Help me decide on a .375H+H rifle.

Northern Shooter said:
While I would appreciate the 7lbs rifle for bush whacking, how was the recoil out of such a light platform?
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My one w/boss weighed about 7.5 lbs due to the added weight of the tuner/brake unit. Recoil with Federal 270 gr factory stuff was not bad from the bench, but
the muzzle blast was rude. For my use afield I used the non-vented muzzle weight that also came with the rifle. The actual barrel length on mine was 20" while
the standard 375 Stalkers w/o boss wore 22" tubes. I miss that rifle.
:bangHead:
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
My one w/boss weighed about 7.5 lbs due to the added weight of the tuner/brake unit. Recoil with Federal 270 gr factory stuff was not bad from the bench, but
the muzzle blast was rude. For my use afield I used the non-vented muzzle weight that also came with the rifle. The actual barrel length on mine was 20" while
the standard 375 Stalkers w/o boss wore 22" tubes. I miss that rifle.
:bangHead:
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And this X2 also and note to self...Don't sell my Browning
 
Love the h&h, I load mine down a fare bit with H4895. Recoils like an -06, works well for my ranges.

I’m not familiar with any besides the pre 64 model 70. A fine action if a guy can find one for sale in your chosen cartridge.
 
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Sako, of the above choices. Model 70 a close second. Had the CZ with the euro stock, the ergonomics were horrible for me, and it felt like I was trying to poke the target with it. Had this sense of being super long. No experience with the newer Hawkeye rifles, but the old M77MkII was a decent working rifle. Hated the scope mounts though, or rather the lack of choices.
 
CZ 550 Safari Magnum:

This is a true magnum lenght bolt-action rifle with traditional controlled-round feeding. I have owned several CZ firearms, but I never a 550. Apparently some of the Safari Magnums require minor gunsmith work to be fully reliable. It is widely used by African PHs (CZ 550 or the parent BRNO ZKK 602). The CZ 550 uses proprietary scope ring mounts.

Sako 85:

Another true magnum lenght bolt action with a modern controlled-round feeding mechanism. The ejection issue with the Sako 85 is caused by the fired casing bouncing off the scope before being ejected. You will find videos on YouTube demonstrating what happens. The potential risk is that a spent casing could hit the scope and fall back into the action causing a feeding malfunction. The 85 Kodiak 375 H&H comes with a detachable magazine. It also uses a proprietary scope mounting system.

Ruger Hawkeye:

I have one of those in 375 Ruger (Hawkeye African). It feels small even though its has a 23 inch barrel. It has controlled-round feeding, but it is a standard long action (i.e. 30-06 action lenght). It has nicely blued metal finish. I love its open sights and the clever muzzle weight that replaces the factory installed muzzle brake (no change in point of impact). I own several Ruger 77s and I have always liked them. However the stock fit on this particular rifle is very disappointing. I think $2000 for the Hawkeye African is steep. I would suggest that you try to find one of the older Ruger Safari Magnums (RSM) in 375 H&H (another controlled round feed rifle but this one is a true magnum lenght action). Those had beautiful European walnut stocks and were a steal at their original retail price. All modern Ruger 77s use proprietary ring mounts.

Winchester Model 70 Safari Magnum:

The newest model 70s made in Portugal are excellent. If you want to spend $2000 on a currently manufactured model chambered in 375 H&H this is the logical choice. It has controlled-round feeding but it isn't a true magnum action. There is a half-moon opening machined at the front of the receiver to allow the ejection of unfired cartridges (it doesn't take anything away from the rifle). Most have a very little figure in their walnut stocks, but it's a solid value for a hunting rifle. This one use a standard scope mounting system.

Good luck shopping!
 
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I have one of the M70's, it's a beautiful rifle. I highly recommend it. Personally I see no advantage to shortening the barrel by 2" on that rifle. I consider it perfect as is.


I have a ZKK-602 (predecessor to the CZ-550), with started life as a .375H&H. The original owner had it bored out to .416RM. It had a 25" barrel, which I had shortened to 23", but that was mainly cuz I was getting a barrel band installed, so had it trimmed at the same time.

I love both of those rifles. Given the choice between buying a new rifle though, hands down I'd buy the Winchester.
 
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I'm noticing that availability for all of these rifles is....lacking. I assume that I would have to order one directly from the manufacturer and wait 6-12 months for it to arrive?
 
You need to call Prophet River Firearms; they have a few of the 375 H&H rifles that you have listed, and that others have discussed, on their used and/or consignment lists, within your budget, as well as a 375 Ruger.
 
OP - perhaps some thoughts if you want a "using rifle" versus a "looking at" rifle. I had a Winchester Model 70 in 375 H&H - receiver serial number on-line suggested 1967 manufacture - that bolt had an anti-bind groove - so that suggested 1968 or later manufacture. That rifle had two features that I think significant - had a full blown cross bolt across the small wood between trigger mortice and the magazine mortice - installed by factory to avoid splitting stock there. It also had a secondary recoil lug on the barrel - bedded into that walnut stock. Might not have been needed - either feature - for a 375 H&H, but I suspect Winchester thought so, at the time. You might want to evaluate your choice of brand based on knowing whether the rifle has those features - or at least how that brand planned to deal with those issues ... As a big animal is tearing you apart or stomping you into paste on the dirt - you may or may not care what the maker offers as "warranty"...
 
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Potashminer said:
OP - perhaps some thoughts if you want a "using rifle" versus a "looking at" rifle. I had a Winchester Model 70 in 375 H&H - receiver serial number on-line suggested 1967 manufacture - that bolt had an anti-bind groove - so that suggested 1968 manufacture. That rifle had two features that I think significant - had a full blown cross bolt across the small wood between trigger mortice and the magazine mortice - installed by factory to avoid splitting stock there. It also had a secondary recoil lug on the barrel - bedded into that walnut stock. Might not have been needed - either feature - for a 375 H&H, but I suspect Winchester thought so, at the time. You might want to evaluate your choice of brand based on knowing whether the rifle has those features - or at least how that brand planned to deal with this issues ...
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Yuo, mine has both recoil lugs factory glass bedded and two cross bolts as well as the Crf action
Cat
 
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