With xmas bonus coming up I think I need (want) a new cz550. Problem is I'm torn between 375hh and the 458wm. It will be used for hunting moose bear and hopefully cape buffalo in a few years. I realize both are larger then needed for north american game but wanting to go to africa is a major conflict. 375hh is fine for buff I'm told but 458 makes a bigger hole. If I get it now ill have at least 3 years to break it in and put a lot of rounds it. Anyone have the cz in 458wm that can comment?
375 or 458
- Thread starter brybenn
- Start date
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
A few years ago I had the good fortune and opportunity to load for and do a considerable amount of shooting with a 375H&H. My son in law loaned me his custom 375H&H and I enjoyed the experience. In reality, other than for punching paper and/or
clearing land, I don't really have justification for either calibre but I did get the opportunity to pick up a Winchester model 70 Super Express.
I'm weak and couldn't resist
. Now, if I happen to do well on a 649 draw, I'm ready for Africa.
clearing land, I don't really have justification for either calibre but I did get the opportunity to pick up a Winchester model 70 Super Express.
I'm weak and couldn't resist
. Now, if I happen to do well on a 649 draw, I'm ready for Africa.
When the time comes for my ashes to be stuffed into the urn I hope there will be room for my 375 H&H, my 404 Jeffery and my old faithfull 458.
For me all three are keepers, I know this is no help in answering your question, so I'll say go for the 458.
The beauty of the 458 is that aside from full power loads it will handle any cast bullets made for a 45-70, if you want to experiment it can be loaded with shot in the case for grouse, etc.
And, in spite of what anybody says the 458 does have a lot more than a 45-70.... I know cause I have two 45-70s as well....
Just my 2 cents..
For me all three are keepers, I know this is no help in answering your question, so I'll say go for the 458.
The beauty of the 458 is that aside from full power loads it will handle any cast bullets made for a 45-70, if you want to experiment it can be loaded with shot in the case for grouse, etc.
And, in spite of what anybody says the 458 does have a lot more than a 45-70.... I know cause I have two 45-70s as well....
Just my 2 cents..
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I've recently become enamoured with the .375 so that's what I'd suggest that you buy. It is more "shootable" than a .458 from all accounts, and adequate for buffalo when you get that opportunity.
Of the two choices you provide, IMHO the smart choice would be the 375. It's much more practical for North America, and it also makes more sense for a visiting hunter for Africa, including Cape Buffalo. Your PH will have a heavier rifle if need be, unless of course he's packing a 375 along which is not as uncommon as many would believe.
I was really hoping for a ruger #1 in 450/400 but if I do make it to africa I'd like a bolt action. I have a 4570 double already so I have lots of jacketed bullets in 458 and I'm set up to cast my own. That makes the 458 seem more convenient. A 458wm shooting 350gr bullets at 2200fps is to me shootable and hell for any bear. A big step up over my 4570.
The 404 jeffery is that offered in the lower line of the 550s or is that in the safari express line? I don't need pretty wood just straight simple grain for strength as it will be a hunting gun not a safe queen. Thanks for the replys so far
The 404 jeffery is that offered in the lower line of the 550s or is that in the safari express line? I don't need pretty wood just straight simple grain for strength as it will be a hunting gun not a safe queen. Thanks for the replys so far
For a moose,bear, weasel and anything else rifle that may shoot a buffalo someday, get the .375.
For a buffalo rifle that you want to get some trigger time in on little stuff get the .458 and handload something like a 350 gr TSX to .375 H&H speeds for your practice hunting.
I've got a real soft spot for the .375, but the difference between a .458 smacking a buffalo and a .375 is considerable. Unfortunately the different in how it smacks your shoulder is also considerable. About double, as a matter of fact.
I don't have a CZ in .458, but do have a .375 and .416 Rigby.My Win Mag is a Model 70. The first thing I'd do with 550 in the Win would be to run a Lott reamer through it. The mag is so long that you may as well use in it.
For a buffalo rifle that you want to get some trigger time in on little stuff get the .458 and handload something like a 350 gr TSX to .375 H&H speeds for your practice hunting.
I've got a real soft spot for the .375, but the difference between a .458 smacking a buffalo and a .375 is considerable. Unfortunately the different in how it smacks your shoulder is also considerable. About double, as a matter of fact.
I don't have a CZ in .458, but do have a .375 and .416 Rigby.My Win Mag is a Model 70. The first thing I'd do with 550 in the Win would be to run a Lott reamer through it. The mag is so long that you may as well use in it.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
That's why I'm going in a hole!
375 will be more versatile but the 458 works quite nicely too. No wrong answer (except 375 Ruger, that would be a wrong answer).
Well I have a 375 H&H and quite like it as my main hunting rifle. It's about a 300m point and shoot gun when sighted in at 200yds(about 2" high at 100, 10" low at 300m w/ 300gr TSX's) and effective to shoot out to about 4-500m before bullet drop gets to be too much. If you're planning on hunting at say 150m and under I'd do the 458.
LOL ! You are too funny, I have one of those also... notice I never mentioned that ?
This is an excellent thread and I do not want to side-track it, but when are you going to transfer down here so we can do some hunting together Mr. Big Ugly Man ??
Sorry Brybenn...
Great replys so far. I realize the 375 is more versatile over a broader spectrum but if I load cast bullets at 4570 speeds in the 458 its just as useful. Moose would be inside 200 yards. Bear is over bait so for NA game its really a draw between the 2.
There's been some mention of the winchester model 70. Almost scared to ask but for those who have or have used both the 70 and the cz which did you prefer?
I'm aat work and don't have the time to look up the specs but I'd like a 375 with scope to go at least 9lbs and 10lbs for the 458. I like the cz550s and the sights seemed decent on the ones I've handled
There's been some mention of the winchester model 70. Almost scared to ask but for those who have or have used both the 70 and the cz which did you prefer?
I'm aat work and don't have the time to look up the specs but I'd like a 375 with scope to go at least 9lbs and 10lbs for the 458. I like the cz550s and the sights seemed decent on the ones I've handled
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I had a Brno ZKK 602 and a Winchester model 70 Super Express, both in 458WM. Both shot well but I did do a little better accuracy wise with the Winchester
. In addition, the workmanship and degree of finish of the Winchester seemed to be better so I've kept the Winchester I posted pics of in post #3, no regrets.My two CZs have 4 safaris, dozens of animals, dozens of stories, good memories and thousands of rounds under their belt. If forced into a choice between them and the Winchester I'd stand both of them in the garbage barrel and stroll away happily with the M70 and never even look back.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
In/for my Marlin 1895GS, I have a selection, as pictured below, of cast bullets I get from a local friend and site menber
. In addition to those pictured, there is also a 345gr LFNBB I get. I picked up the 530gr with intentions of using it in the model 70, 458WM but haven't got around to that yet. 
I have two old Browning 375H&H's in mint condition,an old Browning 458Winch in mint condition and a Ruger 458 Winch. All great guns. The two 375's were carried lots and not shot much and the Browning 458 is the same. The 458 has shot stuff in Africa, not by me, but by the guy in Montreal who sold it to me. He went to Browning to pick and choose the wood on all the Brownings he purchased. Real nice gun , in the fit "of madness" he gave me 200 rounds of commercial ammo with the gun!
This got me into collecting the 1960's Brownings. I have 7mm's and 3006's from the same era. There was about a three year time frame where everyone was "dumping" these guns in Vancouver and Bellingham, Washington. In Bellingham, they also were "dumping" old sako's. I got two exc sako 7mm's with scope mounts. To bad the law changed and now its hard to buy this stuff because of the import/export costs.
This got me into collecting the 1960's Brownings. I have 7mm's and 3006's from the same era. There was about a three year time frame where everyone was "dumping" these guns in Vancouver and Bellingham, Washington. In Bellingham, they also were "dumping" old sako's. I got two exc sako 7mm's with scope mounts. To bad the law changed and now its hard to buy this stuff because of the import/export costs.
