Winchester Safari or Alaskan?

[samson7x]

Which one do I want? Refreshing this topic as I couldn't find a recent one relative to my specific question. I'm in the market for a 375 and debating these two options. From what I've read, it seems folks prefer the balance of the Alaskan and comment on the excessive weight of the Safari. My intention is to chop to 20" (I realize folks hate this idea) and thread for suppressor use. My thought process is that if the Safari already balances poorly, being front heavy, adding a suppressor certainly won't help despite the 4" chop. I feel like the Alaskan would be better suited to my configuration. Other than the barrel profile, monte carlo stock, and different rear sight, are there any other notable differences?

 

[HankBuck]

Which one do I want? Refreshing this topic as I couldn't find a recent one relative to my specific question. I'm in the market for a 375 and debating these two options. From what I've read, it seems folks prefer the balance of the Alaskan and comment on the excessive weight of the Safari. My intention is to chop to 20" (I realize folks hate this idea) and thread for suppressor use. My thought process is that if the Safari already balances poorly, being front heavy, adding a suppressor certainly won't help despite the 4" chop. I feel like the Alaskan would be better suited to my configuration. Other than the barrel profile, monte carlo stock, and different rear sight, are there any other notable differences?

@samson7x - I want the opinion of others (that are enamored with Suppressors) to explain “Why” would anyone cut down a barrel - likely affecting rifle performance - of a good rifle to accommodate a Suppressor? If that worried about barrel length, balance, awkwardness etc… consider Not adding a suppressor. It seems that having a Suppressor is becoming more important then having an accurate, well balanced rifle.

 

[samson7x]

@samson7x - I want the opinion of others (that are enamored with Suppressors) to explain “Why” would anyone cut down a barrel - likely affecting rifle performance - of a good rifle to accommodate a Suppressor? If that worried about barrel length, balance, awkwardness etc… consider Not adding a suppressor. It seems that having a Suppressor is becoming more important then having an accurate, well balanced rifle.

Why? Because I want to. That should be reason enough, but I'll indulge you. Chopping a few inches won't make a significant difference in performance. By all accounts, it seems 20ish fps reduction for every inch. On game sub 100yds, it won't matter. Accuracy won't be affected at all if the gunsmith knows what he's doing. I use prominent smiths for my work.

I'm not overly concerned with balance, but from what I'm reading, the Safari model doesn't balance well in factory configuration for the 375 and the Alaskan may be a better fit for me, hence the question.

 

[codofish]

Tinnitus is the reason I have all of my rifles treaded for suppressors. An unintended benefit is it reduces the felt recoil of my 458 win mags by about 1/3. I had three inches cut off of the 458 with no effect on accuracy and two inches cut off the 338 win mag and the accuracy actually improved. Using lightweight titanium suppressors the weight is a wash with the removal of a couple inches of barrel so handling remains the same.

 

[SafariCurious]

Why not get the .375 Ruger Guide Gun?

It already comes with the shorter barrel and threaded at no extra cost.

And the .375 Ruger was designed to function better in a shorter barrel than the 375 HH.

And it is probably cheaper, especially since you will not need to cut or thread it.

RUGER Guide Gun Green Mountain 375 Ruger 20ʺ SS 3rd | KYGUNCO

www.kygunco.com

 

[Axle2010]

If you cut to the same barrel length they'll be the same thing other than finish and stock material so balance should be comparable. Idk what the problem is with the African though, I love mine and it handles great. My Ruger Hawkeye African in 416 is noticeably front heavy but not my M70. What suppressor are you looking at in 375? I like the Thunderbeast but damn they're high

 

[jbirdwell]

I have a couple I've built with short barrels specifically for suppressor use and trying to keep the overall length down but I have several I use with suppressors and 24" barrels.. With 4 herniated disks in my neck and a bum shoulder, I am loving the use of the suppressors over having most of my rifles with a muzzle brake of some sort. I know there are traditionalists that don't like anything but the conventional rifle and looks but if something allows to me get outdoors and pursuit the sport I love, I am going to take advantage of it. On the other hand, all my vintage rifles that are original, I do leave bone stock.

 

[revturbo9967]

Why not get the .375 Ruger Guide Gun?

It already comes with the shorter barrel and threaded at no extra cost.

And the .375 Ruger was designed to function better in a shorter barrel than the 375 HH.

And it is probably cheaper, especially since you will not need to cut or thread it.

RUGER Guide Gun Green Mountain 375 Ruger 20ʺ SS 3rd | KYGUNCO

www.kygunco.com

The Winchester is by far a nicer rifle. These Rugers are ROUGH

 

[samson7x]

If you cut to the same barrel length they'll be the same thing other than finish and stock material so balance should be comparable. Idk what the problem is with the African though, I love mine and it handles great. My Ruger Hawkeye African in 416 is noticeably front heavy but not my M70. What suppressor are you looking at in 375? I like the Thunderbeast but damn they're high

From my understanding the barrel profiles are different, hence the difference in listed weight. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[samson7x]

Why not get the .375 Ruger Guide Gun?

It already comes with the shorter barrel and threaded at no extra cost.

And the .375 Ruger was designed to function better in a shorter barrel than the 375 HH.

And it is probably cheaper, especially since you will not need to cut or thread it.

RUGER Guide Gun Green Mountain 375 Ruger 20ʺ SS 3rd | KYGUNCO

www.kygunco.com

Yeah, I would just prefer HH and winchester over the ruger. Personal preference.

 

[RLP]

FYI-I have a Winchester mod 70 Safari in .416 Rem Mag, my gunsmith told me there was not enough meat to the barrel to thread for a suppressor. He has treaded at least one other rifle for me.

 

[samson7x]

FYI-I have a Winchester mod 70 Safari in .416 Rem Mag, my gunsmith told me there was not enough meat to the barrel to thread for a suppressor. He has treaded at least one other rifle for me.

I'm thinking that has to do with the larger bore in 416. I don't think it would be a problem on the 375 but I'll double check.

 

[549]

I

Why not get the .375 Ruger Guide Gun?

It already comes with the shorter barrel and threaded at no extra cost.

And the .375 Ruger was designed to function better in a shorter barrel than the 375 HH.

And it is probably cheaper, especially since you will not need to cut or thread it.

RUGER Guide Gun Green Mountain 375 Ruger 20ʺ SS 3rd | KYGUNCO

www.kygunco.com

I believe the Rugers have a non standard thread pitch. To use a suppressor it would need to be rethreaded if that is possible, or use an adapter to mount a suppressor.

 

[mark-hunter]

Is ruger guide gun CRF rifle?
(I heard both claims, it is and it is not)

 

[549]

I'm thinking that has to do with the larger bore in 416. I don't think it would be a problem on the 375 but I'll double check.

I’m thinking the same.

 

[Goopy]

I'd like to hear more about this "poor balance" of the Safari Express...I will say that I've never owned the Alaskan, but I have shot them and carried them. I own and hunt with, both in the US and Africa, the Safari Express in .375 H&H. I can't say that I can recall an excessive difference in balance in the rifles, but I would certainly not classify the Safari Express to have "poor balance". At the end of the day, what is the weight difference of the two rifles we are talking about, 1/2 pound?
At the end of day, both are fine rifles. Shooting wise, they perform well; aesthetically speaking, the Alaskan looks sleeker while the Safari Express is beefier.

 

[Goopy]

This might be case getting both of the rifles out to the range and actually shouldering them and firing them. Shoot them off hand, shoot them from the bench, shoot them from sticks, shoot them off of a pack...try them out. In the end, one will feel better than the other. As for the suppressor host, I can't be of any help, sorry!
Go pick out a new rifle, thats always a fun day!!!

 

[samson7x]

I'd like to hear more about this "poor balance" of the Safari Express...I will say that I've never owned the Alaskan, but I have shot them and carried them. I own and hunt with, both in the US and Africa, the Safari Express in .375 H&H. I can't say that I can recall an excessive difference in balance in the rifles, but I would certainly not classify the Safari Express to have "poor balance". At the end of the day, what is the weight difference of the two rifles we are talking about, 1/2 pound?
At the end of day, both are fine rifles. Shooting wise, they perform well; aesthetically speaking, the Alaskan looks sleeker while the Safari Express is beefier.

I've held neither so can't say for certain. I wasn't inferring the Safari has "poor balance" as much as "poorer than the Alaskan." Once again, just from comments on the internet. No shop around here carries them, otherwise I'd just go find out for myself.

 

[MontanaPat]

I have the M70 Safari Express in 375HH and I don't have any concerns about the balance, feels perfect to me and the weight with a Leupold scope on seems well balanced and the felt recoil shooting Barnes 300 gr TSX or 300gr A Frames is nothing in my opinion, I could shoot it all day long, extremely accurate rifle with both rounds.

 

[1dirthawker]

Is ruger guide gun CRF rifle?
(I heard both claims, it is and it is not)

yes