Thoughts on "entry level" .375 H&H

[skydiver386]

My choice is the CZ-550/BRNO-602, but the Interarms Mark X and Sako rifles are close behind. Most prefer the straight American style stock, but in a 375, the "Hogback" or European style won't kill you. On this side of the pond they are looked down upon.

I've owned several CZ and BRNO rifles in .375 H&H, and they functioned fine straight from the factory. Remington , Federal, PPU and Barnes ammo all worked flawlessly.
Some may need work to feed, but from what I've learned this was mainly the 458 Winchester rifles, not the 375's.

The opinions of other are entirely valid, but I personally dislike the model 70 type safety, the broomstick thin stocks and 22" barrels on some rifles. I much prefer the long barrel, hefty stocks and simple safeties on the CZ rifles. In the 375, the CZ is heavy enough that recoil is a firm push. My gal Tina @tinktink12 shoots my factory CZ-550 375 H&H with no problem.

Another reason I prefer the CZ is the scope mounting system. Alaska Arms, Talley and Warne all make great quick release scope ring/base mounts for these rifles.

If you buy a CZ-550, and end up not liking it, it will take you all of 30 seconds or less to sell it, especially on this forum.

 

[Aiden204]

im in Alberta, Just finishing up a pre 64 model 70 in 375 H&H that should be basically perfect and dealt with (possibly for sale as I have other projects.) Also if you dm me I can send you some links to Sako 375's that are under 1500 CAD & within Canada. All the Sakos are push feed, but depending on your use case that may be fine.

i went to find the link for that Sako and in a moment of weakness ended up purchasing it myself. My apologies for that, its a very nice gun.

Regardless, Im constantly looking within Canada for big bore guns for sale. If you shoot me a DM I can provide you with several links to other rifles that are decent deals. I'm one of Canadas most enthusiastic big bore nerds (self titled anyways)

 

[Arac]

i went to find the link for that Sako and in a moment of weakness ended up purchasing it myself. My apologies for that, its a very nice gun.

Regardless, Im constantly looking within Canada for big bore guns for sale. If you shoot me a DM I can provide you with several links to other rifles that are decent deals. I'm one of Canadas most enthusiastic big bore nerds (self titled anyways)

LOL - I just dm’d you


I had that one open on my browser! The only reason I didn’t get it before was the muzzle brake.

 

[DaddyFlip]

My choice is the CZ-550/BRNO-602, but the Interarms Mark X and Sako rifles are close behind. Most prefer the straight American style stock, but in a 375, the "Hogback" or European style won't kill you. On this side of the pond they are looked down upon.

I've owned several CZ and BRNO rifles in .375 H&H, and they functioned fine straight from the factory. Remington , Federal, PPU and Barnes ammo all worked flawlessly.
Some may need work to feed, but from what I've learned this was mainly the 458 Winchester rifles, not the 375's.

The opinions of other are entirely valid, but I personally dislike the model 70 type safety, the broomstick thin stocks and 22" barrels on some rifles. I much prefer the long barrel, hefty stocks and simple safeties on the CZ rifles. In the 375, the CZ is heavy enough that recoil is a firm push. My gal Tina @tinktink12 shoots my factory CZ-550 375 H&H with no problem.

Another reason I prefer the CZ is the scope mounting system. Alaska Arms, Talley and Warne all make great quick release scope ring/base mounts for these rifles.

If you buy a CZ-550, and end up not liking it, it will take you all of 30 seconds or less to sell it, especially on this forum.

This is a great point (speaking of the safety in the quote). I personally think the Model 70 3-pos safety is overrated/unnecessary and it is certainly the least ergonomic and fast acting of everything out there. I much prefer the tang safety on the Browning Stainless Stalker and I'll take the Remington "almost tang" safety every time. I don't feel the need for that middle position- seems a leftover from old, least common denominator military thinking, like the Rolling Block half-cock hammer fall safety.

 

[grand veneur]

This is a great point (speaking of the safety in the quote). I personally think the Model 70 3-pos safety is overrated/unnecessary and it is certainly the least ergonomic and fast acting of everything out there. I much prefer the tang safety on the Browning Stainless Stalker and I'll take the Remington "almost tang" safety every time. I don't feel the need for that middle position- seems a leftover from old, least common denominator military thinking, like the Rolling Block half-cock hammer fall safety.

For hunting rifles, especially those that are used under hard conditions in the field, I would always prefer a firing-pin safety over a trigger safety. The 3-position safety is not entirely unnecessary in some actions as it allows a safe unloading, for example.

 

[BlackRhino]

If you need a DG rifle, then pick exclusively a controlled feeding action. ZKK 602 is a great working rifle, later (if funds at hands) you can replace the stock or otherwise upgrade the gun. I am very happy with my ZKK 602 which is more than three decades in service. CZ 550 is nearly identical to the ZKK602. Winchester pre 64 or the Ruger are both fine but certainly more expensive. Check the length of stock (Ruger), it may be too short for you.

 

[coreydb]

I have a Sako in .375 and in fact is the rifle in my pic. Great brand, pricey, but darn good. Look at Tikka as an "entry level" option. Highly regarded, great reputation and history for quality and accuracy. I would love to have a BRNO. Nothing wrong with taking it to a 'smith for a check-up and polishing.

 

[chino_cba]

Rem 798?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I own a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum Remington Model 700 Kevlar Stock Custom. It’s had the flimsy sheet metal factory extractor replaced with a sturdy M16 extractor. Serves me extremely well.

That being said, I would swap it out for a BRNO ZKK602 (particularly a pre 1975 model with the folding diopter in the receiver) in a heart beat. One of the finest .375 Holland & Holland Magnum rifles ever to be commercially manufactured. And I have so many excellent memories with them.

 

[Flipper Dude]

That’s the ticket. Model 70 in 375 H&H for the women and children, and an elephant gun.

 

[Bush Buck]

I would probably just buy a new M70 Safari Express.
You'll have the factory warranty in case any functional problem occurs.
You can refuse to accept the rifle from your shop if there is an obvious defect.
You can go on to have it glass beaded and maybe the trigger improved if you decide you like it.
Pretty easy to re-sell if it doesn't agree with you or when you find your "perfect" 375 H&H.

 

[arniet]

As I remember the story. The Browning Safari was made in Belgium. Then the tooling was sold to what is today Serbia. The Interarms X, Charles Daly, Remington 798 and Zastava, were all built there. I just gave away a 375 H&H in the Remy 798 to a nephew, a good rifle. Scored an elephant for me, maybe it holds some good luck.

I see the OP lives in BC. Are you sure you don't want a stainless and plastic rifle? Some old Winnies, some like my Montana 1999 (in 458 Lott), and others made that way. You could build from a stainless Win action. A remington in a magnum caliber, is just a rebarrel/rebore/rechamber away from a 375.

Would you consider the 375 Ruger? Then you have a lot more choices at a lower price point. Just saying. The same bullet leaves the barrel at the same speed. I replaced my 375 H&H with a 375 Taylor in a Browning BLR takedown. A 300 grain Barnes at 2500 fps, is the same, whatever rifle pops it out.

 

[BJH65]

I would probably just buy a new M70 Safari Express.
You'll have the factory warranty in case any functional problem occurs.
You can refuse to accept the rifle from your shop if there is an obvious defect.
You can go on to have it glass beaded and maybe the trigger improved if you decide you like it.
Pretty easy to re-sell if it doesn't agree with you or when you find your "perfect" 375 H&H.

Agreed for all the above reasons plus the OP already likes the rifle model. I had the opportunity to handle a new Winchester M70 Safari Express recently that my nephew purchased but it was chambered in 458 Win Mag. I thought it handled well, functioned fine and was a very serviceable rifle right out of the box in spite of a few complaints I’ve read about recently. This one was perfectly fine.

 

[Aaron N]

I've been looking for a .375 for a few weeks now and would like your input on what you view as an entry level, or basic, serviceable .375 H&H rifle. I don't mean "least expensive" - I am looking for something that is reliable above all else, but not fancy with extras.

I live in a place that has one local gun shop, so for the most part it is buying sight unseen.

I had initially thought a new Winchester Safari Express, or maybe Alaskan, would be a good way to go. However, since joining this forum I have seen numerous posts indicating that the quality of new M70 rifles is hit and miss. I have read of potential feeding issues too.

The other options are:

Brno ZKK-602. I have a line on a used one, but understand (again from this forum) that I may need to upgrade the safety, bed the stock to help prevent cracking and possibly upgrade the trigger as well.

Sako AV or similar older version. These seem to pop up quite regularly. I recently read on this forum that these older Sako rifles can have their bolt "seize up". I can't find what this exactly means, or is caused by.

The odd pre-64 M70 or Browning Safari comes up for sale. The former are usually a bit beat up with extra holes or collector grade rifles and I am familiar with the latter having potential salt stock issues.

All of the above are available for a similar amount up here - between US$1100 (for older Sako) and US$1800 for the rest.

What would you get and what would you do to get it up to a satisfactory level? Thanks for your time!

Here is my last .375 H&H, a Remington BDL Custom C Grade. This and a Ruger No.1 are the only two I have owned:

View attachment 734073
View attachment 734074

I’m not sure what your budget is, but there is a Ruger RSM on CGN for around 3k

 

[deewayne2003]

I am in Canada, so my options are greatly limited in comparison to my brothers and sisters south of the border.

Granted, but I’d be willing to bet there are more BRNO 602 rifles on your side of the border than ours.

 

[Laniarius]

Another option to consider in Canada is you could import through Prophet River. I haven't done this with them but I understand they offer this service. With other purchases I have found their customer service to be top notch.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

A few years ago (5?) I happened upon an auction where I bought a used BRNO 602 cw 6X fixed Leupold scope, sight unseen. I took it home, cleaned it up and took it out hunting. It shoots fine, one moose, one elk, several deer, all one shot kills. They are our there. All for $900 CDN. Sure, I stumbled upon it but its a little like hunting, sometimes there is a bit of luck involved. Don't be afraid of BRNO 602 or CZ 550.

 

[dgr416]

Ruger hawkeye in 375 ruger good gun not expensive .The other is used winchester pushfeed model 70 375 hh