First Time Firing My M70 Classic Express 375

[RSL]

I spent some time this morning (Thursday) at Ben Avery Range in Phoenix. I got a late start but i had no agenda so other than higher temps it was no problem. I had never fired this rifle since i bought it several months ago. So i waited until it was hotter that hell to see if i could shoot it and how it performed. I will finish this and add pix when i vet a better connection.

 

[RSL]

Ok, I am back. I know that this is not a big deal to most of you. But I am 83yo and use a rollator to get around after failed back surgeries. However, that story is roo long and boring. So shooting my Winchester M70 Super Express 375 H&H was a big deal for me. The barrel was threaded when i bought it. So i ordered and installed a Quiet Brake. I hand loaded some Hornady 270 ggr Interlocks just to have some practice rounds. Norma brass and H4895 powder to make a light load.

One thing i found out was the iron sights do not work well on a black target. At least with the hood in place. I did not think to remove it this morning. But i will the next time i go to the range. BTW, i am not a fan of the Winchester iror sights. They are very difficult to line up due to the very tiny U shape on the rear blade. A shallow V without the U would be infinitely better imo. I found the trigger to be a little heavy, no scale, but very crisp. I will probably adjust it a bit lighter or go to a lighter spring.

The rexpected ecoil was a bit intimidating as i prepared to fire it the first time. When i fired the first shot it smaked my shoulder pretty good. Then a shooter on the next lane offered me a PAST recoil pad. The remainder of my 10 shots total were fired using the PAST pad. So other than the sights I was very pleased with my
Winchester M70 Super Express 375 and the rounds i put together. I know this is long winded and probably boring to most of the Bwana's
here. It was very exciting to me to get out a fire my rifle today even with the 100 degree temps.

 

[Doug3006]

Nice rifle! Enjoy!

 

[Andrew NOLA]

I use the past pads whenever I shoot from the bench

They make a regular and a magnum

get the magnum. You can order it from midway - no reason to suffer

I am happy to see you out there still chasing it. Awesome story. Gives me hope.

 

[F. Vaccaro]

Great day for you, congratulations!

 

[cajunchefray]

Good story, thanks for sharing. I hope that if I get to 83 years old, I can still shoot a 375!
Great write up on one of my favorite rifles. The Classic Super Express stock handles best for me compared to the current Saari Express.

The rear sight is, in my opinion a poor design. I do shoot better with the wide shallow V by Recknagel (NECG) as on the Safari Express.

When shooting iron sights on my 458, I mounted a ghost ring peep, and my shooting improved dramatically, 100-yard shots in the kill zone, compared to 50 yards.
I found that an XS Sight System Mauser 98 peep fit on the front receiver ring.
An odd setup but it worked for my astigmatism.
Good luck with more shooting sessions!

 

[BryceM]

It's always hotter than hell in Phoenix, especially in the summer.

I like your style. Shoot that thing!!!

 

[RSL]

Good story, thanks for sharing. I hope that if I get to 83 years old, I can still shoot a 375!
Great write up on one of my favorite rifles. The Classic Super Express stock handles best for me compared to the current Saari Express.

The rear sight is, in my opinion a poor design. I do shoot better with the wide shallow V by Recknagel (NECG) as on the Safari Express.

When shooting iron sights on my 458, I mounted a ghost ring peep, and my shooting improved dramatically, 100-yard shots in the kill zone, compared to 50 yards.
I found that an XS Sight System Mauser 98 peep fit on the front receiver ring.
An odd setup but it worked for my astigmatism.
Good luck with more shooting sessions!

Thanks for your kind words. I have thought about NECG sights but not a peep sight. I will probably just end up putting a scope on it and calling it good.

Stan

 

[Andrew62]

Goon on you for getting out there in the heat to shoot your rifle! That shooting range looks pretty nice too!

 

[RSL]

Goon on you for getting out there in the heat to shoot your rifle! That shooting range looks pretty nice too!

Thanks, Andrew
The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is a first class range complex on the north side of Phoenix, AZ.
It is operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Dept.

Google Search

I am concerned about the future viability of the facility. The Taiwan Semiconductor Complex and associated housing, medical, and retail construction is directly across the street from the ranges. It's a developer's and builder's feeding frenzy. I cannot imagine it will be long before the State is under pressure to sell the 1600 acre shooting facility. I hope i am wrong.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I believe I have those exact same sights on my Springfield 03A3 plains game rifle and 98 Mauser 404 Jeffery dangerous game gun. Does the rear leaf flip down?

Williams Gunsight Co made the iron sights for Winchester. You can order stuff from them directly online. They have hi-viz fibre optic front beads that would probably be the bees knees for you. But with the hood on they don't work much better than brass bead. I painted my 404's front bead with a touch of white primer and that helped. Tried a fibre optic bead a friend gave me and it was an improvement but the bead was too low (Williams sells them in various heights). Fibre optic sights, either front or rear, are relatively fragile but I don't foresee you putting this gun through any hard paces at this stage. The good thing about your setup is Winchester opted for screw attached irons rather than silver soldered. Your rear sight is held on with one screw. Remove the leaf by loosening the windage screw and sliding it off. You'll see the screw for base underneath. Similarly, the front sight ramp is held on by two screws: one half way up the ramp and the other hidden underneath the bead. I would advise buying one of their sight pushing tools to remove and/or adjust the front bead. Instructions for adjusting new beads come in the box. For the rear sight I put another dot of white primer at the bottom of the crotch and covered it with bright red paint. I think florescent green would be better. It helped a lot.

A word of warning. NECG are entirely different sights. They also sell fibre optic bead front sights but theirs slide in from the front while Winchester/Williams are pushed in from side. The advantage to Williams is windage can be adjusted with both rear and front sights. If you go with NECG sights you'll need to replace the front ramp (at least). I strongly recommend Williams. They are great folks to deal with. Take a look at their online catalog. You can drop me a line anytime if you need help.

Keep shooting. I'm also hitting the end of the roundup and know what you're going through. The Grim Reaper won't get me without a fight. And he better go shopping for some brass knuckles cause he's gonna need em. Let's make the bastard work for it.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Keep the irons on it if you acquire a scope. I have Warne quick detach rings on both rifles and switch to irons whenever I need/want to. Those rings hold zero.

 

[Newboomer]

Ok, I am back. I know that this is not a big deal to most of you. But I am 83yo and use a rollator to get around after failed back surgeries. However, that story is roo long and boring. So shooting my Winchester M70 Super Express 375 H&H was a big deal for me. The barrel was threaded when i bought it. So i ordered and installed a Quiet Brake. I hand loaded some Hornady 270 ggr Interlocks just to have some practice rounds. Norma brass and H4895 powder to make a light load.

One thing i found out was the iron sights do not work well on a black target. At least with the hood in place. I did not think to remove it this morning. But i will the next time i go to the range. BTW, i am not a fan of the Winchester iror sights. They are very difficult to line up due to the very tiny U shape on the rear blade. A shallow V without the U would be infinitely better imo. I found the trigger to be a little heavy, no scale, but very crisp. I will probably adjust it a bit lighter or go to a lighter spring.

The rexpected ecoil was a bit intimidating as i prepared to fire it the first time. When i fired the first shot it smaked my shoulder pretty good. Then a shooter on the next lane offered me a PAST recoil pad. The remainder of my 10 shots total were fired using the PAST pad. So other than the sights I was very pleased with my
Winchester M70 Super Express 375 and the rounds i put together. I know this is long winded and probably boring to most of the Bwana's
here. It was very exciting to me to get out a fire my rifle today even with the 100 degree temps.

Welcome to the King of Rifles clan. Congratulations and keep shooting We are never too old.

 

[cajunchefray]

The Williams fiber optic front sights just pop for me for quick target acquisition, but I know they are not rock solid from breaking. I always keep a spare fiber optic tube.
My first set up with these, an 1895 pre-Rem JM Marlin 45-70 just really worked.

In the woods and forests of Upstate SC, that rifle was a certain 100-yard weapon.

The NECG Masterpiece series of fiber optic front sights on their Masterpiece banded front, and the Express rear still work for me. I have one on a custom 1912 Steyr Mauser 98 action in 35 Whelen, paired with an XS sight, with a M98 Mauser rear bridge peep.

Mounting a Fixed power scope on your 375 is probably a good move.
I find that the Leupold FX-II, 4x33 is an easy scope to mount and use.
I have just one, I would buy 2 more, if the price is fair.

Good Luck! and show us your targets after sighting in the scope.

 

[Ruraldoc]

If you are going hunting with the rifle, then a low powered scope is the way to go.

I have Warne Bases and Warne quick detachable rings on three Model 70s. Two 375s and a 416. They work great for me.

Good for you for getting out there. Take that rifle hunting. There are lots of places in South Africa where you could have a fun hunt without a lot of walking hunting water holes and using vehicles.

 

[RSL]

I believe I have those exact same sights on my Springfield 03A3 plains game rifle and 98 Mauser 404 Jeffery dangerous game gun. Does the rear leaf flip down?
View attachment 771071View attachment 771069
Williams Gunsight Co made the iron sights for Winchester. You can order stuff from them directly online. They have hi-viz fibre optic front beads that would probably be the bees knees for you. But with the hood on they don't work much better than brass bead. I painted my 404's front bead with a touch of white primer and that helped. Tried a fibre optic bead a friend gave me and it was an improvement but the bead was too low (Williams sells them in various heights). Fibre optic sights, either front or rear, are relatively fragile but I don't foresee you putting this gun through any hard paces at this stage. The good thing about your setup is Winchester opted for screw attached irons rather than silver soldered. Your rear sight is held on with one screw. Remove the leaf by loosening the windage screw and sliding it off. You'll see the screw for base underneath. Similarly, the front sight ramp is held on by two screws: one half way up the ramp and the other hidden underneath the bead. I would advise buying one of their sight pushing tools to remove and/or adjust the front bead. Instructions for adjusting new beads come in the box. For the rear sight I put another dot of white primer at the bottom of the crotch and covered it with bright red paint. I think florescent green would be better. It helped a lot.

A word of warning. NECG are entirely different sights. They also sell fibre optic bead front sights but theirs slide in from the front while Winchester/Williams are pushed in from side. The advantage to Williams is windage can be adjusted with both rear and front sights. If you go with NECG sights you'll need to replace the front ramp (at least). I strongly recommend Williams. They are great folks to deal with. Take a look at their online catalog. You can drop me a line anytime if you need help.

Keep shooting. I'm also hitting the end of the roundup and know what you're going through. The Grim Reaper won't get me without a fight. And he better go shopping for some brass knuckles cause he's gonna need em. Let's make the bastard work for it.

@Ontario Hunter
That rear sight is exactly the same as on my
Winchester. Thank you for the information you provided. I will most likely end up with a scope on it.

 

[Shootist43]

@RSL, I'll be 83 in August, in addition to using an electric "wheelchair" to get around I have a broken collar bone on my right side. I've been using a Past Recoil Shield for about 40 years. I totally agree with the recommendation of scoping your rifle. We need to do whatever is necessary to keep shooting at our age. Enjoy your new toy!!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You're shooting those open sights fairly well if that's a hundred yards target. For a scope primarily used for range work (may be making a presumption there), I'd recommend 3-9x. I rarely shoot mine at 9x but it is handy to crank up the magnification at the range. I shoot the glow-hole targets and at 100 yards I can just pick out impact holes for my 30-06 on 9x. I do have a spotting scope (not a great one) but it's nice not having to set it up. 375 bullet impact holes should show up like a Tokyo billboard through a 9x scope.

Incidentally, I find I can see my open sights MUCH better looking over my prescription lenses. Since cataract operation replaced the lens, my prescription for right eye is is barely modified for distance with or without glasses. But the distance to rear sight kinda falls in between. I wouldn't say I see the sight perfectly but I do see it a lot better and still have enough distance vision to isolate the bullseye at 100 yards.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Ok, I am back. I know that this is not a big deal to most of you. But I am 83yo and use a rollator to get around after failed back surgeries. However, that story is roo long and boring. So shooting my Winchester M70 Super Express 375 H&H was a big deal for me. The barrel was threaded when i bought it. So i ordered and installed a Quiet Brake. I hand loaded some Hornady 270 ggr Interlocks just to have some practice rounds. Norma brass and H4895 powder to make a light load.

One thing i found out was the iron sights do not work well on a black target. At least with the hood in place. I did not think to remove it this morning. But i will the next time i go to the range. BTW, i am not a fan of the Winchester iror sights. They are very difficult to line up due to the very tiny U shape on the rear blade. A shallow V without the U would be infinitely better imo. I found the trigger to be a little heavy, no scale, but very crisp. I will probably adjust it a bit lighter or go to a lighter spring.

The rexpected ecoil was a bit intimidating as i prepared to fire it the first time. When i fired the first shot it smaked my shoulder pretty good. Then a shooter on the next lane offered me a PAST recoil pad. The remainder of my 10 shots total were fired using the PAST pad. So other than the sights I was very pleased with my
Winchester M70 Super Express 375 and the rounds i put together. I know this is long winded and probably boring to most of the Bwana's
here. It was very exciting to me to get out a fire my rifle today even with the 100 degree temps.

@RSL
Good to see you are getting results you like.
Whilst not as old as you I too have trouble with iron sights. I discovered red dots like the Bushnell TR25 with a 2moa dot. This is extremely fast to use and accurate. Throw rifle in shoulder out the dot where you want it and bang. Best invention since button up boots and sliced bread.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Good story, thanks for sharing. I hope that if I get to 83 years old, I can still shoot a 375!
Great write up on one of my favorite rifles. The Classic Super Express stock handles best for me compared to the current Saari Express.

The rear sight is, in my opinion a poor design. I do shoot better with the wide shallow V by Recknagel (NECG) as on the Safari Express.

When shooting iron sights on my 458, I mounted a ghost ring peep, and my shooting improved dramatically, 100-yard shots in the kill zone, compared to 50 yards.
I found that an XS Sight System Mauser 98 peep fit on the front receiver ring.
An odd setup but it worked for my astigmatism.
Good luck with more shooting sessions!

@cajunchefray
With iron sights or peep sights I can put shots in the kill zone at 100yds providing the kill zone is the size af a barn door.
My eyes and irons do not mix well
Bob