New M70 375

[Wyatt Smith]

Congratulations , Master Smith ! You have read all of my articles and so
you know exactly how I feel about the pre 64 Winchester Model 70 , chambered in .375 Holland & Holland magnum. You cannot do much better than the " rifleman's rifle " . Sturdy , robust , accurate and beautiful piece of classic American craftsmanship. Have you considered using a super grade stock on it ? Also , be sure to check the feed rails on your rifle. Some of the pre 64 Winchester Model 70 bolt rifles which l have seen in my career needed to have some work done to them , in order to get them to feed 300 grain soft point cartridges reliably .

Sadly, it’s not a pre 64. It is a “classic” model made in the 1990s. It’s is a controlled round feed, however. I am going to put a fiberglass stock on it so it can handle any weather.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Well boys I picked it tonight. The bolt is super slick, the bore is bright and shiny. The bolt face has some erosion, I will post a thread in the gunsmithing section later with questions.
Overall I am impressed and hope to fire it tomorrow.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

 

[Forrest Halley]

They make a Drop magazine...and Sunny Hill makes bottom metal for it...You can have MORE bullets in the magazine...haha

Either way I love the look of the used black rifle. Maybe when my Safari express gets worn in a bit I will drop it into a black drop magazine stock and go that route.

 

[Daggaboy375]

I have a New Haven Super Express 458 WM and a South Carolina Classic 375 (after New Haven and before Portugal). The Fit, Finish and Function of the pre-Portugal South Carolina made is outstanding.
The Portugal assembled rifles are no slouches either.

The 458 was one of the first made after they beat up the bean counters and has a kind of burgundy color stock that shows almost no grain.

DB375

 

[Shootist43]

Pictures of targets please. Even though I expect they will be just fine. BTW I completely understand the OPERATIVE word "want" in your original post.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Pictures of targets please. Even though I expect they will be just fine. BTW I completely understand the OPERATIVE word "want" in your original post.

I haven’t been able to fire it yet, I will post pictures as soon as I do.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I finally got to fire the rifle today. It was six degrees out, so I only shot five rounds off the sticks at 50 yards. My third shot I pulled low, and I knew it missed before the rifle even went off. I am very pleased with the accuracy so far, and will order the new stock soon. That is a three inch sticker.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I mounted the scope today’s. A leupold VX6 1-6. It took me several try’s to get get the crosshairs strait, when I would tighten the ring screws they would turn the scope slightly, making it hard to align. I’m sure I put ring marks on this good scope, but it’s on there now. I managed to get it zeroed with 8 rounds and shot a five round group in 2” at 100 yards. If I can work up a good load, this thing might be real shooter.
My McMillan stock is still five months out, and I’m excited for it.

 

[Forrest Halley]

Well that is why I use Warne rings and bases...

Are you going with Sunny Hill bottom metal?

 

[PARA45]

Show us the bolt face to see the erosion on the bolt face. Good looking rig. Congrats!!!

 

[DrBob]

This evening I just won a gunbroker auction on a post 64 classic, 375 H&H. It has the synthetic “Tupperware” stock. I plan on dropping it into a McMillan stock and having a gunsmith cut the barrel to 22” and install classic safari sights.
As some of you know I own a Winchester Safari express 375, and I bout this rifle to replace that one. The reason being is that the safari express has the words “Made in Portugal” and “Browning” stamped on the barrel. There is nothing wrong with that rifle but those words burned my a$& a little so I bought one stamped “New Haven, CT”.
I will post pics when it comes.

I swapped out the synthetic stock for a B&C. Stiffer and improves accuracy. Why cut the barrel? The last of the New Haven rifles were not as good as the new ones... union issues there.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Well that is why I use Warne rings and bases...

Are you going with Sunny Hill bottom metal?

No but I did buy a PTG one piece bottom metal. It’s the same thing as the new safari express rifles have.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Show us the bolt face to see the erosion on the bolt face. Good looking rig. Congrats!!!

I found a new old stock bolt online and checked the headspace, so now there’s no erosion.
Thanks I like it.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I swapped out the synthetic stock for a B&C. Stiffer and improves accuracy. Why cut the barrel? The last of the New Haven rifles were not as good as the new ones... union issues there.

Actually my Portuguese made Safari Express has suffered from a broken safety, and a bad firing pin spring and has been back to browning once for repair. It was my dream rifle and was kind of crushed when it failed. Especially after only 300 rounds.
I am undecided on cutting the barrel, I may not do it.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Fired the rifle today, two different loads in two groups. It’s the same target with the first group crossed out. Off the sticks at 100 yards.
I’m pleased, what do you guys think?

 

[ve7poi]

Off sticks not bad at all I’m sure off of a lead sled would be under 1 moa

 

[AZDAVE]

I understand the want for a shorter barrel on some rifles, but with one that is shooting as well as yours the old adage "If it ain't broke don't fix it" comes to my thoughts every time.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I understand the want for a shorter barrel on some rifles, but with one that is shooting as well as yours the old adage "If it ain't broke don't fix it" comes to my thoughts every time.

I was thinking the same thing yesterday. I will have new sights installed, and a barrel mounted sling swivel. And leave the length alone.

 

[Arctic97]

Good groups for off sticks!!! I had similar groups for years in my M70 .375, (off bags mind you) until I finally tried Barnes TSX bullets......now the holes all touch each other when I am off bags at 100 yards. Amazing difference. They were the first bullet that I saw such an amazing difference in group size. I had tried 3 different brand bullets in 6 different weights at that point, over a 20 year period. I always got okay, accuracy of about 1.5" - 1.75" which I thought was decent for a medium bore. Until I tried those TSX's. If you get a chance, give the Barnes a try....