Help me decide on a .375H+H rifle.
- Thread starter Northern Shooter
- Start date
You mentioned you like the Winchester M70. If you can hang in there and are willing to pay a little more you won't regret buying a Pre-64 Winchester M70. Everything is just right with one of these. The NRA stock and the barrel make it an easy shooter. I have both a 375 and 338 pre-64 and the 375 recoil comes straight back more like a push. The 338 I need to be mindful of having my cheek firmly planted on the stock.
My Pre-64 Winchester 375 H&H
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My Pre-64 Winchester 375 H&H
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- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
I agree that the model 70 safari express is excellent. I had a new production one is .375 H&H, it was accurate, reliable and perhaps the smoothest feeding CRF rifle I’ve had. It was however heavier than I personally need for this cartridge, and a bit too muzzle heavy (the barrel profile is more suited to a .426 or .458 in my opinion. The stock was also a bit chunky.
The Sako Kodiak is excellent, balances and handles well, and has great sights. But I do prefer a CRF action for a rifle I intend use on dangerous game.
The CZ 550 is a beast of a rifle. A true magnum action that can handle the biggest cartridges. Sometimes they require a little attention by a good gunsmith to make them feed perfectly, but that can be done. I have a .404 Jeffery built on a CZ 550, and think it’s great for the big cartridges but maybe a bit heavy for a .375. Although the trade off is increased magazine capacity.
Personally I ended up with a .375 H&H built on a Whitworth Mauser 98 action. Very much a working gun but the stock fits me wonderfully and it feeds and functions perfectly, at 8.5 lbs without scope or ammo it’s the right weight for me too. A stock Whitworth Mauser would be a good choice too, if you can find o e they’re often priced reasonably because they’re less well known.
The Sako Kodiak is excellent, balances and handles well, and has great sights. But I do prefer a CRF action for a rifle I intend use on dangerous game.
The CZ 550 is a beast of a rifle. A true magnum action that can handle the biggest cartridges. Sometimes they require a little attention by a good gunsmith to make them feed perfectly, but that can be done. I have a .404 Jeffery built on a CZ 550, and think it’s great for the big cartridges but maybe a bit heavy for a .375. Although the trade off is increased magazine capacity.
Personally I ended up with a .375 H&H built on a Whitworth Mauser 98 action. Very much a working gun but the stock fits me wonderfully and it feeds and functions perfectly, at 8.5 lbs without scope or ammo it’s the right weight for me too. A stock Whitworth Mauser would be a good choice too, if you can find o e they’re often priced reasonably because they’re less well known.
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
I had a cz550 in 375 h&h but sold it. The stock is very thick at the pistol grip and it feels like you're holding a 2x4. I have fairly big hands. I have a few older (pre-2007) cz550s in non-magnum actions and the stock is substantially thinner. At some point around 2007 cz started fitting even the std length actions with thick stocks. I don't know if the Magnum ever came with a thinner stock. You'll definitely want to hold one before buying.
No ejection issues with my Sako kodiak in 375 h&h. I prefer the thinner stock, shorter barrel and stainless construction. It handles much, much better than the cz550 I had. The downside would be that it's not a true crf action, if that matters to you. I like the detachable mag but some people don't.
I've seen a few browning xbolts pop up in 375 h&h over the years. It might be a good option if you see one used.
No ejection issues with my Sako kodiak in 375 h&h. I prefer the thinner stock, shorter barrel and stainless construction. It handles much, much better than the cz550 I had. The downside would be that it's not a true crf action, if that matters to you. I like the detachable mag but some people don't.
I've seen a few browning xbolts pop up in 375 h&h over the years. It might be a good option if you see one used.
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Doc Rainbow
CGN Regular
- Location
- Beautiful B.C.
I've got a CZ 550 FS ( full stock) in 30-06 : excellent rifle and was a good price. Tried to get a LH CZ 550 Craig Boddington special in 375 H&H a few years back thru Wolverine but didn't ( ? couldn't?) happen. I've also shot a BRNO and it was nice. My current 375 H&H is a Sako Brown Bear . Very accurate good quality rifle. I haven't had any feed issues and I highly recommend that one. Are you planning to hunt dangerous game? Would you consider a double rifle? Are you looking for a controlled feed action? No experience with Ruger RSM or Winchester M70 Supergrade but I've heard from hunting friends they are good rifles. Good luck in your search.
For now only North American dangerous game but I like having the option for a someday, maybe trip to Africa. I would prefer the rifle to be a bolt-action and have a preference towards CRF actions. I may be picking up a 550 Safari this week.
The Rugers seem to be impossible to find new so im really only cross shopping the CZ/SAKO/Winchester offerings.
If you want new, availability is definitely going to be a factor in your decision. You might want to consider the 375 Ruger as well, to open more options in rifle availability.
clay at prophet river got a few cz550 left hand in the past but they were still too heavy for the caliber.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
The RSM is likely the nicest factory hunting rifle ever built. The only downside to them in 375 is that they are heavier than they need to be. The upside to that is that they have very good manners. Guys that own them don't tend to let them go all that often which should tell people something.
OP:
There is also nothing wrong with the Model 70 or the CZ 550. Both excellent choices.
I don't love the feel of the Sako. They're great rifles, but something about the feel puts me off.
Brownings feel good but the word is that they kick a lot. That' smaybe not the end of the world in a 375, but why make them more unpleasant than necessary?
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
The RSM was discontinued years ago and, as I said in my other post, guys that own them don't tend to let them go. But I'd rather buy a used RSM than most other new 375s.
The 550 is great, but also restricted to the new market.
For new the only one I would really consider is the Winchester.
Agree. I would add classic Brownings and the commercial Mausers built by PH, zastava, Interarms etc. Those all feel right to me. Maybe a little light for a 375, but you'll carry it a lot more than you'll shoot it, and they come up and balance nicely. - dan
Yeah it looks like the RSM has been gone for several years now, but even the new M77 safari and guide guns seem to be impossible to find new in stock.
I can't speak on Cz's Lux variety 550's. But if I'm comparing their regular fit and finish of the 550 series when comparing it to the non super grade FN herstal made model 70's, the model 70's win out every time. The Winchesters have a smoother action, better machining, better checkering, have a three position safety, are glass bedded and IMO has a much better stock design and finish. The CZ 550's quality was going downward in the last years of it's production due to old tooling. The FN herstal Vienna made model 70's do not seem to have this same issue. Don't get me wrong here, the CZ 550 is a fantastic rifle. I just don't think it stacks up to the quality over all of a FN made Model 70 safari express.
This guy does decent break downs of CZ 550's and Winchester model 70's. If anyone's interested in a break down of both the rifles.
[youtube]5O5WrOIc0Ho[/youtube]
[youtube]TzOpLr6zFo0[/youtube]
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I had a 375 in a Parker Hale, I got it in a trade before I found out I wanted one so I sold it, it is probably more of an economy option compared to the other rifles that have been mentioned but I recall a reasonably smooth CRF action, open sights, hinged floor plate, monte-carlo stock and two cross bolts. I also had an X bolt in 375 but I prefer a hinged floor plate and I heard bad stories about heavier cartridges and the rotary magazine. I have now gone to a stainless Vanguard in 375 Ruger and can't recover costs so I am happy to keep it, but who doesn't want wood and blued in a 375 H+H.
