Thanks to a tip from Jriely, i now own a like new (not one single blemish) Win mod 70 .375 H&H. I have decided to top it with a 1.75 x 6 or 2 x 8 power scope.
The only thing left is the bullets. With advise from Jim i have been looking into some reloading equipment. The only problem so far is i will have to reload 200 hundred rounds to break even with similar factory ammo. (300 grain part.) I realy had not planned on shooting it that much. I was planning on just shooting it a couple of times at the end of each range session.
If you load .375 to minum payload, how much is the recoil reduced?
To your question on minimum loading, it's as sestoppelman says, it's kind of hard to quantify that. It is however noticeable. The first loads I put down mine were 260gr Accubonds. I don't remember which powder I used, but I used the minimum charge per the Nosler reloading manual. If you want to go even lighter, Barnes makes a 235gr version of the TSX and Swift makes a 250gr version of the A-Frame.
When I initially started shooting mine I used a lead sled. But being on the shorter side and the way that device sits the rifle kind of high above the bench, I wasn't "shouldering" the rifle very well. On top of that, there are others with much more experience than me who do not recommend using them as it apparently puts undue stress on the stock. So, I started shooting standing up, completely offhand. I would suggest doing this first, but perhaps using shooting sticks.
What I found out pretty quickly was that while the recoil of the rifle is not something to ignore, it is not that bad. In many ways I'd rather shoot my heavy M70 .375 than my lightweight .300 Win Mag. The .300 Win no doubt has less recoil energy overall, but it is a much sharper recoil versus the .375 being more of a stiff shove.
Eventually I progressed to shooting using my old Benchmaster mechanical rest. It's for all intents and purposes like the lead sled without the lead. When I moved up to 300gr full power loads it did get my attention. So Santa Claus brought me a cheap little strap on recoil pad for my shoulder. These can be had for like $15-$20. Don't know for sure, but I believe the pad is made of memory foam like they make Tempurpedic mattresses out of and is only like 1/8" - 3/16" thick. Between that and the Pachmayr Decelerator that came on the rifle, I really don't notice the recoil. Last time out, I shot 25 rounds, all 300gr full power loads.
Concerning your scope choice, I would love to have something in the 2-8 power range but couldn't find it. The spacing on the scope bases on the M70 is quite far apart. This means you either need a longer scope so that the eyepiece and bell have enough tube between them, or you need a scope with a 20mm objective. Or perhaps there are different bases that will allow the rings to be spaced not so far apart. Not sure what the best plan there is, just wanted to give you a heads up on that.
EDIT: One other thing concerning the bases. Unless your M70 was manufactured at a different time than mine, you'll notice the spacing of the base screws on the rear is narrower than on the front. This means of course you can't just put any rear base for a M70 on, you'll need one specifically for these long action rifles.