Decided to take the plunge (375 H&H) Now which rifle should I buy? Updated page 92

The Ruger RSM and the old 602 Brno both have the same flaw in my opinion..........they are way too much rifle in both bulk and weight for the 375 H&H cartridge and both lend themselves much better to the 458 Lott or 450 Ackley. I have a 602 in the Rigby and find it is about the right platform for this and larger cartridges. The 375 H&H does not need a 10-12 lb rifle to shoot quite comfortably, an 8-8 1/2 lb rifle that fits well is very shootable in the old H&H.
 
c-fbmi said:
The Ruger RSM and the old 602 Brno both have the same flaw in my opinion..........they are way too much rifle in both bulk and weight for the 375 H&H cartridge and both lend themselves much better to the 458 Lott or 450 Ackley. I have a 602 in the Rigby and find it is about the right platform for this and larger cartridges. The 375 H&H does not need a 10-12 lb rifle to shoot quite comfortably, an 8-8 1/2 lb rifle that fits well is very shootable in the old H&H.
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Maybe so... but hard to feel bad about a MAX loaded .375 H&H that kicks like a .30/06... that is of course, unless you are climbing mountains.
 
hoytcanon said:
Maybe so... but hard to feel bad about a MAX loaded .375 H&H that kicks like a .30/06... that is of course, unless you are climbing mountains.
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Even cut down to 20" and without a scope the felt recoil on the 602 is really mild considering that it is 300 grains at 30-06 velocity.

[video]http://vid71.photobucket.com/albums/i155/pbgeologist/S5000013-1.mp4[/video]
 
thepolinator said:
So I have decided that I will be buying a 375 H&H, probably as my next gun. My price range is around $1,000 so that I can get a decently good quality rifle without breaking the bank.
So far I have found the CZ 550 American Safari Magnum, Zavasta M70, Remington Model 700, Weatherby Vanguard S2 and the Browning X-bolt hunter. I have short listed the Browning X-bolt and the Weather Vanguard S2. I really like the Browning, but the LOP appears to be made for little people. That being said, I can always get a couple spacers for the LOP.

My question for you guys is two fold, A) am I missing any rifles from this list that appear around $1,000 new and have a chambering in 375 H&H B) Which one would you guys recommend and why?
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Everyone who mentioned Ruger M77 African is right on the money. They are the absolute benchmark for rifles in the $1k price point. www.ruger.com
 
I have a Ruger RSM in 375 H&H, and I love it! Its in my go to rifle. I had a CZ 550 American Safari in 458 win mag, I traded it off, still kicking myself for doing that. Id buy another in a heart beat. Id highly recommend buying a RSM or a 550. You wont be disappointed.
 
375 H&H is an outstanding choice of calibre. Can be used for little furry aggressive rodents and big ornery, "stomp you into a little greasy spot" beasty's. Of course your going to get everyone's opinion but ultimately it comes down to what pleases you. Go and "shoulder" a few rifles to see what tickles your fancy. Personally I would suggest the Win M70 Alaskan CRF. If I didn't have a 375H&H BRNO 602 I would probably go that route. I like the extra weight which reduces felt recoil somewhat (which isn't brutal). Weatherby S2's are accurate but the Gryptonite stock won't absorb much recoil. Not partial to Browning (unless Belgian Browning) and don't like a plunger style ejector on calibres above 300. Feel much safer with the big ol' Mauser claw. I have several CZ's in various calibres however the bluing seems to get a thin film of surface rust fairly quickly otherwise an excellent rifle but we wont talk about CZUB's customer service or great big lack of. I have a Win M70 Alaskan in .338 and yet to have the rust film issue. Zastava is kinda "clunky" and "rough" finished but if one doesn't care it is a good strong Mauser action. For a Ruger I would go with the MK II with the tang safety. Not real impressed with the Hawkeye series. $1000 kinda limits you to the lower end of the quality spectrum when looking at DG rifles. You might be able to get a good quality used rifle for that price. Due to the choice of calibre rifles won't be the cheapest around. Don't forget the 375H&H will be more expensive to shoot than lets say your standard 30/06 even with handloads. You also need to keep in mind scope mounting and rifle scope costs.
 
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Just as a aside. To comment on the Ruger hawkeye. It would seem that recent manufacture hawkeyes have fixed one of the biggest complaints, that being finish. Trigger still lawyer friendly..... I recently bought a NIB without the box hawkeye in 300wm. The matte....for lack of a better term...SPS, type finish is much improved. Not the lustre of a old Browning, but decent.

The hawkeye...standard Rugers suffer from the short magazine box, limiting them to 300wm at the extreme. The inspiration for the RSM and 375/416 Ruger. I have doubts that i will be able to optimize long or even longish handloads. Not a choice for 375 H&H length calibers.
 
Why not? said:
No one has mentioned finding a good used BRNO ZKK602 for the gentleman.

Class act walnut and blued steel, great triggers, five in the magazine, wonderful factory sights, integral dovetail scope bases, accurate, and won't beat him up.

There's more, but that is enough for most folks. :)

Ted
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You forgot "backward safety" ;)
 
Should buy mine! I mean. A remington XCR 2 Hahaha. I haven't shot mine so I cannot comment on function. I have shot a 375 ruger in an Alaska though and loved it. If someone does not buy mine quick it will be shot soon enough. I am somewhat intimidated by the thought of a 6.5lb gun shoot that big of bullet. Ouch.
 
All this worry about recoil from a 375, wonder what people would think of the 700NE, or any of the 577 up big bores. Let alone a 3,600 grain bullet from the 950 JDJ lol.

Most of the people buying these lately aren't climbing mountains after goats or sheep, so why care if the rifle is 1 lb less than another brand. Personally I like heavy rifles, even for most mountain hunting. I only once wished I had less weight, and at the time I think if the rifle weighed 11 ounces I would have wished it was lighter lol. I shoot heavier rifles better anyway, as do most people.
 
I had an early model Hawkeye African in 375 ruger. Wish I would have never got rid of it. It shot cloverleafs and pounded moose into the dirt very nicely lol. If I was gonna buy another one I would save a little more and buy a model 70 or a RSM. I think the sako Bear series is a great platform for the 375 despite the price. Jmo

Gonewild
 
Since our dollar is very low against the US dollar your $1000. budget is limiting, and eliminating some very fine rifles that before the fall of the loonie would be contenders. Personally I have a M-70 Alaskan in .375H&H. CRF, 3 position safety, nice rifle. But if sticking to your budget out of the brands you mentioned I would take a hard look at the CZ. In respect to recoil, if you can comfortably handle a 12 ga. shotgun with 2 3/4" duck loads you will not find much difference to the 375H&H.
 
The only problem I find with the .375 h&h is one is never enough I have both a m700(classic) and a cz 550(Safari classic)and love them both for different reasons they both shoot great in most cases loads that I worked up in the 700 ended up being the best performers in the cz. Obviously the overall weight is something to consider,I don't know the exact difference between the two but the cz is noticeably heavier. The weight and I think the shape of the stock on the cz bring the felt recoil down compared to the m700. The jewelled bolt on the Remington has the silky smooth glide to it I've come to expect from Remington. Mag capacity wise the cz will hold 6 comfortably and Remington will hold 3 tightly. Personally the next one I'm thinking about is the xcr2 for the coated stainless construction.
 
fridge450 said:
The only problem I find with the .375 h&h is one is never enough I have both a m700(classic) and a cz 550(Safari classic)and love them both for different reasons they both shoot great in most cases loads that I worked up in the 700 ended up being the best performers in the cz. Obviously the overall weight is something to consider,I don't know the exact difference between the two but the cz is noticeably heavier. The weight and I think the shape of the stock on the cz bring the felt recoil down compared to the m700. The jewelled bolt on the Remington has the silky smooth glide to it I've come to expect from Remington. Mag capacity wise the cz will hold 6 comfortably and Remington will hold 3 tightly. Personally the next one I'm thinking about is the xcr2 for the coated stainless construction.
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6 is better than 3.........
 
If you are firm on that budget and not willing to hold off, then an X bolt is a fine rifle for the money, as is the CZ. If you can hold off the M70 Alaskan 375 is the middle ground for $1400-$1500 (they were on sale for $1299 at Cabelas over Christmas and I picked one up - still $1477 with taxes) but if you can really splurge a few extra the Sako's are the nicest rifles Ive ever used at that 2k mark.

Side note, Epps has a Rem 700 CDL 100th anniversary edition in 375 H&H they've had for a while maybe you could swing a deal on that if interested.
 
vancouverbc said:
If you are firm on that budget and not willing to hold off, then an X bolt is a fine rifle for the money, as is the CZ. If you can hold off the M70 Alaskan 375 is the middle ground for $1400-$1500 (they were on sale for $1299 at Cabelas over Christmas and I picked one up - still $1477 with taxes) but if you can really splurge a few extra the Sako's are the nicest rifles Ive ever used at that 2k mark.

Side note, Epps has a Rem 700 CDL 100th anniversary edition in 375 H&H they've had for a while maybe you could swing a deal on that if interested.
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budget wise, its not so much that I don't have enough money to go big, its that my wife and I have an understanding, that we only get x amount of dollars per week to spend on our hobbies and toys. That being said, I appreciate what you guys are saying about getting something a little nicer. Hunting and range season are a few months off, so I might try to hold off for a couple months until the dollar makes a bit of a recovery and I maybe then I will be able to splurge a little more on something like a SAKO. If not, I am thinking that a CZ is starting to sound pretty good.
Thank all for your replies.
 
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