Thoughts on "entry level" .375 H&H

[Bush Buck]

The Safari Express and Alaskan are quite a bit different. The Alaskan is over a pound lighter with a longer and slimmer barrel. It handles more like a 30-06.
I found the 25" barrel on the Alaskan a little awkward so I had it cut to 23".
It's a nice rifle but the recoil will be a bit more than the Safari.
The Safari will probably be a little easier to shoot off of sticks with more forward weight balance and a barrel band.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I have two Win Model 70 (New Haven) rifles. Both are excellent, though I did replace a trigger on noe of them from factory to Timney adjustable. One of them is a .375 H&H Safari Express - lovely NIB rifle and worth the $2500 I paid for it.

 

[Arac]

Just came back from the local gun shop. They had an Alaskan in .375 and it seemed quite light. The stock setup didn't feel great to me - I kind of had to crank my neck a bit to line up the sights. And I don't like the rear sight at all. I checked out a Ruger in .375 Ruger and it fit much better, plus the open sights were far superior. They have a Safari in .375 at their other location so I will wait for them to bring it in.

Have to tell you though, the Ruger felt good.

 

[Sika98k]

I bought a Browning A-Bolt in 375H&H some years ago. It is left handed, exactly what I wanted. Topped off with a Zeiss Duralyt in 1,2-5x32 it does the business for me. It is exceptionally accurate . I might swap out the synthetic stock which does nothing for absorbing recoil.

 

[fourfive8]

My opinion…and worth the price paid.
Get on the confuser and start looking for a late New Haven Win M 70. I have both- Win M 70 and BRNO ZKK.

If you prefer a wonky single stage trigger with part of the trigger group attached to the stock, as on the BRNO, go for it. If you prefer a backwards operating trigger block safety, as on the BRNO, go for it. Hard to understand the reasoning for preferring either system.

 

[RSL]

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 bought a M70 Classic Super Express 375 HH .
It's a 1998 New Haven built rifle I got from Gun Broker. I would have preferred a M70 with a barrel band front sling mount instead of the Classics soldered on mount. Other than that I love it.

 

[RR 314]

Just skimmed everything and may have missed it, but little wrong with the previous MRC 1999s in your price point.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

If looking for entry level, I think it’s hard to beat the old tried and true Winchester Classic Stainless M70. You can reasonably make it whatever you want from there. Have a banded express front sight added, barrel shortened, threaded even, if not a fan of stainless, coat it. Almost limitless options for stocks and quality reasonable synthetic options when ready, but it should prove accurate and reliable as is until that time.

And, has a good market once you are ready to move it and get something else. They are sought after for use here in Alaska but find them heavy for backpack hunting purposes…in comparison to 338wm or other options. But it would serve you well in hunting outside Africa too is the point.

Good luck. Many great options out there.

 

[Vinootz]

What do you mean by 'entry level' and what are your buying options? Personally, for an entry level piece, I wouldn't buy anything that needed gunsmith work done to make it serviceable. And I don't think CRF is a must-have in a 375.

My entry level 375 is a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker II with 26" barrel off GI. It didn't come with a magazine (got one from Midwest Gunworks), I had to strip and paint the stock (it was BROWN), then put on the scope (used) and mounts (new) I wanted. I've got less than $1.5k in the whole rig. There are A-Bolts and an X-Bolt on GI right now for ~$1k. No, it's not CRF, but it's 3-lug with 60-degree bolt throw. If you happen to go this way, get the "two" (II) version with the non-rotating bolt shroud.

View attachment 734102
View attachment 734103

I also bought a new Portugal Model 70 Safari Express in 416Rem Mag. I like it a lot, but in my opinion, you can forget using it as an open sight gun. The stock configuration out of the box makes it a scope gun. If I BURY my face into the cheekpiece I can just about line up the sights, but then you're asking for headaches, even with 375 I think. I thought I read or heard somewhere that the hit or miss quality out of BACO Portugal was in the past. Good luck!

My browning AB2 (essentially the same rifle), has been a bit dissatisfying. Taking apart the bolt is bad. Putting it back together can get to be a small task. I think I chewed up the firing pin washer reassembling it. Midwest gunworks may not have the replacement for my caliber. I’ll have to get one made by a machinist I suppose. I like the lozenge bolt knob and three lug bolt . But overall the bolt assembly leaves a lot to be desired. Stupid parts with the sleeve and clips, dumb spring. Don’t disassemble it if you’re not overly proficient. All I wanted was a good headspace measurement and the rifle is now out of commission. And Browning discontinued it so that doesn’t help. Midwest gunworks is the go to for discontinued Browning parts( as someone previously pointed out), but they are out the part so I’m in this quagmire for a bit.
Happy and sassed shooting.

 

[Vinootz]

If looking for entry level, I think it’s hard to beat the old tried and true Winchester Classic Stainless M70. You can reasonably make it whatever you want from there. Have a banded express front sight added, barrel shortened, threaded even, if not a fan of stainless, coat it. Almost limitless options for stocks and quality reasonable synthetic options when ready, but it should prove accurate and reliable as is until that time.

And, has a good market once you are ready to move it and get something else. They are sought after for use here in Alaska but find them heavy for backpack hunting purposes…in comparison to 338wm or other options. But it would serve you well in hunting outside Africa too is the point.

Good luck. Many great options out there.

For entry level the Ruger .375 guide rifle might be a good choice. Iron sights, muzzle brake and laminate stock look really sweet too. I love that look. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Vinootz]

 

[DaddyFlip]

My browning AB2 (essentially the same rifle), has been a bit dissatisfying. Taking apart the bolt is bad. Putting it back together can get to be a small task. I think I chewed up the firing pin washer reassembling it. Midwest gunworks may not have the replacement for my caliber. I’ll have to get one made by a machinist I suppose. I like the lozenge bolt knob and three lug bolt . But overall the bolt assembly leaves a lot to be desired. Stupid parts with the sleeve and clips, dumb spring. Don’t disassemble it if you’re not overly proficient. All I wanted was a good headspace measurement and the rifle is now out of commission. And Browning discontinued it so that doesn’t help. Midwest gunworks is the go to for discontinued Browning parts( as someone previously pointed out), but they are out the part so I’m in this quagmire for a bit.
Happy and sassed shooting.

I had heard that about the bolt. My workaround is never to disassemble it. Until I joined this forum last month, I had never heard of anyone disassembling bolt gun or lever gun bolts. No rifle bolt in my family has ever been disassembled.

 

[Phfat]

Well, Weatherby has just announced a line of Mark V dangerous game rifles, including .375 H&H caliber...for 4,000 dollars...

 

[Vinootz]

As for Winchester model 70. They are letting way too much crap out of the factory these days to take a chance. The quasi controlled/ push feed with claw extractor was a step in the right direction. But fit and finish and machining marks on barrels, etc. just aren’t worth the chance. I looked at the super maple. They did a bait and switch routine. When they first came out there was a nice jeweled bolt, high gloss finish and furniture that looked beautiful. But the fit was just ok when you looked really close. Now they gave a downgraded bolt that’s not smooth, no jeweling, horrible machine marks, poor furniture fit and god knows what else.
I always wanted one but just can’t seem to pull the trigger. I got a Kimber Super America that’s essentially a model 70. I’ll rationalize and say it’s like having one. If Park West Arms , located west of Mt. Rushmore ( previously Dakota) prove to be consistently good , maybe I’ll get one of those. It’s a lot more money but at least you know your getting something made with pride and of quality. Same claw extractor, three way safety and such.

 

[Vinootz]

I had heard that about the bolt. My workaround is never to disassemble it. Until I joined this forum last month, I had never heard of anyone disassembling bolt gun or lever gun bolts. No rifle bolt in my family has ever been disassembled.

Yeah I should have never screwed around with it. There was a time I would have scopes installed by others. Once I did my own I taught myself to field strip my AR and all hand guns and such. It emboldened me to start taking apart bolts for periodic deep cleans, but primarily more accurate headspace measurements for reloads. I should have left it alone. It’s not that big of a deal other than I’m not comfortable shooting it right now until I get this straightened out. Got it back together but lifting my bolt is much harder as if it’s kinda snagging on something. Like you said better you don’t- at least with the Browning.
Happy and safe shooting.

 

[Arac]

Just skimmed everything and may have missed it, but little wrong with the previous MRC 1999s in your price point.

I’m in Canada so the importation plus taxes and fees make it unappealing. But it is a nice rifle.

 

[Vinootz]

Well, Weatherby has just announced a line of Mark V dangerous game rifles, including .375 H&H caliber...for 4,000 dollars...

Don’t have any experience with Weatherby. Although the wood stocks look beautiful. I may be wrong but the 9 lug design is for their proprietary cartridges. All over bore. I not a big fan of over bore cartridges. I suppose for a Weatherby one can make an exception. I’ve also read they aren’t all necessary sub MOA either .Something to consider if one’s expectations are high on that matter. No doubt a fine rifle. And I could be wrong, for the heavier non proprietary cartridges might be 9 lug bolt. If they even chamber for nonproprietary medium and large bore cartridges. I know they’ve done 30-06. I’m getting older and would have to consider a small bore. The only highly over bore cartridge I’d ever venture into, which would be the .257 Weatherby. If I were young I’d have gone for a 30-378 ( fastest flattest 30 magnum)or even 338-378 Weatherby. But getting up there in age and don’t anticipate being able to absorb recoil from the bench as well in my 70s and 80s- if I even make it that far. lol.
PS- they offer a 6.5 ( non belted- I think)but it’s not 9 lug. I always figure if you’re gonna get a Weatherby you might as well get a 9 lug for authenticity.
I’m babbling again. Time for another shot of scotch.

 

[Longwalker]

I've owned six .375 H&H rifles that meet your description. Something was wrong with every one of them. If buying a new one, with your budget, I'd look at the new Sako M90. Seems like a decent rifle.

 

[Arac]

I've owned six .375 H&H rifles that meet your description. Something was wrong with every one of them. If buying a new one, with your budget, I'd look at the new Sako M90. Seems like a decent rifle.

I have been looking - the biggest I could find in Canada was in .300 WM. Please DM me or text me if you know of one!
Thanks!

 

[WAB]

If buying new, Winchester is your best bet. If buying used, look at things like Parker Hale. Most .375’s don’t get shot a lot so one of the M98 variants can be a great deal.