I really enjoy shooting this rifle.

Now I just have to decide what to do with the 404Jeffery I had built on a LH Model 70 action. (I’m sensing a theme here) Have not hunted with it yet… but it shoots really well. It’s topped with a VX5 1-5, firedot.

I’m like several others here, I have acquired rifles or had rifles built for hunts that I’m hoping and dreaming about but have never actually done or even planned, yet…..

There is the 9.3x62, LH model 70 that I haven’t even picked up yet, wouldn’t that be great on a tracking eland hunt somewhere? Or the Ruger M77 9.3x62 in stainless/laminate stock that is also cerakoted, that be great for an Alaska bear or bison hunt, right?? I does great on South Georgia whitetails and hogs.

In all honesty, I have more rifles in various chamberings, than a fella would ever need but I do enjoy having them, shooting them, tinkering with them and showing them here on AH from time to time, because I know many of y’all share similar thoughts.

Now if I could just get the idea of that left handed Hyem double rifle out of my head, I’d probably rest better at night….

 

[Spearhead]

What a nice showing for southpaws on this tread. All beautiful rifles.
I’m a R8 southpaw and am just so comfortable holding the pro success stock, the thumbhole just suits me like being in a good recliner, that is perfect for me regardless of the barrel I attach.

 

[fourfive8]

The obvious question to the original question would be, “for what?”

Answer, “yes”

Calling/hunting furbearers like fox, coyotes, bobcat- 222 Rem, Rem M600 bolt.

Big game pronghorn up to caribou- 270 Win, Win M70.

Big game elk, moose, all PG Africa, except eland- 338-06, Win M70.

Big game eland and all DG- 416 Rem, Win M70.

 

[Green Chile]

I have what I consider the perfect .375. It began life as a M70 stainless synthetic. Because it was initially a dedicated coastal bear gun I had Gary Junk cut the bbl to 22”, install an island mounted ghost ring and front safari sight, and then Arctic coat the metal satin black to prevent rust. Fast forward to African adventures and I ditched the synthetic stock and had LeRoy at Canyon creek make a beautiful classic walnut stock for it. The result is an accurate, reliable and beautiful rifle that can withstand anything you care to throw at it.

Where's the photo? Sounds great.

 

[375Ruger416]

In 375H&H, I have these two, which would be perfect for any application I would use them for. Both are New Haven Model 70s, both have Timney triggers set at 3 lbs and both are topped with VX5s 2-10, firedots. The top is in a McMillian stock and has been cerakoted. Both are still the standard 24 inch barrels. Both are 14.25 inch LOP and fit me perfectly. I just got the top one put together and have shot it at paper. The bottom one has been to Africa and has taken kudu and impala. I’ve also shot plenty of deer with it here at home. Including this nice buck last season. View attachment 736572View attachment 736574

I know either one of these would work fine for DG in Africa, however, I have found that I prefer to shoot DG with a caliber that starts with a 4. To that end, I think I have settled on this 416 Rem Mag, built on a left handed Model 70 action. It also has a Timney trigger in it, set to 3 lbs and is also topped with a VX5 2-10, firedot. I took it for buffalo and elephant in 2025 and it worked perfectly for both. I really enjoy shooting this rifle. View attachment 736575View attachment 736576View attachment 736577View attachment 736578
Now I just have to decide what to do with the 404Jeffery I had built on a LH Model 70 action. (I’m sensing a theme here) Have not hunted with it yet… but it shoots really well. It’s topped with a VX5 1-5, firedot.


View attachment 736579

I’m like several others here, I have acquired rifles or had rifles built for hunts that I’m hoping and dreaming about but have never actually done or even planned, yet…..

There is the 9.3x62, LH model 70 that I haven’t even picked up yet, wouldn’t that be great on a tracking eland hunt somewhere? Or the Ruger M77 9.3x62 in stainless/laminate stock that is also cerakoted, that be great for an Alaska bear or bison hunt, right?? I does great on South Georgia whitetails and hogs.

In all honesty, I have more rifles in various chamberings, than a fella would ever need but I do enjoy having them, shooting them, tinkering with them and showing them here on AH from time to time, because I know many of y’all share similar thoughts.

Now if I could just get the idea of that left handed Hyem double rifle out of my head, I’d probably rest better at night….

Great wood on that 416! Who built that?

 

[BryceM]

Why is the 300 win mag no good for plains game with a 21 inch barrel without the suppressor ?....mine is 22 inches so hardly a difference....and it's worked on a buff..a lion..leopard and plains game ...and driven boar in France once...

Of course it will work. It’s just not ideal, which is what the OP was asking.

I also don’t like re-zeroing after the suppressor comes on and off.

 

[baxterb]

Stuart Satterlee built Custom Rifle with his action in 375 H&H. One of the true great custom rifle builders. He built this one for Tanzania. The craftsmanship is outstanding.
View attachment 736490
View attachment 736491

That is indeed outstanding. Stuart is a quiet master. I know of several well-known makers who have used Stuart's actions - one who told me out of all the actions he has built on (including Mayfair, FZH, Prechtl) Stuart's was the only one that required zero work on arrival.

 

[Fatback]

Thread 'Left Hand Custom Winchester M70 416 Rem Mag'

Dec 17, 2024

Was cleaning out my gun safe and realized I have too many projects going on and thought there was a lefty out there that might put this to good use.

Stock work is by Al Lind in Washington State from a Luxus Turkish Walnut blank. It has wrap around checkering with a slight left hand palm swell, ebony forend, shadow line cheek piece, cross bolts, and skeleton grip cap. LOP over red recoil pad is 14.75” which leaves room to shortened if needed. Was originally built for my 375 H&H but to keep weight down I swapped it into synthetic and used this as the basis for harder kicking 416.

Metal...

• JMJ888
• Replies: 17
• Forum: Classifieds

• 
• 

@375Ruger416, I bought the rifle from fellow AHer @JMJ888 in early 2025. Details of the build are in the thread attached.