Winchester Safari Express .375H&H

Demonical

Demonical

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I just received my new M70 Safari Express from Ellwood Epps. Good Lord, this has to be the best built rifle, dollar-for-dollar of any bolt-action available today. Everything is so well thought out and executed.

That's it.

Oh, and I had to have a .375H&H... it's been bothering me for a few years that the gun safe did not have one in residence...
 
Sounds like a good choice!

Any pictures, range report..?

Demonical said:
I just received my new M70 Safari Express from Ellwood Epps. Good Lord, this has to be the best built rifle, dollar-for-dollar of any bolt-action available today. Everything is so well thought out and executed.

That's it.

Oh, and I had to have a .375H&H... it's been bothering me for a few years that the gun safe did not have one in residence...
Click to expand...
 
You're going to like it. Like you I have a real background in CZ/Brno Magnums, but when I got my M70 in .458 they went into instant retirement. There's nothing I would change about it, unless I can figure out a way to make it hold 4 down. I did change to a thicker pad, but that's for fit.
 
BUM, aesthetically it's not all that much to look at, but functionally, it's a BEAUT'.

Oh yeah, these rifles sell for $2k stateside, so the $1270 Epps had the rifle for, is a bargain IMGO.
 
Demonical said:
I just received my new M70 Safari Express from Ellwood Epps. Good Lord, this has to be the best built rifle, dollar-for-dollar of any bolt-action available today. Everything is so well thought out and executed.

That's it.

Oh, and I had to have a .375H&H... it's been bothering me for a few years that the gun safe did not have one in residence...
Click to expand...

Question, I need a bit of education. Yours is a "Safari Express", I have a M70, in 458WM but engraved on the floor plate is Super Express. Does anyone know if they are one and the same or is there a difference? If so, what?

Model70Winchester458WM.jpg
 
Dogleg said:
You're going to like it. Like you I have a real background in CZ/Brno Magnums, but when I got my M70 in .458 they went into instant retirement. There's nothing I would change about it, unless I can figure out a way to make it hold 4 down. I did change to a thicker pad, but that's for fit.
Click to expand...

Dogleg, I have a ZKK-602 that had to be heavily modified to be as good as this Winchester; the ZKK is superior in only one way. I put a McMillan stock on it and had it glass bedded.
But everything I had done to the Brno was 'stock' on the M70. No mods required, and the Winnie has the fabled 3-pos safety.

This is hearsay, but what the hell... the ad says it has a 'Pre-64 controlled round feed bolt'. So I told that to my buddy, who is a certifiable gun expert, and he claims this new action is better than the famous Pre-64. True or false? Maybe cuz of metallurgy or CNC manufacturing? Dunno what he knows...
 
Welll glad you got the Safari express, real hard to find up here, Like John I have the Super Express in 375 H&H and really like it also! I know the Safari's are worth about double the price of vintage Super Expres's like I have do to the custom shop aspect.
I also have a BRNO ZKK 602 magnum though in 358 Norma Magnum, but I think it is as good or a tiny bit better than the Winchester, only because of the open sights on the ZKK Magnum. I wish a US manufacturer would start building 358 NM in 375/458WIN express type rifles, I know there would be atleast a dozen guys who would buy on in the $1200-2200 price range.
cheers Dale Z!
 
zywina said:
Welll glad you got the Safari express, real hard to find up here, Like John I have the Super Express in 375 H&H and really like it also! I know the Safari's are worth about double the price of vintage Super Expres's like I have do to the custom shop aspect.
I also have a BRNO ZKK 602 magnum though in 358 Norma Magnum, but I think it is as good or a tiny bit better than the Winchester, only because of the open sights on the ZKK Magnum. I wish a US manufacturer would start building 358 NM in 375/458WIN express type rifles, I know there would be atleast a dozen guys who would buy on in the $1200-2200 price range.
cheers Dale Z!
Click to expand...

For a while, in addition to the Super Express, I also had a ZKK 602, both in 458WM. I shot better with the Super Express and it seemd to be finished off a little better than the ZKK 602 so I put the Brno 'up for adoption'.

458WMtestresults.jpg


I like your caliber choice in the 358NM. One of my favorites. I picked up one in a model 1651 Husqvarna from a gentleman on site. I was looking for a Schultz & Larsen but when I saw the Husqvarna, I couldn't resist. Even when I eventually get a S&L, I'll still be very reluctant to part with this Husqvarna.

Husqvarna1651358NM.jpg


Husqvarna358NM2.jpg
 
Demonical said:
Dogleg, I have a ZKK-602 that had to be heavily modified to be as good as this Winchester; the ZKK is superior in only one way. I put a McMillan stock on it and had it glass bedded.
But everything I had done to the Brno was 'stock' on the M70. No mods required, and the Winnie has the fabled 3-pos safety.

This is hearsay, but what the hell... the ad says it has a 'Pre-64 controlled round feed bolt'. So I told that to my buddy, who is a certifiable gun expert, and he claims this new action is better than the famous Pre-64. True or false? Maybe cuz of metallurgy or CNC manufacturing? Dunno what he knows...
Click to expand...

The Classics have a gas block on the bolt and drilled bolt that the pre-64s didn't so would handle a pierced primer or ruptured case better. They also have an anti-bind slot that has been around for decades but did come after the Pre-64s. The more modern stock wins hands down over the 50+ year old designs of the pre-64s.

The new trigger is a 3 lever design that offers a great pull, the old style is a marvel of simplicity that has an appeal of its own if it was set up correctly. The one piece bottom metal is an improvement over that 2 piece, 3 screw action bending, sometimes popping open abortion that someone should be kicked in the nuts for inventing. The Pre-64s had a one piece bolt while the Classics have the handle splined on. That's at least a theoretical point in favor of the old, although I don't know anyone who ever tore a bolt handle off one. I've had pre-64s and I like the new ones better.

I converted a CZ .375 over to a model 70 style safety; it cost me $400 by the time it was over.Then there was the needed pad change and cross-bolts that the CZ didn't have. The stock design of the M70 feels about 100 times better than my CZs, and has every indication of being designed by someone who has seen a scope before. Same with the bolt handles.

Then there's the admittedly subjective feel the M70 has. I picked it up, and it was like I'd had it my whole life. That's not a little thing.

So what do you think, do I sound like a fan?;)
 
I am sorry but for the money, 600.00 my BRNO 602 with five (yes that's right) under the bolt is a wonderful if not superior rifle.
The flip up iron sights are dead on at their intended ranges. I can customize of course, but it works well.
The two things i dont like, or would change is the 3 position safety and the awkward set trigger.
It is a magnum length action and while i like the 375 H&H, i think I would love a 416 Rem Mag better.
 
I bought one two years ago. I love it. Nothing fancy to look at but a great rifle. Mine is in 375 H&H also
http://3.bp.########.com/-Gl5V1RDG_Ts/TjQrfThzW6I/AAAAAAAAAdc/rzzBnXWE41o/s1600/375.jpg
 
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