Which .375?

RangerPark

RangerPark

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Hello everyone!

I'm looking to join the .375 club for mostly two reasons:
1- Because I want to (the real reason).
2- Because I plan on participating in the Alberta Spring bear hunt (Also a real reason, and the one I'm telling my wife).

I've pretty much settled my mind on the .375 H&H for a cartridge. I reload and brass seems easier to come by. Many sponsors seem to have a steady supply of Hornady and Nosler brass so I'm good with that. Factory ammo seems easier to find with the H&H also. Hornady's H&H factory offerings are attractive.

For the rifle, current contenders seem to be the CZ 550 and the Sako 85 in various incarnations. I really like the Sako 85 Kodiak and the Synthetic Stainless. So far I'm more inclined towards Sako mostly for the stainless options as well as the standard detachable magazine. Push feed vs controlled feed doesn't make much of a difference to me.

The Sako 85 Synthetic Stainless in .375 H&H is currently my top choice, but I can't find any for sale anywhere. In close second is the Sako 85 Kodiak. Does anyone have any experience with them? The stock on the synthetic seems to be plastic instead of composite, that would be a huge downside for me. I'm fine with not having iron sights as I plan on using a low magnification scope, something like 1-6 or 2-8.

So I'd like unbiased opinions from those of you who have had experiences with .375 caliber rifles. Without opening up a Pandora's box or endless arguing I'd like to know what your thoughts are on .375 Ruger vs H&H, CZ 550 vs Sako 85 vs any other viable option and push feed vs controlled feed. The Winchester M70 comes to mind as a valid contender, I've seen the Remington 700 come in .375 H&H too, but never new ones. Thoughts on optics and iron sights would be appreciated too.

Thanks!
 
I sure like my .375 H&H Magnum Sako 85 Kodiak. Has a handy and well-balanced feel with the 21-1/4" barrel. Being stainless/laminate I have no concerns hunting in the weather with it.

I have a Zastava LKM70 Full Stock Carbine that was a .375 H&H Magnum but I got it converted to .416 Remington Magnum. It's also a good rifle and has a CRF Mauser action. I also have a CZ550 but it's a .308.

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I have an older Remington 700 Classic that I have taken numerous animals with.
It has an HS composite stock 24 " factory bbl, push feed quick release rings and fibre optic sites.
I have taken it from Alaska to Africa and it has always done what the H+H has been doing for years.
 
The H&H is a very classy cartridge that is readily available in many configurations.... brass is available and not going anywhere..... the ruger does a good job of presenting a standard magnum cartridge with slightly better ballistics..... but lacks in brass and ammo availability and is chambered in limited rifle configurations....

When you talk .375, you literally have two modern choices, either the H&H or the .375 ruger...... both chamber great cartridges and I am sure gatehouse will be along shortly to tell you that you need the .375 ruger "new king"..... likely chambered in a stainless laminate rifle or stainless and plastic one..........

Take your choice of either, as they will both do what you want them to......
 
Superbrad said:
The H&H is a very classy cartridge that is readily available in many configurations.... brass is available and not going anywhere..... the ruger does a good job of presenting a standard magnum cartridge with slightly better ballistics..... but lacks in brass and ammo availability and is chambered in limited rifle configurations....

When you talk .375, you literally have two modern choices, either the H&H or the .375 ruger...... both chamber great cartridges and I am sure gatehouse will be along shortly to tell you that you need the .375 ruger "new king"..... likely chambered in a stainless laminate rifle or stainless and plastic one..........

Take your choice of either, as they will both do what you want them to......
Click to expand...

I think Gates has a Ruger tattoo...lol
 
Ive had several H&H rifles and killed many a critter with this cartridge,,Im sure the Ruger 375 is just fine,,and the Dakota 375 is even finer,,lol,,but for me the ole Hand H works great
 
It comes down to what rifle you want. If you like CRF Ruger rifles, then the 375 Ruger is your choice. If you want a Sako, then it's H&H.

The 375 Ruger is the superior cartridge, the H&H is obsolete but still works as well as it ever did. 375 Ruger ammo and brass is readily available. I wouldn't base your choice on ammo availability as both the H&H and Ruger are easy to find.

Tupperware stocks are a real turn off, but they can be replaced with Macmillans, but they are very costly these days, whereas you can get some rifles with laminates that are heavier but very sturdy.
 
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When my interest in going for a 375 was first tweeked, I went with a model 70 Winchester Super Express, in 375H&H



Then, primarily after reading some info by P.O.Ackley, another variation of the calibre increased the interest to the point where I jumped at the opportunity to acquire another. The lower one, a custom job, based on the Remington 700 action and chambered in 375 Chatfield Taylor :d .
 
RangerPark said:
So I'd like unbiased opinions from those of you who have had experiences with .375 caliber rifles. Without opening up a Pandora's box or endless arguing I'd like to know what your thoughts are on .375 Ruger vs H&H, CZ 550 vs Sako 85 vs any other viable option and push feed vs controlled feed. The Winchester M70 comes to mind as a valid contender, I've seen the Remington 700 come in .375 H&H too, but never new ones. Thoughts on optics and iron sights would be appreciated too.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have a Kodiak in 375 and a CZ 550 in 458 Lott, which by my understanding is the same as the CZ550 in 375 except bore size, obviously. The Sako is hands down the nicer rifle.The 550 in a 375 would seem excessively large and heavy, much like the Ruger RSM is. While it's a nice rifle, it's not a Sako.
If you're looking at a Kodiak vs Synthetic Stainless, go with the Kodiak. The laminate stock is nicer than the plastic with rubber inserts and the shorter barrel has a much better balance. You also get open sights, which I think is a must on a 375.
 
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