My first step towards Africa. Medium Bore
- Thread starter samdunc
- Start date
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I always wanted a 375 H&H and one followed me home today. It is one of my first steps towards Africa
Nice and clean. I don't have plans for a trip to Africa but a couple of years ago, a 'relative' to the one that followed you home,
did the same to me. Different caliber but definately a close relative.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
For moose & bear, not so bad a rifle to use out there on The Rock either !
The more you use it, the more you'll like it.
A 1-4x Leupold VXII in Leupold QR mounts would be my choice.
The more you use it, the more you'll like it.
A 1-4x Leupold VXII in Leupold QR mounts would be my choice.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
That's the scope I went with on mine using Weaver pivot mounts.
No pivots with the 375HH!!! Even with some 30-06, i have had customer rifles not being able to reliably hold a zero. My Sako 375HH sports Leupod 6x. It shoots dime sized groups at 100M using 76gr of 760 and a 300 Partion. It is another on of Ken Water's "Pet Loads"! I have shot deer to big black bear with it.
Last year in South Africa, I used my friend's wife's Manlichter in 30-06 with a Hornady 165 Gr handload to take a vey nice Kudu, one shot. It dropped within 50 feet! 1/2 short on the rack for the SI record books! You really don't need a 375 but you do need to place your shot!
Regards,
Henry
Last year in South Africa, I used my friend's wife's Manlichter in 30-06 with a Hornady 165 Gr handload to take a vey nice Kudu, one shot. It dropped within 50 feet! 1/2 short on the rack for the SI record books! You really don't need a 375 but you do need to place your shot!
Regards,
Henry
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Congrats on your Africa trip Henry. I've posted this previously where I mentioned my Daughter and Son In Law hunted Africa for a month last year. Quite a memorable experience for them and my Son In Law posted pictures and details on site.My wife & I had the pleasure of 'spoiling' our two year old Granddaughter in their absence.
In the picture you posted, what rifle, scope and load combo were you using for the game pictured there?
I know the choice of the Weaver pivot mount set-up hasn't always been a popular one and that some have experienced difficulties. I've found them to be reliable and have had no problems with a return to zero after switching back and forth from scope to open sight use, providing I keep track of two things.
1st, make sure there is no debris on the bases when putting the scope back into position.
2nd, every once in a while, check to ensure the pivot screws are adjusted snug to eliminate slack and/or movement.
Again, that being done I've never had any problems. The first rifle and my first experience with pivot mounts was on the model 4000 Husqvarna Light Weight in 30-06 that I inherited from my Dad.
On targets and in the field with the experiences I had with this first unit, when I went for mounts on my Marlins 444S and 1895GS in 45-70, I again went for Weaver pivot mounts. Quick and reliable access to the open sights, should the need arise and I havent experienced any disappointment.
Then, when I picked up the Winchester model 70 Super Express in 458 WM, again, for the possible quick access to open sights I once more went with the Weaver pivots. I don't know if I'll ever get the opportunity to use this rifle in the field but if I do, I want that quick access to the iron sights.
As long as I observe the two steps I've mentioned previously, pivoting the scope off and on I've never had any problems with a changing zero.
The scope on this rifle probably isn't a necessity but the eye sight isn't quite as sharp as it used to be so at present the scope helps in paper punching and load testing.
My wife & I had the pleasure of 'spoiling' our two year old Granddaughter in their absence.In the picture you posted, what rifle, scope and load combo were you using for the game pictured there?
I know the choice of the Weaver pivot mount set-up hasn't always been a popular one and that some have experienced difficulties. I've found them to be reliable and have had no problems with a return to zero after switching back and forth from scope to open sight use, providing I keep track of two things.
1st, make sure there is no debris on the bases when putting the scope back into position.
2nd, every once in a while, check to ensure the pivot screws are adjusted snug to eliminate slack and/or movement.
Again, that being done I've never had any problems. The first rifle and my first experience with pivot mounts was on the model 4000 Husqvarna Light Weight in 30-06 that I inherited from my Dad.
On targets and in the field with the experiences I had with this first unit, when I went for mounts on my Marlins 444S and 1895GS in 45-70, I again went for Weaver pivot mounts. Quick and reliable access to the open sights
, should the need arise and I havent experienced any disappointment.
Then, when I picked up the Winchester model 70 Super Express in 458 WM, again, for the possible quick access to open sights I once more went with the Weaver pivots. I don't know if I'll ever get the opportunity to use this rifle in the field but if I do, I want that quick access to the iron sights.
As long as I observe the two steps I've mentioned previously, pivoting the scope off and on I've never had any problems with a changing zero.
The scope on this rifle probably isn't a necessity but the eye sight isn't quite as sharp as it used to be so at present the scope helps
in paper punching and load testing.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I'm partial to the 1.5-5x Leupold, but there's no convincing reason against going with a 2.5-8x Leupold either. If you think that you might want to swat some of the smaller creatures and possibly do so at longer ranges (there are a few 300 yard shots in Africa) then the extra power isn't a bad idea. But for dangerous game I woudl rather have a heavy reticle (either the Heavy Duplex or German #4) in a 1.5-5x Leupold.
longbranch*
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria,BC.
.375
My .375 carries a Leupold 1.5-5 VARIX III in Leupold QR mounts. Havent had chance to see how well they hold zero.
Geoff
My .375 carries a Leupold 1.5-5 VARIX III in Leupold QR mounts. Havent had chance to see how well they hold zero.
Geoff
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I have used the Leupold QR mounts for many years on a .35 Whelen, they were completely reliable. I have them currently on a .30-06 and I'm still happy.
On big bores, I have always had problems with Weaver unles one applied a dropof loctite on the inside of the ring. The flips never worked with big calibers even 30-06 on customer guns that I sighted in. Leupod QD and any European Claw type always brought the same zero.
It is even worse on scoped pistols that used weaver mounts. The best pistol mounts were Leupold or Burris. SSK used to sell only Burris three ring mounts on the SSK handcanons. My SSK 45-70 uses a two ring Burris mount that has not budged in 25 years.
I will check with my friend Robert for the 30-06 load. I am pretty sure that he used a Ken Water's Pet Load. The scope is a Swarovski. He use exclusively Swarovski as do many of the best hunters.
Michael Yardley of the UK writes and hunts a lot.
Here is his website:
http://www.positiveshooting.com/
He just shot a bunch of boars in Serbia.
The most important factor is....... shot placement! I never shoot in the shoulder! Heart/lung or head or neck depending on the situation.
Regards,
Henry
It is even worse on scoped pistols that used weaver mounts. The best pistol mounts were Leupold or Burris. SSK used to sell only Burris three ring mounts on the SSK handcanons. My SSK 45-70 uses a two ring Burris mount that has not budged in 25 years.
I will check with my friend Robert for the 30-06 load. I am pretty sure that he used a Ken Water's Pet Load. The scope is a Swarovski. He use exclusively Swarovski as do many of the best hunters.
Michael Yardley of the UK writes and hunts a lot.
Here is his website:
http://www.positiveshooting.com/
He just shot a bunch of boars in Serbia.
The most important factor is....... shot placement! I never shoot in the shoulder! Heart/lung or head or neck depending on the situation.
Regards,
Henry
Tried my new M70 375 H&H yesterday. The three circled holes are my first 3 shot group, fired offhand at 50 yards with iron sights, using factory load Hornady 270gr interlocks, measures 1.6 inches. (the other two shots llower on the target were from my dad and brother having a go with the new beast)
I like the way the rifle handles, good balance, fits me perfectly, points very naturally and the irons are perfectly aligned when I snap the rifle to my sholder. The action is also plently smooth, espesially for a mauser pattern factory rifle. The rifle weighs 9 lbs 10 oz empty, 9 lbs 15 oz with 1 in the chamber and 3 in the mag.
I may have to play with the trigger a little, its good enough as is and although I don't have a trigger scale to meausre the current pull I would like it to be a bit lighter.
This is my first time firing any rifle bigger than my .303 or my 6.5x55s, but compared to some 12 gauge slug loads I've fired (actually compared to any 12 gauge slug load i've fired) it doesn't smack me at all. Now I know what people mean when they say its just a bit of a push when it recoils. The fact that it is basically 10 lbs loaded, without a scope no doubt helps a lot.
Soon it will wear a Leupold VX3 1.5-5, or Leupold European 1.25-4 with #4 reticle. Just need to decide whether I like the illuninated reticle or not. I know its not necassary and some people are addamently opposed to the illuminated reticles, but I think it may help me personally to get on target and take the shot just a little quicker.
- Location
- North Western Ontario
I went the same route as SamDunk if that is a CZ, except mine is the Bavarian stock. It is in at Zywina's right now getting the LOP adjusted. I am impressed with his knowledge, and his cabinet work is extremely close tolerance.
I have ordered a peep for mine rather than a scope as it is intended for buffalo primarily. I used a 338 win mag, and a 30-06 for plains game previously, and would probably use the 3006 for plains game next time.
SamDunk your wood is much nicer than mine which is a dark walnut.
Randy
I have ordered a peep for mine rather than a scope as it is intended for buffalo primarily. I used a 338 win mag, and a 30-06 for plains game previously, and would probably use the 3006 for plains game next time.
SamDunk your wood is much nicer than mine which is a dark walnut.
Randy
- Location
- North Western Ontario
Tried my new M70 375 H&H yesterday. The three circled holes are my first 3 shot group, fired offhand at 50 yards with iron sights, using factory load Hornady 270gr interlocks, measures 1.6 inches. (the other two shots llower on the target were from my dad and brother having a go with the new beast)
I like the way the rifle handles, good balance, fits me perfectly, points very naturally and the irons are perfectly aligned when I snap the rifle to my sholder. The action is also plently smooth, espesially for a mauser pattern factory rifle. The rifle weighs 9 lbs 10 oz empty, 9 lbs 15 oz with 1 in the chamber and 3 in the mag.
I may have to play with the trigger a little, its good enough as is and although I don't have a trigger scale to meausre the current pull I would like it to be a bit lighter.
This is my first time firing any rifle bigger than my .303 or my 6.5x55s, but compared to some 12 gauge slug loads I've fired (actually compared to any 12 gauge slug load i've fired) it doesn't smack me at all. Now I know what people mean when they say its just a bit of a push when it recoils. The fact that it is basically 10 lbs loaded, without a scope no doubt helps a lot.
Soon it will wear a Leupold VX3 1.5-5, or Leupold European 1.25-4 with #4 reticle. Just need to decide whether I like the illuninated reticle or not. I know its not necassary and some people are addamently opposed to the illuminated reticles, but I think it may help me personally to get on target and take the shot just a little quicker.
I did measure mine and it is a clean 3.5 lb consistant over 10 consecutive breaks. I have no desire to lighten it as adrenaline will take care of the extra half pound it has over my other hunting rifles. There is the set trigger if I have the need for fine work
By the way mine was a two inch 50 m group that has since shrunk to 1.5 using the normal trigger.
Randy
